Making Music, in Cincinnati

Here in Cincinnati, we have a rich vibrant culture.  We have valuable resources for music, art and theater.  One of our most valued icons is the Music Hall.  This is a beautiful building that houses the Cincinnati Symphony and the Cincinnati Opera.  I have had the luxury of attending both in this majestic hall.  Music Hall will be getting a big renovation in the coming months.  It is necessary and daunting.  The inside of the building is beautiful and soft.  It has rich red velvet seats and luxurious lighting.  This last week my youngest daughter attended an audition workshop.  This is just one of the

 really nice things the Cincinnati Symphony does for our youth in the community.  When the discussion was over, they provided a nice meal for the group and a little back stage tour.  That was really cool!  I have never been behind the stage at Music Hall.  Rumor has it that the hall is haunted.  It is said that the south part of the structure was actually built over a potter's field.  It is possible to take a ghost tour.  Go to spmhcincinnati.org.  We wrapped things up in the lobby where these pictures were taken.  I am a little worried that the renovation will change the softness and warmness of Music Hall.  I have read in the paper recently that the renovation plans show the changes to be cold and concrete.  I really hope that doesn't happen. 

Our Cincinnati Symphony is one of the top five in our Nation.  The cost for a symphony is really reasonable and if you have kids, even better.  You should really try to get to music hall before renovations take place later this summer.  If you go, parking behind the hall, in the parking garage by the police station, is only 5$.  It has a police officer at the gate and the police station is literally right next door.

Washington Park is right across the street and is very pretty, also very crowded in the evening if you want to take a walk.  The area of Over the Rhine is making a big transformation.  There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the neighborhood.  You can go to Lachey's and possibly meet the famous Lachey brothers who both now reside in Cincinnati, or visit Rhinegeist Brewery at 1910 Elm street, and taste some delicious Cincinnati brew.

Are you Hungry?? Cincinnati has BBQ

I was in Saint Louis last fall and enjoyed some delicious BBQ at a place called Pappy's Smokehouse. Pappy's was featured on "Man vs. Food."  They serve authentic smoked BBQ in a dive, in the city.  Loud blues music was playing inside and the floors were concrete.  Pictures of famous celebrities eating at Pappy's were displayed on the walls along with some very eclectic items.  I thought "Cincinnati needs a Pappy's".  Well,  little did I know that we have something very close in a dive called  Eli's BBQ.   You can find Eli's at 3313 Riverside Drive in Cincinnati.  You can't miss it, look for the pink building with the pig sign.  Also, you can find a carry out Eli's at the Findlay Market. 

 















Eli's serves up authentic smoked BBQ.  Dining is inside or outside weather permitting, you can enjoy this delicious feast under some white tents set up out back or dine inside, while listening to music on the 1980's style stereo.


 Inside there is some fantastic memorabilia lining the walls and red and black checkered floors.  Outside stand two old bathtubs painted yellow and filled with shrubs. 

The food is delicious and affordable. The menu includes: Pulled pork, smoked turkey, Hot dogs, Hickory smoked ribs, and sides.  The cole slaw, Jalapeno corn bread and jalapeno cheddar grits came highly recommended and didn't disappoint!   Eli's also does catering!  If you are hungry and looking for some authentic smoked BBQ give this place a try.  I am sure you'll love it and want to come back for more. 

One Word: TULIPS

These are some pictures from the Cincinnati Zoo Flower show.  Just a little follow up on the blog about spring places to visit.  If you have not been, you should go soon.  It is spectacular!

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The Garden of Eden...Park that is; and Springtime in Mount Adams

 High atop Mount Adams stands a beautiful church.  It is a landmark for Cincinnati.  The church can be seen from 471 as you drive into Cincinnati from Kentucky.  It stands tall and lit up like a beacon that welcomes one home.  This is Holy Cross Immaculata Church.  I write about this now, not only because it is a well known and beautiful landmark, but because as a tradition on Good Friday, before Easter, people come from all over to pray the steps that climb up the hill in Mount Adams to the church. 

 Mount Adams is really quite lovely.  The view of the city below is unquestionably one of the best in the area.  The Mount is loaded with pubs and restaurants. One of the restaurants in Mount Adams is the Rookwood.  Rookwood is also a fine pottery that our area is known for.  Sitting next to Mount Adams is Eden Park.  This park is an arts and entertainment mecca for Cincinnati.  It is a large park loaded with flowering trees and spring flowers as well as a large fountain and gazebo which makes for great photography and would be a nice place to lay out a blanket and have a picnic.   Eden park houses the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Krohn's Conservatory, and the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

 The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is a theater that brings to life many Broadway plays as well as new plays never performed.  I recently saw a production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the Playhouse and it was great!  The Playhouse offers discounts for students and a student with an ID can get tickets the day of a performance for $15 each.  This is if the performance hasn't sold out.  Student tickets purchased before the performance can be bought for $30 each, which is a bargain for a Broadway production in a state of the art theater.  Next season boasts some great shows, check it out now to build your own fantastic season of great and affordable theater.

 The Cincinnati Art Museum has over 60,000 exhibits and traveling exhibits throughout the year.  Admission is always free and parking is only $4.  This is really a terrific way to spend a day.  There is so much to see inside, not just paintings but, sculptures and antiquities.  I was at the museum once and got to see a traveling exhibit of rare cars.  It was a great exhibit and very interesting. 

 The Krohn's Conservatory is a giant green house.  It was built in 1933 and houses a rain forest and a desert.  Every year in the spring, you can visit the Conservatory for the "Butterfly Show."  This year the show is the "Butterflies of the Caribbean."  The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children, under age 4 is free.  Parking is free.  Take your camera, this is an opportunity to photograph some stunning and brilliant creatures.