Tune in to 12 acts on the forefront of The 330’s music scene. From bubblegrunge to hip-hop, these 20 shows are ticket-worthy.
The Cover
Music | photo by Talia Hodge
Anya Van Rose photo by Talia Hodge
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FOUNDER
Don Baker Jr. [ 1940-2018 ]
PUBLISHER
Colin Baker cbaker@bakermediagroup.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
William L. Teckmyer III wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com
Publisher | Colin Baker | cbaker@bakermediagroup.com ]
Play Time
Sometimes it’s important to put aside adulting and reclaim childlike wonder.
I’m still a kid at heart. While juggling countless adult responsibilities during my workdays and weekends, I can forget how much fun it is to play like I did when I was young. Thankfully, my 4-year-old son reminds me what it’s like. We play a lot, though he often catches me at my worst — after work, when all I want is a few minutes to catch my breath.
On a recent weekend, I went riding in a utility terrain vehicle, which some refer to as a side-by-side. My brother, an editor for a magazine focused on the power sports industry, often gets to ride them as part of his job. While the perks of his work include riding motorcycles, utility terrain vehicles and all-terrain vehicles, the downside is spending regular days writing about piston rings. Recently, Polaris lent him a 2024 RZR Turbo R UTV for a few months, so he called me to relive our childhood memories of riding dirt bikes, motorcycles and go-karts around our farm.
My wife, always the voice of reason, reminded me the day before that I had a family and needed to return home in one piece. She even researched UTV crashes online, pointing out their potential dangers. I assured her we would be wearing helmets and strapped into a roll cage for protection.
My brother and I share a long history with motorized vehicles, from a homemade go-kart we used to ride around Uniontown, near our dad’s business, to dirt bikes and minibikes. As we grew older, we graduated
to racing go-karts and then racing cars — all stemming from a love for speed that began when we were 10 years old.
We initially planned to take the Polaris to a massive 800-acre outdoor park in Pennsylvania. However, due to time constraints — another way of saying adult responsibilities — we couldn’t spend the whole day there. Instead, we chose Bear Creek Ranch KOA in East Sparta, Ohio, a similar all-terrain park that’s a bit smaller — but just as exciting.
Upon arrival, we had to sign a waiver acknowledging the inherent risks. I felt relatively safe, knowing we were in a 1,000pound dune buggy with a roll cage, as opposed to a motorcycle. I quickly learned, however, that there weren’t many rules; we just needed to be mindful of others zooming around us from all directions.
The primal instinct that this kind of fun inspires is hard to explain because it doesn’t serve much purpose. Essentially, you drive around, climb big dirt hills and speed down narrow trails in the UTV. Then you head back to your car, load up and go home. There’s no real destination. It had rained heavily the day before, so we were covered in mud, which added to the fun. I found myself grinning from ear to ear all day, just like that 10-year-old boy riding motorcycles on the farm.
The adventure was a refreshing reminder of how important it is to take breaks from adult life and indulge in activities that bring pure joy. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of work and responsibilities, but moments like these are crucial for maintaining a sense of wonder and excitement. Whether it’s through spending time with my son or taking spontaneous rides with my brother, embracing the playful side of life keeps me grounded and happy. Explore the outdoors with our park roundup in the Medina County guide on pg. 44 and indulge in a fun weekend with our Amish Country guide on pg. 50.
In the end, playing like a kid isn’t just about having fun — it’s about reconnecting with a part of ourselves that often gets lost in the hustle of adulthood. So, here’s to more weekends of mud-splattered rides and wide, carefree smiles — no matter how many adult responsibilities come our way.
by
PAW PALS
Sip a smeowthie, kit-tea or pawfee from Pearl Coffee Co. while cuddling up to adoptable cats, like longhaired tortoise Benny, at Whimsical Whiskers CatFae & Rescue. Opened June 8, Whiskers features a cat lounge where visitors can interact with its feline residents — including Callie, a calico who loves to lay by the window. Take a break from playing to nosh on Stacked Akron bakery cheesecakes, Danishes and cupcakes. The cafe’s $10 to $15 fee (per person per half-hour) helps provide the animals with care, housing and food. Leave with a paw-print on your heart — and, perhaps, a new member of the family. 3430 S. Arlington Road, Suite A, Akron, 330-203-1813, whimwhiskerscatfae.com
CREATIVE SPIRITS
At a New York City bar in the 1950s, Akronite Joe Ferriot created a miniature watercolor painting with a twist — instead of water, he dipped his paintbrush into a martini. He dubbed these alcohol-based works “whiskey paintings,” an art form solidified with the 1962 creation of the Whiskey Painters of America organization. Immerse yourself in pocket-size paintings at the 43rd annual “Whiskey Painters of America Exhibition & Art Sale,” showing at the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center from
SOUTHERN CHARM
At the new Vicious Biscuit in Montrose, get creative with your breakfast by slathering on a variety of its jam bar’s spreads and flavored butters. Opened in late June, the first Ohio location of this South Carolina-based chain features around 18 variations of loaded, made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits and other comfort food brunch items. Indulge in cream cheese-filled beignets, hush puppies or fried green tomatoes. Order the Vicious ($12) — a cheddar jalapeno biscuit topped with fried chicken, maple sausage gravy, candied jalapenos and a maple syrup drizzle — for a satisfying taste of the South. 3900 Medina Road, Akron, 330-576-3203, viciousbiscuit.com
Sept. 10 to Oct. 24. Take in paintings 4 by 5 inches or smaller — including a wilderness scene by Richfield painter Catherine Welner titled “By The Stream.” Many of the group’s members still use original palettes, and, often, scaled-down brushes. Stop by during the artist reception Oct. 11 for the chance to see a whiskey painting demonstration for yourself. 2131 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-8092, cvart.org
Molly Hoffer, photos by Deana Petersen
[ Managing Editor | Kelly Petryszyn | kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com
Resonant Sound
Local music has the power to connect us.
During my first concert at the Rialto Theatre in Akron, I noticed the intimacy of the small venue straight away. I was there in 2018, at a standing room concert by “The Voice” season 8 winner Sawyer Fredericks — and I could get close enough to the stage to look into the eyes of the performers.
The opener, Canfield native and singersongwriter JD Eicher, told the crowd that he wrote a soundtrack for a Nicholas Sparks novel, “Two by Two.” He performed “Evergreen”: The laughter of my daughter is the heart of my father’s father. … I believe you’re evergreen. The idea that we shape the people we love and live on through them is such a beautiful sentiment. It’s one I carry with me. Listening to that song makes me teary-eyed. Music has always been transformative for me. It lifts me up and makes me feel less alone.
“For me, it’s a way to process the world, and it’s also a way to communicate on what is one of the deepest human levels,” says Eicher, who is featured in this month’s music issue. Read more about Eicher and other local artists on pg. 28.
At Akron Life, staffers have been wanting to create a music issue for a long time. Our team members are thrilled to spotlight some incredible local talents — and wish that we had the room to feature even more deserving acts.
Along with Eicher, I saw Detention (now called Off-Leash) and Anya Van Rose over the years at the frigid outdoor Brite Winter festival in Cleveland — they are featured in this issue. Detention truly rocked the stage, dancing and thrashing about. The crowd jumped energetically, furiously dancing and shouting lyrics along with the young Akron alternative pop-punk band. Clad in a red cowgirl hat, translucent red heart sunglasses and a fur-trimmed, full-length patterned coat, Canton bubblegrunge artist Rose brought individuality to the main stage. She wasn’t afraid to express herself and held her own, rocking out among a slew of male-fronted bands. I could see her living out her dream as she performed, with conviction and commitment. Rose is a visionary with a distinct aesthetic.
“Music has been something that’s been really intuitive for me from a young age and has given me so much wonder,” Rose says.
In 2022, I finally got to attend Akron’s unique musical showcase, the PorchRokr Music and Art Festival, with 150 bands performing. Pushing my infant in a stroller, I crossed streets, following the music to Americana band Blue Hour — playing in front of a fenced-in porch — and punk
performer Anna’s Anchor, playing a stoop. We camped out near a large stage, snacking while laying on a blanket and grooving to indie pop-rock band Indré under the sun. It was a perfect day.
