Sunday, June 19, 2016

Week 24: Pure Barre on the Bridge

I know, I know. Another free exercise class. Sounds a bit like I'm in a rut - a healthy rut, it has to be said, but still ...

Thing is, I couldn't miss out on the chance to take a free Pure Barre class (usually $99 for 5 weeks). I didn't know much about Pure Barre but my coworker and cohort in crime, Robin, assured me the class was fun and challenging in equal measures. Pure Barre's full-body workout is low-impact and concentrates on hips, thighs, seat, abs and arms using small, isometric movements.

Sounds easy, yes?

It's not. But it is definitely fun.
Robin and Luann ready for Pure Barre on the Bridge
The free class we took was located on the Purple People Bridge, spanning the Ohio River at Cincinnati and Newport, and was an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for largest barre class ever. We don't know yet if the record was broken, but the previous record was 250 participants and the 9:30 a.m. class we attended had a total of 367 participants, so we think we might have nailed it. Over three classes (8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.) the Barre on the Bridge total was 955.

Barre on the Bridge: photo courtesy Pure Barre/Fierce Marketing
The Enquirer/Cincinnati.com offers employees the chance to use Redbike, a community-wide bike-sharing service, for free by reserving one of the company's member passes (normal daily Redbike rate is $8).
A rack of Redbikes ready for action
Robin and I also took the opportunity to bike to and from the Barre on the Bridge event using Redbike and afterward took a leisurely ride along the riverfront, The Banks and across the Roebling Suspension Bridge into Covington, where we met up with the hubs and friends for the end of the Ireland v. Belgium game (Euro2016) at Molly Malone's Irish Pub.
Riding Redbike is a fun and fast way to navigate the city

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Week 23: PNC's Summer of Indie with Drowners and The Joy Formidable

Every night there is something free happening on Fountain Square in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. There's trivia on Mondays, Fountain Feud game show on Tuesdays, reggae bands on Wednesday and salsa music and dance lessons on Thursday.

Friday, however, is my favorite night of the week on the Square because it's indie music night.

Last year I saw Sloan - one of my all-time favorite bands - on a rainy Friday and they were amazing.  SLOAN! For FREE! I'd have happily paid cash money to see Sloan (and actually have done so in the past) so this was pretty much perfect in every way.

There are big names playing every Friday this summer - Guided by Voices, Rev. Horton Heat, Cloud Cult and Kishi Bashi to name but a few. This weekend it was Drowners and The Joy Formidable.

I am a big fan of Drowners; JF not so much, but hey, free's free.

Drowners

Drowners

The Joy Formidable

PNC's Summer of Series: Indie 2016 happens every Friday through September 2. 

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Week 22: Yoga on the Green and Dreamers on the Stage

Last week's Pilates class at Washington Park inspired me to check out some of the other workouts offered in the park, so this week I wandered over for The Yoga Bar's Vinyasa class, held on the oval every Tuesday throughout the summer.
Yoga class in front of Music Hall

The class is cleverly designed for everyone from beginner to expert; three yogis from The Yoga Bar demonstrate each pose/movement from the park's stage - one showing the beginner pose, another the intermediate level and a third doing the advanced level pose. Instructors walk around and guide participants while offering positive thoughts and gentle pointers.

Yoga on the Green


It is absolutely wonderful! I really enjoyed the class and felt both relaxed and rejuvenated afterward. I definitely plan to go back for more.

Another cool thing: The Yoga Bar gave out white wristbands to the first 500 participants, which offer discounted deals at area businesses.

It's Cool To Be Kind!
Also this week I ventured over to MOTR and caught another fantastic (and FREE!) show - this time it was a triple bill: AudioDamn!, The Young Wild and Dreamers headlining. I was most excited to see AudioDamn! because I had missed them earlier in the year at Headliners in Louisville and I lovelovelove their single "Lights Out." I was also stoked to finally see Dreamers, who have played MOTR before and are poised for the big time.

AudioDamn!

Dreamers - they're dreamy!

Dreamers rocking the joint

All three bands put on an excellent show and my only complaint is that it had to end. I've included videos by AudioDamn! and Dreamers to keep the magic going.




Workout on the Green happens every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Choose from Pilates, Yoga, Kickboxing, Bootcamp and Dance Fitness. All classes are free.

MOTR
1345 Main St.
OTR
Always 21+. Always free!