Top 14 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Feb. 16-18

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
Pompeii: The Exhibition, coming to Cincinnati Museum Center Feb. 16-July 28, displays everyday objects and even body casts from the doomed Roman city Pompeii, destroyed by a volcano in 79 A.D.
Pompeii: The Exhibition, coming to Cincinnati Museum Center Feb. 16-July 28, displays everyday objects and even body casts from the doomed Roman city Pompeii, destroyed by a volcano in 79 A.D.

1. Pompeii: The Exhibition

In 79 A.D., the eruption of Mount Vesuvius left the city of Pompeii frozen in time. The catastrophic eruption buried the city, and its people, for more than 1,700 years. Explore more than 150 artifacts on loan from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, including mosaics and frescoes, gladiator armor, statues, jewelry and everyday items.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Monday, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Runs Feb. 16-July 28. Closed Tuesday-Wednesday. Tickets: $23.50, $21.50 seniors, $19.50 children. Cincymuseum.org.

When you glow, you know: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party is set to thrill, chill, mash and smash with shows this weekend at Truist Arena in Highland Heights.
When you glow, you know: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party is set to thrill, chill, mash and smash with shows this weekend at Truist Arena in Highland Heights.

2. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party

Families get the chance to see real-life versions of the famous Hot Wheels monster truck toys do battle in the dark. See Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Boneshaker, Bigfoot, Gunkster and more light up the floor in outrageous competitions and battles.

Details: 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Truist Arena, 500 Louie B. Nunn Drive, Highland Heights. $25-up. Crash Zone Pre-Party is an additional $10 per person and includes exclusive games, contests and giveaways. thetruistarena.com.

Brink Brewing in College Hill celebrates its seventh anniversary this weekend, and you're invited to the party.
Brink Brewing in College Hill celebrates its seventh anniversary this weekend, and you're invited to the party.

3. Brink Brewing Co. Seventh Anniversary

Brink Brewing celebrates its seventh anniversary this weekend, and one of the highlights is the release of the Anniversary Blend, a barrel-aged beer that blends beers from all seven years. Enjoy special beer variants each day, live music, College Hill-themed trivia, door prizes and more.

Details: 1 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday-Sunday, Brink Brewing Co., College Hill. Brinkbrewing.com.

Mittenfest takes place Saturday and Sunday at Washington Park. Enjoy craft beer, local DJs, food from Mazunte and other surprises.
Mittenfest takes place Saturday and Sunday at Washington Park. Enjoy craft beer, local DJs, food from Mazunte and other surprises.

4. Mittenfest

Enjoy craft beers from local breweries, a DJ, tented food vendors and fun surprises. Admission includes five drink tickets, one Coca-Cola product and one draft beer token redeemable at participating taprooms.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Ages 21-up. $20-$30. washingtonpark.org.

5. Celebrate Black Voices

If you didn't manage to get tickets to the sold-out Black Wine Festival over at Music Hall, you can celebrate the release of Rhinegeist's new offering, Ginger Mack. It's named after Theodore Mack Sr., the owner/operator of one of America's first Black-owned breweries, Peoples Brewing Co. A dollar from every pint sold benefits the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Enjoy music by DJ Queen Celine, living painting with Michael Thompson, a pop-up Black-owned food and product vendors and more.

Details: noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. freedomcenter.org.

6. Cincinnati Ballet: 'Don Quixote'

Follow Don Quixote on his knightly adventures with loyal sidekick Sancho Panza in this modern take on the medieval classic. Enjoy the romance, tragedy, comedy and virtuoso dancing – including the famous duel with a windmill – in this fun ballet with colorful sets, elaborate costumes, choreography and live music with the CSO.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Feb. 16-25. $39-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.

7. 'How I Learned What I Learned'

This autobiographical tour-de-force chronicles August Wilson’s days as a struggling young writer. This intimate one-person play follows his rise from a young poet to the literary giant we honor today. This memoir charts one man’s journey of self-discovery and what it means to be a Black artist in America.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Ensemble Theatre, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Feb. 17-March 10. Ensemblecincinnati.org.

8. 'Kairos'

This world premiere by Lisa Sanaye Dring starts as a cute rom-com, and then the world changes. A couple's budding relationship is tested by the advent of a groundbreaking medical procedure that extends life indefinitely – granting immortality to a chosen few. It stars Maggie Lou Rader and Ryan-Chavez Richmond.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Feb. 16-March 3. Knowtheatre.com.

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the title character, who happens upon a tale that gives him a great idea in Wes Anderson's "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," an adaptation of the Roald Dahl tale. See it, and other Oscar-nominated shorts at Garfield Theater.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the title character, who happens upon a tale that gives him a great idea in Wes Anderson's "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," an adaptation of the Roald Dahl tale. See it, and other Oscar-nominated shorts at Garfield Theater.

9. Oscar Nominated Shorts

The Academy Awards take place on March 10. Before you make your predictions, here's a chance to see the 2024 Oscar-nominated short films. The shorts are shown in three separate programs: Documentary, Animation and Live Action. Docs screen on Friday; Animation and Live Action on Saturday-Sunday at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. respectively.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Garfield Theater, 719 Race St., Downtown. Runs weekends Feb. 16-March 9. $32 same-day combo ticket, $26 same-day combo advance, $21 single, $15.50 single advance. Cincyworldcinema.org.

10. My Furry Valentine

This mega-adoption event brings together pet adoption agencies from around Greater Cincinnati under one roof. Meet hundreds of adorable, adoptable pets from dozens of local shelters and rescue groups. Each pet adopted will go home with a swag bag, and adopters get entered into a raffle.

Details: noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $25 early bird Saturday (10 a.m.), $5 general. Myfurryvalentine.com.

11. 'Cinderella: Youth Edition'

The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with all the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. It's part of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati MainStage productions.

Details: 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Runs Feb. 17-25. $10-up. Thechildrenstheatre.com.

12. Agatha Christie’s 'Murder on the Orient Express'

On the luxurious train, an American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times. It's up to detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer, before they strike again.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Stained Glass Theater, 802 York St., Newport. Runs Feb. 15-March 3. $25. Footlighters.org.

13. 'Aurora’s Wedding'

Hairston School of Dance brings to life the court of King Florestan and his Queen, as they assemble for the wedding of Princess Aurora to Prince Desire. Invited guests include fairytale characters Puss-in-Boots, Red Riding Hood and more.

Details: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $33. Cincinnatiarts.org.

14. A Breath of Fresh Air: Nature Inspires Rarely Seen Works from the Taft Collection

This special exhibition features paintings and works of decorative art from the collection of museum founders Charles and Anna Taft. Due to limited space in the museum's galleries, these works are rarely on show.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday, Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown. Runs Feb. 17-May 19. $15, $12 seniors, free ages 17-under. Free Sundays and Mondays. Taftmuseum.org.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 14 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Feb. 16-18