Spend Mother’s Day Downtown, Sunday May 12

It’s not too late to make plans now for Mother's Day, this Sunday, May 12. Reserve brunch at Palomino, CRAVE at The Banks, The Phoenix, The Palace, McCormick’s & Schmick’s, Nicholson’s or Morton’s.  Take in a ball game when the Reds play the Brewers at 1:10 pm at Great American Ball Park, and the first 10,000 moms get a free tote bag. Or see Sister Act at the Aronoff Center for the Arts.  Show times on Mother’s Day are 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Travel writer Patricia Schultz to visit Main Library May 11

Meet bestselling travel writer Patricia Schultz, author of "1,000 Places to See Before You Die," at the Main Library at 800 Vine Street on Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m. in the Reading Garden Lounge. A book signing will follow her presentation. Copies of her books will be available for sale courtesy of Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Booksellers on Fountain Square opens later this summer in the former Brooks Brothers space next to Tiffany’s.

In the “1,000 Places to See in the World Before you Die” book, the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is included. In the “1,000 Places to See in the U.S. and Canada Before You Die” book, Cincinnati Chili, Oktoberfest, the Cincinnati Flower Show, May Festival, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center are all mentioned.

The May Festival, May 10, 11, 12 and 17 and 18

The May Festival is the oldest continuous choral festival in the Western Hemisphere. Five unique concerts are performed over two weekends, some are choral masterpieces and others are little known gems. Music by Wagner, Verdi, Ravel, Mozart and Britten will be performed.

Established in 1873, the May Festival is directly responsible for our reputation as a center for music. In fact, Music Hall was built specifically to house the Festival's performances in 1878, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the fifth oldest orchestra in the United States, can trace its lineage back to this great tradition.

Performances take place on May 10, 11, 17 and 18 at Music Hall and on May 12 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

2013 Petopolis Show, Duke Energy Convention Center, May 11 and 12

Petopolis is a pet-friendly event packed with local retailers, stage performances, demonstrations and more. There will be 100 booths with products and services from local, regional, and national pet-related business. On May 11 at 1:15 pm is the Pet / Owner Look-a-like contest.  There are also seminars on Canine Rehab, Thinking of becoming a vet and a K9 demonstration. Admission: adults $10, children ages 6-14 $6, children under 6 admitted FREE, military FREE with valid ID, pet ticket $2, benefiting SPCA. 525 Elm St., (513) 419-7300, www.duke-energycenter.com/.

CSL KickBall League at Washington Park, May 15

Every Wednesday until July 3 at 6:15 pm, play coed kickball in Washington Park on the Civic Lawn. You must register in advance as a team or individual. T-shirt, paid umpire, equipment and prizes are provided.  A regular season consists of 7 games, plus playoffs.

Strauss Market on the Square, Tuesday, 11am to 2pm, Fountain Square

Spend your lunch hour enjoying one of the city’s most unique shopping experiences. Every Tuesday, from 11am to 2pm, local vendors will offer everything from fresh produce and flowers to sweet treats and handmade trinkets.

Party in the Park, Every Wednesday to August 14, Yeatman’s Cove

The Downtown Council, a division of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, presents the 36th season of the Party in the Park series at Yeatman’s Cove along Cincinnati riverfront. So put a little weekend in your Wednesday and join 5,000 of your best friends down by the Serpentine Wall.  Stranger performs May 15 from 5 pm to 10 pm.

More dates, bands, and info at http://www.party-in-the-park.com.

Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns, Through May 19, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati

Ensemble Theatre wraps up their season with this regional premiere. Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns is the highly anticipated sequel to their best-selling show of all time!

The show takes you to the Springfield High School graduation to re-visit the Wonderettes. If you aren’t familiar with them, the Wonderettes are four girls in 1958 with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts.

As we learn about their lives and loves—and take a peek into their futures—we are treated to the girls performing classic ‘50s and ‘60s songs such as “Wishin’ And Hopin’,” “Sealed with a Kiss,” “Dedicated To The One I Love,” “Rockin’ Robin,” and many more!