MasonBuzz.com

Gun-control advocates from across the region will hold petition drives at two events in Greater Cincinnati Thursday as part of a national campaign calling for stricter gun control laws.

Volunteers will gather at Fountain Square downtown and in Mason to collect signatures as part of the National Day to Demand Action to end gun violence.

Activists are calling for support on legislation requiring universal background checks for gun sales, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity gun magazines and for tougher penalties for gun trafficking offenses.

The national campaign is organized by Organizing for Action, a nonprofit group formed by former aides to President Barack Obama to support his legislative agenda, and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a bi-partisan coalition of more than 900 mayors who support a number of gun control initiatives.

“We’re demanding action on gun violence,” said Beth Smith, volunteer leader of the Warren County chapter of Organizing for Action.

Locally, volunteers are hoping to gather enough support and signatures to pressure Ohio Sen. Rob Portman (R-Terrace Park) and Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Westwood) to support the legislation, said Smith.

Lawmakers are expected to take up the issue of gun control legislation soon after the Senate returns from its Easter and Passover recess April 8.

Downtown event

What: Cincinnati Petition Drive for Universal Background Checks
When: 1-2 p.m. Thursday
Where: Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., downtown

Mason event

What: Mason/Warren Co Gun Control Signature Collection
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason

Posted in: Events, Political events |

Tags: Tags: barack obama, beth smith, fountain square, gun control, gun violence, mason, mason community center, national day to demand action, organizing for action, organizing for ohio, petition, signatures

Do you have what it takes to sing the National Anthem at one of the world’s premier tennis tournaments?

The Western & Southern open is accepting video auditions from youngsters ages 7-17 through Friday on its Casting Call Facebook page.  Videos can be of any song, but must be at least 30 seconds long and sung in an a cappella format.

A limited number of performers will be selected to sing live on Fountain Square between 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday, June 29 in front of a panel of celebrity judges.  Tennis courts will be set up on the square, with other activities and giveaways offered.

The 10-day August tennis tournament held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason boasts an international television audience of more than 59 million fans and is broadcast domestically on Tennis Channel, ESPN2 and CBS

“We have discovered some amazing talent the last few years for the Western & Southern Open,” said Will Sikes, the tournament’s director of marketing and communications. “I’m sure this year will be no different. The judges will have a difficult time choosing the best performers.”

Official rules are available online at www.cincytennis.com/sing.

Posted in: Community, Events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: auditions, casting call, cincinnati, downtown, fountain square, lindner family tennis center, mason, national anthem, western & southern open, youth

Drake / Photo provided

From the Rollergirls Crosstown Knockdown to the Concours d’Elegance, here’s a list of your best bets for June 6-10.

June 6: Drake, J. Cole, Waka Flocka and 2 Chainz
7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township.
With J Cole, Wocka Flocka Flame, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill and French Montana. The Club Paradise Tour. Gates open 5:30 p.m.
$150.75, $105 four-pack lawn, $95.75, $75.75, $55.75; $35.75 lawn. Plus fees. 800-745-3000 |• Get tickets

June 6: Red Hot Chili Peppers
7:30 p.m., U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, Downtown.
Grammy Award-winning rock band. With Little Dragon.
$38.50 – US $58.50; plus fees. 800-745-3000 | Get tickets

June 8: DAAPworks 61st Annual Fashion Show
9 a.m.-9 p.m., University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, University of Cincinnati, University Heights.
Exhibition of graduating students’ final projects. Range of works from garments to sustainable architecture projects to thought-provoking sculptures.
Family friendly. Free. Through June 9. 513-556-4933.  Photos: Last year’s fashion show | More information

At Tony's Italian Sausage booth Steve Steven works the grill with the homemade Italian sausage during the annual festival last year. Enquirer file photo

June 7-10: Newport Italianfest
5-11:00 p.m. Thursday (opening ceremony at 8 p.m.) and Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday
Italianfest is held along Newport’s Riverboat Row between the Taylor-Southgate and L&N Bridges. The festival has authentic Italian food and live Italian music performed by entertainers from around the nation, a golf outing, a family photo booth that showcases the history of Italian families that settled in Newport generations ago, pizza-eating contest, cooking contest, games, rides and fireworks.  Photos: Newport Italianfest 2011 | More information

June 8-10: Amazing Spider-Man truck tour
• 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Walmart Amelia, 1815 Ohio 125, Amelia.
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, Walmart Eastgate, 4370 Eastgate Square Drive, Union Township
• 4-7 p.m., Friday, Walmart Forest Park, 1143 Smiley Ave., Forest Park
• 4-7 p.m., Saturday, Walmart Colerain, 10240 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township
• 4-7 p.m., Saturday, Walmart West Chester, 8288 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester Township
Family-friendly truck tour turns parking lot into playground of interactive features.  Free. | • More information

June 9: Natalie Merchant with Pops
8 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township.
John Morris Russell, conductor. Rain or Shine. Gates open 6:30 p.m.
$20, free ages 12 and under sitting on lawn. 513-381-3300 | Get tickets

