CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT FINDLAY MARKET

Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt expanded into a three-weekend celebration this year, with its new location at Findlay Market. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 13-15 are the final days for the event.

Ironically, Christkindlmarkt is set up near the Anti-German Hysteria historical placard.

Inspired by the centuries-old holiday markets in Germany, Cincideutsch organized a version of the festivities for Cincinnatians to enjoy. Old fashioned timber houses create storefronts for vendors selling anything from traditional German baked goods, handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and more.

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012. - See more at: http://www.cincywhimsy.com/2013/12/two-weekends-of-christkindlmarkt.html#sthash.zAzcGOwy.dpuf

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012. - See more at: http://www.cincywhimsy.com/2013/12/two-weekends-of-christkindlmarkt.html#sthash.zAzcGOwy.dpuf

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012.

Over 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the event throughout December. Christkindlmarkt runs from 9:00am-6:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00am-4:00pm on Sunday

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Quite possibly the most elaborate and entertaining show to hit Ensemble Theatre this year, Around The World In 80 Days takes the audience on an exotic journey with a story told through song.

Photo courtesy of Ensemble Theatre

 

Set in 1899 in London, England, the precisely punctual and clever Phileas Fogg wagered his life savings on a bet that the world was able to be circumnavigated in 80 days. Between boarding trains and steamships, Fogg and his witty French butler, Passepartout, dodge bandits, stampedes, and the thick of the jungle all while being pursued by the British police. Will the race against the clock defeat them from a timely journey to win their bet?

Photo courtesy of Ensemble Theatre

The largest cast to take stage at the Ensemble in recent years, 17 actors filled the intimate stage with the grace and grandeur of a national Broadway show. Familiar faces return from past shows, including powerhouse vocalist Torie Wiggins and her co-star Annie Fitzpatrick from Black Pearl Sings. In a vast contrast to the solemn production of The Whipping Man, lead actor Ken Early delighted the audience with his portrayal of Phileas Fogg, who was filled with optimistic perseverance.

Photo courtesy of Ensemble Theatre

The incredible interchangable set design transformed into a matter of moments creating vehicles from hot air balloons to trains, ships and elephants. In addition to the actors, puppeteers were incorporated as animals in a variety of scenes. Some of my favorite moments were those that involved audience participation as well as the subtle humor slipped in about Cincinnati's current transportation issues. At several points in the play, characters quipped at "reliable American rail transit" and also rode a train that stopped only halfway to their destination due to the track ending abruptly.

Photo courtesy of Ensemble Theatre

Of course, it wouldn't be a musical without claiming a favorite song. Torie Wiggins, who played supporting character Aouda, a rescued Indian princess, performed a soulful and inspiring "Strong Wind, Strong Woman" as she intuitively guided a sailboat for a nearly defeated Phileas Fogg.

Photo courtesy of Ensemble Theatre

Around The World In 80 Days was one of Ensemble Theatre's first commissioned musicals, with its last performance taking place 13 years ago. Cincinnatians will have many opportunities to catch this much-anticipated show, with over 30 evenings of performances scheduled between now and January 4, 2014. 

SNOW SHOW: DECEMBER

When the first breath of winter settles in and there are no more leaves to peep, look around as a soft white blanket coats the city. While icy roads may have you stuck inside, a walkable snow show awaits right outside your door.

CITYBEAT'S BOURBON & BACON

Two foods that pair better than an alliteration: bourbon and bacon. Thanks to CityBeat, locals were about to get a taste of of the region's signature liquor and the nation's favorite salty snack. Hundreds piled into The Carnegie to be a part of this delectable event.

Django Western Taco served my favorite drink of the evening: a bourbon cocktail with sweet notes of honey that was refreshing and warmed the spirit. Located in the Northside Taco District, Django was also dishing out bites to eat: braised pork belly with zesty poblano corn, topped with guacamole garnished with a fried tortilla chip.

My favorite dish of the night was possibly the most simple: a deviled egg topped with bacon and bourbon glaze from Chappy's Bourbon Bar, a new restaurant in Old Milford. Chappy's opens with their full menu on January 1, 2014. If their deviled egg is any indicator, their menu is well-worth the drive.

Closer to home, Over-the-Rhine eateries Holtman's Donuts and Grandma Debbie's Kitchen cooked up more treats worth bragging about. Naturally, Holtman's brought their famous Maple Bacon Donut, but also showcased a Bourbon Glazed Donut which is soft, flavorful, and only available at the event. Grandma Debbie whipped up her seasonal Bourbon Baked Beans with Bacon, doing double duty with one dish. Available at her shop in Findlay Market for the holidays, this side dish will leave your loved ones drooling for seconds.

Two kinds of ribs were served: Memphis style prepared by Walt's Hitching Post and Kansas City style prepared by City Barbeque. The difference is in the way the meat is cooked: Memphis is seasoned with a dry rub and is more about the flavor of the meat than in the sauce. Kansas City is fall-off-the-bone tender doused in BBQ. Then there were Eli's BBQ samples of pulled pork with BBQ sauce topped with coleslaw. I'm big on sauce, so latter two were my favorites.

Back to the bourbons, the selection featured a mix of well-known names and craft distillers. Maker's Mark, Old Forrester, OYO, and Four Roses poured samples of their top shelf bottles. Maker's shared their newer bourbon, Maker's 46, which is a slight twist on their traditional label with more noticeable cinnamon and warmer notes.
 

 

Then there was Pogue Bourbon, which made me excited to try a brand with a name akin to a punk rock band. How was it? More like Pogue-My-God. My lips burned, my mouth burned. Everything burned! At first I thought it was due to my novice approach to bourbon, but my connoisseur friend took a sip and commented that his 5:00 shadow instantly grew to a 5:45. If you like a strong bourbon that puts hair on your chest, Pogue is the way to go.
 

In a unique twist, Roebling Point Bookstore had many Kentucky cooking and bourbon books for sale. Old 502 Winery also put a clever perspective on bourbon with its Bourbon Barrel Red, a blend of red wines aged in a bourbon barrel for an added oak flavor. This was a pleasant surprise, along with sampling their other varieties such as the chocolate wine, and four blends of whites.

With full stomachs and warmed spirits, CityBeat's Bourbon & Bacon event was a smashing success!

TWO WEEKENDS OF CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Findlay Market will be brimming with Gemütlichkeit for the next two weekends as Christkindlmarkt brings German heritage back to the heart of Over-the-Rhine. From December 6-8 and December 13-15, look for specialty vendors in charming half-timbered houses serving traditional holiday sweets, European baked goods, and handcrafted gifts. The event, organized by Cincideutsch, is inspired by the same festivities held throughout Germany that have been celebrated for hundreds of years.

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012.

Over 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the event throughout December, enjoying the market's spirited ambiance, live music, and sparkling lights. Christkindlmarkt runs from 9:00am-6:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10:00am-4:00pm on Sundays.