CINCINNATI – Summertime fun is in full swing this weekend.
Check out the music, food, drink and community events taking place across Greater Cincinnati below.
Dave Matthews Band – Dave Matthews and his band will return to Riverbend Music Center on Thursday evening. The jam band, with its strong local following, usually makes a stop each summer in the Queen City. Dave and crew took time off from touring last year, though, to record their ninth studio album, "Come Tomorrow." The album will be released Friday, so fans can expect to hear new songs during the concert. 8 p.m. Thursday. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. $45-$115. riverbend.org
Rockin' the Roebling – The riverfront near Smale Park is going to rock Thursday evening. The inaugural Rockin' the Roebling will feature a free, live performance by the Chuck Taylors on the Scmidlapp Event Lawn. The concert will be the first of a free music series held every Thursday on the lawn next to Moerlein Lager House through Aug. 30. A dollar from every Moerlein beer sold at each outdoor party will be donated to the Cincinnati Parks Foundation. 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday. Schmidlapp Event Lawn, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
A Celebration of Black Music – Take in two evenings of fantastic music within a great setting this weekend. The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati will host A Celebration of Black Music, which features a lineup that includes Peabo Bryson, Eric Darius, Brian Simpson and Avery Sunshine on Friday. Special EFX All-Stars featuring Chieli Minucci, Howard Hewett, Maysa, Karen Briggs, Lao Tizer, Gerald Veasley and Marion Meadows, along with Pieces of a Dream, will perform Saturday. Each night will include DJ Vader's Old School Party with a cash bar and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Hyatt Regency, 151 W. Fifth St., Downtown. $60 general admission or $75 limited reserved seating each night. theabercrumbiegroup.com
Summitfest – Country music fans, rejoice. The inaugural Summitfest will take place this weekend at Summit Park in Blue Ash. The lineup for the single-day event includes Chase Rice, the Eli Young Band and special guest Kellie Pickler, who has her own afternoon talk show on WCPO Channel 9. There also will be food, drinks, yoga early in the day and a laser show choreographed to music to end the event. Noon-11 p.m. Saturday. Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash. blueashevents.com
John Prine with Tyler Childers – I "discovered" the music of John Prine while in college and have loved his work ever since. The folksy singer, songwriter and storyteller will visit the Taft Theatre on Saturday evening to play a show he postponed in March. Artists from Johnny Cash to Ben Harper have covered songs from Prine's music catalog over the years. Perhaps you'll hear one and learn why Prine is truly considered a "songwriter's songwriter." 8 p.m. Saturday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. $61.50-$101.50. tafttheatre.org
Poison with Cheap Trick and Pop Evil – Buy a few bottles of hairspray to tease your bangs and break out your black T-shirt for this essential summer concert. Staple 1980s hair band Poison will bring its "Nothin' But a Good Time 2018" tour to Riverbend on Sunday. Cheap Trick and Pop Evil will join the band on stage for one night of pure rock. 7 p.m. Sunday. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave. Anderson Township. $25-$99.50. riverbend.org
Opera in the Park – Don't care for big hair and heavy guitar licks? Fans of the true classics will appreciate the Cincinnati Opera's 98th summer festival at Washington Park on Sunday. The free outdoor concert will feature a selection of opera and musical theater favorites performed by the Cincinnati Opera Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of opera under the setting sun in front of Music Hall. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. cincinnatiopera.org
Newport Italianfest – Sample a taste of Italy during the 27th annual Newport Italianfest this weekend. There will be authentic Italian food, live music and a family photo booth showcasing the history of Italian families who settled in Newport generations ago. Other fun activities will include a cooking contest, games and rides. 5-11 p.m. Thursday; 5-11:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. 1 Levee Way, Newport. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
