Art: Kirk Mayhews Intercept at the 1305 Gallery
There are a lot of fun events on Main Street this Final Friday — not the least of which is Kirk Mayhew’s exhibition, Intercept, at 1305 Gallery. The ceramics artist was one of 1305 Gallery’s first hosted artists in 2005; he also teaches in the sculpture department at Thomas More College as well as at…
Music: The Great Barrier Reefs
Thanks to more readily available access to all types of music and, especially, the hybridization-friendly confines of the still-thriving “Jam band” scene, there aren’t many genre combinations that raise even an eyebrow these days. That’s especially true when the combination is done so well it just feels natural. Nashville, Tenn.’s The Great Barrier Reefs are…
Comedy: Dan Davidson
What do comedian Dan Davidson and quarterback Peyton Manning have in common? They both moved from Indianapolis to Denver, though for different reasons. “I got married,” explains Davidson, “and my wife had a house in Denver and I had an apartment in Indianapolis, and I’m like, ‘A house in Denver is better than an apartment…
Event: Sugar Rush
CityBeat’s celebration of confectionery excess returns for the second annual Sugar Rush, an evening of cupcakes, ice cream, donuts, pies and pastries from local sweeteries plus dessert wines, coffee and liquor drinks. Whether you’re a Princess Lolly or more of a Lord Licorice, there will be goodies to satisfy every sweet tooth. Guests can text…
ADM
ADM is a full-bodied musical and lifestyle effort by Adam Petersen, a central Cincinnati native, scholar and current resident. While studying piano performance at CCM, Adam was building a cultural foundation with many other creative conspirators in their residence at The Marburg Hotel, using the living space as a functional recording studio, DIY concert venue…
Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas
Singer Jessica Hernandez is beautiful, edgy, precocious, talented and living the American Dream. A first generation artist whose parents are of Cuban origin, she grew up in the now much-derided city of Detroit. But in the video for the song “Dead Brains,” where Hernandez and her band, The Deltas, drive around The Motor City in…
Where to Drink: Staff Picks
Staff Picks from CityBeat's 2014 Best Of Cincinnati guide, an annual manual to the best people, places, shops, eats and more Cincinnati has to offer — compiled by CityBeat readers and staff. BEST ASIAN-INSPIRED KARAOKE Recently ranked as one of the top 100 restaurants in the nation by OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice Awards, Kaze serves up…
Dale Watson
For those even moderately aware of the state of Country music right now, you know authenticity is sadly lacking in this day of Nashville Pop. Mainstream Country has devolved into mediocre Southern Rock sung by folks who, as singer/songwriter Chris Knight puts it, “have got to tell everybody how Country they are … about a…
Where to Drink: MPMF 2014
BARS ON THE RIVER Cabana On The River: A seasonal tropical watering hole on the West Side with a full service bar — including their famous Long Island iced tea — and plenty of seafood. Their tiki bar opens every Memorial Day to ring in summer with good vibes and good tunes. 7445 Forbes Road, Delhi,…
Seeds Keep Growing
On June 4, one of the more beloved bands in Cincinnati (and, increasingly, the rest of the country), Indie Pop greats The Seedy Seeds, announced that they were going on "break" on their Facebook page. The post was worded to suggest this is an "indefinite hiatus" — the words "break up" were not used, but…
Guide to Clifton, College Hill/North College Hill, Mount Healthy and Northside
Cincinnati’s central core includes some of the city’s oldest and most dynamic neighborhoods. Historic homes, landmarks and urban culture abound for those looking for city life — with a yard. AVONDALE/ NORTH AVONDALE Cincinnati Zoo Photo: Krae Photography One of the first Cincinnati suburbs, Avondale is a socially, economically and racially diverse neighborhood. northavondalecincinnati.com. EAT…
Morning News and Stuff
Former Gov. John Gilligan, a Cincinnati Democrat best known for winning the creation of the state income tax, died at 92 yesterday. Gilligan’s most lasting accomplishment was also what doomed his career; the state income tax was unpopular when it passed, even though it allowed Gilligan to boost funding for education, mental health and law…
ACLU: Shut Down Facial Recognition Program
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio on Monday asked Attorney General Mike DeWine to shut down a facial recognition program used by law enforcement until state officials verify and develop safety protocols that protect Ohioans’ rights to privacy. DeWine formally announced the program’s existence in a press conference Monday. It allows police officers and…
