Many Wrongs Make a (Steven) Wright
From his first appearance on The Tonight Show in 1982, it was clear Steven Wright — who performs at the Taft Theatre on Friday — was clearly no standard-issue comedian. His razor-sharp yet demented observational skills were cloaked by a stoned, somnambulistic delivery that guaranteed every punchline landed with roundhouse power and left-field surprise. The…
This Subterranean Art Exhibit Is out to ‘Mess’ with Cincinnatians
“I’m the artist showing his work in this place — then the developers move in,” says Jay B. Kalagayan, referring to the eerie, semi-secret, gigantic subterranean chamber in the heart of Over-the-Rhine’s restaurant district where he’s hosting his current MeSseD Tunnel Tour. He’s sort of joking about that — no one is yet thinking that…
Cincinnati May Festival Opens this Weekend with Big Changes in Leadership and Programming
Juanjo Mena has conducted the May Festival Chorus and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in four of the May Festival’s last five seasons, but this year he officially becomes the annual event’s principal conductor, for the next three years. The Spanish-born Mena will conduct two of the festival’s five concerts, on May 25 and 26; the 2018…
Cincinnati Playhouse’s ‘Murder for Two’ Is Manically Funny
CRITIC'S PICK Part Agatha Christie novel and part 1960s Batman, Cincinnati Playhouse’s Murder for Two puts a twist on the classic whodunit with unwavering camp and charming musical numbers. It investigates the mysterious death of famed novelist Arthur Whitney on the night of his surprise birthday party and features just two actors: Eric Van Tielen…
Sound Advice: Pressure Fit with Tomato Dodgers and Vampire Weekend at Bernie’s (May 22)
In the realm of Indie Rock, brass instruments have traditionally been overshadowed by their stringed peers, usually surfacing as part of a lush, orchestral backdrop for a prominent guitar or piano. It’s a role that Virginia-based trombonist Reginald Chapman has filled for more than a decade, contributing to the triumphant horn section that characterized The…
Questions linger around Cincinnati’s emergency response systems; more news
Good morning, all. Here’s a quick rundown of the news today. Following a presentation of a 49-page report by the Cincinnati Police Department, Cincinnati City Council wants an independent investigation into the events that led up to the death of 16-year-old Kyle Plush last month. Plush suffocated April 10 after the third-row seat of his Honda…
Cincinnati’s Appalachian migrants have left an indelible mark on the city — but often feel forgotten
Eight-year-old Dave Offenbacker was playing alongside the mill-darkened waters of the Jackson River near Covington, Virginia one morning in 1958 when his mother called to him to tell him to run and get his grandfather because his father had died. The loss of the family’s breadwinner triggered a journey that would change Offenbacker’s life. His…
Cincinnati’s Comprador expand in size and scope with the release of stunning new double album, ‘Downstream’
This Friday, Comprador, the incredibly dynamic Cincinnati Indie Rock group led by hyper-talented singer/songwriter Charles D’Ardenne, is releasing its sprawling new album, Downstream, via the Chicago label Dark Circles Records. The release contains 19 tracks and, like the music itself, it is presented uniquely — laid out like a “double album” (and divvied up as…
Steep Canyon Rangers may be touring with some very funny people, but they’re one of the seriously great contemporary Bluegrass bands
If Bluegrass music has an equivalent to the relationship Bob Dylan enjoyed with The Band, it might be in the partnership that has developed between veteran comedian and actor Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers. Dylan famously brought on the future members of The Band (originally known as the Hawks) to be his backing group…
What a Week!: May 9-15
Met Gala Hot Takes I don’t pretend to know a lot about fashion (*wipes coffee stain and cat hair off Old Navy sales rack sweater*), so as much as I love a celebrity red carpet moment, the Met Gala always kind of evades me. For those similarly out of the loop, the Met Gala is…
This Week in Questionable Decisions: May 9-15
This Week in Questionable Decisions… 1. Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz named his newborn daughter after Captain Marvel. At least Marvel Jane is not as bad as Pepper Potts. 2. A white Yale student called the police over a black student napping in a dorm common area. Y’all, this has to stop. 3. An Arizona…
A new legal center in a Cincinnati school aids immigrants and refugees free of charge
In January, a woman named Sandra approached Price Hill’s Roberts Academy Welcome Center Director Antonio Fernandez with a pressing concern: Her two underage sons were fleeing Honduras to live with her in Cincinnati and would need to make a long, treacherous journey to get here. Sandra, who asked that her real name be withheld, begged…
Minimum Gauge: After joining R. Kelly on Spotify’s “do not playlist” list, XXXTentacion points out a few other artists’ ban-worthy “hateful conduct”
HOT: Kelly vs. Streams Spotify opened up an interesting debate/can of worms when announcing it was punishing R. Kelly after two decades of sexual assault allegations. The service’s new policy against “hate content and hateful conduct” (call it “The R. Kelly Rule”) limits the reach of offenders, not by removing their music, but by banning…
Sound Advice: Citizen (May 16)
Duke Ellington once noted that there are two kinds of music — good music and the other kind. Categorization is equally simple for Citizen guitarist Nick Hamm, who has boiled down the various genre tags that have been assigned to the Michigan/Ohio quintet — including Emo, Indie Rock, melodic Hardcore, Grunge, Shoegaze, Pop Punk and…
Sound Advice: Amy Shark (May 16)
Amy Shark is one of those apparent overnight sensations that has actually been slogging her way through the knee-deep puppy and horse shit that accumulates during the music industry’s ridiculous and endless dog-and-pony show. After years of rejection from industry executives, the Queensland, Australia native had a massive hit in 2016 with her single “Adore,”…
Questions continue for Cincinnati City Council member around financial relationship with wealthy benefactor