June 6-10: Reds homestand
7:10 p.m. Wednesday, Thurday Friday; 4:10 p.m. Saturday; 8 p.m. Sunday. Great American Ball Park, 100 Nuxhall Way, Downtown.
$5-$230. 513-381-7337
Photos: June 3: Astros 5, Reds 3 | Photos: June 2: Reds 12, Astros 9 | More information

Sista Shovechild wears the jammers cap for the Cincinnati Rollergirls in a March bout. Enquirer file photo

June 9: Aziz Ansari
7:30 p.m., Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.
Actor, writer and stand-up comedian. Presented by Live Nation. $39; plus fees. 800-745-3000•
Quiz: Comedians | Get tickets

June 9: Rollergirls’ Crosstown Knockdown
7 p.m., Cincinnati Gardens, 2250 Seymour Ave., Bond Hill.
Doors open 6 p.m. Free parking.
$1 happy hour beer prices, opportunities for fans to meet their favorite skaters and get autographs and photos on the track after each game. Crosstown Knockdown event: Black Sheep vs. Black-n-Bluegrass Rollergirls’ Blackouts of Northern Kentucky; Silent Lambs vs. Little Steel Derby Girls of Youngstown.
$17, $15 advance trackside; $12, $10 advance; $6, $5 advance ages 7-12; free ages 6 and under. 800-745-3000
Black-n-Bluegrass Rollergirls web site | Cincinnati Rollergirls web site | Photos: Black-n-Bluegrass Rollergirls web site

June 9: City Flea
10 a.m.-4 p.m., The City Flea, 1021 Vine St., Downtown.
Urban flea market. Shopping, eating and drinking from 65 vendors.
Hipsters flock to City Flea | Photos: City Flea | More information

June 9: Pomegranates CD Release Party
8 p.m., Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington. Doors open 7 p.m. $10. 859-491-2444
Photos: In concert: The Pomegranates | Get tickets

June 9: Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown Hope Party
1-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Turfway Park, 7500 Turfway Road, Florence.
Enter “I’ll Have Another” drink recipe contest, watch flat screens of race and place a wager. Meet-and-greet former Bengals football players Ira Hillary, Barney Bussey, Mike Martin, Joe Kelly, Eric Ball and Kevin Walker 4-7 p.m.
Free parking. Food concessions and valet parking available. Music by band Doghouse at the paddock stage 3-7 p.m.
Free. 859-371-0200 | More information

June 9: Self-Diploma’s Beats
7-11 p.m., Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown.
Local, regional and national artists showcase their talents. Timeflies, DJ Etrayn, DJ Schu, Ian J, Cristina Taddonio and Joseph Nevels.
Free. 513-763-8036 | More information

Matt Schneider of Mount Lookout, and his son, Zach, 4, take a look at a 1922 American LaFrance Type 75 Triple Combination fire truck, during the 34th annual Concours d'Elegance last year. Enquirer file photo

June 10: Concours d’Elegance
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ault Park, 3600 Observatory Ave., Mount Lookout. Pavilion.
More than 200 rare and vintage cars, Will Sherman automotive art display, vendor displays, awards ceremony and more. Concessions available.
Benefits Arthritis Foundation. Gates open 10 a.m. Drive through awards ceremony of all class winners and special awards trophies 2 p.m.
$60 four tickets; $25, $20 advance; $15 students, free ages 12 and under. 513-321-1951
Photos: Last year’s Concours d’Elegance | More information

June 10: Ride Cincinnati
6:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Sawyer Point, Pete Rose Way, Downtown.
Un-timed rides range from 62.8 miles to 8.2 miles and Kids’ Rally. After ride, Celebration Party 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. with free food, music and activities.
Former Bengal Jim Breech and his wife Denise among honorary chairs.
Benefits Barrett Cancer Center. $35. Registration required. 513-929-426 | More information

June 10: First Second Sunday on Main
Noon-5 p.m., Main Street, Over-the-Rhine.
Street fair on Main featuring craft and food vendors, entertainment, demonstrations and more. Theme: Main St. Menagerie.
Free. 513-910-8845 | Photos: Second Sunday last October | More information

Posted in: Community, Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 2 chainz, amazing spider-man truck tour, aronoff center, ault park, aziz asari, belmont stakes, cincinnati, cincinnati gardens, cincinnati pops, city flea, comedian, consours d'elegance, daap, daapworks, downtown, drake, fashion show, first second sunday on main, fountain square, great american ballpark, hope party, madison theater, mount lookout, natalie merchant, newport italianfest, over-the-rhine, pomegranates, reds homestand, release party, ride cincinnati, riverbend, rollergirls crosstown knockdown, sawyer point, self-diploma's beats, triple crown, turfway park, university of cincinnati, waka flocka

The Donauschwaben Dancers perform at Findlay Market. Schwabenfest 2012 will be held May 11-12 at Donauschwaben Park in Colerain Township. Photo provided by Shelley Drury.

Have any plans for the weekend yet? From the All-American Rejects to Titanic the Musical to the Newport Jazz Festival, there is plenty going on around Greater Cincinnati. Here are some ideas to get you started.