Morning News and Stuff
With the backing of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, law enforcement around the state have been secretly using facial recognition software for the past two months that scans driver’s licenses and mug shots to identify crime suspects . In emails and documents obtained by The Cincinnati Enquirer , DeWine and other state officials apparently couldn’t…
Port Authority Unveils Parking Lease Details
The Greater Cincinnati Port Authority today acknowledged that it will increase enforcement when it takes over Cincinnati's parking meters, but the agency says its goal is to encourage people to pay up, not raise revenues that will make the parking lease more profitable for the Port Authority and the private operators it's hiring. In a…
Q&A with Volbeat
Volbeat has been headlining huge shows in Europe for nearly a decade and now they are bringing their Metal sound to the States. In the position of up-and-comer again, they bring their high level energy to American, which has translated into sold out shows across the country. Currently Volbeat is touring on its new album,…
Where to Eat: Staff Picks
Staff Picks from the 2014 CityBeat's Best Of Cincinnati guide, an annual manual to the best people, places, shops, eats and more Cincinnati has to offer — compiled by CityBeat readers and staff. DOWNTOWN French Crust Cafe's Eggs Benedict Photo: Jesse Fox BEST PLACE TO DUNK YOUR DUSTY BALLS Highlighting Sotto’s formidable dessert menu are…
Morning News and Stuff
National conservative groups have brought their concerted effort to weaken state energy standards to Ohio . State Sen. Bill Seitz, who’s on the board of directors of the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), says he will introduce a bill within two weeks that would cap how much utilities can spend on energy efficiency programs…
Stage Door: Pre-Labor Day Offerings
A few good local productions are winding up this weekend. On Labor Day weekend, you won't find much onstage. But you have a couple of decent choices right now to tide you over. At the top of my list would be Chicago at the Carnegie (CityBeat review here). It's a classic musical by Kander &…
Koala Fires Release Final LP, Play Final Show
Saturday at Mayday in Northside, the great Cincinnati Indie Rock band Koala Fires will be performing for the last time. But the band is also saying goodbye with a gem of an album, Doom of the Norns, the band's second full-length, which will be officially released tomorrow in conjunction with the show. The Fires will…
Guide to Downtown, Over-the-Rhine and Mount Adams
The redevelopment of Over-the-Rhine has headlined Cincinnati’s city center’s urban renaissance, but the downtown business district still anchors the city’s economic engine, while hilltop Mount Adams looms proudly over downtown and the river. DOWNTOWN View from Carew Tower Cincinnati’s central business district boasts riverfront entertainment — including Great American Ball Park — historic skyscrapers, world-class…
CPS Struggles in 2012-13 Report Cards
Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) got six F’s, one D and two C’s in the 2012-2013 school report card released today by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). The school district got an F for state test results, closing gaps related to income, race, culture and disabilities, progress among gifted students, progress among students with disabilities…
Where To Eat: MPMF 2015
BARS & GRILLS AND BREWPUBS BrewRiver GastroPub Photo: Mark Byron Arnold’s Bar and Grill The oldest continuously running tavern in town, Arnold’s is a true Cincinnati classic serving up a nice range of lunch and dinner options at bargain prices. Named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine. $4-$17. 210 E.…
National Conservative Groups Attack State Energy Standards
State Sen. Bill Seitz says he’s working on a bill that would cap how much utilities can spend on energy efficiency programs and eliminate requirements for in-state wind and solar power. But the proposal isn’t completely unique to Ohio, which is just one of many states in which national conservative groups are working to weaken…
Morning News and Stuff
As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Metro, Greater Cincinnati’s bus system, is moving forward with changes that seek to improve services that have dealt with funding shortfalls and cuts in the past few years. The biggest change is Metro*Plus, a new limited-stop weekday bus service that will be free through Aug. 23. Metro spokesperson Jill…
