An extraordinary week (i.e. coronavirus) deserves an out of the ordinary list of suggested things to do this weekend.
So, here goes . . .
COMMUNITY
Clean Your Hands Often: The Center for Disease Control recommends you "wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands."
Avoid Close Contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. (CDC)
Stay Home If You’re Sick: Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. (CDC)
Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. (CDC)
Wear a Facemask If You are Sick: If you are sick you should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. (CDC)
If You are NOT Sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers. (CDC)
Clean and Disinfect: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. (CDC)
Additional Recommendations: Stop. Breathe. A lot of people are "shook" due to the spread and response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Try not demonize "others" out of fear or frustration. Remember we are all human and sometimes being human is hard. (Me on Twitter @BrianDMains)
Below is what would have been my regular list of "things to do this weekend" had coronavirus not been an issue. I am noting which events have been canceled as announcements are made.
FOOD & DRINK
Cincinnati International Wine Festival: Organizers on Wednesday canceled all events scheduled to take place Friday and Saturday inside the Duke Energy Convention Center. Those events included the grand tastings, education sessions and Collector's Tasting Room events. The Winery Dinner Series scheduled at various locations throughout Greater Cincinnati is still taking place. For individual event details visit winefestival.com.
COMMUNITY
House Party | Empowered Women: The Taft Museum of Art has canceled its monthly "House Party" set to take place Thursday evening. You can read the museum's full statement about the cancellations and other safeguards it is implementing due to the coronavirus at taftmuseum.org.
St. Patrick's Day at the Banks: Noon-2 a.m. Saturday. The Banks, 120 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. Free. Get a head start on St. Patrick's Day this weekend at the Banks. Come down for food and drink specials being offered by local restaurants throughout the day. (There will be plenty of entertainment, too.) As of 9:45 a.m. Thursday this event will still scheduled to take place on Saturday. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincinnati St. Patrick's Day Parade: The annual Cincinnati St. Patrick's Day Parade scheduled to start at noon Saturday at The Banks was canceled late Wednesday night. You can read the organizers reasoning for canceling the parade at www.cincystpatsparade.com.
NKY International Festival: The inaugural NKY International Festival scheduled for Saturday inside the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington has been postponed. You can read the organizers reasoning for canceling the festival at www.nkyinternationalfestival.com.
MUSIC & COMEDY
Whiskey Myers CANCELED: – From the Taft Theater, "In light of today’s order from Governor Dewine, tonight’s (Thursday) Whiskey Myers show is postponed. Patrons should hold on to their tickets which will be good for the rescheduled date. We will be in touch with information regarding a rescheduled show date in the upcoming weeks. The health of our employees, patrons, artists and community is paramount. We look forward to seeing everyone back at The Taft Theatre very soon." tafttheatre.org
Tommy Emmanuel at the Taft: The Taft canceled this show for the same reason as stated above.
Winter Jam 2020: 6 p.m. Saturday. Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. $15. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Crowder will headline Christian music’s premier multi-artist annual outing, the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, this weekend. Other performers will include Passion, Andy Mineo, Building 429, Red, Austin French, NewSong, Zane Black, Riley Clemmons, Ballenger and Zauntee. heritagebankcenter.com
Dermot Kennedy at the Taft: The Taft canceled this show for the same reason as stated above.
THE ARTS
Jessie Dunahoo and Open Source 2.1 Opening Reception: 5-8 p.m. Friday. The Carnegie, 1028 Scott St., Covington. The Carnegie's 2019-20 gallery season continues Friday with the opening of five exhibitions. A survey of work by Jessie Dunahoo (1932-2017) will be installed on the ground floor of the gallery, while Open Source 2.1, a four-project installation, will be upstairs in the gallery. Friday's opening reception will include a gallery talk with participants, led by the Carnegie's exhibitions director Matt Distel at 6 p.m. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Handel + Vivaldi: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $14-$99. Music Hall will host a lyrical evening of music by Baroque masters Handel and Vivaldi, plus Zelenka’s bohemian style. Guests also can enjoy the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's March "Night/Light" performance in the Wilks Studio featuring vocalist Joélle Harvey and lute player Thomas Dunford after Saturday's main performance. CSO Night/Light is a age-21-and-older event and general admission is an additional $25. www.cincinnatisymphony.org
OTR Arts Day at Music Hall: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Music Hall will host an open house with tours, workshops and performances highlighting the arts in Over-the-Rhine. ArtsWave is presenting the day as part of its 2020 community campaign. artswave.org
"Harriet Tubman: Straight Up Outta the Underground": 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, 4015 Red Bank Road, Madisonville. $10. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati will bring the story of Harriet Tubman to life with three performances this weekend. The Children's Theatre's touring division will perform on the Ralph and Patricia Corbett Showtime Stage. thechildrenstheatre.com
