eastsider magazine

Eastsider Magazine’s Photo Blog for the 2009 edition of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. read more »

If you thought Taste of Cincinnati was a good time, don’t miss Oktoberfest Zincinnati, occurring downtown on September 19 and 20. When else can you see a pack of wiener dogs in hotdog costumes racing across the square, participate in one of the largest chicken dances in the world while wearing a chicken hat, and dance enthusiastically to polka music, all in one afternoon?

Cincinnati’s rich German heritage is showcased in this once-a-year and not-to-be-missed event, which kicks off with parades and the traditional chicken dance, this year being led by a cartoon celebrity – Homer Simpson. Beer stein races as well as lots of live music provide entertainment well into the evening. read more »

When we’re ready to choose a libation to compliment our food, most of us unhesitatingly turn to the wine list. But there’s another drink squeezing its way into the heady world of food and beverage pairing, and it’s a familiar old friend called Beer.

For generations, beer has been the accompaniment of choice for hot dogs, pretzels and the occasional burger, while wine was reserved for the more refined palette pleasers like filet mignon and salmon with béarnaise sauce. Much like attending the prom with your younger cousin while your best friend and his cheerleader date are voted King and Queen, beer has for many years held its own only as a reliable buddy, never the dreamy escort. read more »

Three days of music, more than 250 performers and no tents or un-showered hippies? Not all music festivals were created equal. And for the past eight years, the MidPoint Music Festival in Cincinnati has made a name for itself as one of the best.

“This is kind of a dying breed,” says Dan McCabe, executive producer of the Midpoint Music Festival. “When people think of a music festival they envision a football field with stages on both ends.”

Instead, the MidPoint Music Festival features 22 venues from all around downtown and Over the Rhine. A weekend pass allows music goers the opportunity to see whatever they’d like. read more »

By now you’ve probably seen someone sitting in a deli or coffee shop with a tiny laptop, and maybe seen an advertisement for a computer at about half what you would normally expect to pay. You may have even heard the term “netbook” and wondered what the difference was between it and a notebook computer. In this edition of Nerd Alert, we’ll give you the lowdown on the netbook revolution and help you to decide if one should be in your tech future.

History of the Netbook. Although ultra-compact notebook computers have been around for a while, they were typically sold at a much higher price due to the difficulty of fitting high-performance components into a smaller chassis. A radical reevaluation of how people actually use notebooks led to the realization that most laptops are dramatically overpowered. read more »

I was told that the best gelato in the world is in Italy. And the best gelato in Italy is in Florence. So after spending three days in Florence and eating my weight in gelato, I was wondering how I would get my fix once I returned to the Eastside.

A week or so after getting back, I spotted my answer. A label in the freezer section of Bigg’s Hyde Park caught my eye (and put a spring back in my step).

It wasn’t long before I was standing in the kitchen of Matt Madison. The father of three (9, 6, and 4) and husband of Margot (of Margot Madison Creative Stationery in O’Bryonville) gave me the scoop on Madisono’s Gelato & Sorbet. read more »

Heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” by the New York Times, 27-year-old Lang Lang makes his triumphant return to Cincinnati to open the city’s fall arts season with Paavo Järvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in a one-night only concert extravaganza dubbed the “Sizzling Hot Opener” on Thursday, September 17 at Music Hall. This performance also marks the beginning of the CSO’s historic 115th anniversary season.

“My personal goal for present and future audiences who hear this fantastic orchestra is to experience something special and be moved by our performances,” said CSO Music Director Paavo Järvi. “We are continuing our quest for excellence.” read more »

With an enviable following of young professionals and a penchant for wine, The Bacchanalian Society is Cincinnati’s YP answer to charitable fundraising. Far removed from the fundraising car washes of yesteryear and yet still too restless for the tuxedo and ball gown formality of charity galas, YP’s have found the perfect outlet for their philanthropic tastes in this social and stylish organization.

Attracting up to 1,000 attendees per event and raising close to $40,000 annually for its compassionate causes, The Bacchanalian Society is an impressive organization that touts the finer things in life without the usual pretenses. The Society website unapologetically cautions, “wine snobs should check their attitudes at the door.” read more »

If you drive east on Columbia parkway far enough, you may find yourself in the intriguing Germanesque village of Mariemont. On a shady street, tucked into a group of buildings called the “Mariemont Strand” sits the Dilly Deli Café, a unique restaurant that serves not only a delicious meal, but has one of the best wine and beer selections in the Cincinnati area.

An open dining room and patio with a warm fireplace add to the atmosphere of a great restaurant. read more »

Greater Cincinnati has long been a haven for all things artistic. Through the funding of the Cincinnati Commission on the Arts (CCA) and the Cincinnati Arts Allocation Committee (CAAC), local artisans are supported in their pursuit of art excellence. Over the years, the city has also provided her residents with a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the arts via outdoor concerts, theatre programs in the park, and various other arts and music programs. read more »