Local Concert Photography Exhibition Coming Soon
Beginning Sept. 3 at the Art Academy of Cincinnati's Childlaw Gallery (1212 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine), the people behind the massive photography exhibition FotoFocus will set their lenses on the many great concert photographers in the region. Reverberation: Capturing the Live Music Experience will coincide with the MidPoint Music Festival, located just off the 12th Street…
Mayoral Candidate Plays Dead in Latest Campaign Stunt
Libertarian mayoral candidate Jim Berns today pronounced his campaign dead and claimed local media, including CityBeat, is to blame. “From day one, the Cincinnati Print Media (especially the Enquirer) have thrown Libertarian candidate for mayor, Jim Berns, under the bus,” Berns wrote in an email, listing Carl Weiser, Jane Prendergast, Ryan Hoffman and Ben Goldschmidt…
You’re Next
What at first seems like another thrilling home invasion slasher (think The Strangers or Funny Games) gets twisted into a delicious and delirious surprise that ends up paying homage to Last House on the Left and even George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. A family celebration devolves first due to the constant bickering among…
The World’s End
Five old mates (Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan) from back in the day reunite after years apart to finally complete a pub crawl and accidentally stumble upon an alien invasion. Pegg and director Edgar Wright cap off an informal (and quite hilarious) trilogy of stories (Shaun of the Dead…
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Yet another romantic fantasy set in the contemporary world, but this time, a young woman (Lily Collins) might hold the key to saving humans from the magical and supernatural forces eager to usurp the planet. It is an epic journey that begins with the selling of the first installment. Cassandra Clare’s bestselling series gets the…
In a World
Witness the emergence of Lake Bell into the swelling ranks of multi-hyphenate women in the world of independent films. Joining the parade of women including Amy Seimetz, Greta Gerwig, Ava DuVernay and Brit Marling, Bell worked her way up after a string of bench-warming turns as a potential It Girl-in training — the standard rom-com…
Crown Jewels of Jazz Festival Begins Today
The ambitious Crown Jewels of Jazz Heritage Festival kicks off today with a special concert in Washington Park featuring Philly Jazz/Funk/R&B squad PIeces of a Dream and local faves Marc Fields and Airwave. The expanded festival and new format this year is the work of Kathy Wade and friends, who run the Learning Through Art…
Blackfish
It’s impossible to watch this psychologically astute documentary without being moved to sadness or even outrage. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite clearly intends Blackfish as call to arms of sorts, an investigative piece about how massive orcas — more often known as “killer whales” — have been taken out of their natural habitat and transported to relatively…
James Ponsoldt Breathes Dramatic Life into the John Hughes Teen Formula
Sutter (Miles Teller) leads a good life, a damned good life for an onscreen high school senior. He’s popular without being a jock or the class president. He’s got a great girlfriend named Cassidy (Brie Larson) who’s his fun-time soul mate; the two of them are the center of every party and each other’s lives.…
Sittenfeld to Appear on Ballot
Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld has resolved his petition problems and will appear on the ballot for reelection this November. “The (Hamilton County Board of Elections) confirmed last night we have more than enough signatures to be placed on the ballot,” Sittenfeld wrote in an email. Sally Krisel, deputy director of the Board of Elections, says the…
Qualls Calls for More Government Transparency
Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls on Aug. 19 unveiled a motion that calls for the first expansion of local disclosure and reporting requirements since 1997 that would impose new rules on city officials, lobbyists and contractors and task the city administration with posting the disclosed information on the city’s website. Qualls said the proposal is particularly…
Cranley Unveils Innovation Plan
Cincinnati mayoral candidate and ex-Councilman John Cranley on Aug. 15 announced his two-part innovation plan, which he said would boost government transparency and help continue the nationally recognized momentum Cincinnati has recently gained as a startup hub. The plan would take $5 million over four years from the capital budget and ask local startup incubators…