May 10: This American Life — Live!
8 p.m., screenings at multiple theaters. Host Ira Glass and contributors present stories, plus things you could never do on the radio. Stories by David Rakoff, Glynn Washington and Tig Notaro, a new short film by Mike Birbiglia, music by OK Go, dance by Monica Bill Barnes & Company, and others. Broadcasting from the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. $20. To find a theater near you, call 513-770-0713 or visit www.fathomevents.com.

May 11: 4EGSquare
5-10 p.m., Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Visit all nine 4EG bars at one location. 4EG venues include: aliveOne, KeyStone Bar & Grill (Covington and Hyde Park), the Lackman, the Stand, Mt Adams Pavilion, the Righteous Room, the Sandbar and Tap & Go. Music by Bad Veins and DJ Matt Joy. Includes food and giveaways. Family friendly. Free. 513-721-0083; www.myfountainsquare.com.

May 11-12: Schwabenfest 2012
6-11:30 p.m. Friday, 4-11:30 p.m. Saturday. Donauschwaben Park, 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain Township. German-style festival with Gemuetlichkeit, cash bar, music and dancing. Homemade sausage dinners and desserts. $3. Through May 12. 513-385-2098; www.donauschwaben.com.

May 11-13: Appalachian Festival at Coney
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. Artisans, crafts, dance and food vendors. Storytelling and bluegrass music entertainment. Frugal Friday half-price admission (free under ages 3). $8, $4 ages 55 and up, $2 ages 4-11, free ages 3 and under. Parking: $6. Through May 13. 513-251-3378; www.appalachianfestival.org.

May 12: 500 Miles to Memphis
9 p.m., Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington. Doors open 8 p.m. $10. 859-491-2444; www.madisontheateronline.com

May 12-13: Newport, KY Jazz Festival
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday. Festival Park Newport, Riverboat Row, Newport. Inaugural year of festival. Beverages available. Saturday: Traditional Jazz featuring Old Green Eyes at noon. Latin jazz featuring Monk River at 3:30 p.m. Modern jazz featuring Cincy Brass at 7 p.m. Sunday: Vocal and orchestral jazz featuring Sound Body at noon. Big band jazz featuring the Blue Wisp Band at 3:30 p.m. One day: $10-$15 VIP, $5-$10 lawn. Two days: $20 VIP, $12 lawn. 859-815-1389; www.newportonthelevee.com.

May 12: Women’s Health Expo
10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Downtown. “Skinny-tinis” by vitaminwater, lululemon fashion shows at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., vendors, seminars and free health screenings. Presented by Cincy Chic. http://ccwomenshealth.eventbrite.com

May 12: Bella Vite E&J Gallo Wine Tasting
5-10 p.m., Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Vast assortment of local, national and international wines starting at $1. Ages 18 and up. Free admission. 513-763-8036; www.myfountainsquare.com.

May 13: All-American Rejects
8 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. Doors open 7:30 p.m. $25-$27; plus fees. 800-745-3000; www.livenation.com.

Through May 13: Les Miserables
8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25-year anniversary production of Boublil and Schonberg’s legendary musical with new staging and re-imagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. Sign-interpreted performance. For details, call 513-241-2345. Presented by Broadway Across America. $27.50-$97.50. 513-621-2787; www.cincinnatiarts.org.

Through May 19: May Festival

The 2012 Cincinnati May Festival will take place on May 11-12 and May 18-19 at Music Hall in Cincinnati, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, and on May 13 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, 1140 Madison Ave., Covington. Ages 18 and up. Reservations required for all performances. 513-381-3300; www.mayfestival.com

Friday: 8-10 p.m., Music Hall. Festival opens with Stabat Mater, stirring portrait of Mary as she grieves for her son, Jesus, and Te Deum, hymn of thanksgiving and praise, from Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces. Mood shifts from sacred to profane with Orff’s popular Carmina Burana. $25 and up.

Saturday: 8-10 p.m., Music Hall. Two French works starting with celebrated Gloria by Poulenc. Followed by Durufle’s Requiem, which established the composer as a significant French composer. $25 and up.

Sunday: 8-9:30 p.m., Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. May Festival Youth Chorus opens concert. James Conlon opens May Festival Chorus portion with remaining two a cappella works from Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces. $35.

Through May 19: Titanic the Musical
Performance times vary. Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Commemorate 100th anniversary of ill-fated voyage by meeting individuals who played integral part in tragic event: officers, crew and passengers from all classes. Presented by Cincinnati Music Theatre. $22; $20 seniors, military and students. 513-621-2787; www.cincinnatiarts.org.

Posted in: Community, Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 4egsquare, 500 miles to memphis, all-american rejects, appalachian festival, aronoff center, bella vite, cincinnati, coney island, downtown, e&J gallo wine tasting, fountain square, german, ira glass, les miserables, may festival, music hall, newport ky jazz festival, schwabenfest, the phoenix, this american life, titanic the musical, women's health expo

Are you or is someone you know a breast cancer survivor?

Submit an essay and tell The Enquirer your story for a chance to win a makeover (valued over $2,500) courtesy of Cincy Chic!

• Submit your contest entry here

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: bras with flair, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, cincinnati, cincychic, fountain square, health, makeover, mason, survivor, susan g. komen foundation