Coming Wednesday!  From the 9/19/04 Enquirer:

 

 

 

(The Enquirer/Brandi Stafford)[/size]

 

MidPoint Festival cranks up the buzz

 

Buzz. In the music world, it's hard to define and even harder to create.

 

This year, MidPoint Music Festival aims to be "Where the buzz begins." The slogan nails the event's goal of bringing the music of independent artists to potential new fans and industry supporters.

 

For the festival itself, the buzz started when it was launched three years ago by two Cincinnati musicians, Bill Donabedian and Sean Rhiney. And this could be the year, the two say, that the noise generated by the event reverberates loudly enough to prick up ears on the national scene.

 

Click on link for article.

 

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/09/19/tem_sunlede19.html

Damn I need a babysitter again!

Well I didn't go last year but was kicking myself for not being supportive of the event so this year I've planned to go on Thursday night for sure. Then I'm out of town until Sunday . . . back home for the Bengal's game.

Damn I need a babysitter again!

But isn't it such a great problem to have? :D

Went down to the first night of Midpoint (a whole two blocks) last night and had a great time. We were only able to catch two bands at Barrelhouse, both were great. What I heard on the sidewalk from other venues made me wish the festival was spread out over two weekends so that one person can catch more than a small fraction of the acts. Sadly, I have to go out of town and can't make it out Friday or Saturday nights.

 

If you are in the Cincinnati area, I can't stress enough how awesome this event is. The vibe down on Main Street is amazing and the music even more so. This is not just a festival with a few cover bands and a Miller Lite stand.

 

www.mpmf.com

While I would have liked to go to the Midpoint Musicfest, I am enjoying Pittsburgh right now so maybe next year.

A fairly neighborhhody (but not exactly) Independence Day parade & festival.

A real grab bag of a parade and, this year, there will be real bands at the festival !

no fireworks, tho.

 

Mark

 

I love the Northside and need to go back and photograph it but I will probably be heading to Lake Erie on the 4th.

I'll be in Northside for the parade and festivities, and I'll try to get a bunch of pictures...we'll see, though - a flask can be a dangerous thing!

For this year's event, they are teaming up with the CAC!  It should be quite an event.  A press release from the MPMF:

 

 

What: Contemporary Arts Center, MidPoint Music Festival Announce Partnership

 

MidPoint Music Festival early band registration ends April 30 ($19.95) Final band registration deadline is May 15 ($24.95); register online at: www.sonicbids.com/mpmf2005

 

When: September 21-24, 2005

 

Where: Cincinnati, Ohio

 

The MidPoint music industry conference and trade show will be at the Contemporary Arts Center. MidPoint concerts will be at clubs in the Main Street Entertainment District.

 

Contact:

 

* MidPoint: Sarah Hawkins, 513-509-0772 or [email protected]

* CAC: Katie Taft, (513) 345-8415 or [email protected]

 

 

Contemporary Arts Center, MidPoint Music Festival Announce Partnership

 

MidPoint Music Festival and Cincinnati’s world-renowned Contemporary Arts Center have joined forces to rock Cincinnati. From September 21-24, MidPoint is expecting more than 50,000 people for three nights of concerts and its industry conference. This year the music industry conference and trade show will be at the CAC.

 

"The CAC is very pleased to work with such an exciting music festival," says Matt Distel, associate curator for the CAC. "We are particularly thrilled to be able to highlight the overlap of contemporary music and contemporary art."

 

MidPoint Co-Founder Bill Donabedian says this partnership with the CAC will create a music festival like none other in the country. "We're excited to hold the conference and trade show in such a great space,” he says. “The building is so cool. It's going to add to the whole MPMF experience, especially for out-of-town guests.”

 

Additionally, music-related exhibitions will open the CAC season, one of which explores Cincinnati's rich history of Soul and R&B music.

 

 

Cincinnati: Where Rock-n-Roll Was Conceived

 

Esquire Magazine (April 2004) ranked Cincinnati number 7 for “Cities That Rock”. Cincinnati has a long, proud, diverse musical heritage: from the 1950s when Cincinnati's King Records gave birth to the soul and funk music of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers James Brown and Bootsy Collins, to the 80s synthesized dance R&B of Midnight Star, through the 90s when Adrian Belew and The Bears, Afghan Whigs, Ass Ponys, and Over the Rhine pioneered the "Alternative" sound. Today, Over The Rhine, Ass Ponys and newer bands like Moth and breakout hip hop star J. Grams ("Big Spender") continue to make waves from their home base in Cincinnati.