Republicans to Reintroduce Anti-Abortion ‘Heartbeat Bill’
Ohio legislators on Aug. 15 reintroduced a bill that would ban abortions in the state as early as six weeks after conception, but questions remain about the proposal’s constitutionality. The bill has been dubbed the “heartbeat bill” because it prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. In the past, some of Ohio’s anti-abortion groups,…
City Denies COAST’s Parking Lease Challenge
City Solicitor John Curp on Aug. 15 rebuked a conservative group that asked him to sue the city of Cincinnati over changes made to the city’s parking lease without City Council’s explicit approval. With Curp’s denial, the conservative group behind the request — the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) — is now…
Gov. Kasich’s Bias Toward Secrecy
Like many politicians, Gov. John Kasich touted transparency and openness on the campaign trail, but this year’s JobsOhio controversies have proven that the governor was all talk and no action when he made such claims. In 2010, Kasich told The Cincinnati Enquirer’s editorial board, “I’m not worried about transparency. I’m not going to get hung…
Fall TV Preview
Critically acclaimed favorites, new premieres and chilling falltime series promise a great lineup onscreen this season. Check out a few highlights. Boardwalk Empire (9 p.m. Sept. 8, HBO) – Business and family continue to cross lines in this Prohibition gangster drama as Al Capone’s brothers expand business in Chicago while Eli’s college-age son, Willie, turns…
Moving Forward
A s it commemorates its 40th anniversary, Greater Cincinnati’s bus service is making changes it hopes will improve a system that has dealt with funding shortfalls and service cuts in the past few years. Metro, which began operation in 1973 and is overseen by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, provides daily service mostly in…
Morning News and Stuff
Greater Cincinnati homeless shelters are reporting a 31 percent increase in the number of families calling for help — a sign that homelessness may be trending up. Meanwhile, City Council managed to avoid cutting funding to human services that help the homeless this year, but the local government has steadily provided less funding since 2004,…
Tom Arnold’s Comedy Dream-Come-True
Tom Arnold totally understands if you were once in the camp that presumed that if you were involved with someone talented, you couldn’t possibly be talented yourself. “A lot of people thought that,” Arnold says of his days working with friend, later spouse and later ex, Roseanne Barr. “First of all, I don’t care. I…
Writing for (a) Change Empowers Women Through Community and Self-Expression
Diane Debevec was on the verge of becoming a partner at a large architecture firm when she decided to quit her job and move to Cincinnati. In 1999, amidst sharing studio space with local artists, she began taking writing classes at the then eight-year-old foundation, Women Writing for (a) Change (WWf(a)C). Today, as the director…
Around the World in Eight Items (or Less): Cold Drinks
In this installment of Around the World in Eight Items (or Less), an exploration of the “International Aisle” at your neighborhood grocery store, I set out to examine some cold, imported beverages from across the globe. These items are often squeezed into an aisle called “World Market” or “International,” which, at the stores I visited,…
Things Known and Unknown — Upcoming Shows at Know Theatre
A year ago, Know Theatre announced a strategic plan to shift away from being a traditional company offering annual seasons. Instead, Know announces programming on a rolling basis. That led to a lighter-than-expected stretch in 2012 and 2013, which nonetheless featured several excellent productions: Andrew Bovell’s When the Rain Stops Falling was one of 2013’s…
Fall Arts Events
VISUAL ART: LANDSCAPE RE-FRAMED: SCULPTURES BY CELENE HAWKINS Hawkins, a gifted Cincinnati artist, used as inspiration for her new work the botanical motifs on the gilded frames of the Taft Museum of Art’s landscape paintings, as well as the depicted landscapes on the canvases contained within. So this, then, is a modern interpretation of the…
SwampWater Grill (Review)
H e was a tenacious alligator. Nearly all his reptilian brethren are found well south of Tennessee along the Mississippi, shirking the cold north for the warm, brackish waters of the bayou. Lured by the distant promise of smoky meats, Gulf Coast oysters and fresh shrimp, he abandoned his boggy nest amid the cypress trees…