While this year’s PorchRokr took place in August, there’s still time to attend the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival Sept. 5 to 7 and the Kent Rocks Music Fest Sept. 13. I’ve seen jazz festival founder Theron Brown play all over town, including an incredible Howard Street tribute show at Blu Jazz with then-91-year-old jazz veteran Jim Noel. Brown has also graced the stage at Gospel Meets Symphony with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and an approximately 200-person volunteer community church choir. He always amazes me.
I love hearing live music — whatever the genre or artist. As long as I feel the people onstage are passionate about performing and sharing their music, I’m instantly transfixed. Legendary world-famous guitarist and Stow resident Neil Zaza puts the power of live music into words.
“In this crazy, divided world we live in now, we as a culture may disagree on something,” he says. “But music can still unite people, bring us together and make us feel better. … We could be at a concert, put aside all our differences for an hour, really get in a communal vibe and be one again.”
Experience the power of music yourself at some of the 20 shows in our guide, and become one with The 330’s vibrant musical community.
[ Managing Editor Kelly Petryszyn is an adventure seeker, forever a dreamer and an avid supporter of #TeamFiona. ]
JD Eicher by Deana Petersen
Agenda
the essential social digest
THROUGH 9/14 “SUMMER EXHIBITIONS”
View the works on display in Summit Artspace’s summer shows, featuring work by lauded Cleveland-based artist Kasumi. Also on display are works by Melih Meric, Steven Mastroianni and others. Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. Fridays noon-7 p.m. & Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. summitartspace.org
“The Venus Effect,” Kasumi, provided by Summit Artspace
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS on akronlife.com or email cgorman@bakermediagroup.com
NOTE: Dates, events, locations, times and prices are subject to change. Please call ahead.
THROUGH 9/5 “39TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION”
Take in the works of talented local artists at the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center’s annual juried exhibition. Pieces on display are in myriad mediums, including watercolor, mixed-media, photography and more — and have won several category awards. Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, 2131 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. Monday-Tuesday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday 1-6 p.m., Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., & Saturday 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Free. cvart.org
THROUGH 9/8 “EMILY BARTOLONE: ON ITS HEAD”
Explore the oeuvre of Massillon-based artist Emily Bartolone at this solo exhibit of her paintings and artworks. Featured in New York, Cincinnati, Dallas, San Diego and St. Louis, Bartolone’s work investigates the intersection of colors and shapes. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org
THROUGH 9/14 “SUMMER EXHIBITIONS”
View the works on display in Summit Artspace’s summer shows, featuring work by lauded Cleveland-based artist Kasumi. Also on display are works by Melih Meric, Steven Mastroianni and others. Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. Fridays noon-7 p.m. & Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. summitartspace.org
THROUGH 10/11 “CONTINUUM: THE PAINTING OF CHARLES BASHAM” Peruse 14 oil paintings and pastels, all by artist Charles Basham. Also available for viewing are a video interview with the artist and works by eight of his former students — and five other artists influential to Basham’s career. Kent State University, Center for Visual Arts, 325 Terrace Drive, Kent. kent.edu/ galleries
THROUGH 10/13 “GILDING NORTHEAST OHIO: FASHION AND FORTUNE 1870-1900”
Get a glimpse of garments from Northeast Ohio collections and costumes from HBO’s “The Gilded Age.” Discover what made Ohio sparkle so brightly during that era of prosperity and progress with sections such as “Fashion and Fortune,” “Opera and Opulence” and “Legacy and HBO.” Plus, don’t miss a special event featuring “The Gilded Age” actress Carrie Coon Sept. 8. Guest curated by Brian Centrone. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. TuesdaySaturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org
THROUGH 11/1 “FEVER DREAMS” Immerse yourself in the work of two Akron fine artists at this exhibit. Jeff Schleis and Jack E. Gibby explore color, shape and art history in this show, curated by 22 Gallery Director Timothy Baxter. Paintings from the exhibit are available for purchase through a silent auction, with portions of the proceeds donated to Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center. Baxter’s Speakeasy, 22 N. High St., Akron. downtownakron.com
THROUGH 12/29 “WHERE WE LIVE: PHOTOGRAPHS OF HUMAN SPACES” This photography exhibit explores the meaning of human spaces through work from multiple artists. Sourced from the collection of Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell, the pictures on display allow visitors to take in representations of houses, skyscrapers, storefronts and more — and reflect on their value. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Adult general admission $12, free Thursdays. akronartmuseum.org
THROUGH 7/28/25 “SHANNON RODGERS AND JERRY SILVERMAN: DAZZLING DAY AND NIGHT”
Celebrate the legacy of the Kent State University Museum’s founders, Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman, with this exhibit of their company’s clothing. Famous throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, these outfits are certain to stun. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, sta & all on Sundays, otherwise $10 general public. kent.edu/museum
9/6-12/15 “NANCY CROW: ON MY MIND CONSTRUCTIONS / RIFFS / DRAWINGS / MONOPRINTS” A figurehead in the world of contemporary quilt-making and fiber arts, Nancy Crow now resides and works near Baltimore, Ohio. View some of her works, selected from the previous two decades, at this exhibit. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, sta & all on Sundays, otherwise $10. kent.edu/museum
9/27-10/2 “THE CRUCIBLE” BY ARTHUR MILLER View a classic play — about intolerance, power, religion and Puritan American society — with this Kent State School of Theatre and Dance production. This show has been one of the most-produced plays since its 1953 debut. Kent State University, Center for the Performing Arts, Wright Curtis Theatre, 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent. Select dates, tickets available online. kent.edu/theatredance
9/4 NATIONAL PARK SCENIC EXCURSION See the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park from a new perspective with this scenic train ride. For a leisurely two hours, glimpse the flora, fauna and surroundings of the national park in our backyard. Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., Akron. Departure time 10 a.m. Adults $18 and up, kids $13 and up. cvsr.org
9/4 KINDEREALM: FUNGI Dive in to the world of fungi with this workshop experience. Kids ages 3 to 6 and their adult companions take part in a hike and the creation of a cra . Advance registration required. Make sure to make other arrangements for children who are unable to stay in infant seats or strollers. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. summitmetroparks.org
9/5-9/7 RUBBER CITY JAZZ & BLUES
FESTIVAL Groove to performances from myriad local performers at the annual Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival! Catch shows featuring artists such as Justin Tibbs, Chris Coles, Dan Bruce, Ronell Regis, Bobby Selvaggio, Sean Jones and more. This multi-day festival is a showcase of the best in the genre. Multiple locations. rubbercityjazz.org
9/6 SENIOR SAFARI Those 62 and up can visit the Akron Zoo for a special experience during this event. Discounted admission, goodies from the zoo, complimentary co ee and more are available to those looking to take a walk on the wild side. Don’t forget to stay for vendor giveaways. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. akronzoo.org
9/6 AKRON ARTWALK: RUBBER CITY JAZZ
FESTIVAL EDITION Walk through works of art with this special edition of Summit Artspace’s Artwalk! In coordination with the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, this event features food vendors, live music and more than 15 pop-up artist vendors. Don’t miss the exhibits on view within the gallery spaces. Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. 5 p.m. Free. summitartspace.org
9/7 CANTON LATINO FEST For the third year, Centennial Plaza hosts a Latino celebration. Get down with dancing and music, and sample dishes from various countries. This event is sure to be vibrant and a lot of fun — and attending is free! Centennial Plaza, 330 Court Ave. NW, Canton. Noon-10 p.m. facebook.com/cantonlatinofest
9/7 & 9/8 ART IN THE PARK Peruse art in myriad mediums at the annual Art in the Park event. Within Kent’s beautiful Fred Fuller Park, find paintings, sculptures, home wares and more. This festival show is juried and features both local and regional artists. While browsing, nosh on fair food and enjoy live music in multiple genres, from country to jazz. Fred Fuller Park, 601 Middlebury Road, Kent. Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. mainstreetkent.org
9/8 AN AFTERNOON WITH CARRIE COON
Accompany your visit to the Massillon Museum’s “Gilding Northeast Ohio: Fashion and Fortune 1870–1900” exhibit with a special appearance by HBO’s “The Gilded Age” actress and Copley native Carrie Coon. (The exhibit includes costumes from the hit show.) Attendees get to watch an episode of “The Gilded Age,” then take part in a Q&A with Coon and costume designer Kasia WalickaMaimone. It is moderated by Brian Centrone, guest curator of the exhibit. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. Doors open 12:30 p.m., show 1 p.m. Free, registration required. cantonpalacetheatre.org
9/10 NATURE DRAWING FOR ADULTS Learn to draw your favorite elements of Mother Nature at this workshop for adults. Tap into your inner artist while guided by an interpretive artist from Summit Metro Parks. Make sure to bring a sketchbook and pencil — beginners are welcome. Advanced registration is required and begins Sept. 4. Liberty Park, nature center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 1-3 p.m. Free. summitmetroparks.org
Bob Frank
Playing to audiences across the U.S. and Canada — first in the Hotfoot Quartet and then, for many years, in Blue Lunch — Bob Frank embodies the blues. The Shaker Heights resident was inducted into the Cleveland Blues Society’s Blues Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside Glenn Schwartz, Jimmy Ley and Robert Lockwood Jr.
