County Case Gets Curiouser and Curiouser
Just exactly who will fill Patricia Clancy's old job as Hamilton County's assistant chief probation officer — or if it will be filled at all — is turning into a state secret worthy of the Manhattan Project.—- For the latest update on the situation that involves allegations of cronyism, scroll down on CityBeat's main blog…
A Thousand Words … Or A Few Awesome Ones
I am (in addition to the faceless name behind some CityBeat blogs) a photographer… more specifically a photojournalist. I don't say this lightly.—- For me it's not a hobby. I have several large student loans and a disgruntled girlfriend who would agree with me. Before I came to CityBeat, that was my official title. I…
Art: Tim Schwallie and Mike Hancock at Aisle Gallery
Aisle’s new exhibition features artsits Mike Hancock and Tim Schwallie, who have assembled disparate parts into noisemakers and paintings. Hancock’s circuit-bent interactive objects sound off in response to the viewer — knobs, amplifiers and one’s proximity to the pieces create the electronic noise. These pieces have their various switches and circuit boards arranged into simple…
Onstage: Dying City
War and terrorism have become facts of contemporary life, but New Stage Collective’s new production, Christopher Shinn’s intense Dying City, brings these themes to the stage in a very personal and individual manner. Cincinnati Shakespeare actor Rob Jansen plays identical twins, Peter, a gay actor, and Craig, a soldier who has died in Iraq. CCM…
Music: Hugh Peanuts Whalum
St. Louis Jazz mainstay and uncle of and inspiration to renowned Smooth Jazz fave Kirk Whalum, “Peanuts” Whalum has been playing music for seven decades and shows no sign of slowing down, even as he enters his eighties this year. The singer/pianist/saxophonist played around his hometown of Memphis in his teens before heading to Central…
Comedy: Vince Morris
“Comedy to me is true,” says stand-up comic Vince Morris when asked about what makes him laugh. “It’s what I can relate to or something that someone is being honest about,” he says. “If you’re being honest about what you’re talking about, and it comes from the heart, then that makes me laugh. When I…
Literary: Jan Burke
If awards are any indication of an author’s skills, then Jan Burke is doing something right. The California-based mystery writer has won numerous honors in recent years, including Malice Domestic’s Agatha Award for Best Novel (Liar), the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Readers Award, the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar for Best Novel (Bones), the Macavity…
Lecture: Raphaela Platow at the Contemporary Arts Center
Downtown's Contemporary Arts Center welcomes the new year with a program related to its current exhibition by Mexican artist Carlos Amorales, Discarded Spider. At 4 p.m. on Saturday, CAC Director/Chief Curator Raphaela Platow leads a tour and discussion of the show, which consists of giant-sized spiders and a spooky sound-video installation in addition to collages.…
Onstage: Performance and Time Arts, Live Art Collision
Move over Barack, there’s a hotter inauguration in town. The inaugural 2009 Performance and Time Arts Series is kicking off the new year with “Live Art Collision,” a collaboration of seven up-and-coming performers. As Meredith Brooks would say, the show “is a little bit of everything all rolled into one.” Sorry to disappoint, but there…
Film: Historical/Horror Film Series: Come and See
On Monday at 6:30 p.m., the innovative historical/horror film series inspired by the Carlos Amorales: Discarded Spider exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Center continues despite the departure of the man who helped organize it, Education Director Scott Boberg. The double-bill begins with Come and See, Elem Klimov's 1985 tale of a Byelorussian teen who gets…
Events: Game Junkie
Exercise your thumbs and stock up on RedBull for Cincinnati’s largest gaming festival. Game Junkie Presents: Winter Wonderland will be jam-packed with more than 20 video game stations, including Rock Band 2, Atari 2600 and PlayStation 3 to play all night long. There will also be tournaments featuring such games as Halo 3, Soul Caliber…
Literary: Walnut Street Poetry Society Kick Off
According to a yearly study from Central Connecticut State University, Cincinnati is (surprisingly) tied with Portland, Ore. for the prestigious title of 10th most literate city in America (Minneapolis and Seattle are tied for first). This is probably because of our great alternative weekly papers like the one you’re reading right now and assorted other…
Jay-Z’s Latest Collaboration He Didn’t Collaborate On
Anyone sick of mash-ups yet? If yes, well — move along. If no, here's another good "artist to artist" mash featuring Jay-Z, this time jamming — unbeknownst to him — with Radiohead, courtesy of New York-based producer Minty Fresh Beats. The name of the project, of course — "Jaydiohead" (what, you were expecting "Radio-Z"?). Click…
Burrell Gone, Baldelli Still Possible