A Taste of Duveneck – Take in exhibits, art, food and drinks at the Cincinnati Art Museum's 28th annual A Taste of Duveneck festival on Friday. The event will feature an assortment of wine and beer, local food, live music from the Naked Karate Girls and access to the entire museum, including free admission to the "Terracotta Army: Legacy of the First Emperor of China" special exhibit. 6:30-10 p.m. Friday. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. $85 general admission. Ages 21 and older. cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Schwabenfest – Schwabenfest is one of the biggest German-heritage festivals in the region. The festival is presented by the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society, a group dedicated to celebrating the region's authentic German heritage. The two-day festival will feature German beer, live music, food and performances by the Donauschaben Youth Group and Schuhplattlers. There also will be an Oktoberfest chicken dinner Friday evening and a whole roasted ox dinner Saturday. 6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday. 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain Township. $3 admission; ages 12 and under free. cincydonau.com
Jane’s Saddlebag Wine Festival – Wine lovers, giddy up and make your way to Jane's Saddlebag Wine Festival in Union, Kentucky, this weekend. The two-day fest will feature wines from Elk Creek, Atwood, Brianza, Stonebrook, Wildside, Old502, Horseshoe Bend and Redman Farm. There also will be more than 30 craft vendors, a free children's play area and live music by Right Turn Clyde both days. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Jane's Saddlebag, 13989 Ryle Road, Union. $18 pre-sale; $20 at the gate. janessaddlebag.com
Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance – Get your motor running this weekend at the annual Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance. This three-day event focusing on classic cars will begin with a sold-out viewing of rare cars in Indian Hill. Festivities pick back up Saturday with a seminar focused on Porsche, a countryside tour, an open house at Metalkraft Coachwerkes and a hanger party at Lunken Airport. Sunday's fun includes brunch and an automotive art show at Ault Park Pavilion and the Concours d'Elegance car show at Ault Park. Various events and locations Saturday; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Ault Park, 3600 Observatory Ave., Mount Lookout. ohioconcours.com
St. Gertrude Parish Festival – Church festival season is upon us and one of the biggest in the region is happening this weekend. The St. Gertrude Parish Festival will feature more than 60 booths and rides, festival food, live entertainment, an auction, air-conditioned gaming hall, $1,000 helicopter golf ball drop prize and a raffle. 6-11 p.m. Friday; 5-11 p.m. Saturday; 3-9 p.m. Sunday. St. Gertrude Parish, 6543 Miami Ave., Madeira. Free. stgertrude.org
NKY Pride 2018 – Celebrate and support Northern Kentucky's LGBTQ community this week at multiple events. Northern Kentucky Pride is a grass-roots series of events focused on education, advocacy, community building and celebration. The party began last Saturday and continues through Sunday with a daylong party at Goebel Park in Covington. Other events include the Pike Street Stroll from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, an NKY Interfaith Pride service at Trinity Episcopal Church of Covington from 7-8 p.m., an NKY Pride night at Great American Ball Park from 7-10:30 p.m. Friday and Pride night at the Cincinnati Observatory from 9-11 p.m. Saturday. Sunday's festivities will begin with the NKY Pride Parade from 1-2 p.m. The parade will begin at the Covington Landing and continue to Goebel Park. Hotel Covington is hosting an afterparty from 6-8 p.m. Sunday with a drag show in the hotel's courtyard. For a complete list of NKY Pride activities visit nkypride.org.
Charm at the Farm Vintage Market – Go out and take in the great outdoors with the return of the Charm on the Farm Vintage Market. This three-day crafter and artisan market will take place on a 56-acre former Clydesdale horse farm in Lebanon. There will be live entertainment, beer, wine and food trucks at the market as well. The market also will be held Aug. 24-26 and Oct. 26-28. 4-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. 4953 Bunnell Hill Road, Lebanon. $15 VIP Friday night tickets; $5 general admission. Free parking. charmatthefarm.com
Second Sunday on Main – Second Sunday on Main returns to Over-the-Rhine this weekend and promises to be bigger and better than ever. This annual family-friendly event will take place the second Sunday of each month through October. The outdoor event features live music, local vendors, food trucks and arts programming lining Main Street in Over-the-Rhine. Noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Main Street between 12th and Liberty streets, Over-the-Rhine. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Greater Cincinnati Soap Box Derby – Bring out the kid in you at the Greater Cincinnati Soap Box Derby. This traditional derby race, which began in 1934, pits children ages 7 to 17 against one another in one of three levels of gravity-powered racing cars. The cars are purchased as kits from the All-American Soap Box Derby group. The winners from each division of Sunday's race will represent Greater Cincinnati at the All-American Soap Box Derby, which takes place July 15-21 in Akron. 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Soap Box Derby, 1641 Larch Ave., College Hill. soapboxderby.org
