Poetry, classical and pop music performances, videos and fireworks will all be part of the reopening of Fountain Square downtown Saturday.
The free, 10-ceremony features a new poem by former Cincinnatian Nikki Giovanni, performances by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Ballet and local and national musical acts, capped off by Chicago pop-rock band OK Go. Bill Donabedian, the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.
's managing director for Fountain Square, says he doesn't believe the quartet, whose new music video features a synchronized dance on four treadmills, is bringing any exercise equipment with them.
You'll see activities on the square this fall and winter, but Donabedian says daily events likely won't happen until the spring. That's because of continuing construction on the fa?
ade of the Fifth Third building, work on a to-be-announced restaurant on the square and the installation of the ice skating rink a couple of weeks after the reopening.
"That is our goal. It might take us a little while to get there, but we want the square just bustling with activity."
Part I (Noon-2 p.
m.)
Speeches by former Cincinnatian Nikki Giovanni ("I am Cincinnati" poem), former Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken, current Mayor Mark Mallory, and video showing other congratulations from famous Cincinnatians
Presentation of gifts from Rookwood Pottery with video, "How the Gifts Were Made"
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performances conducted by assistant conductor Eric Dudley: Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man"; Overture to "Candide" by Leonard Bernstein; "Nessun dorma" from Puccini's opera "Turandot," featuring tenor Mark Panuccio; two movements from Respighi's "The Fountains of Rome," featuring Cincinnati Ballet dancers performing a choreographed unveiling of the fountain.
Intermission: "1,000 Faces of Cincinnati" video feature (about 2?
hours)
Part II (5:30-10 p.m. - all times approximate)
5:30-6 p.
m.: Cincinnati hip-hop trio IsWhat?!
on Fountain Square stage
6:30-6:45 p.m.: Brooklyn-based underground rapper Talib Kweli with special appearance by Cincinnati-based hip-hop producer Hi-Tek on Fifth and Walnut stage
6:45-7:15 p.
m.: Cold Spring country-rock group Kentucky Struts on Fountain Square stage
7:15-8 p.m.
: Tex-Mex influenced East Los Angeles rock band Los Lobos on Fifth and Walnut stage
8-8:30 p.m.: Cincinnati rock band Buckra on Fountain Square stage
8:30-9:30 p.
m.: Chicago pop-rock band OK Go on Fifth and Walnut stage
10 p.m.
Rozzi's Famous Fireworks
Enquirer reporter Janelle Gelfand contributed.
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