If you're searching for a great way to start off the weekend of Chanukah, look no further than Cincinnati Museum Center. Their new exhibit, Dead Sea Scrolls, features a collection of ancient artifacts from Israel dating back to 200 B.C. Included are the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible, religious articles such as a menorah carved in stone, and a block of the Western Wall which fell during Roman fighting in 70 A.D.
After visiting the exhibit, stop by the Dead Sea Scrolls gift shop. Free and open to the public, the gift shop is located on the bottom floor near the entrance to the Children's Museum and is at the exit of the Dead Sea Scrolls hall.
Boasting with dozens of items for both children and adults, the gift shop is the perfect spot to find something unique for Chanukah.
Kosher foods imported from Israel.
Lotions, candles, and soaps imported from Israel.
Learn the Hebrew Alphabet Kit, replica coins, and religious jigsaw puzzles.
Children's Jewish Bible and other Hebrew books for youth.
A book about ancient Jewish Daily Life and decorative art imported from Israel.
A fascinating read on the timeline of the Jewish people.
And of course, plenty of reading material about the Dead Sea Scrolls.
An American classic and one of my favorite holiday stories, It's A Wonderful Life takes the stage at the Falcon Theatre in Newport. Portrayed as a 1940s radio drama, the audience is transported back to the days of live voice actors and foley artists. The production finds creative ways to simulate sounds of doors slamming, crickets chirping, getting punched, and footsteps in the snow, all while using household items. With a cast of seven: five voice actors and two foley artists, the talented Falcon cast replicates dozens of characters in It's A Wonderful Life word-for-word.
Lisa Dirkes was a spot-on Mary Hatch, complimented by Jay Dallas Benson's George Bailey.
The pair was joined with talented foley artists Evan Blanton and Emily Hunt on the left.
A variety of household items were used to make sounds effects from the foley pit.
Emily Hunt mashes a bag of corn starch to simulate George Bailey's footsteps in the snow.
Kate Joos Glasheen (far right) carried a rendition of Zuzu
that made both the audience and her fellow actors smile.
An old fashioned "applause" sign lit up to cue the
audience.
Adam Drake, Jay Dallas Benson, Nathan
Ruggles, and Kate Joos Glasheen
sang old radio jingles for hilarious products during the intermission.
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Drama
is an amazing, heartfelt tale and a perfect way to get in the holiday
spirit with your date, family or friends. Coupled with the Falcon
Theatre's creative radio element, this amazing performance should be at
the top of your must-see list this December.
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Drama runs December 7, 8, 9, and 13, 14, 15.
Follow tweets about the performance at #FalconChristmas
December 5th marks the anniversary of the 21st Amendment: the repeal of Prohibition. The anti-liquor movement was led by the Women's Christian Temperance Union who believed alcohol was the cause of many social ills, such as crime, mental illness, poverty, and drunkenness. After 13 years, the criminalization of alcohol led to a rise in delinquency and organized crime. On December 5, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt ratified the 21st Amendment and repealed Prohibition allowing Americans to once again enjoy a celebratory drink.
With its rich, German brewing (and beer drinking) heritage, Cincinnati suffered the loss of many local breweries during Prohibition. At one time, there were 136 drinking establishments on Vine Street alone; that's just from the river to the bottom of the hill.
Jim Bruckman presents Foam Sweet Foam
In remembrance of the Queen City's traditions, Cincinnati Heritage Programs created a presentation about Cincinnati beer: Foam Sweet Foam. Performed by Jim Bruckman, descendant of Brucks Beer, guests had the opportunity to hear about bootleggers, listen to period music, and see buttons and posters from the Prohibition era for both the Wet and Dry parties.
My favorite part was when Bruckman danced along to one of the brewing songs.
Celebrate the 79th anniversary of National Repeal Day by having a drink at your favorite local pub, and raise a glass to those who once paved the way.
During a recent trip to The Aronoff, I took a peek around the latest exhibit at the adjoining Weston Art Gallery. Known for having eclectic, contemporary exhibits, the current installation pushes the creative boundaries.
Ladders extending from a crawlspace.
"Taint," an exhibition by Anthony Luensman, features trick-of-the-eye photography around the human body. As sexual as its name suggests, visitors can see the "Stud Finder" installment, which looks like pubic hair made from scouring pad fibers, a camera lens installed on a swing's seat, or the carnal sounds of eggs being stomped upon with bare feet.
"Stud Finder"
A pole made out of glass "extenders." You can guess what they attach to.
The interactive exhibit will leave visitors raising an eyebrow, yet still curiously pondering for more. Luensman also designed artwork for Lousiville's 21C Hotel. If you're a fan of its style, make a stop by "Taint," which is free to the public through December 9.
Ascending "Neon Ladder." One of the more tame installments in the exhibit.
Kicking off the holiday season at The Aronoff is the legendary Broadway show Jersey Boys. The documentary-style musical tells the story of how a group of
blue collared boys from rough-and-tumble New Jersey became one of the biggest
American pop music sensations of all time: The Four Seasons.
Image courtesy of Jeremy Daniel, Broadway Across America
Comprised of members Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, the four musicians wrote their own songs, invented
their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30.
Image courtesy of Jeremy Daniel, Broadway Across America
Jersey Boys comes with some special ties to the Cincinnati area. John Gardiner, who stars as Tommy DeVito, hails from Edgewood, Kentucky, and received his BFA from Northern Kentucky University.Needless to say, he was my favorite actor in the show, plus his character came with plenty of whimsy.DeVito was both the backbone of the group as well as the most tumultuous band member, and Gardiner captures his essence perfectly: ornery, suave, and a tough leader.
That's John Gardiner on the right. Image courtesy of Jeremy Daniel, Broadway Across America
Most impressive were the frequent and smoothly transitioned set changes which gave the audience the feel of the rush of touring on the road with the band. Props rolled in and out on stage very five minutes, the drum set spun around on a riser, and projections of the on-stage screen were some of my favorite details of the show.
Image courtesy of Jeremy Daniel, Broadway Across America
A toe-tapping performance, Jersey Boys will leave you smiling regardless if you're an original fan of The Four Seasons or a first-time listener.
