CINCINNATI —

Still Smiling Fest, presented by Cincy Nice, is back this weekend at Five Points Alley in Walnut Hills.

The second annual music and art event transforms the neighborhood’s creative community courtyard into a happy oasis with live performances from global and emerging regional and local music acts, live artmaking, local tastes and a small biz vendor village.

Tickets are on sale now here.

“The world can always use more joy,” Destinee Thomas, Co-Founder of Cincy Nice, said. “We started our business centered on bringing people together just as a pandemic kept us all apart. During that time, “still smiling” became our daily mantra and promise. It’s a reminder that: We’re still here. We still have each other. We’re still choosing to smile, uplift our community and share our joy. Still Smiling Fest embodies this spirit and turns it into a magical celebration.”

In 2020, Cincy Nice led a revitalization of Five Points Alley. Cincy Nice now manages the space with a mission to provide a safe, black-led and artist-led outdoor gathering space for the community. To date, it has hosted more than 60 community events, commissioned international Nepalese artist Imagine 876 to create a permanent large-scale mural, engaged local artists to complete a series of mini murals, installations and events to transform the space into a vibrant “creative community courtyard.”

Following 2022’s headliner Grammy-award winning Mya, 2023 musical acts showcase artists that are gaining attention across the globe for pushing and celebrating their unique culture and sound, including:

• Flagboy Giz (Mardi Gras Indian from New Orleans, LA; Big Easy Album of the Year Winner)
• Tei Shi (Bogota, Colombia)
• Tonina (LA/St.Louis, Missouri)
• New Thousand (NYC, NY/New Orleans) — Coming straight from Burning Man!
• DJ Prymtime (Bengals & FC Cincinnati Official DJ) — Special 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Tribute Set

Local artists will also perform, including Lauren Eylise, Siri Imani, Leo Pastel, DJ TizieB, DJ Ghost, Khari B, neighborhood favorite Mambo Combo and event MC/Host Lantana.

Esoteric Brewing Co. X Pata Roja X Cincy Nice Special Release Brew – “Con Amor”: A beer collaboration like never before. The city’s only Black-owned brewery plus the city’s most popular Black-owned taqueria together with Cincy Nice are sharing their collaboration brew, “Con Amor” – a Mexican style lager with agua de jamaica served with a tajin rim and lime. Only available at Still Smiling Fest.

Small Biz Vendor Village includes curated vintage and thrift shops, Black Owned Outerwear selling their latest game dey merch, art prints and more.

“Walnut Hills is a thriving arts district. We’re so proud to foster a diverse creative community and serve as a destination for cultural experiences,” said Samantha Miller, director of the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation. “And this weekend is packed with great experiences! Come for our annual street festival, Queen of the Hills, in partnership with Her Cincinnati, grab a beer at Esoteric Brewing Co. or check out the latest exhibition at one of the neighborhood’s many arts institutions, and then stay and dance into the night at Still Smiling Fest hosted by Cincy Nice.”

The event takes place on Saturday between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. at 2425 Gilbert Ave (located behind E. McMillan St. & Gilbert Ave in Walnut Hills)