 

 

MidPoint Music Festival: The Midwest’s Biggest & Best Independent Music Festival

 

Since its inception in 2002, Midpoint Music Festival’s attendance has grown steadily each year, and nearly doubled between 2003 and 2004. MidPoint 2005 will present 250 bands and solo artists to an expected 50,000+ music fans.

 

 

Midpoint Attendance figures:

 

2002: 10,000

2003: 25,000

2004: 40,000

2005: 50,000 + expected

 

Past Midpoint Music Festival industry conference keynotes include Art Alexakis (of Everclear) and Pat Dinizio (the Smithereens). The industry conference will continue to offer musicians the opportunity to get one-on-one advice from producers, managers and entertainment lawyers. Previous panelists include producer Ken Lewis, who has worked with hip hop artists ranging from Judakiss and Jay Z to the Beastie Boys, and Todd Sullivan, who manages Weezer.

 

 

MidPoint Is Truly Independent

 

All-volunteer staff. No politics, no bartering, no pay-to-play label showcases. Just the best new music. MidPoint’s selection process utilizes judges from around the country with ties to the music industry - from radio DJs to music editors to recording engineers. Each band/artist is independently judged and scored by atleast two judges.

 

 

About the Contemporary Arts Center

 

Founded in 1939 as the Modern Art Society by three visionary women in Cincinnati, the Contemporary Arts Center was one of the first institutions in the U.S. dedicated to exhibiting the art of our time. In May 2003, the Center relocated to its first freestanding home, the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Zaha Hadid.

 

Throughout its distinguished 64-year history, the Center has earned a reputation for stimulating thought and introducing new ideas by presenting the work of diverse artists from around the world, including hundreds of now-famous artists such as Laurie Anderson, Jasper Johns, Louise Nevelson, Nam June Paik, I.M. Pei, Robert Rauschenberg, Kara Walker and Andy Warhol.

 

The CAC focuses on new developments in painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, performance art and new media, presenting 8 to 12 exhibitions and 20 to 40 performances annually. Occupying the entire sixth floor of the new Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center, the Sara M. & Patricia A. Vance Education Center: The UnMuseum ffers children and families opportunities to experience the art of our time, including hands-on projects, school tours, after-school clubs, family days and other programs serving young people.

 

The CAC receives ongoing support from the Fine Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, City of Cincinnati, Delta Air Lines and AllOver Media. For more information visit www.contemporaryartscenter.org.

 

For more information on MidPoint Music Festival, contact: Sarah Hawkins at 513-509-0772 or [email protected].

 

http://mpmf.com/press.php

 

Okay, we all know it's this weekend.  I thought a reminder wouldn't hurt.

 

Here's a listing of all of the articles I've seen about it recently:

* CinWeekly: MidPoint Music Festival (9/14/05)

* Enquirer: Best bets for MidPoint Music Festival (9/18/05) (includes list of acts)

* Enquirer: Comparing 5 big festivals (9/18/05) (behind the numbers of other festivals, including SXSW)

* Cin Weekly: MidPoint has no limits (9/21/05)

 

And, the story from the 9/18/05 Enquirer:

 

 

PHOTO: MidPoint attendance hit 40,000 last year. About 10,000 came to the first, in 2002.  Enquirer file

 

Last year's MidPoint hit a turning point

By C.E. Hanifin

Enquirer contributor

 

Last fall, MidPoint Music Festival vowed to be "where the buzz begins." This year, the frenzy of the independent music showcase and conference, which begins Wednesday, might sound more like a roar.

 

Consider the clamor of performances by about 300 bands from all over the country. Riffs and wails spilling from 18 venues. The footfalls of an expected 50,000 attendees rocketing from club to club.

 

Click on link for article.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050918/ENT/509180315/0/back01

 

MidPoint Festival swells to 50,000

Event wrapup

 

By C.E. Hanifin

Enquirer contributor

 

MidPoint Music Festival has always aimed to crank up the buzz about independent artists. This year, the noise generated by the annual event reached an unprecedented number of ears.

 

During its Wednesday-through-Saturday run, MidPoint attracted a record 50,000 attendees, said cofounder Bill Donabedian. Throngs of music lovers jammed 17 venues in the Main Street entertainment district and downtown for three nights of music showcases by about 300 bands from all over the globe.

