CINCINNATI – Laugh, drink, listen and enjoy a bratwurst this weekend.
UniverSoul Circus 25th Anniversary: Described as hip-hop under the big tent, UniverSoul Circus promises high-flying fun, fantastic choreography, and breathtaking stunts. The circus is in town starting Thursday in Bond Hill. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 2250 E. Seymour Ave., Bond Hill. $18.50 Thursday; $22 Friday-Sunday. www.universoulcircus.com
Cindependent Film Festival 2018: Cincinnati's independent film scene will take center stage this weekend at the Woodward Theater in Over-the-Rhine. The three-day festival is part of Cindependent's mission to support, spotlight and grow our local filmmaking community. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. $10 single screening; $25 day pass; $70 three-day pass; $250 VIP pass. www.cindependentfilmfest.org
Holy Cross High School Summer Festival: This weekend's parish festival takes us to the Covington neighborhood of Latonia. The Holy Cross High School summer festival features a raffle for $10,000 cash, a two-year lease of a 2018 Chevy Cruze or a 2018 Kawasaki Side by Side. Bands DV8 will perform Friday, followed by the Menus on Saturday. Local restaurants will also serve delicious dishes. 6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 5:30 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Holy Cross High School, 3617 Church St., Covington. holycrossfest.com
Germania Oktoberfest: As the end of summer draws near its time to look ahead to fall fun. Get your first taste of the upcoming season with the 48th annual Germania Society of Cincinnati's Oktoberfest. There will be German food, beer, wine, schnapps and live music all weekend long. There will also be carnival rides, games and a wide variety of imported German merchandise for sale. 6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 2 p.m.-midnight Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Germania Park, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain Township. $5 admission; 12 and under free; free parking. germaniasociety.com
Sayler Park Oktoberfest: Make your way closer to the Ohio River on the west side and enjoy the second annual Sayler Park Oktoberfest on Saturday. The event will feature craft beer, local food, entertainment and a celebration of German heritage. 2-11 p.m. Saturday. Nelson Sayler Memorial Park, 6600 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Second Annual Rock & Roll Chalk Art & Hot Air Balloon Fest: Be wowed by chalk art, enjoy music from Blue Stone Ivory and check out the hot air balloons during this special event hosted by the Dragonfly Foundation. There will be tethered-balloon rides, a DJ, concessions and a chance to vote on your favorite chalk art display. 12:30-9 p.m. Saturday. RE/MAX Preferred Group, 9032 Union Center Blvd., West Chester. Free. dragonfly.org
Cheetah Run/Walk 5K: Start your Sunday on the wild side with the annual Cheetah Run/Walk 5K at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Registration includes admission to the zoo and children 12 and under can run for free in a fun "cub" run. The run/walk is chip-timed and prizes will be awarded for the first 10 men and 10 women who finish the 5k. 8-10 a.m. Sunday. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. $40 non-zoo members; $35 zoo members. cincinnatizoo.org
Big Kahuna Bash at Hotel Covington: Who doesn't love a summer luau? The Hotel Covington's Big Kahuna Bash will feature $8 tuna poke bites; $6 span sliders with pickled pineapples and honey mustard; $9 ginger glazed rotisserie chicken; $7 loco moco shortribs and rice; $8 half-pound whole roasted hog; $5 pineapple and coconut bars; $6 grilled bok choy; tiki drinks; flame throwing; and more. 6-10 p.m. Thursday. Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington. hotelcovington.com
2018 Cincy Brew Ha-Ha: Drink and be merry this weekend during the 12th annual Cincy Brew Ha-Ha. This unique festival features more than 100 beers, ciders and wines along with more than 80 comedians on four stages. The best part might be all the standup in the park is free, which makes the Brew Ha-Ha a perfect lighthearted weekend event. 5 p.m.-midnight Friday; 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. $5 beer wristband; $1 per beer ticket. www.cincybrewhaha.com
