See a movie star being ‘Funny as Ish,’ and 9 other things to do this week

Here are 10 unique local events to check out this week:

Funny as Ish Comedy Tour, with Mike Epps

Mike Epps, stand-up comic and star of such films as “Friday After Next,” “All About the Benjamins,” and “Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins,” is headlining this comedy tour that also features Rickey Smiley, DC Young Fly, Lavell Crawford and Sommore. See them at the U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Cincinnati, on May 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $56-$129. For more information, call 513-421-4111 or visit www.usbankarena.com.

International Sculpture Day

To commemorate International Sculpture Day, celebrated across the U.S. and around the globe, artwork from a variety of students and professors will be on display. There will also be food trucks and kids’ activities. Check it out at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, on April 28. For more information, call 513-863-8336 or visit www.pyramidhill.org.

Earthstock

This Earth Day festival will feature lectures and demonstrations on a variety of topics, activities, art, environmentally friendly vendors, and opportunities to try out recreational equipment. Check it out at Voice of America MetroPark, 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester, on April 28 from noon-5 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-867-5835 or visit www.yourmetroparks.net.

Mason Community Band

The Mason Community Band’s spring concert will feature music from “Hamilton” and a Beach Boys medley. Free punch and cookies will be available during intermission. Check it out at Mason Middle School, 6370 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, on April 28 at 7 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, visit www.masoncommunityband.org.

“Dear Evan Hansen”

A teen with severe social anxiety writes letters to himself every day on the advice of his therapist. Disaster as well as a new hope follows when one of the letters accidentally gets out. This Broadway musical won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. See it at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, on April 30-May 12. Performance times are Tuesdays-Thursdays 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $35 and up. For more information, call 513-621-2787 or visit www.cincinnatiarts.org.

The Mixtape Tour, featuring New Kids on the Block

New Kids on the Block is headlining this ode to 1980s teenybopper pop and hip-hop. Also on the bill are Tiffany, Salt N’ Pepa, Naughty by Nature, and Debbie Gibson. See them at the U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Cincinnati, on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.95-$159.95. For more information, call 513-421-4111 or visit www.usbankarena.com.

Justin Moore & Friends

Justin Moore is a chart-topping country singer/songwriter set to release his fifth album, “Late Nights and Longnecks,” this July. He’ll be performing locally with a few friends, including Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye and Dillon Carmichael, at the BB&T Arena, 500 Louie B. Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky., on May 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.75-$59.75. For more information, call 859-442-2652 or visit www.thebbtarena.com.

Rivercon

Commemorating the release date of the original “Star Wars,” this day-long fest features a Star Wars costume bike ride and 5K walk. There will also be vendors and other Jedi-related activities. Registration is required. Meet at the Bicentennial Commons, 120 S. Carmody Blvd., Middletown, on May 4 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, visit www.yourmetroparks.net.

Hamilpalooza

Over 100 vendors will converge for a day of fun, food, live entertainment, shopping, and kids’ activities. Vendors covering everything from trendy home decor to clubs and organizations will be on hand. New this year is the Cohen Recycling E-Waste Event, where you can recycle your obsolete electronics. Check it out at the Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, on May 4 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 513-844-1500 or visit www.hamilton-ohio.com/hamilpalooza.

The Avalons

This Dayton-based band will bring high energy, colorful costumes, and the popular music of the 1950s, ’60s’ and ’70s to the Sorg Opera House, 57 S. Main St., Middletown, on May 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit www.sorgoperahouse.org.

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