Now that the Rays have signed Pat Burrell maybe my pipe dream of Rocco Baldelli launching home runs off the Batter's Eye Pavilion in center field becomes a bit less improbable.—- It's amazing how Cincinnati sports fans act like jealous ex-boyfriends about the dealings of their local favorite teams. All through the offseason Burrell was…
Penguin Palooza
Even the Cincinnati Zoo is jumping on the cost-savings bandwagon and their “Bundle up and save a bundle” slogan tops their latest press release about Penguin Days.—- “March to the Cincinnati Zoo and save a waddle of cash,” says the press release. “Experience cooler prices and even cooler animals during Penguin Days, with half-price Zoo…
As Expected, Sheriff’s Kin Gets Job (Or Not)
UPDATE: Some courthouse officials are saying CityBeat's sources are wrong, and that no decision has been made on who will fill Clancy's former job. The officials say applications were being accepted until Jan. 5, and the judges will decide later. One option would be to keep the position vacant, at least temporarily, to save money.…
Local CD of the Week: Hazle Weatherfield
The fruitcakes have been throw away, the eggnog is spoiled, the big ball dropped, the champagne is gone and we’ve all had time to reflect on 2008. Now, chin up, sport — it’s time to start looking ahead to 2009 and what lies ahead for Cincinnati’s local music scene. If the first release of 2009…
Hand-Me-Down Clothes in the Post Hand-Me-Down Era
For those of you who haven’t heard the news yet, on February 10 the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act comes into effect. One of the major changes that this program will bring into play is a mandate that everything sold for children 12 and younger will have to be tested for lead and phthalates, and…
Goodbye and Good Riddance, Holidayz!
Finally, the fucking happy-time holidays are over. No more seeing weirdos from high school, staying out past my bedtime and drinking 3,000 calories' worth of booze every night. Srsly, I can get back to my boring, old man lifestyle of sleeping in and eating early dinners at Bob Evan's.—- All of this running around really…
Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning?
As we head back to work and school today after the holiday break, Barack Obama's inauguration as president is just two weeks away. The much-promised and long-anticipated change is almost upon us, and we'll finally get what we've been hoping for after "catching the car" we were chasing.—- • The 111th Congress convenes tomorrow, with…
School Finance Discussion
“Why do my schools keep coming back for levies? How do they use the tax dollars they receive? What’s the state contributing to my district?” These are just some of the questions to be discussed at the League of Women Voters meeting 7-9 p.m. Jan. 7 at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church (103 Wm. Howard Taft)…
Predictions for 2009
In the tradition of Nostradamus, the internet is full of predictions for 2009. Here are some of the best. 1. From the Psychics & Mediums Network's Craig and Jane: There will be a knife attack on a top celebrity. This UK site is obviously casting a wide net, and since the damn liberals in the…
Holidays = Anti-FAIL for Local Business
The Business Courier reported today that many downtown business performed better than expected this holiday season, saying that many didn't perform as well as last year but their revised expectations were met or exceeded. This was attributed to the public's increased support of local businesses.—- To learn more about shopping locally, visit BuyCincy.com and read…
UC Comes Home Defeated
Our beloved Bearcats lost the Orange Bowl last night 20-7 against Virginia Tech. UC's Tony Pike threw four interceptions, but the game was close at the half. Read more here, and stay tuned for more insight into the game from our CityBeat writers.
Extra! Extra! Mayor Declares Tomorrow Football Day!
Politicians love to lend their support to organizations that make people happy. Our country's leaders and those in our own community often take time out of their busy leader schedules to cut ribbons, shake hands, rename streets in honor of individuals and generally grub on the pride we have for those among us who succeed.…
Threatened at Chopstick Point
I was having lunch with a friend yesterday when the topic of my favorite movies of 2008 came up. She had read my Top 10 list in this week’s CityBeat and complained about the fact that I presented them in alphabetical order instead of ranking them from 1 to 10. I tried to explain my…
CityBeat Is Now on Twitter
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After-Christmas Shopping
With all the money you got from Grandma this year, it's time to do some after-Christmas shopping … the fun kind … for numero uno. —- Have ever been anxiously adjusting your tuxedo before a wedding and thought "you know what would help right now, if I could not only securely fasten my cuffs but…
New Year’s = Flaming Balls … in Finland
Here are some awesome things other people will be doing tonight. It's OK to be jealous of them while you're sipping on Austi Spumante. Residents of Sao Paulo and La Paz in South America rock out in bright red underwear while ringing in the new year. But only if they're seeking love. If it's cash…