A first-term Cincinnati City Council member’s close relationship with the millionaire former owner of a major packaging manufacturer has raised ethical concerns. But it’s still unclear what, exactly, the tight financial ties between former DuroBag owner Charles Shor and Councilman Jeff Pastor represent. Two months before the November 2017 election, Shor hired then-Cincinnati City Council…
Court case could stall part of Ohio’s medicinal marijuana program; more news
Good morning, all. Let’s talk news for a minute. Cincinnati City Council’s Law and Public Safety Committee this morning will hear a report about the death of Kyle Plush from Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac. That report was delayed after Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters served the city with a subpoena. Plush died after becoming…
Opponents want a citywide vote on potential West End FC Cincinnati stadium
Opponents of FCC's proposed West End stadium say they'll try to get a citywide vote on whether the city should spend public money for infrastructure around the project. But the city of Cincinnati says that's not possible. Following news that city elected officials, FC Cincinnati representatives and unspecified West End stakeholders will meet tomorrow to…
10 Ways to Celebrate Cincinnati Bike Month
Greater Cincinnati is celebrating National Bike Month this May, which means you still have 20-something days to take off your training wheels and get those pedals pumping. Fun events and themed rides are available all month for seasoned pros and beginner riders alike. There are over 50 events happening in the coming weeks, but we…
Newport’s Braxton Labs Celebrates its One-Year Anniversary
The experimental extension of Covington's Braxton Brewing Company, Braxton Labs, is celebrating its first anniversary on May 19. Located inside the Party Source in Bellevue/Newport, Ky., the brewery is releasing a special 500ml bottle of its popular Strawberry Gose to commemorate the occasion. The kettle-soured, imperial-style gose has a citrusy profile and 1.3 pounds-per-gallon of…
Five Cincinnati Arts & Culture Events To Do
Looking for some exciting and rewarding — and perhaps new and different — Arts & Culture activities for this weekend? Here are five recommendations from CityBeat: 1) RBG not only are the initials of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's name, it's also the title of the surprise-hit documentary about her, which is opening at the Esquire Theatre…
FC Cincinnati, West End, city officials to meet Saturday to hammer out CBA; more news
Hello all. Let’s get a quick news rundown in before I jet off to do the Ride for Reading today. What’s Ride for Reading, you ask? Click here and find out more about the rad annual event. Representatives from the West End Community Council (WECC) and other groups will meet with FC Cincinnati and city…
Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit, a fan favorite of the past two MidPoint Music Festivals in Cincinnati, has died
Scott Hutchison, the frontperson of Scottish Indie Rock band Frightened Rabbit, has died. Police have confirmed that Hutchison’s body was found in Edinburgh, Scotland Thursday night. He was 36. Fans, friends and family members of Hutchison grew worried when the singer went missing and was in a “very fragile state” after having been last seen…
WATCH: The National release video recap of recent Homecoming + MusicNOW music festival weekend in Cincinnati
The National's initial two-day outdoor Homecoming music festival in late April was a success for everyone who went — people raved about the music, the riverfront and Suspension Bridge views and the amenities at Smale Riverfront Park. And those involved with its creation seemed pleased with the attendance — people entered the festival grounds more…
Former Hamilton County jail boss sues county, saying she was discriminated against
In a lawsuit filed yesterday, the former head of the Hamilton County Jail says she was ousted from her job last year because she is a lesbian and because she raised questions about use of force by deputies within the jail system. Now, she wants her job back and back pay. Charmaine McGuffey’s U.S. District…
Kevin Ray of Cincinnati-spawned AltPop stars Walk the Moon makes TV acting debut
Cincinnati Pop Rock stars Walk the Moon have a busy summer on the road ahead of them, including an extensive North American run with 30 Seconds to Mars. Local fans can catch the group on July 28 when they play Great American Ballpark after the Reds’ game that night. But everyone can see one Walk…
Cincinnati’s Fountain Square announces free summer concert lineup featuring Rev. Horton Heat, Cowboy Mouth and more
Fountain Square has announced the performers for this summer’s weekend Fifth & Vine Live concert series. Featuring a mix of national artists — like Rev. Horton Heat, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cowboy Mouth, Maps & Atlases, Delta Rae and Dave Hause — and local bands, DJs and more, the free shows will take place…
Cincinnati City Council votes to ban bump stocks
In a 7-2 vote today, Cincinnati City Council asked city administration to ban bump stocks in the city limits, becoming the first city in Ohio to do so. The move comes as an intense debate around gun control continues across the country following a number of mass shootings, including the February school shooting in Parkland,…
LISTEN: “Peace of Mine” off of the debut release from Cincinnati band Carriers
Curt Kiser (formerly of local Indie Pop greats Pomegranates and Enlou) has been honing his craft with his latest project, Carriers, over the past year-plus both on local stages and on the road, performing with artists like Damien Jurado, Big Thief and Kyle Craft. Last year, the band was nominated for Best New Artist at…
Here’s how Ohio’s primaries shook out
Hello, all! Did you vote yesterday? You probably want to know how that all turned out, eh? Or heck, maybe you were like me and stayed glued to the Hamilton County Board of Elections' site all night. Either way, let’s take a look at how the whole thing went. Ohio's voter turnout this primary election…
WATCH: “Fall Out,” the first music video from Cincinnati music project A Delicate Motor’s ‘Fellover My Own’
A Delicate Motor (aka ADM) began as a songwriting outlet for CCM-trained Cincinnati musician Adam Petersen, who released a self-titled debut in 2013 that showcased his ethereal sonic explorations using layered and looped vocals, keyboards, percussion and other instrumentation. While that first studio outing was created entirely by Petersen, he decided to expand ADM for…
