We’re pleased to announce a day like no other: the much-anticipated opening of Music Hall!

This concert venue – home to ticketed performances of all five resident companies – the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati May Festival – will be open for one day to everyone in the region.

ArtsWave – the convener, planner, promoter, and fundraiser of the region’s wonderfully abundant and diverse arts community – is proud to share this treasure with the community.

We’ve set this event to happen Saturday, October 7, between the hours of 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Note that this will be on the heels of a spectacular opening night dinner and concert for the CSO in its new home.

Saturday’s festivities will begin with the Official Opening of Music Hall set for 9:30 a.m., a brief ceremony with much fanfare, leading to the official opening of the doors by leaders of each of the resident organizations.

We’ve created this event so you can come whenever you choose with guides at a half-dozen stops throughout the hall. Not only will our guides give you the history of the building but they will talk about how the building has been designed to provide next generation performances.

Performances will run the gamut –  including a glorious fashion display of Opera and Ballet costumes; a room-sized cake that accompanies a grand celebration; a full orchestra set up in portraitures; and interactive sessions with professional orchestra players. Performances will be everywhere – strolling musicians, street-side performances, concurrent performances throughout the hall with additional performances set for both the main stage and band shell in Washington Park.

When you finish your visit, stop next door at Memorial Hall, which will be open, and experience incredible photography through FotoFocus.  Once done, head down a block south to the newly-opened Otto M. Budig Theatre, home to the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, where you will be guided through this forward-thinking performance space. Afterwards, head one more block over to Vine Street and take a tour of the brand new Ensemble Theater Cincinnati, a facility designed to incorporate its history and its future.

Your day of celebrating with the arts needn’t end there. Hop the Connector and watch a performance along the way, as you stop at the Contemporary Arts Center to check out Swoon and hop back on to all the Banks and wander over to the Taft Museum of Art for its Small Paintings from the Taft Collection. Don’t forget to visit the Cincinnati Art Museum, too, as this is the day to see all three art museums at no charge.

ArtsWave is honored to work with the resident companies within Music Hall to showcase their new surroundings. Please join us in our celebration!