Things to do in Cincinnati: August 31 through September 6

Things to do in Black Cincinnati this week!

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Features

STEPS to Stability | Utility Assistance for Older Adults

Hamilton County older adults may be eligible for assistance with Duke Energy utility bills. Apply through September 4, 2026!

Flow Pass, An African American Arts Experience by ArtsWave

ArtsWave, a long-time advocate for Black art, announced the 2026-2027 season of Flow, an African American arts experience. The series features 4 unique, Black-centered events for just $210.

Monday, August 31

Museum Exhibits & Omnimax Shows

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cincinnati Museum Center (West End)
Starting at $12.50
First, see the “Equal to Any in the City:” Ball & Thomas Photographs 1840s – 1870s Exhibit and experience American history through the lens of one of the 19th century’s greatest photographers.  Then, experience Arctic: Our Frozen Planet OMNIMAX ® and Embark on a yearlong adventure at the top of the world. Finally, explore the LEGO® Jurassic World Exhibition, which features massive dinosaur builds, hands-on activities, and immersive scenes inspired by the Jurassic World franchise, with opportunities to build, create, and discover across themed environments.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal (Evanston)
Free Admission
Hamilton County residents experiencing food insecurity can access food and clothing at the pantry on Mondays and Tuesdays. Call 513-531-4337 for more information. Check out our list of other Cincinnati pantries and soup kitchens.

Jazz at the Park: Five Little Bears

6 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
Enjoy an evening of music by a jazz pianist and professor. Ends October 26.

Strings on the Square: The Music of Bruno Mars

6 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Cincinnati’s most in-demand quartet, StringSource, performs novel arrangements of popular music by artists.

Get Your Steps On!

7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Eden Park Steps (Mt. Adams)
Free Admission
Join an energizing workout that will challenge you, motivate you, and help you become stronger every week.

PLANNING AHEAD

Gladys Knight Concert

September 11, 7 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
The evening promises a mix of timeless hits and heartfelt performances that showcase why she’s known as the Empress of Soul.

Tuesday, September 1

CAA Mobile Pantry

Noon
Peace Baptist Church (Avondale)
Free Admission
Hamilton County residents experiencing food insecurities can access fruit, vegetables, and baked goods on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out our list of other Cincinnati pantries and soup kitchens.

Jazz at the Square: Mandy Gaines Quartet

6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Enjoy timeless jazz standards and an engaging community performance in an open, accessible concert setting. Through September 29.

3-2-1 Tuesday

6:40 p.m.
Great American Ball Park (The Banks)
Starting at $24
For all Tuesday Reds home games, fans can buy $3 beers (select 12-oz beers), $2 hot dogs, and $1 ice cream cups.

Zumba

6:30 p.m.
Zencinnati (OTR)
Starting at $19
Dance, sweat, and have a wonderful time. Get your heart pumping and burn some calories while having a blast.

R&B and Soul Line Dancing

7:15 p.m.
Outside of DANCEFIX by HBDC (Walnut Hills)
Free Admission
Expect upbeat dance classes featuring R&B, soul, tap, and African dance styles, creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere for movement, music, and community connection.

PLANNING AHEAD

$uicideboy$ with Destroy Lonely, Shakewell, DRAIN, Black Kray, and $lim Gucci

September 11, 6:30 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center (Anderson)
The powerhouse cousins and global leaders in independent rap will bring an electrifying mix of talent.

Wednesday, September 2

Cut 2 the Conversation

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Star Chapter Facilities (Roselawn)
Free Admission
Prostate cancer impacts 1 in 8 men in their lifetime. African American men are 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed. Attend this event hosted by the Cincinnati Ques to learn more about the risks, symptoms, treatments, and more.

Workout on the Green

5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
Get active with weekly fitness classes featuring STEP Down Cincinnati with Be All in Movement and a yoga class.

Sax & Strings Unplugged: A Live R&B Instrumental Experience

7 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
LoVe on Fourth (Downtown)
$24
Feel every note as classic and contemporary R&B is reimagined through a darker, more intimate lens — designed for those who appreciate sophistication, connection, and a touch of seduction.

