CINCINNATI, Ohio, Oct. 9, 2026 – A Friday night visit to MVP Sports Bar & Grille turned into one of those evenings that reminds you why local live music remains such an important part of the Cincinnati scene.

Taking the stage was Mixtape Romeos, a Cincinnati-based alternative and rock cover band known for delivering energetic performances featuring favorite songs from the 1990s, 2000s and beyond. The band’s lineup includes Brian Fennell, Dale Forman, John Moeller, Matt Rogers, and Kevin Rusnak.

Jodie and I stopped in to enjoy the show and spend some time with friends, including Kevin Freeman and guitarist Dale Forman. From the opening songs through the final set, the band kept the crowd engaged with a mix of familiar rock favorites and well-played alternative hits. The musicianship was solid, the energy was genuine, and it was obvious that both the band and audience were having a great time.

As a photographer, I found plenty of opportunities to capture the evening through my lens. The stage lighting, the interaction between band members, and the response from the crowd all combined to create memorable images that helped tell the story of the night.

The music wasn’t the only highlight. MVP’s kitchen also delivered. Jodie and I each enjoyed a fried chicken sandwich, pairing them with an order of tater tots and sweet potato fries. The food was every bit as enjoyable as the entertainment, making for a complete Friday night experience.

While Cincinnati offers no shortage of entertainment options, sometimes the best evenings are the simplest. Good friends, good food, live music, and a local band giving it their all on stage. That’s exactly what we found on October 9 at MVP Sports Bar & Grille.

For us, it was another great reminder that some of the best nights out don’t require a major concert venue or a big-ticket event. Sometimes all you need is a neighborhood gathering place, talented local musicians, and friends to share it with.

Good food. Great music. Great friends. A perfect Cincinnati Friday night.

#MixtapeRomeos
#MVPSportsBarAndGrille
#CincinnatiMusic
#LiveMusicCincinnati
#CincinnatiOhio

#LocalMusic
#SupportLocalMusic

#CincyMusic
#FridayNightLive
#LiveMusicPhotography

COVINGTON, Ky. — There are bigger car shows. There are older concours. There are events with more cars, more classes, and more acreage.

But there may not be another automotive event in the Midwest that combines world-class automobiles with a setting quite like this.

High atop Devou Park, overlooking downtown Cincinnati, Concours Devou once again transformed one of the region’s most recognizable overlooks into a showcase of automotive history, craftsmanship, and passion. The event brings together carefully curated automobiles ranging from pre-war classics and coachbuilt luxury cars to racing icons, sports cars, exotics, and modern collectibles, all set against a panoramic view of the Cincinnati skyline. [concoursdevou.com], [visitcincy.com]

Yet the story of Concours Devou is about more than the vehicles.

It begins before the gates open.

As the sun rose over Northern Kentucky, chrome trim and polished coachwork reflected the morning light. Hood ornaments appeared to float against the horizon while exhibitors made final preparations and judges reviewed entries. In those quiet moments before the crowds arrived, the field felt less like an event and more like an open-air museum awakening for the day.

By mid-morning, the lawns of Devou Park were filled with automobiles that represented nearly a century of design and engineering excellence. Elegant pre-war machines sat alongside post-war grand touring cars. Rare European imports shared space with American luxury icons. Every vehicle carried a story, whether it was a painstaking restoration, a family heirloom, or a carefully preserved survivor.

The location, however, continually reminded visitors that this concours is different.

Nearly every path through the show field eventually leads to a breathtaking view of Cincinnati. The city skyline, the Ohio River, and the bridges connecting Kentucky and Ohio create a backdrop that feels purpose-built for photography. Throughout the day, visitors alternated between admiring automotive details and pausing to take in one of the region’s most iconic vistas.

For photographers, it was a dream setting.

The best images were often found where the two subjects met: a classic automobile framed against the skyline, sunlight reflecting across handcrafted bodywork, or a carefully composed portrait capturing both machine and place. The result was a gallery that feels uniquely Cincinnati, rather than one that could have been created anywhere else.

Perhaps most importantly, Concours Devou succeeded in creating something that many concours events strive for but few fully achieve: accessibility.

Owners and spectators mingled freely. Conversations flowed naturally between judges, volunteers, enthusiasts, and first-time attendees. Stories of restoration, preservation, racing history, and family memories were exchanged throughout the day. The atmosphere was welcoming, relaxed, and distinctly community-oriented.

That spirit extended beyond the automobiles themselves. Concours Devou continues to serve a greater purpose by supporting the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center, demonstrating that a celebration of automotive excellence can also create a meaningful impact within the community. [visitcincy.com], [concoursdevou.com]

As the afternoon sun began to soften and awards were presented, it became clear why the event has become one of the region’s most anticipated automotive gatherings.