Besides providing his guitar skills to Long Time Gone, The 330’s Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute band, he’s also embarked on a solo career, carrying on his love of blues.
Jim Ballard: How did you come to embrace the blues?
Bob Frank: When I was a teenager, I was listening to what my friends were listening to … the [Rolling] Stones, Yardbirds and, of course, the Beatles. When I turned 14, my present was a tabletop radio. WRUW radio [Case Western Reserve University] had just recently started up, and they had a blues show at night. When I dialed it in, it was an epiphany. I’d never heard anything like it. It sounded like a portal into another world. … The next day, I hopped on the Rapid Transit to downtown [Cleveland], walked up to Prospect Music and bought my first harmonica — for $2.50!
JB: Was it blues from then on?
BF: Pretty much. I started listening, collecting, even haunting the library to find out all I could about it. Then, both in high school and college, I had blues bands and always did well with them. We played all over, especially New England and Canada, appearing at a ton of blues and bluegrass music festivals.
JB: What are your favorite venues in The 330?
BF: With Blue Lunch, we dug playing the Lock 4 stage in downtown Akron. Pretty cool that they gave space for blues, gospel and jazz artists. And with that big mural as a background, it’s always a great gig in the summer. I also love playing the Rialto [Theatre], where I’ve appeared with Long Time Gone and as a solo artist. I also put on a regular series at the Jenks in Cuyahoga Falls titled “Professor Bob Frank’s Blues Symposium.” As a musician, I love our area because there’s a sort of family of players. … My main wish is that younger players will carry on. When I was young, I used to haunt artists such as Robert Lockwood, Glenn Schwartz and Mr. Stress — to the point that I made them crazy — just so I could pick up everything I could from them.
JB: Hopefully some inquisitive young musicians will do the same with you.
BF: That’s the idea!
Jim Ballard is an Akronbased singer-songwriter, who along with his band, the Strangs, performs often in The 330. photo by Tom Apathy Photography
9/4 KINDEREALM: FUNGI
Dive in to the world of fungi with this workshop experience. Kids ages 3 to 6 and their adult companions take part in a hike and the creation of a cra . Advance registration required. Make sure to make other arrangements for children who are unable to stay in infant seats or strollers. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. summitmetroparks.org
Jack Kidney
As a member of the legendary 15 60 75 the Numbers Band, Jack Kidney has made the rounds both musically and geographically. Growing up in Cuyahoga Falls and Kent, Kidney has performed vocally and instrumentally (on guitar, harmonica, saxophone, keyboard and percussion) at venues in numerous cities around the U.S., Europe and the United Kingdom — including London’s Southbank Centre.
Presently residing in Green, Kidney is still taking stages — not only with 15 60 75, alongside his brother, Bob, but often with Rachel Brown, Tracey Thomas, Grady Miller and Jim Ballard & the Strangs.
Jim Ballard: Tell me what got you started.
Jack Kidney: The Beatles.
JB: Not you too!
JK: Music was always in my family. My mother played, all my aunts and uncles on her side played, and my brothers were starting to play some guitar. When the Beatles hit, I wanted to be a drummer, so I started in my first band, Enslaved Tomb, playing drums. Then I got in a bluesy band called BlueTrane, where I moved to playing harmonica. Around that time, I got my tonsils out and after I recovered and returned to rehearsal, they’d changed all their material. … I left, [and] the guitar player came with me. We then formed a band, King of Hearts. My brother formed 15 60 75. In 1973, King of Hearts became a part of 15 60 75.
JB: Tell me a bit about your studio and road history
JK: When my brother and I were in LA, I met Frank Black of the Pixies. He asked me to play sax on some studio tracks, which I did. From there, he invited me to studio sessions in Nashville, where I found myself playing alongside Buddy Miller, Spooner Oldham and Steve Cropper. The studio was owned by Jack Clement, who was pals with Johnny Cash and Sam Phillips.
JB: How did that go?
JK: Very well. After the sessions, I asked Frank why he had included me with such heavy hitters. He said, Well, they’re all so slick and perfect. I wanted something in there that would stir it up … and that’s you. Story of my life.
JB: One thing leads to another.
JK: From those sessions, I ended up doing several gigs with Black in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and in New York on Conan O’Brien’s show.
JB: Where are your area haunts?
JK: I like my Musica and Blu Jazz. I love playing at Jilly’s [Music Room] with the band. I also seldom miss First Thursdays at the Rialto [Theatre], so I’m excited to be a songwriter guest in October.
Jack Kidney and Bob Frank perform, in addition to Jim Ballard, at Ballard’s monthly First Thursday songwriter series at the Rialto Theatre Oct. 3. Learn more at jimballardmusic.net.
photo by Tom Apathy Photography
9/19 VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Jam out to some legendary hits at a concert by popular alternative rock group Vampire Weekend.
Showcasing its fi h album, “Only God Was Above Us,” the band is sure to make this an evening full of emotion. Vampire Weekend is joined by special guest Cults. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. $22 and up. livenation.com
photo by Michael Schmelling
9/11 THE IRON MAIDENS
Rock out to the songs of Iron Maiden with this group of talented women! It features Kirsten “Bruce Chickinson” Rosenberg on vocals, Courtney “Adriana Smith” Cox and Nikki “Davina Murray” Stringfield on guitars, Linda “Nikki McBURRain” McDonald on drums and Wanda “Steph Harris” Ortiz on bass. This tribute act has won multiple awards, including from All Access Magazine. Enjoy hits from all eras, an appearance from Eddie (Iron Maiden’s mascot) and more. Akron Civic Theatre, the Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $40. akroncivic.com
9/12 OUTLAW MUSIC
FESTIVAL See lauded musicians Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp at Blossom Music Center! These legendary artists are performing as part of the Outlaw Music Festival. You won’t want to miss this show. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 5:30 p.m. $65 and up. livenation.com
9/13 RED ROSE PANIC AT HOUSE
THREE THIRTY
Experience the sound of Akron hiphop group Red Rose Panic at House Three Thirty. This group’s five members deliver performances that cross genres, from rock to jazz to hip-hop. Make sure to order from a special event food menu. House Three Thirty, 532 W. Market St., Akron. 7:30-11:30 p.m. $18. housethreethirty.com
9/8
AN AFTERNOON WITH CARRIE COON
Accompany your visit to the Massillon Museum’s “Gilding Northeast Ohio: Fashion and Fortune 1870–1900” exhibit with a special appearance by HBO’s “The Gilded Age” actress and Copley native Carrie Coon. (The exhibit includes costumes from the hit show.) Attendees get to watch an episode of “The Gilded Age,” then take part in a Q&A with Coon and costume designer Kasia Walicka-Maimone. It is moderated by Brian Centrone, guest curator of the exhibit. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. Doors open 12:30 p.m., show 1 p.m. Free, registration required. cantonpalacetheatre.org
9/22 INTRO TO KAYAKING
Learn to kayak, then enjoy a guided lake tour with a certified instructor. The minimum age to participate is 13; those ages 13 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult participant. Make sure to wear closed toe shoes and that you are comfortable with swimming. All equipment provided. Location may change based on water conditions. Advance registration required and begins Sept. 13. Silver Creek Metro Park, lake house & pheasant run area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton. 10 a.m.-noon & 1-3 p.m. $15. summitmetroparks.org
9/27 TUSCANY ON TUSC
Pay tribute to all things Italian with this street festival. Watch artists work as you sample food and listen to musicians play. It’s presented by Magical Theatre Company. Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. 6-9 p.m. Free. magicaltheatre.org
9/13 NAVIGATING THE NIGHT
SKY
Look up and learn about planets, constellations, stars, nebulae and galaxies with the Wilderness Center Astronomy Club. Participants navigate the night sky with telescopes. Attendees may bring their own equipment. Registration is required, and the program may be canceled in the event of inclement weather or clouds. Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville. 8:30 p.m. starkparks.com
9/14 FALL PLANTING & CLEAN
UP Give your city some TLC by taking part in a fall planting and clean up in Cuyahoga Falls! Participants help maintenance and decorate the 18 planters lining Front Street — so make sure to bring gardening gloves. Downtown Cuyahoga Falls pavilion, Cuyahoga Falls. 10 a.m.-noon. downtowncf.com
9/14 SECOND ANNUAL WEST HILL WALLOP CHARITY BIKE RIDE: THE PRINCESS RIDE Pedal for charity with this themed ride! Follow the Dread Pirate Roberts over hills, or join Princess Buttercup for an all-levels, easier ride through West Hill. This event benefits the West Hill Neighborhood Organization and features a party, a “Princess Bride” costume contest and an outdoor showing of the classic movie. 180 S. Maple St., Akron. Ride 5:30-7:30 p.m., movie begins 7:30 p.m. Registration required. Bike tickets are $30. bit.ly/theprincessride
photo by Robert Greer Sr.