 

Click on link for article.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050926/ENT/509260310

Some might know (I did not) that Schwartz's Point, which seems very abandoned, is actually the home of a little jazz club on the first floor run by local jazz piano legend - Ed Moss.  Last night I was invited to a set which included a great meal (made by Ed) and several hours of small combo jazz with him on the piano.

 

It was very cool, great fun.   He has about a dozen tables in there, a bar and small stage. 

 

He has done a number of these 'jazz nites' and looks like another one in a couple of weeks on a Tuesday.  You basically pay what you want, but most folks seem to throw in about $20 for the food and whatever they want for the band/music.  WELL worth it, believe me.   You can Google 'ed moss' and find out more about him- he's quite a character.

 

If any of you are interested in details on the next nite send me a personal message and I can track them that way.  Could be neat to have a 'mini-UrbanOhio meet', but I know Tuesday nites are not optimum, and this is not necessarily everybody's cup of tea.  We have to reserve tables in advance - so let me know.  I am waiting on his email to know exactly when the next one will be. 

 

 

 

Huh....very interesting.  I love jazz and blues!  I would be interested given the details of the occasion (whether I can make it or not).

I've been. It can be very, very cool. Kathy Wade sat in while I was there, which was incredible. I've aso heard that Paavo Jarvi played as well. It's well worth it.

 

 

Last nite it was Pam Ross with vocals and Art Gore on drums, plus a bass player.  I will post the details when I know more.

I have seen Ed Moss, and have been inside many OTR buildings, but have never been in here, and would definitely like to attend with my wife. Let me know if you could. Thanks Fan.

nice, nothing is cooler than that. you gotta support stuff like this. it reminds me of smalls in the village or more so this place in brooklyn called monkeytown that used to do that in an apt building. i went once --- it was dinner and a movie and a band. so i saw black dice there when they used to be somebody for a minute. then the whole operation moved and is a now a totally above ground legit place:

 

http://www.monkeytownhq.com/monkeytownsplash.html

 

 

 

 

Cool, I had no idea that building was occupied.  I have loved it ever since I first noticed it about 15 years ago.  Getting a fresh coat of paint on the outside would be awewsome for that corner.  If memory serves, I believe the Schwartz building was originally a dentist office for, you guessed it, Dr. Schwartz.

 

P.S. May the Schwartz be with you.

from inside the club that night:

 

 

 

 

 

You are right Cincinnati-Kid - they were dentists - 3 brothers in fact..  look (real) close at the clock sometime...

 

Wow, I never would have guessed that building was occupied, let alone by a hip joint!  Good news though.

mrnyc - thanks for the neat "monkeytown" link - cool stuff.  Ed Moss said some folks were after him to get a liquor license and go legit with "the point"  but I sense he likes the loose nature of the set up he has now. 

 

But support it we locals must. Everybody needs to try to do a little something at this critical juncture in this area's rich story.

wow.....no shit.  I know where thats at!  Nice little venue inside, too. 

 

 

I am totally shocked that anything existed on the inside, much less something that is in decent condition with shit happening there!

 

Holly Shit!

'jazz nite' is on for Tuesday April 25.  Here is some basic info. If you contact them by email and want to confirm by phone then send me a PM and I'll pass that along.  There will probably not be a 'safer' time to do this, so if you have any inclination towards this, then now is the hour!  There are not too many tables, but as you can tell from the pix above there is certainly room for more.  If you are going why not tell me and we can meet?  (sorry if this reads like an ad... I have nothing to do with this, but think it is important to support, plus, it's fun.)

 

====================================================================

 

Music with Pianist Ed Moss @ Schwartz's Point [Every other Tuesday; dinner @ 7 PM; music @ 8 PM]:  Ever enjoyed the musical renderings of iconic Ed Moss? Ever passed the historic flatiron building topped by the clock at Schwartz's Point (Vine & McMicken) & wondered what it's all about? Do you like to eat gourmet home-cooking in an eclectic atmosphere? Now's your chance to explore all three at once.  Every-other Tuesday, Ed invites you to join him & his musical guests. Next party is Tuesday 25 April. Recent musical guests included Cincinnati Symphony maestro Paavo Jarvi, Romanian pianist Mihaela Ursuleasa, & saucy songstress Pam Ross. The evening begins @ 7 PM with special seasonal dinner buffets prepared by Ed for you. "Gemütlich" is the German word that describes the atmosphere Ed strives to provide: warm & congenial, pleasant or friendly.