The Rise (and Return) of Digital Movie Houses
I n my decade-plus-long stint covering the film beat in Cincinnati and Dayton, there is one unfulfilled dream that has, in my estimation, kept the region from pushing out of the middle-of-the-second-tier exhibition markets and possibly cracking that major market barrier. We need elite movie houses, both multiplex chains and art houses, willing to commit…
A Flavor for Every Taste
C incinnati’s theaters get down to business in September, launching their seasons with shows carefully chosen for audience appeal. They start with appealing shows to encourage you to buy a subscription and come back for more. That’s a great idea, but it’s also a commitment to several nights at one specific theater. Of course, you…
The Beat Goes on in Different Directions
T he fall arts season offers an array of Classical music performances and what’s truly exciting is the range of works on the docket. From Bach and contemporary composer Missy Mazzoli to rarely performed operas and superstar vocal and instrumental soloists, the lineup underscores the creative shifts in musical programming. It’s not easy to choose…
Cincinnati Ballet Rings in 50
T he 2013-14 Cincinnati Ballet season marks the company’s 50th anniversary and the celebration could not come at a more auspicious time. During the past 15 years, from its home base at the Cincinnati Ballet Center in Over-the-Rhine, the company has achieved its own cultural and economic revival, mirroring downtown’s — and especially OTR’s —…
Day Trippin’ in the Midwest Art Museum Circuit
O ne of the best things about being an art lover in Cincinnati is that you have good museums, with frequently changing special exhibitions, close enough for a day trip. Those are in addition, of course, to the three art museums here — the Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center and Taft Museum of Art…
Fair And Balanced (And Leaked)
By April 2012, Joe Muto could no longer stand working at Fox News. As a producer of The O’Reilly Factor, and in several previous positions with Fox, Muto had hidden his liberal views while telling himself he wasn’t really contributing to the channel’s conservative bias. His stint was supposed to be short — an entry-level…
The Arts Are Alive!
Curtains rise across the land Final Friday is close at hand Local artists making good Bringing culture to y’all’s neighborhoods Creativity is alive And this is only the start For there is a whole season ahead To enjoy the thrill of art The signs of fall will soon be evident. Temperatures drop, foliage puts on…
It Takes a Village
In a place like New Richmond, there are really only a couple of things you can show an out-of-towner that doesn’t involve four-wheeling, a high school football game or the occasional herd of cows. We used to have the swingers’ club, an old, rundown Bates Motel sort of place that was easy to point out…
Long Time Coming
In the ultra-crammed landscape of young musicians, a great origin story can carry enough muscle to leave an impression through all the noise. Take the account of how Aly Spaltro became serious about music. When she wasn’t working 3-11 p.m. shifts at Bart & Greg’s DVD Explosion! in Brunswick, Maine, Spaltro usually stayed in the…
Orientation
Q: Do you see what I see? A: Four-thousand-five-hundred University of Cincinnati freshmen trampling — naive, anxious, scared, iPod earplugs firmly in place — across campus Aug. 26. They have begged for, saved, borrowed and worked for money, bought books, secured housing or maybe they’re still living at home. Some will try fitting in like…
Cincinnati vs. the World 08.21.2013
Using an iPhone to watch one hour of video a week consumes more energy annually than two new refrigerators. WORLD -2 The village of Addyston — a town with cancer rates 76 percent higher than the normal population — has to pay back Lanxess Corp., an industrial plastic and chemical plant, more than $1 million…
Worst Week Ever!: Aug. 14-20
WEDNESDAY AUG. 14 It’s not like local anti-transit conservatives regularly enjoy reading The Atlantic — too many long articles, zero coverage of St. X football, bunch of pencil-drawn cartoons that don’t make any sense, etc. — but today’s online version touched on a subject that’s going to make them even angrier than if they read…
Cincy Shows off Crown Jewels of Jazz
In the past, the Crown Jewels of Jazz (CJoJ) concerts have featured such heavyweights as Nancy Wilson, Eartha Kitt, Rosemary Clooney and Kathy Wade, who organizes the event as part of her Learning Through Art, Inc ., which she formed in 1992 as a means “to enhance the opportunities for collaborations, arts education, resource and…
