Welcome to Culture Splash, our new quarterly roundup of diverse arts events that bring people together. We're starting with March; lookout for another post soon that covers April-June.

March brings a wide variety of arts events that reflect the diverse array of cultures and perspectives in our community. Expand your horizons this month and experience the world in a new way through the arts. Discovering what connects us – that’s ArtsWave in Action.

February 27 - 28, 2015, Shen Yun 2015 - Aronoff Center , Presented by Ohio Falun DAFA Association
Shen Yun takes you on a journey through ancient dynasties and heavenly realms as heroes and legends spring to life through classical Chinese dance.

February 27 – March 7, 2015, ReelAbilities Film Festival - Venues throughout the region
ReelAbilities is the largest national film festival dedicated to celebrating the lives, stories, and art of people with disabilities.

February 28, 2015, Tribute to Legends in Black Music – with Elementz’ STARS Program - The University of Cincinnati, Zimmer Auditorium
The program will pay tribute to Billy Holiday, James Brown, Frankie Lymon, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, and many more.

March 3 - 4, 2015, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - Aronoff Center, Presented by Cincinnati Arts Association
Be inspired by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's incomparable dancers as they bring you the pulse-racing thrill of contemporary favorites and the spirit-lifting joy of such classics as Alvin Ailey's masterpiece, Revelations.

March 7, 2015, Macy’s Arts Sampler: See the World  in One Saturday Afternoon -  Multiple venues throughout the region, Presented by ArtsWave
Fairfield Community Arts Center has Japanese song and dance, an Eastern European small band, belly dancing with the Keshvar Project, and Ron Esposito and his singing bowls. Programs start at 11:15 a.m.
In Downtown, try West African dance and drumming at the Lindner YMCA. Then head over to the Art Academy of Cincinnati for Indian dance, Chinese martial arts, and belly dancing.

March 10, 2015, Cincinnati Playwright's Initiative, CPI New Voices: Hour Farther by David Greer- Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theater
Victor, an adopted-son waiting to meet his biological father for the first time, discovers how dangerous family truth can be.Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative is a grassroots arts organization of local playwrights, directors, actors, and theater supporters devoted to bringing new plays by local playwrights to the Cincinnati stage. Before the show enjoy a free meet & greet with the playwright, Tony-nominated producer, actor, and Kentucky-native, David H. Greer.

March 14, 2015, MUSE Women’s Choir - Women Hold Up More Than Half the Sky Concert (Free Event) - St. John Unitarian Universalist Church, Clifton
Celebrate Women's History Month and International Women's Day at this up-tempo concert program featuring the St. John's Choir, MUSE, Cincinnati Women's Choir, local spoken-word artists, and local dance ensembles, all gathering to acknowledge the immense contribution in art, music ,and dance made by women throughout time.

On View through March 15, 2015, Bukang Y. Kim: Journey Exhibition - Cincinnati Art Museum (Admission is Free)
This exhibition features the 40-year artistic journey of Bukang Kim, a Korean-born American artist based in Cincinnati. 

March 20, 2015, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra – Classical Roots Concert - Music Hall
Join the CSO and the Classical Roots Community Mass Choir for one of the most highly anticipated concerts of the season! Take 6 brings a riveting blend of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop to the stage, and conductor and composer Charles Floyd, known for his work in Hollywood and beyond, makes his Classical Roots debut.

Opening March 20 and on view through August 30, 2015, Self Portrait as Light Exhibition - Contemporary Arts Center
Brazilian artist Albano Afonso  uses photographs, installations, projections and luminous objects to give light a sculptural presence, spoken through the language of art history, as he reformulates time-honored traditions of portraiture, still life, vanitas and landscape. This will be Afonso’s first major exhibition in the United States, and it will extend across the CAC and the 21c Museum Hotel. 

March 24, 2015, Hate Crimes in the Heartland – documentary film - Mayerson Jewish Community Center
Hate Crimes in the Heartland is an award-winning documentary film that explores our national epidemic of hate crimes and tells the powerful stories of survivors, activists, leaders and affected community members.  Immediately following the movie, there will be a panel discussion including civic and academic leaders who will discuss current issues facing our community and nation, as well as, reflect upon issues of diversity, inclusion and justice.

March 28 and 29, 2015, Cincinnati Men’s Chorus – Girl Power Concert - SCPA Mayerson Theater
From the Andrew Sisters to Sister Sledge, from the Bangles to Little Mix, CMC celebrates  the fabulous music that these strong, all-women groups have shared with the world. Come hear the 80 men of the CMC give a voice to Girl Power from yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Until August 20, 2015, Masterpieces of Japanese Art - Cincinnati Art Museum
The exhibition features approximately one hundred Japanese masterpieces from the permanent collection of the Art Museum. The show is designed to provide viewers not only with a better understanding of Japanese art and its aesthetics, but also a unique regional perspective through the history of the collection.

There's plenty more to discover in our region. Do you have an event that you would like featured in Culture Splash? Contact Rebecca Bromels at rebecca.bromels@theartswave.org.