Who could guess, looking at the outside of the building, what a fabulous sanctuary for jazz you'd find inside. Reservations required; suggested minimum gratuity is $15-25. Schwartz's Point, 1901 Vine Street @ McMicken Avenue,Cincinnati's Brewery District, Cincinnati, OH 45202. (Green lights aside the Vine Street doors indicate the room is open; push hard on the right-hand door to enter.)  More info [email protected], [email protected], & www.home.earthlink.net/~sandrikasaw/edhomealt.html.

 

 

just a quick update - went to Schwartz's Point again last Tuesday.  Larger crowd than before (although the whole joint couldn't hold more that 35 I'm guessing.  Met Jimmy Skinner and his wife.  Food excellent, music was fun  (the extra trombone and trumpet players didn't add much IMO, but fortunately they just sat in for 2 tunes).  Ed Moss really entertains.  For 2 or 3 hours it's a real 'urban' experience.  Four dudes from UC architecture (including Walter Lankstrom (sp?)),  some dangerous looking folks from Russia maybe, and some others.  He is supposed to keep this up until June and then stops during the summer heat.  I'll keep posting details as long as anyone is interested in them.

 

Jimmy Skinner - great to chat with you and your wife.  Hope to meet you again. 

Yeah, I was looking around in there, and I couldn't find any heating or cooling system, other than a fan, so I was wondering if he just did it in temperate weather. 

 

Sasha, the Russian trombonist/bartender is a regular around the neighborhood.  These jazz guys are amazing; really committed to their music.  Anyway, thanks, I loved it and will be returning.

Right Here, Right NOW

MusicNOW festival founder/curator Bryce Dessner explains why Cincinnati is — and always will be — the right place

BY BRIAN BAKER | [email protected]

 

CINCINNATI - Be honest. When you see the words "Chamber Music" on this page, do you quickly shuffle to another section, the newspaper equivalent of grabbing the remote to flip away from the PBS Classical special?

 

Does the whole Chamber/Classical music realm fill you with feelings of intimidation, inadequacy and confusion because you just don't understand the history, the motivation and the execution of the music itself? Do you avoid the live Chamber/Classical experience because you don't own a formal evening outfit, white gloves or an appropriate attention span?

 

Fear not, my tuxless/gownless friends. Your musical ADD is about to drift away on the wings of a soundtrack that's as versed in Rock as it is in Classical, that fuses elements of World, Pop and Chamber music in an atmosphere both casual and austere and that is both traditional and experimental...

 

 

http://www.citybeat.com/current/cover.shtml

MusicNOW Schedule

Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine

 

THURSDAY

7:30 p.m.

Opening "marathon" concert featuring the U.S. debut of Flamenco guitarist Pedro Soler and world premieres by Padma Newsome and Bryce Dessner with Clogs and percussionist David Cossin. Plus world premiere selections from Sufjan Stevens' Enjoy Your Rabbit album for string quartet and a new composition by Maria Huld Markan from Amiina.

 

FRIDAY

8 p.m.

Sets by Amiina and My Brightest Diamond.

 

SATURDAY

8 p.m.

Sets by Irena and Vojtech Havel and Sufjan Stevens.

 

TICKETS: Passes for MusicNOW are $60, which includes admission to all three days. Tickets can be purchased at Shake It Records in Northside and at www.musicnowfestival.org. There is a four-pass limit per customer. Each day, limited single-day tickets might be made available 30 minutes before show time for $25, depending on availability. MUSICNOW takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine. See schedule above. For more information, visit www.musicnowfestival.org.

I'm posting from my phone, so I can't search to see if this is already a thread somewhere - sorry!

 

Anyway, I'm sitting in Memorial Hall right now at the first intermission of the first night of the Music Now festival, and WOW...it's my first time in this building, and it's incredible...and we just heard Pedro Soler, a Flamenco guitarist from the ethnically Spanish part of southern France - just amazing...a fantastic night, with more to come...

July 3rd & 4th Events in Northside

 

July 3rd 6pm to 1am

 

Northside offers up an event as unique as Northside itself: A pre-4th of July Rock ‘n Roll Carnival! Held the night before the now infamous annual Northside 4th of July Parade, this one of a kind Cincinnati event will be an experience to be enjoyed by all. Mysterious, bizarre and bold: Cincinnati’s only Rock ‘N Roll Carnival!