9/14 BOURBON ‘N BEARS Sample three whiskey tastings and enjoy after-hours Akron Zoo admission with this fun event. Attendees can purchase other drinks, such as wine and beer, buy snacks from food trucks, watch a keeper talk and witness animal enrichment and grizzly bear training. This event is for those 21 and over. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets $25-$50. akronzoo.org
9/14 GILDED AGE FILM SPECTACULAR:
“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” Enjoy a showing of the original (and silent) version of “The Phantom of the Opera” — with an accompaniment on organ by musician Jay Spencer — using the theater’s Kilgen organ. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. Doors open 6 p.m., show begins 7 p.m. $10 general admission. cantonpalacetheatre.org
9/14, 9/21 & 9/28 EXPLORE CITY TOURS
PRESENTS: AKRON EVENING BLU ZONE FOOD TOUR Get to know Akron through a sampling of its most interesting locations, most delicious foods and most thought-provoking stories. This tour takes participants on a walking route with three to four food stops, including at establishments like Circle of 5ths, Heera Indian Cuisine and El Patrón Tequilería. Stop by landmarks such as the recently installed Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza and the Blutique Hotel, and engage in conversations regarding Akron history, jazz and music, famous residents, public art, architecture and more. Explore City Tours. 4-7 p.m. Adult tickets (for those 17 and older) $95. explorecitytours.com
9/15 BACKYARDS GONE WILD: SEED
COLLECTING A naturalist teaches attendees about growing native plants from seed. This includes information on collection, storage and propagation. Attendees can collect seeds with a group, then take them home to plant. Liberty Park, nature center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 2-3:30 p.m. Free. summitmetroparks.org
9/19 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Jam out to some legendary hits at a concert by popular alternative rock group Vampire Weekend. Showcasing its fifth album, “Only God Was Above Us,” the band is sure to make this an evening full of emotion. Vampire Weekend is joined by special guest Cults. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. $22 and up. livenation.com
9/19-9/22 RAVENNA BALLOON A-FAIR
Marvel at the sight of hot air balloons at the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair. Celebrating 45 years of fun, this event gets viewers up close and personal with a variety of huge hot air balloons. Along with a fan-favorite night glow at dusk on Friday, the event is jam-packed with activities, including helicopter rides, axe throwing, craft booths and more. Sip beer and wine, nosh on food truck fare and listen to live performances from musicians. Downtown Ravenna & Sunbeau Valley Farm, 3248 Brady Lake Road, Ravenna. Times vary. Downtown Ravenna free, Sunbeau Valley Farm $5 per person per day, $5 parking. Children 12 and under are free. ravennaballoonafair.com
9/20 ALES ON RAILS Sip a brew while taking in the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park during this special ride. Attendees sample four curated beer selections and snack on several light appetizers. At the end of the trip, take home a commemorative 7-ounce beer glass! This event is for those 21 and over. Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., Akron. Departure time 6:30 p.m. Drinking passengers $52 and up, designated driver passengers $37 and up. cvsr.org
Canton Palace Theatre
The Canton Palace Theatre is celebrating its upcoming 100th anniversary with the 100th Anniversary Capital Project. This transformative project will expand the historic venue, enhancing the customer experience with modern amenities and increased accessibility to ensure its cultural significance for future generations. Complete project information can be found at cantonpalace100.com, including donation and sponsorship opportunities. Help the Canton Palace Theatre continue to shine as the jewel of downtown Canton for another 100 years!
Canton Palace Theatre
605 Market Ave. N, Canton 330.454.8172 cantonpalacetheatre.org
ArtsNow
ArtsForward is a grant program facilitated by ArtsNow that provides funding to projects that advance the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan. We’re honored to thank our generous donors, like you, who enable us to continue these vital funding opportunities for artists, creators and cultural organizations — empowering them to bring projects that strengthen our communities’ arts and culture vibrancy to life.
ArtsNow
175 S. Main St., Akron, Suite 100 akronculturalplan.com/artsforward
Big Band Tribute to Tony Bennett
EXPERIENCE THE UNFORGETTABLE MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT WITH “BECAUSE OF YOU” — SINGER AND PIANIST MICHAEL FEINSTEIN’S HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO THE BELOVED AMERICAN LEGEND.
The concert, which takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m., serves as the gala opening of Tuesday Musical’s 2024-25 Akron Concert Series at E.J. Thomas Hall.
Joined by the full Carnegie Hall Big Band, Feinstein is honoring his longtime friend with beloved Tony Bennett songs such as “The Best is Yet to Come,” “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “I Left My Heart in San
Francisco.” Audience members are also treated to engaging stories and multimedia highlights.
Five-time Grammy Award-nominee Feinstein — dubbed “the ambassador of the Great American Songbook” by The New York Times — is bringing the “Because of You” national tour to Akron following its sold-out debut at Carnegie Hall. Don’t miss this evening of legendary music.
Tickets are $19-$49 and available at 330-761-3460 and tuesdaymusical.org.
