On the cusp of another series of night shifts, I Googled for things to do in Cincinnati yesterday. What I found were not events in Cincinnati, but rather events in Newport, Kentucky, the town directly across the river from Cincy. Specifically, I found TUBACHRISTMAS playing at Newport on the Levee. Granted, tubas and euphoniums are no trombones, but I thought it would be nice to show support for fellow low-brass players. A few more clicks of the mouse, and I was ready to make a day of it.
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First up, breakfast. Culinary inspiration struck me the night before this trip: I have left over banana bread, why not make banana bread French toast?
[1. Work in progress; 2. Finished product.]
For the record, it was a very delicious way to start the day.
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Next up (after putzing around the house for a little bit), lunch. Turning to Yelp, I found this Newport gem: York St. Café.
[1. Unique atmosphere, including a collection of Elvis memorabilia and a pre-pubescent Justin Bieber vinyl record; 2. An absolutely delicious turkey, brie, and cinnamon apple sandwich with a cranberry mustard dipping sauce. It was a nice combo of sweet and savory.]
Overall, I would highly recommend this place for a meal. According to other Yelp reviewers, it can get really busy for dinner, but as you can see by my panorama shot, there weren't many other people at all when I ate there. (I think I was probably the first customer of the day.)
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Then it was on to Newport on the Levee. This was my first time visiting this shopping complex. Among the various stores and bars, there's the Newport Aquarium (ironically located directly across from a seafood restaurant called Mitchell's Fish Market). Both venues will have to be on my future to-do list.
I still had a couple of hours before the TUBACHRISTMAS performance, and so I thought to stop by the Newport Express Holiday Depot.
[1. Outside the Newport Express Holiday Depot, admission just $5; 2. The centerpiece model train set (and centerpiece model train set conductor) greeting visitors at the entrance; 3. Per the sign on the wall, "August, 1944. George Patton's magnificent Third Army races through France. This one of a kind military train is designed and operated in honor of all our veterans; 4. A preview of the Lego magic that was to greet me; 5. Lego superhero menagerie, both DC and Marvel characters (as well as the random Star Wars character) in an action-packed scene. I particularly enjoyed seeing Spider-Man swinging toward Venom in the bell tower, and the custom-built Arkham Asylum; 6. Welcome to Studville! This picture does not give proper justice to the elaborate detail of the set; 7. Some close-ups of the various parts of Studville. A carnival with a fully-functional Ferris wheel and carousel, as well as a concert stage that lights up and plays "YMCA;" 8. Superheroes playing baseball (with Yoda at bat); 9. More Lego sports; 10. Meanwhile, in the Hall of Justice...DC comic rogues are being led to paddy-wagons while the Super Friends are being interviewed for TV; 11. Buttons that brought Studville to life; 12. Lego model train set (unfortunately no accompanying Lego model train set conductor); 13. An incredibly beautiful Lego model of the Cincinnati Music Hall; 14. The back of the Music Hall model; 15. A close-up of the auditorium in the Music Hall model, with Lego Hulk enjoying prime balcony seating; 16. Lego Coast Guard to the rescue!; 17. Lego fast-food, featuring Dunkin' Donuts, Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut.]
In addition to enjoying the model trains and Lego sets, I learned about the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Lego Users Group (the group responsible for all the Lego models featured at the Newport Express Holiday Depot) and entered their raffle for a Lego Ewok Village (drawing is on New Year's Day, fingers crossed!).
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The cost of admission included a free 1-hour game card from GameWorks (which I promptly used up). Finally it was on to the main attraction: TUBACHRISTMAS! A 45-minute free concert, filled with rumbling harmonies.
[1. The beginning...; 2. ...and end of TUBACHRISTMAS, with a sampling of "Deck the Halls."]
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It was a rainy day, with flood warnings throughout various parts of Ohio, but well worth the trip!