 

Hoffner Park will be transformed into a festive playground of great Rock ‘N Roll, Fire Breathers, Jugglers, Magicians, a Burlesque Show and a carnival side show featuring Sword Swallowers and a Bed of Nails!

 

Also available will be: Beer sold at the pavilion Food by The Hideaway, Boswell Alley, Madisons Market, and NYPD Pizza Works by Local artists

 

PERFORMANCES BY:

Event Proclamation by MC Soft J (of the Spurzz)

The Blue Rock Boys 6pm-6:40pm

Straw Boss 7pm-7:40pm

The Hiders 8pm-8:40pm

Bad Veins 9pm-9:40pm

Pickled Brothers Sideshow 9:55pm-10-20pm

Buffalo Killers 10:40pm-11:20pm

Cloven Hoof Theatre featuring Barnyard Burlesque 11:35pm-12:10am

Banderas 12:30am-1am

 

OFF-STAGE SIDESHOW PERFORMANCES BY:

Magic by Dion 6:30pm

Pickled Brother Juggler 7pm

Incendium Fire Arts 9:40pm

 

July 4th Parade and Festival

 

Parade starts at Hamilton and Ashtree at noon and travels south on Hamilton Ave. to Hoffner Park. Festival at Hoffner Park 1:30pm-4:30pm

 

DAY OF THE 4TH PERFORMANCES BY:

Baoku & the Image Afro-Beat 1:30pm-2:30pm

Comet Bluegrass Allstars 2:45pm-3:30pm

Jibri 3:45pm-4:30pm

 

Educational art activities for kids Taste of Northside Demonstration by Cincinnati Fire Dept Water slide and misting tent - It’s Hot! Parade awards at 2:30 at band tent Beer Garden at the Pavilion

 

http://www.myspace.com/northside3and4

Should be a lot of politicians and ballots to sign this year, too ! (oboy)

The Cinti Rollergirls usually show up for the fourth.

Last year's festival (3rd) was fairly amazing. The lines for beer were insane but the Northside Tavern and Boswell Alley and Jacob's are only a block or two away and the 5th Amendment is right across the street.

uh, not that I am advocating drinking.......

More updates on the Festival below!

 

New Main Street Venues!

 

For my urban bretheren and sisteren, this will be a chance to see 4 'new' venues on Main Street with the soft openings of Cue (formerly RBC), The Speakeasy (f/k/a Japps), and the aptly named Pizza Bar (Harrys). All of which will be open for business in October following the Festival.  In addition, Jardine Tapas Bar (Neons) which has opened for private parties, will also be hosting a stage under the stars. We're excited these venues are coming online and it will be a great chance for all of us to see their progress.

 

In addition to these great venues, check out cool spaces like Inktank and New Stage Collective Theatre which will both be hosting three nights of music stages AND serving beer! 

 

Thursday CityBeat Pre-Party: Superdrag@ The Exchange

 

The original Superdrag line-up (Don Coffey Jr., John Davis, Brandon Fisher, and Tom Pappas) are reuniting to play 6 limited tour dates in October and November, but they’re kicking off the Midwest’s only independent music festival first on September 27th. 

 

Friday CityBeat Pre-Party: Forget Cassettes@ The Exchange

 

Friday night’s MPMF party will feature Nashville based Forget Cassettes

 

Both preparty shows start sharply at 7:30pm!! Doors 6:30pm

 

How to Enjoy:

 

The 3-day Wristband is the definitely the way to go when it comes to MidPoint's 230+ showcases and preparties. For only $25, you have access* to all the CityBeat pre-parties and band showcases. But hurry...numbers are limited and you can only buy them online or at participating MPMF venues on Thursday, September 27. *Subject to venue capacity. www.mpmf.cmo

 

International Stage at the Know Theatre

 

ICB Audio and The Bamboo Room have made possible an international stage at the Know Theatre. All three days are dedicated to bands from abroad. But it's not the only place you'll find bands from outside the U.S. MPMF 2007 has more international bands this year than any year prior.