9/20-9/22 CUYAHOGA FALLS OKTOBERFEST
Tip back a brew and celebrate autumn with Cuyahoga Falls’ Oktoberfest. Since 1979, revelers have been gathering to honor the German holiday with beer, music and camaraderie. Enjoy performances from Disco Inferno, the Polka Pirates and the Buck Naked Band while you sample drinks from area breweries, including MadCap Brew Co. and HiHo Brewing Co. Downtown Cuyahoga Falls. Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m., Sunday noon-8 p.m. Free parking and admission. oktoberfestcfo.com
9/21 & 9/22 WILD OUTDOOR WOMEN CAMPOUT Join like-minded women adventurers in a campout. Crafts, archery and other activities, including an annual dash, are available. This camp is for women 18 years old and up. Tents are used as lodging; participants should bring their own tents. Fires are available for cooking. Pre-registration is required. Walborn Reservoir, eagle observation area, 13600 Marlboro Ave. NE, Alliance. Camp begins 10 a.m. Sept. 21 and ends at 1 p.m. Sept. 22. $40 for Stark County residents, $45 for non-residents. starkparks.com
9/22 INTRO TO KAYAKING Learn to kayak, then enjoy a guided lake tour with a certified instructor. The minimum age to participate is 13; those ages 13 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult participant. Make sure to wear closed toe shoes and that you are comfortable with swimming. All equipment provided. Location may change based on water conditions. Advance registration required and begins Sept. 13. Silver Creek Metro Park, lake house & pheasant run area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton. 10 a.m.-noon & 1-3 p.m. $15. summitmetroparks.org
9/23 PETER FRAMPTON: “THE POSITIVELY THANKFUL TOUR”
Experience the sound of English singersongwriter Peter Frampton. Fans have the chance to hear favorites such as “Show Me the Way,” “I Wanna Go to the Sun” and “Do You Feel Like I Do.” Guests must be 21 or older to attend. MGM Northfield Park, Center Stage, 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield. 7:30 p.m. $76 and up. mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com
9/26 FALL FUNDRAISER: TIMELESS CONNECTIONS: EXPERIENCE HISTORY THROUGH THE STREET OF SHOPS Meet actors playing people from the past, including business owners, artisans and other characters, as you step into several shops on the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum’s Street of Shops. Dinner is included in this experience. Register by Sept. 17. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. 6-8 p.m. $45. mckinleymuseum.org
9/26-9/28 THE OHIO SWISS FESTIVAL
Celebrate Swiss culture in Ohio’s Little Switzerland, Sugarcreek, at the annual Ohio Swiss Festival. Since the 1950s, this event has transported festivalgoers to Switzerland with traditional music, food and contests. Hear alphorns, witness exciting entertainment and enjoy delicious fare, including cheeses. See the grand parade on Saturday at 2 p.m. — watch for floats, marching bands and more. Sugarcreek. Thursday 5-8:45 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. ohioswissfestival.com
9/27 MEGHAN TRAINOR: “THE TIMELESS TOUR” Bop along to the upbeat pop of Meghan Trainor at this fun concert. Along with special guests Paul Russell and Ryan Trainor, enjoy a night of hits. Secure your tickets for a chance to hear songs like “Me Too,” “Dear Future Husband,” “Made You Look” and “All About That Bass.” Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 6:30 p.m. $27 and up. livenation.com
9/27 TUSCANY ON TUSC Pay tribute to all things Italian with this street festival. Watch artists work as you sample food and listen to musicians play. It’s presented by Magical Theatre Company. Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. 6-9 p.m. Free. magicaltheatre.org
9/28 NEW BERLIN FESTIVAL Once, North Canton was known as New Berlin. Pay tribute to that German heritage with this Oktoberfest-style celebration, full of polka, beer and tasty snacks. Attendees can sample both local and German beers, watch sausage tossing and cornhole competitions, witness a wiener dog race and more. Come hungry! Main Street, North Canton. newberlinfest.com
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9/19
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RAVENNA BALLOON A-FAIR
Marvel at the sight of hot air balloons at the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair. Celebrating 45 years of fun, this event gets viewers up close and personal with a variety of huge hot air balloons. Along with a fan-favorite night glow at dusk on Friday, the event is jampacked with activities, including helicopter rides, axe throwing, cra booths and more. Sip beer and wine, nosh on food truck fare and listen to live performances from musicians. Downtown Ravenna & Sunbeau Valley Farm, 3248 Brady Lake Road, Ravenna. Times vary. Downtown Ravenna free, Sunbeau Valley Farm $5 per person per day, $5 parking. Children 12 and under are free. ravennaballoonafair.com
9/28 WORLD’S LARGEST GHOST HUNT To mark National Ghost Hunting Day, take part in two ghost hunts at the Canton Palace Theatre. Along with Team S.P.E.C.T.R.E., participants move throughout the theater, looking for ghosts with di erent kinds of hunting gear. From novice searchers to experienced ghost hunters, all are welcome at this event. Bring your own flashlight, camera and audio recorder (or use your cellphone). Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. Select times, tickets required. cantonpalacetheatre.org
9/28 A LIVE CONVERSATION WITH HELEN HUNT, PLUS A SCREENING OF “TWISTER”
Fans of the original “Twister” or the new installment in the movie series will love this event. Watch the movie, take in a live interview with “Twister” star Helen Hunt and participate in a Q&A session. Hear anecdotes from Hunt, stories from behind the scenes and insights into the film. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. Reserved $25-69, VIP including a photo op with Hunt $169. akroncivic.com
9/28 & 9/29 BARBERTON MUM FESTIVAL
You won’t want to miss this celebration, dedicated to the beauty of chrysanthemums. Enjoy entertainment, cra and food vendors, kids’ activities and more at this festival. Take in themed mum gardens, water ski shows and music as well. Nothing says fall like a garden full of these beautiful, colorful mums. Lake Anna Park, 615 W. Park Ave., Barberton. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. barbertonparksandrec.com/mum-festival
Summit Artspace
Summit Artspace is home to artist studios, creative businesses and five galleries with new exhibitions four times each year. We provide public programs to engage the community with local artists. Our hours are Fridays noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For info about our resident artists, exhibitions, Artist Care programming, Akron ArtWalk and more, follow us on social media and visit summitartspace.org..
Summit Artspace 140 E. Market St., Akron 330-376-8480 summitartspace.org
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JW Photography
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a striking chord
Tune in to 12 acts on the forefront of The 330’s music scene. From bubblegrunge to hip-hop, these 20 shows are ticket-worthy.
Off-Leash
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Kelly Petryszyn and Cameron Gorman
Photos by Talia Hodge and Deana Petersen
Photos
Deana Petersen
Youth in Revolt
By the time Off-Leash (then called Detention) took the main stage at PorchRokr Music and Art Festival in 2022, the skies looked stormy.
Though the alternative pop-punk band would go on to headline the festival in 2023, the weather — which rained out the original final act — gave it an early shot. Detention finished performing “56 Minutes,” a lively bop about long-distance relationships, to a crowd of around 3,000 before it started to pour.
“It was the first time I’ve ever heard people singing the lyrics to our songs back to us louder than I heard my own voice,” says Elliott Carter, the band’s Akron-based vocalist and frontwoman.
The performance was a homecoming for Carter, who wears her hair in a shaggy green and turquoise cut — her musical debut, around age 8 alongside her dad, took place at PorchRokr. But it was far from the group’s first packed show. By that time, its members — including Carter, now 20, drummer Luke Konopka, 18, guitarist Evan Cox, 17, and bassist Fritz Dannemiller, 21 — had been a band since 2018.
In 2019, Detention released “The Devilberries EP” and sent it to Dannemiller’s father’s musician friend in California. Impressed, he invited the band to play Hollywood’s famed Whisky a Go Go. In 2020, Carter and her bandmates won the 24th annual Tri-C High School Rock Off — then COVID-19 hit.
Detention got to work livestreaming shows and making its first music video, for the bouncy, defiant single “In Reverse.” Carter, her head shaven, belts: Give us a school bus, not a hearse. The project, covered by Cleveland’s WKYC, expanded its reach and cemented the charismatic, assured act.
“We established what we are, what we look and sound like,” Cox says.
The band released “The Patchwork EP,” its second, in 2021. A multifaceted collection of songs, it showcases Detention’s early work, such as “Dead Malls” — a driving, meditative look at the shuttered Rolling Acres mall in Akron. By the time it opened the stage for Kesha, at Columbus’ WonderBus festival that year, the group had begun to solidify the sound it shreds today. Influences of hardcore, pop, ska, emo and more are identifiable in its eclectic style.
The group’s electric performances, reflected by impassioned crowds, are a testament to its incredible chemistry.
“There are certain songs in the set that I definitely look forward to the most because of how they feel to perform,” Carter says. “When you’re onstage performing as viscerally as we do … it’s a huge release of energy. You can completely lose yourself in it.”
In 2023, the band played several gigs during South by Southwest, released a new single, “Peachy Keen” — its video has garnered over 132,000 views — and debuted its newest EP, “Lost Time // New Fix.”
We’re making up for lost time. ... All we’ve given, we still live in, Carter sings on “Lost Time.” “Evan had this idea to completely rework it, to play it in drop C,” she says, “and it had this completely different sound than anything that we had played.”
Now, fresh off of a cross-state tour, OffLeash has been able to showcase a new name — and a more mature image. Grungy, crowd-focused and positively intense, the band’s star continues to rise: Fans drive up to eight hours to see its shows.
“We were children when Detention formed, and we’ve gotten more serious,” Carter says. “We feel like it’s time to graduate.” //CG
See Them: DEVOtional, Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, Sept. 20; BeachPark Midwest is Best Rock Fest, Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, Oct. 12; instagram.com/offleash.live
Fresh Eyes
On his 2018 track, “Bounce Back like Rubber,” Floco Torres reps Akron by celebrating one of its most enduring qualities: Its ability to return from the bottom. Over a mid-tempo beat, he raps: We just bounce, bounce ... bounce back like rubber.
Torres’ delivery carries a weathered optimism familiar to those in the Rubber City — so it might be surprising to learn he’s a transplant.
“I want to pay homage to where I am,” says the now 37-year-old Akron resident, “and this Rust Belt energy is something that I do relate to — the grittiness of it.”
Before moving to Akron, he grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey and Macon, Georgia. Torres — who was in a church choir and played multiple instruments, including trumpet — found his interest in writing translated naturally to rap. Following spots on local mixtapes in Willingboro, he released his first project, “Another World,” around 2006. After wrestling with homelessness and addiction in his family, he moved in with his grandparents in Macon. “Resilience — that’s been a big part of my life,” he says.
