Sample several art programs for free

CINCINNATI - Tri-State residents can celebrate creativity at no cost this winter.

The 2012 Macy's Arts Sampler will cover three Saturdays, featuring theater, dance, museums, music, and festivals.

ArtsWave will host the events on Feb. 11, Feb. 25, and March 10.

Highlights from each weekend, include the following:

Saturday, Feb. 11 highlights:

• Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra family concert, “The Big, Bad Brass Bash!” 10 a.m., Music Hall
• Cincinnati Art Museum, interactive yarn-art installation with the BombShells of Cincinnati and live performances from Madcap Puppets, Bacchanal Steel Drum Band, Kique Infante, Sakura Ladies Chorus, beginning at 11 a.m.
• Playhouse in the Park presents “In a Fool’s Kitchen” by Z Puppets Rosenschnaz at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., plus backstage tours and a Creative Dramatics class beginning at 9 a.m.
• Cincinnati Opera performs “Opera Redux: Porgy & Bess”, noon, Fairfield Community Arts Center
• Cincinnati Boychoir, Cincinnati Children’s Choir, and MUSE: Cincinnati Women’s Choir, choral concerts, St. John’s Unitarian Universalist church in Clifton, beginning 1 p.m.
• Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati presents “The Whipping Man”, 2 p.m., Limited Seating
• Wyoming Fine Arts Center, live performances from School House Symphony, Musik Kids, beginning at 10 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 25 highlights:

• Circus skills demonstration and mini-lessons, beginning at 11:30 a.m., Circus Mojo Center
• Kennedy Heights Arts Center, live performances and activities on the art and culture of Haiti, beginning at 1 p.m.
• Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center, live performances by Jonathan Heart Origami and Peraza Music Workshop: Suzuki Group and Allegro Ensemble, beginning at 1 p.m.
• Cincinnati Shakespeare Company performs “Selections from a Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1 p.m. at University of Cincinnati Clermont College
• Visionaries and Voices in Northside, create your own family tree art tile, beginning 11 a.m.

Saturday, March 10 highlights

• Cincinnati Ballet with live dance performances from Anaya Gypsy Dance, CCM Prep Dance and Cultural Centre of India and more, beginning at 12 p.m. at the Cincinnati Ballet Studios
• ArtWorks will offer guided bus tours of their City Murals, 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Contemporary Arts Center presents family workshops in the UNMuseum, plus live performances by John Ford and David Hawkins, beginning at 12 p.m.
• Taft Museum of Art with a live performance by Tracy Walker, 3:30 p.m. and guided tours of exhibitions beginning at 11 a.m.
• My Nose Turns Red Theatre and Ballet Theatre Midwest perform at Emanuel Community Center beginning at 11 a.m.
• Clifton Cultural Arts Center with live performances by Raison d’Etre, Clark and Jones, Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes and Drums, beginning at noon

A complete schedule can be found at www.theartswave.org.