 

Conference Artist and Industry Keynotes

 

The MidPoint Music Festival announced 2007 Artist Keynote will be Superdrag vocalist and songwriter, John Davis. Davis will be part of an artist’s conversation on Friday, September 28th in the Black Box Theatre of MPMF’s Conference headquarters at the Contemporary Arts Center. In addition, the 2007 Industry Keynote will be former Minor Threat guitarist, Lyle Preslar. He will be part of an industry conversation September 28 in the Black Box Theatre of MPMF’s conference headquarters at the Contemporary Arts Center downtown.

 

Volunteer Registration Still Open

 

MPMF recruits over 200 volunteers each year to make the Festival happen. If you'd like to earn a free wristband, hop over to the site and sign up to volunteer for one night!!  www.mpmf.com

 

I'll definitely be hitting up MPMF!

I'll definitely be hitting up MPMF!

 

We will be there as well, and we've already purchased our wristbands.  :)

You should be considered as Mrs. Cincinnati...you are literally EVERYWHERE!  :laugh:

 

For my urban bretheren and sisteren, this will be a chance to see 4 'new' venues on Main Street with the soft openings of Cue (formerly RBC), The Speakeasy (f/k/a Japps), and the aptly named Pizza Bar (Harrys). All of which will be open for business in October following the Festival.  In addition, Jardine Tapas Bar (Neons) which has opened for private parties, will also be hosting a stage under the stars. We're excited these venues are coming online and it will be a great chance for all of us to see their progress.

 

I'm excited about this! Especially since I live on Main 8-)

You should be considered as Mrs. Cincinnati...you are literally EVERYWHERE!  :laugh:

 

all she has to do to get that title is marry tarbel

You should be considered as Mrs. Cincinnati...you are literally EVERYWHERE!  :laugh:

 

I like it! 

 

all she has to do to get that title is marry tarbel

 

Tarbell is old enough to be my father!  Besides, I'm already happily married.  :)

Excuse my ignorance. Is it THIS upcoming Wednesday through Saturday?

^Yes

Nice article in the Post - unfortunately I might not make it this year:

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070925/LIFE/709250367

 

Oh so cool

Midpoint Music Festival puts Cincinnati on music scene map

 

By Rick Bird

Post staff reporter

 

 

 

BRUCE CRIPPEN/The Post

 

Coletrain Motion from Chicago played at a 2005 Midpoint Music Festival pre-party. Bands from around the nation and the world will be at this year’s musical gathering in Cincinnati of unsigned groups.

 

 

 

 

Look out, Cincinnati. We might actually be getting cool.

 

The sixth annual Midpoint Music Festival, Thursday to Saturday, has become something of an overnight sensation that has suddenly put Cincinnati on the hipness map. Only 6 years old, it has quietly grown into the largest music festival in the Midwest devoted to showcasing unsigned, independent bands and has turned into a festival that needs to be reckoned with by the national indie music community.

Click on link for article.

Indie Innovation

The MidPoint Music Festival stays alive by providing essential tools for fans and artists

BY DANNY CROSS | CITY BEAT

September 26, 2007

 

CINCINNATI - Every year Sean Rhiney and Bill Donabedian meet on Main Street to hang the MidPoint Music Festival banner a week or so before the fest. This annual event is the semi-formal symbol of another successful year for the 15-person all-volunteer staff, which spends 11 months of every year planning the event. Last week Rhiney and Donabedian climbed out the second-story window above the old Jefferson Hall to string the 23-foot banner across a steel cable.

 

Click on link for article.

So I was out of town on Thursday but got back in to Cincinnati on Friday and wanted to make sure I caught at least some of the Mid Point Music Festival action.  On Friday I hit Mr. Pitiful's for most of their shows: 9:15pm – John Carter; 10:15pm – Kelly Thomas and The Fabulous Pickups; 11:15pm – The Wrenfields; and 12:15am – Tupelo Honey.  Left during that last one and went to Below Zero and caught about half of the 12:15am – of god and science set and then most of the 1:15am – Ramsey set. I actually ended the night with a drink at Shooters and while there was no “show” associated with Mid Point, there were drag queens in the house.

 

On Saturday evening I decided to check out Mr. Pitiful's again before going to my usual Saturday night hangout.  Caught the 9:15pm – The Off Ramps and 10:15pm – Girls Guns and Glory sets.  There, I also ran in to another forumer.