Following a decade of touring the Southeast, Torres was ready for a fresh start in another
Knight Foundation city. He marked his Akron arrival, in 2017, with the release of “You!” — a catchy breakup song that declares, I just wanna feel like the time we spent was never wasted. With over 4,700 views on YouTube, Torres’ music video shows off his new home, featuring classic Akron landmarks such as the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. sign.
“I always come in much more optimistic,” he says. “When I first moved here, people would say to me, You have an ability to see … how great this place could be.”
Torres has over 30 albums, compilations and singles under his belt, including as one-half of the musical duo Free Black! (The project, with drummer-producer Holbrook Riles III, creates music about Black history.) He has become a staple in the Akron music scene, headlining the annual PorchRokr Music and Art Festival with Free Black! this year. His unvarnished authenticity — as heard on albums like 2019’s “West Hill,” a soundtrack to artist Micah Kraus’ exhibit at Akron Soul Train — feels invigorating. Shots ringing like a drumline … Food desert on the east side … City funding gave the peace sign, he raps on “Sounds of the city.”
Now, he’s preparing to drop “This Creative Life” Oct. 8. The partly autobiographical, self-produced album takes inspiration from his experience as a local artist.
“I’m excited about how honest I’m being, for better or for worse,” Torres says. “It’s important to be honest about how things can get better, especially when we’re talking about community.”
“1986,” the lead track on “Life,” is a sonic departure for Torres. Though its themes are hard-hitting, citing struggle and chaos in its lyrics (Murder and college should not be in common), the song is layered with acoustic guitar and soft vocals. It represents his ability to reinvent himself and confront challenges — much like the city he now calls home.
“I talk about this a lot on the new album — in the Midwest, we don’t really address things. … I’m the one in the room like, No, we need to talk about this,” he says. “Nothing gets better if we don’t objectively critique and try to push past where we’ve been.” //CG
See Him: Free Black! with Rudy Love & the Encore, Happy Dog, Cleveland, Sept. 13; Fresh Fest Cleveland, Rid-All Farm & Otter Park, Cleveland, Sept. 14; nobodycaresnews.com
FLOCO TORRES
Photos by Talia Hodge
Anya Van Rose
by Talia Hodge
Photos
Pop Princess
Clad in a frilly pink dress and a blue cowgirl hat, singer-songwriter Anya Van Rose performed atop a white hand-painted carousel horse with a silver streamer mane — and made history in front of about 200,000 people. The distinctive bubblegrunge artist and her bandmates spent two hours playing four songs on loop as part of the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement parade. They became the first musical act to play on a float in the event’s 60-plus-year history.
“We were all in awe,” says the 34-year-old Canton resident, whose offstage name is Anya Antonavich, “like, Are we really reallife Ferris Buellers? It was so fun!”
Antonavich has always had stars in her eyes. At 12, she started playing guitar with her dad, learning Beatles songs like “Across the Universe.”
“I felt a lot of childlike wonder — what the possibilities were,” recalls Antonavich, who is now the studio manager at Realgrey Records.
For years, she quietly released songs on MySpace. At 16, her world imploded when her father died. By 18, she was fervently penning songs about loss. In 2010, Antonavich started workshopping songs about her dad at informal Bring Your Song meetups, which were held in a Canton
home on the property where Realgrey Records would later open. After completing a Shaking Through workshop in 2019, she recorded the contemplative “Flies” with acclaimed producer and Sufjan Stevens collaborator Brian McTear.
“I had written about flies on the windowsill,” recalls Antonavich, who put the moody track on her 2020 debut EP, “Golden Age.” “It represented time passing. … How long do I have to wait for what I want?”
For her latest album, 2023’s “Lucky Stars,” she flipped the script toward dynamic, guitar-driven bubblegum rock.
“I thought, Why don’t I 180 this and write something happy?” says Antonavich, whose band now includes Austin Wolfe, Austin Popovich and Devin Johnson. “I wanted to explore the grittier sounds, the happier grooves, things that I could move around to onstage. … I was giving myself permission to do something fun.”
The album’s sparkly, sun-drenched title track came with a sticky-sweet music video that now has over 3,400 views. There were about 50 people on the Claymore Picturesdirected set, including three body doubles. The visionary stars in seven parade-themed scenes and can be seen baton twirling in a hand-dyed pink majorette costume, lean-
ing on a disco ball in a poufy pink pageant dress while riding in a red convertible and blowing a kiss from a 1963 Mayberry cop car driven by a Barney Fife impersonator. I thank my lucky stars for you. After all that I’ve been through. Now you might make my dreams come true, she sings.
Antonavich experimented with unconventional sounds, using a pepper shaker during an emotive guitar solo on “Apology” and a car ignition on “Pretty Please.” Heavier songs, like “In Your Mind,” were influenced by gritty ‘90s guitars. Ruminating on the loss of a relationship, she sings, I’m holding dandelions in the dark. To you, they’re just weeds that I collected from the lawn.
“A lot of what I’ve written about, especially in that song, is letting go,” she says.
It’s the driving force behind her current work: She’s recording songs about her dad, adding orchestral elements to honor the person who ignited her passion for music.
“To not have boundaries and to be openminded about what could be,” she says, “is so exciting.” //KP
See Her: Westside Bowl with the Vindys, Youngstown, Nov. 16, anyavanrose.com
by Talia Hodge
Photos
Heart Songs
After touring the country and releasing four albums with the band JD Eicher & the Goodnights, Eicher broke out on his own. With his 2016 debut solo album, “The Middle Distance,” the singer-songwriter set out to prove himself as an artist. It wasn’t easy — as he was starting a family, he had begun to question his unstable career path. But that same year, he got a pivotal phone call. A label executive played his song for best-selling “Notebook” author Nicholas
Sparks, who chose Eicher to create a soundtrack for his novel, “Two by Two.”
“It was a breath of new life, and it gave me more visibility,” says the 38-year-old Canfield native, who now lives in Delaware, Ohio. “It was a moment — you can keep going.”
Performing songs from his “The Two by Two EP” on a national tour with Sparks gave Eicher a second wind. Featured on “Good Morning America,” the popular title
young daughter, with a melody that started as a lullaby: You’re gonna find me here, when your world is shaking, your heart is breaking.
“[It’s] a promise to her that she would always be priority No. 1,” he says.
On 2020’s “Court Street” EP, he returned to his folksy, acoustic roots, recording most of the tracks live. He wrote the strippeddown, sentimental “Evergreen” for his aging parents: All the good you gave here is growing like a weed. You’ll live forever — evergreen.
“The people in our lives — what they do for us is evergreen, continues to make a difference,” he says.
Along with his most recent album, 2022’s “Majesto Sessions,” Eicher wrote “The Lights Along Majesto,” a companion novel about touring musicians. On “Sessions,” he addresses new struggles from the points of view of his characters, a rocker and a folk singer, tailoring songs to match their distinct styles. It includes a murder ballad, “Vacation,” which sets the story’s dark tone. On it, he sings, Annie, give me all the names of your haters.
track thrust him into the spotlight. His name was on the cover of 800,000 books, and he was written into the novel — performing “Two by Two” on the radio.
While he’s always focused on emotionally charged, opendiary lyrics, Eicher partnered with acclaimed Los Angeles producer Bill Lefler to add pop flair to 2019’s “The Compass EP.” The compilation melds modern synthesizers and program drums with his band, which includes the Goodnights’ Jim Merhaut on bass and Dylan Kollat on drums and percussion. With over 645,000 Spotify streams, the EP’s endearing “Find Me Here” is his most popular song. It was written for his
Leading up to a new project, he’s releasing a song every other month. “Where We’re Going” addresses stubbornly sticking to the past yet having faith in where you’re headed — while the heavier “Wild Heart” looks back at how things change over time. The most recent single, “The Will to Live,” takes a lighter approach to getting out of a relationship.
Eicher now performs about 100 shows a year. Previously, he’s played opening and cobilling slots for Coldplay, Maroon 5, Train and Rod Stewart, as well as a cruise ship music festival with Sister Hazel.
Considering his success, it’s clear sticking with music was meant to be.