Dos Años Anniversary Celebration: Raise a pint and help the Woodburn Brewery celebrate its second year in business. The East Walnut Hills taproom will feature eight special brews for the event. Those tappings include Woodburn's Bourbon Barrel Aged Chocolate Mint Stout, a Berliner Weisse, Cumulus Kellerbier and the Emilio. There will also be $2 "Juan Solo" pints, live music, food from Ché and special giveaways all day. Noon-midnight Saturday. The Woodburn Brewery, 2800 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Wine Over Water 2018: Support the Brighton Center in Northern Kentucky by attending the second annual Wine Over Water event. Take in a gorgeous view of the Ohio River and Cincinnati as you sample wine, beer and food on the Purple People Bridge. There will also be live entertainment throughout the evening. 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday. Purple People Bridge, 1 Levee Way, Newport. $40 in advance; $50 at the door. 21 and over. www.brightoncenter.com
Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club Bar Olympics: Show off your bar game skills during the Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club's Bar Olympics this Sunday. Games will include beer pong, flip cup, giant Jenga, Putt-Putt, cornhole, battle shots and big wheel races. Festivities begin at two. All Braxton, New Belgium and Fifty West buckets of beer will be $15. People must be 21 to participate in the games but all ages are welcome to watch. 2-6 p.m. Sunday. Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club, 860 Elm St., Ludlow. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Whispering Beard Folk Festival 2018: Get folksy during the 11th annual Whispering Beard Folk Festival. The four-day festival is an hour drive south of Cincinnati at the Old Mill Campground in Ripley County, Indiana. There will be live music, craft vendors, food and square dancing during the event. Campsites are also available for rent at the venue. Thursday-Sunday. Old Mill Campground, Friendship St., Versailles, Indiana. $25 advance, $30 at the gate for Thursday; $50 advance, $55 at the gate Friday and Saturday; $10 advance, $15 at the gate for Sunday. $10 weekend pass or $5 day pass for children 6-12; children 5 and under free. www.whisperingbeard.com
The Drowning Girls: Explore marriage, death and love with "The Drowning Girls," the latest play at Northside's newly renovated Liberty Exhibition Hall. The play is presented by the Clifton Performance Theater with multiple performances through Monday. 8-10 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Liberty Exhibition Hall, 3938 Spring Grove Ave., Northside. $25 general admission; $15 students with school IDs and seniors 65 and older. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
2018 beWILDerfest Music & Beer Festival: You'll find more than a few offbeat bands and beers at the third annual beWILDerfest. More than 30 bands will share three stages during two days of music at Urban Artifact in Northside. Cincinnati favorites such as Dawg Yawp and Freekbass will perform. There will also be unique beer releases and food vendors on site. 4 p.m Friday; Noon Saturday. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside. $16 advance; $20 day of show; $50 advance-only VIP. bewilderfest.com
Signs & Songs: Robin Lacy and DeZydeco: Take in the soft neon glow of the American Sign Museum as you groove the New Orleans-style grooves of Robin Lacy & DeZydeco. The six-piece group will play as you sip drinks from the cash bar. 6-9 p.m. Friday. American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp Washington. $15. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Voodoo Threauxdown: This unique musical event will bring a taste of New Orleans to PNC Pavilion this Saturday evening. Lead by Trombone Shorty, an all-star lineup of Crescent City musicians will perform songs celebrating the 300th anniversary of New Orleans' rise as a world-class city. 7 p.m. Saturday. PNC Pavilion, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. $23.50-$77. www.riverbend.org
Marlon Wayans: Make your way to the Liberty Funny Bone this weekend to see comedic superstar Marlon Wayans perform his outstanding standup. Wayans has appeared in such movies as "White Chicks," "Scary Movie" and "Scary Movie 2." Wayans will perform multiple times throughout the weekend. 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Liberty Funny Bone, 7518 Bales St., Liberty. 21 and over. $35-$45. liberty.funnybone.com