Chance The Rapper with La Reezy

8 p.m.
Andrew J Brady Music Center (The Banks)
Price Varies
Chance the Rapper, the first independent artist to win a GRAMMY®, is launching a North American tour celebrating his groundbreaking mixtape Coloring Book, the project that redefined streaming-era independence and reshaped the modern music landscape.

PLANNING AHEAD

Lea Salonga Symphony Concert

September 12 – September 13
Music Hall (OTR)
Celebrated for her iconic performances in Miss Saigon and Les Misérables, and as the singing voice of Disney’s Jasmine and Mulan, Salonga brings her luminous voice and heartfelt artistry to a program filled with Broadway showstoppers, beloved film songs, and timeless favorites — all soaring with the full symphonic splendor of the Pops.

Thursday, September 3

Tamary Kudita: African Victorian and Birds of Paradise Exhibit

11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cincinnati Art Museum (Mt. Adams)
Free Admission
Tamary Kudita (b. 1994) makes photographs that examine African identity in relation to the social and historical forces that frame individuals’ lives. Ends September 6.

Vanessa Miller Book Discussion and Signing

7 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers (Norwood)
Free Admission; Registration Required
Vanessa Miller is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author and playwright. Her writing has been centered on themes of redemption and books about strong Black women in pivotal moments of history.

Salsa on the Square: Mambo Combo & Salsannati

7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Enjoy a high-energy night of live Latin music, dancing, and instruction featuring salsa, merengue, cumbia, and Latin jazz, with opportunities to learn new moves and dance along in a vibrant community atmosphere. Ends October 1.

PLANNING AHEAD

The Great Gatsby Broadway Musical

September 15 – September 27
Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award®-winning new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth, and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage.

Friday, September 4

Exhibition Opening for Witness to the Journey: Matt Herron and the Deep South, 1965

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Freedom Center (The Banks)
Free Admission; Registration Required
A compelling selection of 28 black-and-white photographs by renowned civil rights photographer Matt Herron. This exhibition documents the historic Selma to Montgomery March, a pivotal moment in American history that directly led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Through November 8.

Mar-K Presents Tiny Desk Concert

6 p.m.
The Redmoor (Mt. Lookout)
Starting at $24
Don’t miss out on this unique in-person experience—perfect for music lovers looking to unwind and enjoy some live magic. The concert features local favorite, 2nd Wind Band! This party is not to be missed!

Ludacris Post-Game Concert

6:10 p.m.
Great American Ball Park (The Banks)
Starting at $23
The Reds take on the Brewers at 6:10 p.m., and the concert will begin approximately 20 minutes after the game ends. All fans with a game ticket are invited to stick around and enjoy this incredible post-game concert!

Guy Torry – Comedy Show

7 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
Liberty Funny Bone (Liberty)
$20
Get ready for a night of laughter as comedian Guy Torry delivers his signature blend of sharp wit and hilarious storytelling. Through September 5.

Afro Unity and Reggae All White Boat Ride

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
BB Riverboats (Newport)
Starting at $53
Get ready to vibe on the water with Afro beats, reggae, hip-hop, R&B, and more, all dressed in white.

DJ Pillo and Friends

9 p.m.
Northside Tavern (Northside)
Free Admission
Attend a a social event showcasing the city’s DJs, Artist, Film, Media, Authors and just all-around movers and shakers in the talented Cincinnati underbelly.

PLANNING AHEAD

Pitbull with Lil Jon

September 15, 8 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center (Anderson)
Following numerous successful solo touring runs, Mr. Worldwide is once again set to deliver an electrifying live experience packed with career-spanning hits, instantly recognizable anthems, and nonstop party energy.

Saturday, September 5

Lincoln Heights 80th Incorporation Anniversary

10 a.m.
Village of Lincoln Heights (Lincoln Heights)
Free Admission
On Saturday, attend a community celebration and street festival featuring a parade, drumline battle, local vendors, fireworks, and a big finale. On Sunday, take part in a community and family day featuring a worship celebration and live entertainment. Through September 12.

“I Love Me” Women’s Empowerment Conference

Noon
K of C Hall (Carthage)
Free Admission
a powerful day of strength, encouragement, inspiration, and amazing stories from incredible women.

What Does It Mean To Be Free? Artist Talk & Exhibit Closing Reception

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House (Walnut Hills)
Free Admission
Artist Ciara LeRoy speaks to the purpose and power of her art, specifically her exhibit What Does It Mean To Be Free?

FC PreMatch at the Park

4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
Festivities will include music, tons of vendors to interact with, a variety of food trucks serving up some delicious grub, inflatable soccer games, the inflatable FCC slide, and so much more!

Tracy Walker Blues

6:30 p.m.
Brew River Creole Kitchen (Lindwood)
Free Admission
For over a decade Tracy Walker has been at the forefront of Cincinnati’s independent music scene. Walker’s style sits at the crossroads of Folk, Rock, Country, Jazz and Blues.

Fountain of Soul: Tyshawn Colquitt

7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Featuring live performances from some of the region’s most soulful artists, this event brings rich vocals, heartfelt grooves, and feel-good energy to the heart of downtown Cincinnati.

Jubu Smith R&B Concert

7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $30
Jubu Smith is a renowned guitarist and soulful artist whose sound has shaped R&B and soul for decades.

La La Land in Concert

7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
Starting at $27
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Lionsgate’s 2016 Academy Award-winning film, La La Land, in a swoon-worthy concert experience featuring the Cincinnati Pops, conductor Damon Gupton (who also appears in the film!), a full jazz band, and all of the unbelievable piano solos performed live-to-film. Through September 6.

Wu-Tang Clan with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

7:30 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center (Anderson)
Price Varies
Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour, with special guest Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, brings one of the most influential groups in music history back to stages across North America due to popular demand for a monumental run of live shows.

Velvet Jazz w/The Band

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Starvin Marvin’s (Fairfield)
$18
Get ready for an unforgettable night of smooth vibes and cool tunes with Velvet Jazz and her live band!

East Meets West

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
835 Main Street (Downtown)
Free Admission
Come rep your side while enjoying Afrobeats!

PLANNING AHEAD

Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane

September 10, 7:30 p.m.
Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
September 2026 marks the centennial of John Coltrane’s birth. To honor the enduring legacy of one of jazz’s most transcendent voices, the Branford Marsalis Quartet and Dianne Reeves will release a tribute album, which revisits Coltrane’s seminal 1963 collaboration with Johnny Hartman.

Sunday, September 6

Off-Trail Urban Hikers

7:30 a.m.
Locations Vary
Free Admission
Check the Facebook page for this week’s location. Hike approximately two miles and enjoy nature with fabulous people.

Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing

1 p.m.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House (Walnut Hills)
Free Admission
The war for America’s independence has just been declared in this production set in 1776, but the battle of the sexes has just begun. Much Ado About Nothing follows two sparring skeptics, Beatrice and Benedick, whose witty war of words masks something far more tender. Through September 6.

I Hear Music at the Fountain: Rockdale Baptist Church ft. DJ Juan Fasho

2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Spend your Sunday afternoon soaking up some of gospel music’s legends.

Movie Night: Wicked

8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Imagination Alley (OTR)
Free Admission
Grab the entire family for an evening flick with freshly popped popcorn under the Cincinnati stars!

Upcoming Events

Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane

$uicideboy$ with Destroy Lonely, Shakewell, DRAIN, Black Kray, and $lim Gucci

September 11, 6:30 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center (Anderson)
The powerhouse cousins and global leaders in independent rap will bring an electrifying mix of talent.

Gladys Knight Concert

September 11, 7 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
The evening promises a mix of timeless hits and heartfelt performances that showcase why she’s known as the Empress of Soul.