“I do feel like this is who I am,” Eicher says. “I feel most at home in the middle of a song.” //KP
See Him: Canfield Fair, Western Reserve Village at Canfield Fairgrounds, Canfield, Sept. 2; Gervasi Vineyard, Canton, Sept. 15; jdeicher.com
JD Eicher
Photos
Neil ZaZa
by Talia Hodge
Photos
Guitar Hero
One song set the trajectory of international guitar sensation Neil Zaza’s life: Van Halen’s “Runnin’ with the Devil.”
“From the first chords, it was like electricity in the air. … I was awestruck,” recalls the 59-year-old Stow resident. “From that point on, I never wanted to do anything else.”
quality,” says Zaza, who writes and records his own work. “I’m building the whole song around a melody that people can relate to and hang on to.”
As a 15-year-old Nordonia High School student, he began taking guitar lessons at the YMCA and played in garage bands — taking on tunes by Journey and Peter Frampton. He majored in classical guitar at The University of Akron, studying under taskmaster Stephen Aron.
“Every lesson, I would go in intimidated and shaky because I knew that he was going to call me out if I didn’t practice,” Zaza recalls. “It really imprinted on me that you have to put the work in.”
After playing with the band Zaza for four years, he struck out on his own around 1992. Now, instead of just showing off with lengthy guitar solos, he focuses on letting the instrument sing.
“My guitar is really the lead singer in all my music. It’s melodic. It has a vocal
It was on his third solo album, 1996’s “Sing,” where he found his sound with “I’m Alright” — one of the most definitive songs for instrumental rock guitar to this day. The explosive masterpiece has garnered over 3.9 million views on YouTube, prompted
“I played some crazy riff, and he’s encouragingly like, Yeah, that’s great bro. It really flipped me out,” Zaza says of Anthony. “I learned this riff because I probably stole it from Eddie Van Halen, and now I’m playing it in front of you!”
millions of covers and catapulted him to international fame with regular tour stops in Europe and Asia. In the late ‘90s, he performed the uplifting anthem as a headliner at a South Korean rock festival.
“I started playing ‘I’m Alright,’ and the place comes unglued, people are holding up signs: I’m Alright; We Love You Neil,” he recalls. “Then I was doing the meet-andgreets, signing autographs and people have ‘I’m Alright’ ringtones — it’s surreal.”
He’s since released nine more albums, including 2022’s “Vermeer,” featuring the ethereal ballad “Gumdrop Fantasy” and the jubilant “Big Rock.”
Serendipitously, the Northeast Ohioan has collaborated with his idols, including Journey drummer Steve Smith and bass player Ross Valory, singer-songwriter and guitarist Peter Frampton and even Van Halen bass player Michael Anthony.
Zaza has found a niche with regional holiday shows. For One Silent Night, which debuted in 2001, he fuses holiday classics with rock anthems — like a mashup of “What Child is This?” and Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” One Dark Night, which started in 2018, spotlights macabre dancers, costumed actors, singers and more as Zaza plays Gothic songs like Chopin’s “Funeral March” and Blue Öyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.”
For Zaza — an artist who’s shaped the world of modern instrumental rock guitar with his trademark melodic style — music remains everything.
“Music is life. Music is my blood. It’s my power,” he says. “It’s helped me through the bad and good times. I couldn’t live without it.” //KP
See Him: One Dark Night, the Agora, Cleveland, Oct. 18; One Silent Night, Goodyear Theater, Akron, December; neilzaza.com
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Photos
Talia Hodge
By Kelly Petryszyn and Cameron Gorman
Listen In Keep an ear out for these exceptional 330 artists.
15 60 75 The Numbers Band
A legendary part of Northeast Ohio’s musical landscape, 15 60 75 The Numbers Band has been performing regularly since its inception — more than 50 years ago in the Kent area. Founded by guitarist and vocalist Bob Kidney (original members also include his brother, Jack Kidney, and Terry Hynde, brother of Chrissie of the Pretenders), the band’s style is exploratory and carefree. Distinctive influences for the experimental group include French poetry. Its music is emblematic of what became known as the “Akron Sound” — a blend of new wave and rock emanating from the Rubber City in the ’70s. The Numbers Band’s latest release, 2020’s “Endure: Outliers on Water Street,” continues that sound. One of the band’s best-known tracks, “Animal Speaks,” represents its essence: Featuring lyrics such as Know what I am. Alone, afraid and living fast as I can, it’s a heady blend of spokenword musings and sharp instrumentals.
See Them: Kent Rocks Music Fest, Venice Cafe, Kent, Sept. 13; G.A.R. Hall, Peninsula, Oct. 12; Jilly’s Music Room, Akron, Nov. 30; numbersband.com
Josee McGee
Singer-songwriter Josee McGee’s voice is clear and vulnerable — pushing to the forefront of her layered compositions. Like looking at life through a thin piece of lace, her work feels both grounded and dreamy. Raised in a musical environment (her stepgrandfather was a musical director, composer and band leader), the Canton native musician has performed at venues such as Crafted Artisan Meadery in Mogadore, Downtown Heck’s in Massillon and Old 97 Cafe in Akron. She has released two full albums, 2021’s “Tree Rings” and 2024’s “Weeper” — a clean, mirrorlike collection. With introspective lyrics and a folksy, organic sound, the opening track, “All Fine,” plunges fans into a world of contemplation: How do I pick up everything and move to a place where I don’t know anything to get some space from the only place I’ve ever been?
See Her: Kent Rocks Music Fest, The Battleground, Kent, Sept. 13, joseemcgeemusic.com
Justin Tibbs
A graduate of Firestone High School, Justin Tibbs is electric on the saxophone. Whether performing with his groups, JT’s Electrik Blackout and JT’s Spark Trio, or with numerous other local artists and ensembles — including Acid Cats, Free Black!, Angie Haze, Ryan Humbert, the Speedbumps and members of the Akron Symphony Orchestra — his smooth playing takes center stage. A cornerstone of the Akron jazz scene, Tibbs has performed all over the region, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to Lock 3 in Akron. Blackout’s latest release, a self-titled 2022 album, features Akronite Tommy Lehman on trumpet. Float through “A Funky Nightmare” and groove to the lengthy “Espada (Dance of the)” — an energetic, cool track that takes the listener through a winding, Spanish-inspired soundscape. A second Blackout album is planned for 2026. Look out for several upcoming projects from Tibbs, including “On The Edge,” an album featuring only saxophone and drums — set for release this year.
See Him: Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, Baxter’s Speakeasy, Akron, Sept. 7; House Three Thirty with Benny Lava & the Guavas, Akron, Oct. 5; justintibbsmusic.com
Photo provided by AKron Art Museum
Photo by Ashton Blake
Marc Lee Shannon
A guitarist for Michael Stanley and the Resonators for over 25 years, Akron native Marc Lee Shannon sings with heart, openly addressing everyday struggles and resilience — a Rust Belt troubadour. The singer-songwriter’s funky, soulful “Lucky 7” album, released in 2021, marks seven years of his sobriety from alcoholism. Produced by the Shootouts’ Ryan Humbert, it features, “Steady On,” a tribute to the late Stanley. Jam to the redemptive, horn-filled “I Quit You” and vibe to the bluesy, meditative “I Feel It.” Out Oct. 4, his new album, “My Other Brothers,” showcases collaborations with Red Wanting Blue drummer Dean Anshutz, Easton Union bassist Kurt Anshutz and guitarist and keys player Michael Weber Jr. It also includes the sweet “Easy and Slow,” about the rebirth of new love, and the inspirational single “Riser” — about the determination to keep going after falling down — out now.
See Him: Album release show, Rialto Theatre, Akron, Oct. 4, marcleeshannon.com
The Shootouts
With a No. 1 album on the Alt-Country Specialty chart, 2023’s “Stampede,” and five appearances at the famed Grand Ole Opry, the Shootouts have lassoed a spot among country legends. Blending Americana, honky tonk and western swing, “Stampede” is a full-energy ride — produced by Ray Benson, 10-time Grammy Award-winning frontman of Asleep at the Wheel. The Akron-area band’s third album features country greats, like hit singersongwriter Jim Lauderdale and guitarist and singer-songwriter Buddy Miller. The
Shootouts’ lead singer Ryan Humbert, backup vocalist Emily Bates, lead guitarist Brian Poston, drummer Mark Butto and bass player Kevin McManus show their lively, eclectic range on the swingin’ “One Step Forward,” featuring Asleep at the Wheel. “I’ll Never Need Anyone More” showcases soaring harmonies by the Mavericks’ Raul Malo and was written by late local legend Michael Stanley. Saddle up for the group’s fourth album, featuring Mickey Raphael, a harmonica player for Willie Nelson, and seminal mandolinist Sam Bush, in early 2025.
