UPDATE: Braxton Brewing Co. canceled its third anniversary Block Party this Saturday due to a possible winter storm. The brewery rescheduled the party for noon-11 p.m. March 31 at its taproom, located at 27 W. Seventh St., Covington.
Super NES Game Competition
It will be on like Donkey Kong this Thursday at the Video Archive. The Quentin Tarantino-inspired bar is hosting a Super Nintendo game competition to celebrate the release of "Ready Player One." Video Archive will give away swag and passes to an early screening of the Steven Spielberg-directed movie, which is based on the popular 2011 science fiction novel. The winner of the gaming tournament also will take home a new Super NES Classic System, which is a replica of the original 1990 Nintendo gaming console.
7-9:30 p.m. Thursday. The Video Archive, 965 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
'String Forward'
Spring is in the air with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Players series "String Forward." The string-focused program will begin with "Spring," the first of Mozart's series of string quartets dedicated to Haydn. The program continues with Ravel's "Sonata for Violin and Cello," Smetana's "From My Life" and Paul Lansky's "Hop."
7:30 p.m. Friday. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $40. cincinnatisymphony.org
HorrorHound
This may be the biggest HorrorHound yet. Major horror and science fiction stars from both big and small screens will appear at the annual three-day event at the Sharonville Convention Center. You'll have the chance to meet actor Ron Perlman, who starred in "Hellboy" and "Sons of Anarchy"; Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin Henderson on "Stranger Things"; "Walking Dead" actors Khary Payton and Chandler Riggs; and "Walking Dead" alum Michael Rooker, who most recently played Yondu in "Guardians of the Galaxy."
5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $30 single-day pass; $50 advance or $60 at the door weekend passes; free admission for children age 12 and under. www.horrorhoundweekend.com
Cincinnati Music Hall Open House
You'll want to spend at least part of your Saturday exploring Cincinnati Music Hall. ArtsWave will host a free open house of the iconic Over-the-Rhine venue as part of its ArtsWave Days event series. Enjoy orchestral and dance performances, as well as singers from the May Festival while you're there. And the best part? The entire event is free.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. guide.artswave.org
Cincinnati ‘90s Block Party
Hop into the way-back machine Saturday during the '90's Block Party at U.S. Bank Arena. R&B stars Monica, Ginuwine, Guy, Jagged Edge and Dru Hill will perform. Level nightclub will keep the '90s-themed fun going with "Finesse," an afterparty for the concert. Two DJs will play music from every era on two dance floors throughout the night.
90s Block Party: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. $43.50-$254. usbankarena.com. Finesse: 9:45 p.m. Saturday-2:30 a.m. Sunday. LEVEL Nightlife, 435 Elm St., Downtown. $10. For more information about the afterparty visit the event Facebook page.
Newport Beach Patio Bar
Looking for an escape from the recent cold snap? While it might not be a real vacation, you can at least pretend during Saturday's grand opening of the Newport Beach Patio Bar. The patio bar has 48 outdoor swings, tropical decor and a fire pit surrounded by sand and beach chairs. The Naked Karate Girls will play from 4:30-6:30 p.m., with a DJ set to end the celebration. Newport Beach is located in the former home of Arnie's on the Levee.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday. Newport Beach Patio Bar, 120 E. Third St., Newport. For more information visit the bar's Facebook page.
Macaron Day
Have a sweet tooth? Then Macaron Day 2018 is the perfect "holiday" for you. Participating area bakeries will give away a complimentary macaron (while supplies last) to anyone who mentions Macaron Day on Saturday. The bakeries also will donate a portion of proceeds from macaron sales to the Freestore Foodbank. The sweets shops participating in Macaron Day 2018 include Bonbonerie, Buona Terra, Gaslight Gourmet Cookies, Macaron Bar, Nordstrom's bar, Sweet Petit Desserts, Taste of Belgium and Tres Belle Cakes & Coffee Shop.
For more information visit www.macaron-day.com.
Butterflies of Madagascar
One of the best signs of spring's return in Cincinnati is the annual Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory. This year's show is all about the "Butterflies of Madagascar." Bring your children or come alone and wander through the butterfly display to brush off what's left of those winter blues.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, starting Saturday. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Adults, $7; youths ages 5-17, $4; free ages 4 and under. Show runs through June 17. butterflyshow.com
