Jan 10-17, 2018
Murals with a Message: Artists take on the walls blocking social justice and community-building
Nicholson’s Turns 20
The average lifespan of an independently owned restaurant in the U.S. is a mere five years. That’s according to a restaurant management organization. But if an establishment gets past that five-year mark, the odds of lasting 10 years or more go way up. Of course, a great many factors contribute to a restaurant’s longevity, not…
Cincinnati leaders want to zero in on systemic racism
A majority of Cincinnati City Council will ask city administration to fund a study examining inequities in city policies and practices. That effort, similar to the city’s 2014 Croson study on disparities in municipal contracting, would examine the city’s internal policies and procedures as well as the way it provides services to residents with an…
Australian rockers Tonight Alive overcome label, lineup and health issues to complete and promote new LP
To call the period between making the 2016 album Limitless and starting to tour behind the newly released follow-up Underworld, a transformative time for Tonight Alive understates the changes the group has experienced. The Australian band switched record labels, reshaped its sound and experienced the departure of a treasured member. For singer Jenna McDougall, the…
Cincinnati albums from the aughts get expanded re-issues
Toward the end of last year, reissues of albums by two of the best Greater Cincinnati bands of the 2000s were released. During their initial lifespan, each act was a formidable presence in the area’s music scene and now their music has a well-deserved second chance to enchant new listeners. On Nov. 24, a double…
Sound Advice: Silverstein with Tonight Alive, Broadside and Picturesque (Jan. 20)
When you Google search the band Silverstein, you’ll wind up with nearly as many hits related to late children’s author/raunchy songwriter/Playboy cartoonist Shel Silverstein. In fact, that’s just fine with the Burlington, Ontario Emo/Punk quintet’s members — they named themselves after their favorite author when they formed 17 years ago. Silverstein’s lineup was in flux…
Sound Advice: Blackalicious with Mr. Dibbs, Sons of Silverton, Massive Nights and DJ NatiNoahIMean (Jan. 20)
Though they’d known each other since attending middle school together in Sacramento, Calif. in the ’80s, ridiculously imaginative MC Gift of Gab and equally explorative producer/DJ Chief Xcel didn’t officially join forces until the early ’90s when the pair formed Blackalicious. The duo would go on to become a key component of Northern California’s rich…
Sound Advice: The Cowslingers with Suck the Honey (Jan. 20)
Back in the ‘90s, The Cowslingers were one of the most reliable concert draws in the business for those wanting to be blown away by a band who had pledged allegiance to music’s most loose-limbed genres — Rockabilly, Garage Rock, Punk, Country and Surf — by playing their hybridized versions with wild abandon, wrecking-ball volume…
Minimum Gauge: Ready for some CryptocurrencyPop?
HOT: Cryptocurrency Inspires Cryptomusic When the Euro began circulating in several European countries in 1999 as a new form of currency, it had an immediate effect. But did it spawn new musical acts? The recent digital-currency wave is something few people understand (or use), but it has established a kind of nerd-hipster-y reputation (“Oh, you…
Morning News: local leaders convene to announce “big step” toward ending racial disparities; Senate one vote from restoring net neutrality
Good morning Cincy. Let’s get to some news real quick. Some Cincinnati leaders say they’ll be unveiling a “significant next step” in addressing racial disparities at a news conference this morning. That’s an ambitious goal, but there are some heavy hitters involved: local faith and civil rights leaders including Bishop Bobby Hilton of the National…
Morning News: MLK Day Edition
Good morning all. I hope you’re gearing up to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day in some form or fashion. On April 3, 1968, King gave his final speech, titled “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” to an overflow crowd who ignored a storm warning to come to Bishop Charles Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn. Suffering…
Morning News: Kings Mills coach wanted refund for racist jersey suspension; Renacci: Trump just saying what people think with “shithole” comment
Hello all. There is snow on the way. I hope you’ve already been to Kroger to get the 1,000 loaves of bread and 500 jugs of milk you’re going to need to ride out the inevitable six inches of white stuff coming. It’s a bit of a slow news day, so this non-newsy news item…
Joe Deters says he’s not going anywhere
Amid the cacophony over "shithole" countries and a Cincinnati tax increase to pay for the crumbling Western Hills Viaduct, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters has declared publicly that he will continue to do his job. Deters, who was re-elected in November 2016 to another four-year term, made the announcement Friday morning. It was tweeted by…
Wondering About the Racist Kings Basketball Uniforms
For the past 36 hours I’ve been unable to stop thinking about Walt Gill. I don’t really know Walt Gill. Only his name, that he has been a volunteer basketball coach in the Kings community northeast of Cincinnati and that a reprehensible action has been attributed to him. Who are you in a larger sense,…
Stage Door: Pies, MLK and Puzzles
I was thoroughly charmed by the touring production of Waitress that’s onstage at the Aronoff Center through Jan. 21. (CityBeat review here.) It’s about Jenna, a beleaguered woman who escapes from her depressing life by baking fanciful pies. (She whips them up onstage, and if that whets your appetite for Dutch apple or cherry pie,…
Morning News: Pureval for Congress?; Renacci to drop gov bid, jump into Senate race
Hello Cincy. Let’s do this news thing really quick, shall we? Cincinnati City Council yesterday voted to raise the property tax levy the city uses to pay down debt so it can generate money for major capital projects like the Western Hills Viaduct and a new fire training station. That levy differs from the one…