See Them: Fall Arts & Crafts Festival, Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market, Hartville, Sept. 28; Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, Oct. 25; shootoutsmusic.com
Anthony on lead guitar, Rick Deak on rhythm guitar and an up to nine-piece lineup — including a horn section — the Vindys’ soaring, slinky rock and explosive performances are here to stay.
See Them: Kent Stage, Kent, Oct. 4, thevindys.com
The Vindys
Theron Brown
That girl can sing her ass off! Pat Benatar has gushed about Jackie Popovec, the powerhouse lead vocalist of Youngstown’s soulful rock band the Vindys. They recently crossed the country on their first national tour, opening for Benatar and Neil Giraldo. The band’s anthem “Are You Ready” has rocked the Pittsburgh Steelers arena, and the video for the hypnotic “Bugs” was screened at the Tribeca Festival. (It’s since garnered over 78,000 YouTube views.) The Vindys are working on a new album. Their latest single, “Elton Glasses Baby,” shimmers with vintage pop glow and assured declarations: They wanna convince us to come down off of the edge. But I feel more alive than I have ever been. With John
Akron’s ambassador of jazz, Theron Brown has risen to the forefront of the genre in Northeast Ohio and beyond. On piano, he’s precise, innovative and surprising. Born in Zanesville, Brown began playing drums at age 5 and piano at 8. Today, he’s the leader of the Theron Brown Trio, a charismatic jazz group featuring Zaire Darden on drums and Jordan McBride on bass, and has played high-profile gigs such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Sapporo Concert Hall in Japan. He’s even branched into acting — landing a role as a young Herbie Hancock in the 2016-released film “Miles Ahead,” starring Don Cheadle — and leadership, as founder and artistic director of the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival. A co-chair and professor for The University of Akron’s jazz studies department, Brown released “No Concepts,” in 2019 and recently debuted a solo piano album, “Spirit Fruit,” available for streaming now. Inspired by Bible scripture on the fruits of the spirit and produced by Grammy Award-winning artist Kamau Kenyatta, “Fruit” explores themes of love, joy, peace and faith.
See Him: Ohio release show, Steinway Piano Gallery Cleveland, Boston Heights, Oct. 11, theron.live
Photo by Michalski Photo and Film
Photo by Tylar Calhoun
Photo by Jessica Anshutz
Photo by Jamie Escola
Kitchen Aid
Gourmet food store Nibble is a destination for home cooks.
Featuring 40 flavors of fudge from Farmhouse Fudge in Utah, honey from Willow Run Apiary in Medina and other unique items from small U.S. companies, Nibble in Medina offers up specialty culinary items for the inspired home chef.
“We are an eclectic shop for the foodie,” says owner Melissa Ziogas, who also owns the Raspberry and the Rose boutique. “You’re gonna see some unusual things in our shop that you won’t find in other places.”
Uncover TikTok famous Bones Coffee Co.’s Electric Unicorn fruity cereal blend, Terrapin Ridge Farms’ bacon aioli, a Taylor Swift-inspired Karma mug, a toadstool cookie jar, PS Seasoning’s Cock-A-Doodle Brew beer can chicken rub and more distinct items in the 4,400-square-foot shop. Browse a variety of cocktail mixers, spirit flavor infusion kits, beer and wine making kits, breadmaking kits, various spices and sauces (including several hot sauces), pasta of all kinds and over 30 types of pickles. Plus, find books, games, decor, accessories and toys — products such as a whiskey-themed board game and a melamine cheese dish make perfect gifts.
Ziogas launched Nibble in late 2017, wanting to fill a niche by providing the area with specialty foods and culinary supplies. Sales soared during the pandemic, while everyone cooked at home.
“We happened to be in the niche at the right time. … People were after supplies and different things you just can’t get at normal groceries,” she says. “The different loves and hobbies people developed during the pandemic I think carried on.”
For fall, find new pumpkin-flavored pasta from Valente Market, a family-owned company based in Virginia. This packaged fettuccine is made with pumpkin powder, imbuing it with an autumnal taste.
{ by Molly Hoffer, with additional reporting by Samuel Grom, photos by Deana Petersen }
Melissa Ziogas
Above: Willow Run Apiary honey, Below: Hepp’s Salt Co. seasonings
“Come Sept. 1, people are going to turn to pumpkin spice everything,” Ziogas says.
Nibble also engages community members through events, such as Ladies Night Out meetups in Medina on select Thursday evenings — including Oct. 17. These lighthearted gatherings include appetizers and cocktail samples, drawing in women of all ages.
The store has ignited passion in aspiring home cooks. Amber Kosek, an employee who has worked for Ziogas for over 10 years, says she’s seen several customers excited to peruse Nibble’s eclectic inventory.
“Many people who have already been cooking or are chefs come in and go crazy over this store,” she says.
229 S. Court St., Medina, 330-952-1200, facebook.com/ nibblemedina
{ By Madeline Myers, photos provided by Main Street Wadsworth and by Deana Petersen }
Brush with History
Artists highlight the past with vibrant downtown Wadsworth murals.
When artist Paulette Grubb set out to paint murals for downtown Wadsworth, she knew she wanted to pay homage to the city’s rich history. The Wadsworth resident was inspired by grainy black-and-white photos the town’s bicentennial committee had shown her.
“A lot of people don’t see them,” she says of the photos. “It’s interesting to be able to look down an alley and see glimpses of history.”
Grubb’s seven acrylic paintings were transferred onto alley walls on High Street by the Sub Station in 2019 and 2020. The historic murals depict grocery and shoe repair downtown storefronts; the entrance to the SilverCreek Mine, responsible for bringing booming business to Wadsworth; an electric interurban trolley, which connected Wadsworth, Barberton and Akron; the still-standing First Christian Church where President James Garfield recruited soldiers for the Civil War; the Kreider Hotel, where presidents William McKinley and Warren Harding stayed; and a portrait of a group
of elite Wadsworth businessmen and politicians called the Cracker Barrel crowd — who held meetings in a downtown alley. Grubb used her realistic artistic style to bring 19th-century photos to life.
Her murals have received lots of love from visitors looking to learn more about the history of their hometown. “What’s really rewarding to me is to hear the comments and the appreciation,” she says. “It makes my time worthwhile ’cause I enjoy doing it for Wadsworth.”
Along with commemorating historic locations, Grubb’s paintings celebrate Wadsworth community members of the past and present.
“I showed ... J.D. Rockefeller and his wife, Laura,” she says. “I also added my daughter and two grandchildren in the streetcar and a few other people from Wadsworth to get likenesses of some of the historical people that were actually there but also include a little bit of humor in it too.”
Grubb’s murals are part of the Art Mural Project from Main Street Wadsworth, launched in 2018. In 2019, artist Ben Schuh’s mural, titled “Iconic Wadsworth,” was installed on Main Street. It features an image of the city’s former Ohio Match Co., which made iconic
Cardinal bird and flowers, Anón
Above: First Christian Church, Paulette Grubb, photo by Deana Petersen, Below: Albert Ayler with flowers, Anón
blue-tip matches, as well as the historic Ohio Injector Co. and Wadsworth Salt Co.
In 2021, artist Tim Carmany’s 100-plus-foot space-themed mural was splashed across two sides of the alley on Broad Street. It depicts images of shuttles built from parts produced by aeronautics companies headquartered in Wadsworth — and Wadsworth native astronaut Mike Foreman. The piece features a 3D American flag and Edison bulb string lights, which illuminate it at night. In 2022, artist duo Anón’s two murals were added, both capturing moving images. On North Lyman Street, one mural portrays a red cardinal emerging from cardinal flowers. Ohio’s state bird is rendered in midflight, showing the awe of first spotting this marvelous animal. On College Street, another mural depicts Cleveland area jazz legend Albert Ayler playing
the saxophone. Native flowers flow from his instrument, evoking a visual dance. In 2023, six murals were added on College, High and Main streets. Created by Allison Pence Art, these photo-op friendly winged pieces span from angel and butterfly wings to feathered and floral wings.
The murals create hometown pride. