Taste of the NFL

Join hundreds of Bengals fans in this ultimate opportunity to mix and mingle with current players and coaches without the pads. Sample fantastic food created by Jose Salazar and Summer Genetti of The Palace Restaurant at The Cincinnatian. Proceeds from the event, including an extensive silent auction and raffle, will benefit the Freestore Foodbank.

Who: The Cincinnati Bengals

Where: Club Lounge West, Paul Brown Stadium

When: 6:30 p.m.

How much: $150

More information: Call (513) 482-7539.

The Met Live in HD — Summer Encore Series

The Metropolitan Opera has selected several performances from recent seasons that will be broadcast to movie theaters in high-definition. Perhaps even better than being at The Met, except for missing that whole Manhattan experience, of course! The best thing is that you can eat popcorn and Milk Duds to your heart's content, maybe even score a beer — UNLIKE at The Met. This performance of Verdi's "Aida" is from this past October.

Who: The Metropolitan Opera of New York City

Where: Regal Deerfield Town Center, Mason; Showcase Cinema De Lux, Springdale and Florence

When: 6:30 p.m.

More information: Visit MetOperaFamily.org.

Thursday — June 17

Alice Weston — "Silent Testimony"

This current exhibition highlights photographs by local arts patron Alice Weston of Ohio's Native American Earthworks. Weston is a respected photographer, particularly known for her architectural studies in conjunction with area historian Walter Langsam. Her environmental photographs of some of earth's earliest known manmade monuments located here in Ohio are showcased with this event. Come hear her introduce the exhibit and explain these fascinating ancient remnants of Native America. (Exhibit runs through July.)

Who: Alice Weston, photographer

Where: AFC Gallery Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, 127 W. Ninth St., Downtown

When: 6 p.m.

How much: $5 for non-members

More information: Call (513) 421-4469 or visit ArchitectureCincy.org.

Friday — June 18

"A Generation of Rock-n-Roll Legends"

Love vintage rock or know someone who does? Music lovers and collectors alike should check out this collection of limited edition photographs of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and many more. Proceeds will aid the Business and Professional Women Scholarship Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, helping adult women (25+) begin or complete their college education.

Where: Gallery Veronique, 11356 Montgomery Road, Harper's Point

When: Opening reception: 5-9 p.m.

More information: Call (513) 530-5379 or visit GalleryVeronique.com.

Saturday — June 19

"America I AM: The African American Imprint"

The opening day for this award-winning exhibition will celebrate the African-American contribution to our nation. Developed in partnership with Tavis Smiley, PBS talk show host and racial justice advocate, "America I AM" traces five centuries of African-American history. For this Cincinnati stop on its tour, local history and artifacts will be included to bring this story to life for visitors from the Tri-State. (Exhibit runs through Jan. 2.)

Who: Cincinnati Museum Center

Where: Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate

When: June 19 – Jan. 2

More information: Call (513) 287-7000 or visit CincyMuseum.org.

Cincinnati Opera's 90th Anniversary Gala

To open this 90th anniversary season, Cincinnati Opera presents a gala concert of operatic excerpts on the Music Hall stage. Favorite performers from recent seasons, such as Denyce Graves, Christine Brewer, Angela Brown and Richard Leech, will showcase highlights from favorite operas, all accompanied by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. This is an opportunity to hear little bits from lots of different composers and see which ones tickle your ears the most — a grand tasting of grand opera!

Who: Cincinnati Opera

Where: Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over the Rhine

When: Dinner at 5:30 p.m., Concert starts at 8 p.m.

How much: Concert tickets $35-$130. Tickets for the entire evening (including black-tie dinner, premium concert seating and after-party) start at $500.

More information: Call (513) 241-2742 or visit CincinnatiOpera.com.

Christian Howes, jazz violin

Jazz and violin in the same sentence? Yep — a special and rare commodity. I have followed the development of Christian Howes' career since he emerged in the late 1990s. The classically-trained Columbus native has grown into a mature purveyor of the jazz violin who incorporates a melting pet of musical styles into his dynamic and interactive programs.

Who: Christian Howes, violin

Where: The Blue Wisp Jazz Club 318 E. Eighth St., Downtown

When: 8:30 p.m.

How much: $10 cover, the rest is up to you!

More information: Call (513) 241-9477 or visit TheBlueWisp.com.

Sunday — June 20

"ABBA: The Music, with the Cincinnati Pops"

On Facebook recently, a freelance musician friend joyfully announced that she was hired to play with the Pops for this concert. Several of her friends chimed in as to how "Lucky!" she was. Even classical musicians love ABBA! Come join the fun, as two original ABBA members front their Swedish tribute band in an evening of their amazingly catchy '70s hits. Arrive early for a grill-out on the Plaza.

Who: ABBA tribute band and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Where: PNC Pavilion/Riverbend Music Center

When: 8 p.m.

How much: $25-$45 (includes parking)

More information: Call (513) 381-3300 or visit www.cincinnatipops.org.

Cincinnati Opera 2009 Season Broadcast Series — Osvaldo Golijov's "Ainadamar"

If you would rather end the weekend curled up at home, take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear a live broadcast of one of the most captivating operas in the past several decades. Golijov is an Argentine Jew, whose music is a multi-layered mixture of Old and New World cultures. Less than 90 minutes in length but tremendously powerful, this was the hit of last year's Cincinnati Opera season.

Who: Cincinnati Opera 2009 Season

Where: Anywhere you can access a radio! 90.9 WGUC-FM

When: 7:30 p.m.

More information: Visit WGUC.org.

PHOTO CREDITS

Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Opera

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