Week 17: Final Friday in Northside and Funkin' in the Park

This past Friday was the last in the month, so once again Cincinnati's arts community was on the prowl, hopping from gallery to gallery, checking out show openings as part of the city's Final Friday.

While there were many interesting art events happening across the city, the ones that caught our attention and imagination were "Radically Visible" and "Bowie in the Basement," both held at Thunder-Sky Inc. in Northside.

Bowie in the Basement was curated by Emily Brandehoff and features about 50 works from a variety of artists, all celebrating David Bowie's life and art. Here are a few of our favorites from the collection:

"Glampire" by Jonathan Queen

"Where the Fuck Did Monday Go?" by Rob Jefferson

"Now You Float Amongst the Stars" by Anthony 'Tank' Mansfield

"Untitled" by Ryan McNeely

Radically Visible features works by Antonio Adams, Sky Cubacub, Craig Matis and Lindsey M. Whittle, artists who use costume, performance, language and symbol as vital ways to break down the barrier between artists and audience. The barriers were certainly removed on Friday night when several dozen performers presented one of the funnest fashion shows we've ever seen while modeling the handiwork of Cubacub. They had the audience dancing, shimmying, shaking and singing along with them from start to finish. It was absolutely electric!

Antonio Adams

Wearable Actions by Lindsey M. Whittle adorn the ceiling

Lovely 3D piece by Craig Matis

"Clothing is your second skin; it changes the way you hold yourself" said artist Sky Cubacub

Cubacub opened the show with kinetic dance

Artists and dancers modeled Cubacub's creations

A piece from the collection

Cubacub is hoisted on the shoulders of friends at the climax of the show

As if seeing the grooviest art show in the city wasn't enough for one week, the very next day Steve and I ventured over to the Center for Closing the Health Gap's Health Expo at Washington Park and caught the Ohio Players live in concert. 

Yep, you read that right. The Ohio Players played a free show at Washington Park and it was MAGNIFICENT!

We were not sure the show would happen since it had rained for most of the day (and last year's free performance with Bootsy Collins was, with great sadness, cancelled due to bad weather) but the rain stopped and they played a blisteringly excellent 75-minute set chock-full of hits - including a magical rendition of Prince's "Purple Rain," which was highlighted by a few moments of light rain coming down, as if His Purpleness had orchestrated it himself (and who knows, maybe he did) - and closed the show with their smokin' hot hit "Fire."

Proving you simply cannot photograph the funk, this pic doesn't do justice to their blazing set

Steve claimed seeing The Ohio Players live was one of his bucket list items, and he had all-over body aches the following morning from all the dancing he did. Blame it on the boogie.

Final Friday happens the last Friday of every month at art galleries all around Cincinnati. Openings are free.

Thunder-Sky Inc.

4373 Hamilton Ave.

Northside

Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine holds free events daily.