The cars are exceptional.

The setting is unforgettable.

But what makes Concours Devou special is the combination of automobiles, people, history, and place. It is a reminder that the best automotive events are not merely displays of machinery. They are experiences that bring communities together, preserve important history, and create memories that last long after the trophies have been handed out.

For one day each year, the hills above Cincinnati become home to some of the finest automobiles in the country.

And for everyone fortunate enough to attend, the view is every bit as remarkable as the cars.

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From sunrise reflections on classic hood ornaments to award-winning automobiles overlooking downtown Cincinnati, these 96 images capture a day that showcased far more than remarkable cars. Concours Devou remains one of the most unique automotive events in the Midwest, blending world-class vehicles, spectacular scenery, and a shared passion for automotive history into an unforgettable experience.

Day 2 Recap

The rust removal program continued today.

Unlike yesterday’s return, today wasn’t about simply getting back behind the wheel. It was about learning, adjusting, and starting to understand what both the car and driver needed.

The morning started on a wet course. I was in Run Group 2 today and worked the third heat, so by the time we got to our runs the course had dried nicely and enough rubber had been laid down to improve grip and reduce some of the morning slip-and-slide conditions.

Run 1 was exactly what you’d expect. The car felt sloppy and loose, and honestly so did the driver. Afterwards we made some tire pressure adjustments. Apparently my theory about how much temperature the RE-71RS tires were going to generate was a little optimistic. Whoa.

Run 2 included a rider and actually went pretty well. The course was starting to make more sense, and I was beginning to trust both the car and the grip available.

Run 3 became known as the “wiper run.” Let’s just say the windshield wipers made an appearance despite there being no obvious reason they should have.

Run 4 unfortunately has no video evidence, which means it may have been either spectacular or terrible. We shall never know.

Run 5 started showing some speed, but I absolutely butchered the sweeper. The rear of the car was wagging the dog, I got greedy, and eventually collected a few cones for my efforts. The stopwatch was happy. The corner workers were less impressed.

By the final run, things started coming together. It wasn’t perfect.

The finish still needs work. But it felt like the smoothest run of the day. Today’s definition of smooth, anyway. Looking farther ahead, being more patient in a few places, and letting the car work rather than forcing it.

The times reflected that progression. The first run was over 55 seconds. By the end of the day, I had worked my way down to a 40-second run and was consistently operating in the same performance window.

What stood out most wasn’t necessarily outright speed. It was consistency.

Yesterday I was trying to remember autocross.

Today I was starting to remember how to drive autocross.

A huge thank you to my spectacular wife, Jodie Tengen, who helped keep me organized, tracked times, listened to discussions about tire pressures that probably went on far too long, and provides the support that makes weekends like this possible.

And then there’s Gracie. She spent the entire weekend collecting scratches, belly rubs, and attention from just about everyone she met. Based on the amount of love she received, I think she’s hooked.

The best part of the weekend wasn’t a time or a trophy. It was reconnecting with friends, seeing familiar faces, learning again, and realizing that a twenty-year break doesn’t erase something you truly enjoy.

There is still a lot of rust left to remove.

But for the first time in a very long time, I’m excited to keep scraping.

#SCCA#CincinnatiRegionSCCA#Autocross#Miata#RustRemovalProgram#BackAtIt#DriverMod#RE71RS#GoodFriendsGoodTimes

Royalty free music from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

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Twenty years. That’s how long it had been since I last lined up at an autocross event.

Today, the old ’94 Miata and I made our return.

Before the first run, someone suggested I should be wearing a mask. Not because of COVID, but because of all the rust that was about to come flying off the driver.

The car reminded me quickly that sitting in the garage for years doesn’t automatically make it a finely tuned autocross weapon. We had a little bit of everything: push entering corners, dive under braking, a brake pedal that occasionally inspired faith-based driving, and even a completely unnecessary spin… because apparently I wanted to make sure the corner workers were awake.

Honestly, it was perfect.

The stopwatch wasn’t the story today. The story was being back in the driver’s seat, chasing cones, and remembering why I fell in love with motorsports in the first place. The smell of hot brakes, the sound of tires protesting, and the challenge of trying to stitch together one clean run felt exactly as I remembered.

The Miata has some sorting to do. The driver has considerably more. But after a 20-year absence, both survived and are eager for another shot.

Rust was removed. Pride was adjusted. Cones were threatened.

We’re back.

#Miata#Autocross#SCCA#ConeKiller#GrassrootsMotorsports#BecauseRacecar#RustyButRunning#WelcomeBack

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