CINCINNATI — Bounce into your weekend with Hop Fest, a party celebrating Cincinnati's beer history and plenty of Easter-related events.
FOOD & DRINK
"Cincinnati Beer" Book Release Party: 8-11:30 p.m. Friday. Arnold's Bar and Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown. Free. Local author and historian Michael Morgan has a passion for beer. Morgan is the president of Queen City History & Education, Ltd. He published his first book related to Cincinnati's beer history "Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King" in 2010. Morgan will celebrate the release of his follow-up book, "Cincinnati Beer" with a party at Arnold's. The event will include live music by The Part-Time Gentlemen and a small-batch Scottish ale by MadTree Brewing on tap. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Hop Fest at Hop Scotch: 2-9 p.m. Saturday. Hop Scotch, 251 Calhoun St., CUF. $30 in advance; $40 at the door. 21 and over. Craft beer and whiskey bar, Hop Scotch is hosting its inaugural Hop Fest this Saturday. Admission to the festival will include 15 five-ounce samples from 40-50 beers on tap, appetizers and swag from brewers and brewery representatives. Hop Fest is broken down into two session. The first will take place from 2-5 p.m. and the second session is set for 6-9 p.m. hopscotchohio.ticketspice.com
Easter Brunch at Hotel Covington: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington. $60 adults; $50 seniors; $18 children 4-12; free children under 4. The third annual Easter brunch buffet at Coppin's restaurant in the Hotel Covington is a great way to spend time with your family this Sunday. The buffet will feature a grits station, cold cured bar featuring smoked salmon and lox w with accoutrement, hot dishes including goetta benedict and mini frittatas, fruits, sweets and Easter ham. hotelcovington.com
COMMUNITY
Freedom 55: Music Moved the Movement, Civil Rights and the Blues: 6-9 p.m. Thursday. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. Free. Join National Underground Railroad Freedom Center's Deputy Director, Jacqueline Dace for a moderated discussion with Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Rush and 28-year-old Marquise Knox this Thursday. The discussion will focus on societal conditions prior to and during the Civil Rights Movement and discuss how blues artists who grew up in that era expressed themselves through the musical genre. www.eventbrite.com
Earth Day OTR: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Celebrate your mother this Saturday at Washington Park thanks to Kroger and Mix 94.9. The free Earth Day event will feature live reggae music, food, drink, eco-friendly goods for sale and a bunch of activities for children as well as adults. There will also be a One Stop Drop Recycling Drive from noon-3 p.m. for hard to recycle items. For more details visit the event Facebook page.
Kings Island Season Begins: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Daily admission tickets start at $47.99. What's old is new for the 2019 season at Kings Island. On Saturday, the amusement park will debut the return of the Kings Mills Antique Autos after a 15-year absence, celebrate the Beast's 40th anniversary and keep time with a fully refurbished Glockenspiel clock at Fest Haus. www.visitkingsisland.com
Colerain Township Community Easter Egg Hunt: Noon Sunday. Colerain Township Community Center, 4300 Springdale Road, Colerain Township. Free. Bring your children one through 12 years old out for a day of Easter Sunday fun. The hunt starts at noon. Commencement Church also invites everyone to the community center for a special 10:15 a.m. Easter service. www.commencementchurch.com
Third Sunday Funday: Spring Fest: 1-4 p.m. Sunday Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown. Free. Get your face painted, create your own bunny ears and decorate your own goody bag during Taft Museum of Art's Spring Fest. Barnyard friends from Sunrock Farm will also be at the museum for petting from 2-4 p.m. And don't forget to get your bag filled with Easter treats before you leave. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
MUSIC & MORE
Celtic Women - "Ancient Land Tour:" 7 p.m. Thursday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. $43-$154. Celebrate Ireland's rich musical and cultural heritage with Celtic Women this Thursday at the Taft Theatre. The ensemble group of all-women Irish singers and performers has mesmerized audience since 2005. tafttheatre.org
Comedian Nick Offerman: 8 p.m. Friday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. $40-$60. If your a fan of the now defunct NBC comedy series "Parks & Recreation," then you already know Nick Offerman. The comedian made Ron Swanson, director of a small town parks department, a character to remember from the show. Offerman offers the same dry, no-nonsense delivery of his jokes onstage as his character on "Parks & Recreation." tafttheatre.org