Lea Salonga Symphony Concert

Pitbull with Lil Jon

The Great Gatsby Broadway Musical

Boyz II Men with the Cincinnati Pops

September 16, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
Grammy-winning R&B legends Boyz II Men bring their silky harmonies and unmatched charisma to the Cincinnati Pops stage for a night of pure musical magic.

The Music of Hans Zimmer Symphony Concert

September 19, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
From the antics of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean and the eerie, breathless space of Interstellar, to the arrival on Arrakis in Dune and the battle scenes in Gladiator, you’ll relive some of the most epic moments from Hans Zimmer’s most enduring film scores.

G-Eazy and Logic with Juicy J

September 25, 7 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center (Anderson)
G-Eazy and Logic have announced The Endless Summer Part II, a North American tour that marks their first co-headlining run together since the sold-out 2016 “Endless Summer Tour.”

Party Train

September 26
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Party Train (Formerly of The Gap Band) carries forward one of the most iconic sounds in American music — the horns, the grooves, and the unmistakable funk that made The Gap Band a global phenomenon.

JMR’s Orchestral Canvas Symphony Concert

September 25 – September 27
Music Hall (OTR)
A true masterpiece for the senses, this unique live music experience takes orchestral classics like Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Falla’s Three-Cornered Hat, and Respighi’s Pines of Rome, and pairs them with sweeping visual projections by Lightborne of some of the world’s greatest works of art — transforming Music Hall into a living gallery as images and melodies come alive together.

Pynk Beard Country Concert

September 30, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
The rising artist is known for blending classic country storytelling with a modern edge, creating a sound that feels both familiar and fresh.

Demola Concert

October 2, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Known for his genre‑bending performances and global fanbase, Demola brings a vibrant energy that resonates with audiences of all ages.

CSO + Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestral Festival

October 2 – October 4
Music Hall (OTR)
Featuring thrilling performances with the combined forces of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, violinist Nicola Benedetti, and the CSO, this festival highlights new works and fresh takes on orchestral classics, while showcasing the multiple Grammy-winning JLCO.

Harvest Festival | Forest Park

October 3, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Central Park (Forest Park)
This family-friendly event offers an afternoon full of seasonal fun, including crafts, games, a petting zoo, kids’ train rides, food trucks, community vendors, and plenty of candy and treats.

CeCe Winans with Charity Gayle, Red Worship, & Terrian

October 8, 7 p.m.
Heritage Bank Center (Downtown)
Winans is excited to bring along some of the biggest worship leaders for an evening designed to be unlike anything audiences have experienced before.

Tab Benoit Blues Concert

October 9, 8 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
A four-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and guitarist who, for more than thirty years, has built a remarkable career on the foundation of his gritty and soulful Delta swamp blues.

Karyn White R&B Concert

October 10, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Known for hits like “Superwoman” and “Secret Rendezvous,” White brings her powerhouse vocals and timeless style. Fans can look forward to a soulful, high-energy performance that showcases why she remains one of the defining voices of ’90s R&B.

“Equal to Any in the City:” Ball & Thomas Photographs 1840s – 1870s Exhibit

Through October 14
Cincinnati Museum Center (Queensgate)
Experience American history through the lens of one of the 19th century’s greatest photographers. James Presley Ball, a free man of color, used his incredible skill to transcend racial barriers and establish himself as one of the most sought-after photographers in the country.

Panda Fest

October 16 – October 18
Smale Riverfront Park (The Banks)
Expected to feature more than 90 food vendors serving 200+ Asian street food offerings, 30+ merchandise vendors, traditional and contemporary cultural performances, interactive activities and Panda Fest’s signature panda-themed experiences.

Songs of Destiny Symphony

October 17 – October 18
Music Hall (OTR)
From myth to fire to consolation, this program traces a journey through passion, virtuosity, and reflection.

BOOP! The Musical Broadway

October 20 – October 25
Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
For almost a century, the Betty Boop® character has won hearts and inspired fans around the world with her trademark looks, voice, and style. Now, in BOOP!® The Musical, Betty’s dream of an ordinary day off from super-celebrity in her black-and-white world leads to an adventure of color, music, and love in New York City.

The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-966-3328.

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