Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Announces 2024 Brady Block Parties
Five Free Outdoor Brady Block Parties Anchored by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Concerts to Take Place in the West End, The Banks, Price Hill, Avondale and Woodlawn/Lincoln Heights
Pre-concert Activities to Include Music and Art Activations, Games and Activities for All Ages, and Food and Beverages from Area Food Vendors
CINCINNATI, OH (April 16, 2024)—The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has announced its 2024 Brady Block Parties line up. The Brady Block Parties, anchored by CSO concerts and named in honor of Andrew J. Brady, longtime Cincinnati orchestra and band director at Western Hills High School, will take place outdoors at five locations across Greater Cincinnati, June 6 through August 1. Each Brady Block Party is free and open to the public and will include art activations by Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center (ROMAC), games and activities for all ages in collaboration with Cincinnati Circus, and food from area food vendors and culminate with an outdoor concert by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
The Brady Block Parties will take place at The Banks at the ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, adjacent to The Andrew J. Brady Music Center® (June 6); West End at Ezzard Charles Park (June 23); Price Hill at the Dunham Recreation Center (July 14), Avondale at the North Avondale Recreation Center fields (July 19), and Woodlawn/Lincoln Heights at the Woodlawn Community Center (August 1). Community partners include the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, Price Hill Will, Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Village of Woodlawn, Village of Lincoln Heights and North Avondale Community Council.
“We are excited for the third summer of Brady Block Parties,” said Harold Brown, The Honorable Nathaniel R. Jones Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. “This summer we continue to build on the fruitful relationship that we’ve developed with our community partners over the last two seasons and form new relationships with the new neighborhoods of Avondale and Woodlawn/Lincoln Heights. No matter who you are or where you come from, we welcome you to come out and celebrate our community with us in food, fun, games and live performances by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra along with a few special guests.”
“Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses partners with residents and stakeholders to build a stronger West End through collaboration. Partnering with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra allows us to bring enriching experiences, opportunities to engage and lasting memories. Residents look forward to Brady Block Party, offering a chance to celebrate together, experience the arts and have family fun. Together, we foster hope for a vibrant West End!” — Terana Boyd, Director of Community Engagement & Program for Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses.
“The Brady Block Party will be a grand family get-together for all Zone 15 communities.” —LaVerne Mitchell, Village of Lincoln Heights
“The Brady Block Party collaboration is important to the Village of Woodlawn in many ways. One, it will bring people from different backgrounds together and create a sense of unity. Two, it allows for our residents to experience a different genre of music not usually performed at our concert series. Hearing live music in a community setting, watching the musicians play the instruments allows for an appreciation to develop for the sound and richness, of the music even if you don’t prefer it. Lastly, having the full production of the Brady Block Party sends a message to our community that we value them, their important and hopefully that will create a sense of unity and pride and dismantle community divides.” —Paula Sherman, Village of Woodlawn
A full listing of activities, vendors, and complete event details can be found at cincinnatisymphony.org/BlockParties.
The Brady Block Parties series is made possible by an anonymous donor in honor of Andrew J. Brady and the Fifth Third Foundation, Title Sponsor of the CSO’s IDEA Series. The CSO’s IDEA Series comprises the Brady Block Parties series, the MAC Music Innovator and Classical Roots. Together, these programs bring the entire city together to celebrate diverse artistry, to meet the demand for historically underrepresented talent in the orchestra industry and engage with people from communities historically excluded from orchestral music with programming that authentically represents them.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
2024 Brady Block Parties
Each Brady Block Party is free and open to the public and will include art activations by Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center (ROMAC), games and activities for all ages in collaboration with Cincinnati Circus, and food from area food vendors and culminate with an outdoor concert by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Thursday, June 6, 2024, 6 pm (concert at 7:30 p.m.)
Location: The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, located adjacent to The Andrew J. Brady Music Center®
PRIDE BRADY BLOCK PARTY
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Wiley conductor
Community Partner: Cincinnati Men’s Chorus
Sunday, June 23, 2024, 6 pm (concert at 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Ezzard Charles Park (formerly Laurel Park)
WEST END BRADY BLOCK PARTY
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
John Morris Russell conductor
Community Partner: Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
Sunday, July 14, 2024, 6 pm (concert at 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Dunham Recreation Center
PRICE HILL BRADY BLOCK PARTY
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Carlos Ágreda conductor
Community Partner: Price Hill Will and Cincinnati Recreation Commission
Friday, July 19, 6 pm (concert at 7:30 p.m.)
Location: North Avondale Recreation Center Fields
AVONDALE BRADY BLOCK PARTY
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Kellen Gray conductor
Community Partner: North Avondale Community Council and Cincinnati Recreation Commission
Thursday, August 1, 6 pm (concert at 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Woodlawn Community Center
WOODLAWN/LINCOLN HEIGHTS BRADY BLOCK PARTY
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Michelle Merrill conductor
Community Partner: Village of Woodlawn and Village of Lincoln Heights
All programs, artists, dates and locations are subject to change.