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Music in America would sound very different without public radio.Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell lends his support to Public Radio Music Month.Across the country, local public radio stations, like WVXU, play an integral role in championing, cultivating and promoting music. On 91.7, you learn about local musicians and performances on Around Cincinnati and Cincinnati Edition – and jazz, and swing programs have a home. Interviews with music legends and emerging artists add to your musical discovery and enjoyment. April is Public Radio Music Month. Say #thankspublicradio for playing the music you love.Learn more about Public Radio Music Month activities around the nation.

WVXU "Do" List: Go On, Have A Ball

cincinnati ballroom classic
Courtesy Cincinnati Ballroom Classic

This weekend brings plenty of interesting ways to spend your time, including lots of last calls for special exhibits and events. 

In this edition of the WVXU "Do" List, you'll find a good deal of music, some grand dancing, and a little nostalgia. Like to plan ahead? Check out Around Cincinnati host Lee Hay's Music Notes for the week

Thursday, August 16 

  • The Caribbean/world rhythms combo band Queen City Silver Stars play Oxford's Uptown Park (4 North Main Street) Summer Concert Series starting at 7 p.m.
  • Starting at 6 p.m., Ault Park (5090 Observatory Circle) holds its Summer Music Festival, featuring live music by GenX and food by Eli's BBQ and Hungry Bros., plus beer, wine, water and ice cream.  
  • The Cincinnati Ballroom Classic (pictured, top) takes place through Saturday and features roughly 200 participants who will dance nearly 4,000 entries during the three-day competition that is open to the public. It all takes place at the Hyatt Regency downtown (151 West Fifth Street). Find the schedule here and learn about ticket prices here
  • Through Sunday, Morning View, Ky., hosts the Birds of a Feather Music and Arts Festival at Thornhill Farm (14114 Kenton Station Road), featuring music by Hyryder, Joe Marcinkek Band, The Cliftones, Vessel and more. Tickets are $65.
  • From 7-8:30 p.m., Union Township Center (4350 Aicholtz Road) welcomes a free performance by Jazz Educators Big Band, a group of 18 former music teachers from across Greater Cincinnati who got together in 2015 simply because they enjoy playing jazz. The rest, as they say, is history.  
  • The art gallery Manifest (2727 Woodburn Avenue) begins its showcase of "Something Special," featuring four exhibits that include art incorporating text or letterforms, the uncovered human form, and two solo shows by artists David A. Linneweh and Jennifer Helen Meanley. BonBonerie will provide treats for the evening that goes from 7-9 p.m. The show opens to the public Friday. 

Friday, August 17 

  • VIBE Cincinnati returns to Fountain Square starting at 7 p.m. and goes through Sunday. The event  features the Vibe Marketplace with food, retail and art, and performances by DJ Vader Mixx, Lisa Hightower, and Jeffrey Osborne. (Please note some events also take place at Sawyer Point.)
  • The Fitton Center for Creative Arts (101 S. Monument Avenue, Hamilton) celebrates its 25th anniversary by opening every nook and cranny to the public starting at 5 p.m. Galleries, classrooms and studio spaces all will be made available, as well as free appetizers and a cash bar. The 10-piece River City Band will perform starting at 6:30-10:30 p.m. 
  • In "Wax Nostalgic: 1994," Chris Breeden curates over 50 local, regional and national artists who all, well, wax nostalgic for pop art and culture from 1994 in this show at BLBD (30 W. Pike Street, Covington). The exhibition opens at 7 p.m. with an artists' party, and will show until September 14.  

Saturday, August 18

  • It's the final chance to catch Firelei's exhibit at the Cincinnati Arts Center (44 E. 6th Street), where, in her first Ohio exhibition, the artist explores race and identity through a broad spectrum of color.  
  • The thematic skatepark SkateAble Vs Non, a gallery installation put on by Able Projects, comes to Camp Washington (2849 Colerain Avenue) to bring skateboarding and art to pro and non-pro community members alike. The exhibit is open to the public from 2-11 p.m. 
  • Starting at 5 p.m., Cincinnati jazz singer Mandy Gaines plays the Symphony Hotel (210 W. 14th Street) with Brad Merers. 

Sunday, August 19 

  • It's the last day of the Western & Southern Open. From noon-2 p.m., you can watch the doubles and men's and women's finals. Tickets are still available
  • It's also your last day to catch Whisper House at the Know Theater (1120 Jackson Street), with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Spring Awakening's Kyle Jarrow. The show starts at 3 p.m. and tickets are $25.
  • The Phil DeGreg Trio plays Dee Felice Cafe (529 Main Street, Covington) from 5-8 p.m.
Jennifer Merritt brings 20 years of "tra-digital" journalism experience to WVXU.