 

I’m not a music critic, although of course I have opinions, and I actually liked many of the bands I saw.  Impressed with most of the quality all-around and I don’t remember feeling that way last year.  Local Kelly Thomas was my favorite at Mr. Pitiful’s on Saturday and Girls Guns Glory out of Boston was awesome on Saturday.  They were a “City Beat” pick and the show had a great crowd for being at 10:15.  Gotta’ love the washboard!  I was impressed by both bands at Below Zero on Friday and that is generally not my kind of music.  of god and science is from New Mexico and Ramsey is a local band.  I guess you would consider both Rock or Alternative but just an interesting sound and vibe. And I hadn’t seen Below Zero that crowded before so that too was fun to see.  City Beat has many reviews on their blog  http://blogs.citybeat.com/spill_it/ and they thought it was hot (temperature wise) at Below Zero.  I guess I didn’t notice it as much. Street action was great both Friday & Saturday.

 

I say this every year but I must go to more live music during the year . . .

 

As an aside, I wanted to hit the Washington Park Music Festival on Saturday but missed out.  Anybody go?  Findlay Market had a good crowd and saw ‘em getting ready in the Park when I passed by.  On Sunday I checked out the Reds v. Cubs for the last game of the season and then made my way up to Gateway via Fountain Square to check out the crowds for the Downtown Tour of Living and maybe do a little shopping at Metronation. Anyway, just a great weekend in OTR and downtown! I was on 'The Strip' in Las Vegas earlier in the week and it was so nice to be in a real place.

 

So I was out of town on Thursday but got back in to Cincinnati on Friday and wanted to make sure I caught at least some of the Mid Point Music Festival action.  On Friday I hit Mr. Pitiful's for most of their shows: 9:15pm – John Carter; 10:15pm – Kelly Thomas and The Fabulous Pickups; 11:15pm – The Wrenfields; and 12:15am – Tupelo Honey.  Left during that last one and went to Below Zero and caught about half of the 12:15am – of god and science set and then most of the 1:15am – Ramsey set. I actually ended the night with a drink at Shooters and while there was no “show” associated with Mid Point, there were drag queens in the house.

 

On Saturday evening I decided to check out Mr. Pitiful's again before going to my usual Saturday night hangout.  Caught the 9:15pm – The Off Ramps and 10:15pm – Girls Guns and Glory sets.  There, I also ran in to another forumer.

 

 

I'm surprised that we didn't run into you at Mr. Pitiful's.  We saw a little bit of the Girls Guns and Glory set.  This was my first year at Midpoint, and I had a great time.  We saw some really cool bands along with some crazy ones.  :) 

 

As an aside, I wanted to hit the Washington Park Music Festival on Saturday but missed out.  Anybody go? 

 

We did to this for a little bit.  They had a small part of the park blocked off, and the bands performed on the bandstand.  They served Christian Morlein beer, soft drinks, and food from Venice on Vine.  It was a nice little outdoor festival.  My suggestion to the planners would be to provide wristbands.  It  looked easy to sneak in, and they had the area blocked off with yellow caution ribbon.  They need to use something better.

 

Overall, it was nice to enjoy live music in the park.

xumelanie - Huh, I can't believe we missed each other.  I was in the back (or the front?) by the windows to Main Street on the Lounge side.  Left right after (they said they were going to do one more but they said they couldn't) to head to Shooters so if you were up by the stage that's probably how we missed each other.

 

I always have fun.  Been the last few years. Missed one because of a vacation. Thanks for WPMF info.  I really wanted to go and at least check it out.

My suggestion to the planners would be to provide wristbands.  It  looked easy to sneak in, and they had the area blocked off with yellow caution ribbon. 

 

it was free to get in, there was only a suggested donation

My suggestion to the planners would be to provide wristbands.  It  looked easy to sneak in, and they had the area blocked off with yellow caution ribbon. 

 

it was free to get in, there was only a suggested donation

 

That's interesting.  We got in for free anyways because we had MPMF wristbands, but the people at the entrance made it sound like you otherwise had to pay to get in.

Editorial from Citybeat

 

Bite the Hand That Doesn't Feed

BY John Fox | Posted 10/03/2007

 

What better represents Cincinnati: the Bengals on Monday Night Football or the MidPoint Music Festival?

 

Luckily for us Cincinnati is a big enough city that this isn't an either/or question. We can have both, even on the same weekend, and both can be successful.

 

Click on link for article.

 

http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A141947

Midpoint was awesome this year.