MasonBuzz.com

Looking for fun and free things to do this weekend the entire family will enjoy?  Here’s a round up of free events in the Cincinnati area.

Saturday

Asian Culture Fest, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday), Cincinnati Museum Center, Queensgate. History, arts and traditions of Asian countries. Includes music, dancing, performances, face painting, health screenings and more. Asian Market and Cultural Place. Part of Passport to the World Series. Free. 513-287-7000; www.cincymuseum.org.

Bead-a-thon, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Brazee Street Studios, 4426 Brazee St., Oakley. Beads of Courage Bead Challenge and Beads in Space Tour stop. Bead Challenge Raffle, bead sponsorship and bracelet making. Replica Beads in Space shuttle bead and poster available. Benefits Beads of Courage, local program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Free. 513-321-0206; www.brazeestreetstudios.com.

Coyote Lecture and Night Hike, 7-10 p.m., Community Meeting Room, Fernald Preserve, 7400 Willey Road, Crosby Township. Talk with author Carol Cartaino about coyotes in our lives today and her book, “Myths and Truths about Coyotes – What You Need to Know about America’s Most Misunderstood Predator.” Followed by hike to listen for coyotes and search for tracks and traces. Free. 513-648-4026; www.lm.doe.gov/fernald.

A Gathering: Installations by Migiwa Orimo, 6-8 p.m., Kennedy Heights Arts Center, 6546 Montgomery Road, Kennedy Heights. Gathering of selected components of the artist’s installations from 2006-2011. Installations involve combination of painting, drawing, sculpture, text, sound and video, making exhibition a mixture of materials and elements. Exhibit continues through May 26. Free. 513-631-4278; www.kennedyarts.org.

InDepth: Impressions of Venice, 2-3 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Attendees meet in front lobby. From its sparkling canals to shadowy alleyways, Venice has long inspired American artists. Join Julie Aronson, Curator of American Painting and Sculpture, for a discussion of works by the Frank Duveneck circle made in this magical city. Free. Reservations required. 513-721-2787; www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Kite Fest, noon-5 p.m. (noon-5 p.m. Sunday), Voice of America Park, Cox Road at VOA Park Drive, West Chester Township. Kite flying event. Chicago Fire choreographed kite team, open fly areas, kite-making, animals from the Cincinnati Zoo and food. Children can make their own kite for a fee. Shuttle provided for parking at West Chester Hospital across from the park. Free. 513-867-5835; www.airwaveskitefest.com.

Madeira Hunger Games: Hapkido, 2 p.m., Madeira Branch Library, 7200 Miami Ave., Madeira. Brush up on your skills as Master Mark Stacey of Ahn’s Tae Kwon Do Institute demonstrates the weapons and self-defense techniques of the dynamic, Korean martial art of Hapkido. Ages 12-18. Free. 513-369-6028; www.cincinnatilibrary.org.

Monet in Giverny: Landscapes of Reflection, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Monet’s late works depicting iconic motifs from his garden in Giverny, such as the Japanese footbridge, water lilies and wisterias are among the most innovative of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Free. Through May 13. 513-721-2787; www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Mount Adams Art Walk, noon-6 p.m., Mount Adams, Mount Adams, Mount Adams. More than 100 of area’s top artists. Music, food, beer, wine, cocktails and cigars. Rain or shine. Free. Through June 9.

Random Acts of Poetry, 2 p.m., Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown. Special programs in TeenSpot on writing and performing poetry. Elementz Hip-Hop Youth Arts Center is presenter. Ages 12-18. Free. 513-369-6900.

School of Rock Grand Opening Celebration, noon-4 p.m., School of Rock, 755 Reading Road, Mason.  Live entertainment, prizes, tours and open house.  Free.  513-770-1257; http://mason.schoolofrock.com.

Wildflowers of Winton, 2 p.m., Winton Woods, 10245 Winton Road, Springfield Township. Hike along the Great Oaks Trail to look for wildflowers. Free, vehicle permit required. 513-521-7275; www.greatparks.org.

Sunday

Gold Star Chilimobile, 1 p.m., Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown. Register for Summer Reading Program and receive free coney. Free. 513-369-6900.

Laura Hoevener and Terri Weeks, 2-3 p.m., Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley. Local moms/authors sign best-selling book, “Adventures Around Cincinnati.” Free. 513-731-2665.

Mixed Messages Book Launch, 1-3 p.m., Zen and Now Coffee House, 4453 Bridgetown Road, Cheviot. Patricia Gligor selling and signing copies of her debut novel, mystery that takes place on the west side of Cincinnati. Book available for $15. Free. 513-598-8999.

Super Sundays Family Programming: Nature Abound Celebration of Earth, 1-5 p.m., Behringer-Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Road, Covington. Learn what can we do to save the earth and our quality of life. Explore exhibits from Boone County Arboretum, Kenton County Extension Office, Sanitation District No. 1 and CSI. Children take home glove garden. Free. 859-491-4003; www.bcmuseum.org.

Posted in: Community, Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: art, asian culture fest, bead-a-thon, books, cincinnati art museum, coyote lecture, events, family, food, free, gold star, hike, hunger games, kennedy heights arts center, kite fest, literature, madeira, mason, migiwa orimo, nature, park, recreation, school of rock, west chester

From volunteer opportunities to fitness classes, there’s lots going on today at the Mason Community Center.

The center is holding an open house today from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. with special discounts on training packages and membership.

Group exercise instructors will hold demonstration classes between 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and personal trainers will be available from 9-11 a.m. to answer fitness questions.

A volunteer fair will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with more than 20 local organizations participating.  Today marks National Make a Difference Day.

Longtime Mason volunteer Laurie Mitroff organized the event after seeing area nonprofit organizations wrestle with an increasing need for volunteers amidst a growing need for services.

“I’ve seen the needs getting greater and greater especially over this past year,” said Mitroff, who volunteers with Mason schools, the Mason Food Pantry and as a Warren County child advocate.

Twenty-five organizations will attend the event, offering information on the services they provide and ways in which volunteers can support their efforts.

“Not only are you providing a service to someone when you volunteer, but you get a sense of well being out of it. It’s a win-win,” said Mitroff.

Hoxworth Blood Center will have its mobile donor bus parked outside to collect blood donations. Call 513-558-1280 to schedule a donation.

The community center is at 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road.  For a schedule of events, go to www.imaginemason.org.

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: fitness, mason, mason community center, open house, recreation, volunteer fair

Men and women participate in a water aerobics class at the Mason Community Center

The Mason Community Center will hold an open house event from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 9.

Personal trainers will be available from 8 a.m. to noon while group exercise instructors will hold a demonstration class from 9 to 10:45 a.m.

Children ages 5 and up can test their skills in a climbing competition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the center’s climbing wall or make a splash in the pool from 1 to 3 p.m.

Senior citizens can drop in the Senior Center for canasta and other games.

Deals and discounts offered that day include 15 percent off personal training packages and 50 percent off the administrative fee for members.

For a schedule and description of fitness classes, go to www.imaginemason.org/things-to-do. The Mason Community Center is at 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road and can be reached at 513-229-8555.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: fitness, mason, mason community center, open house, recreation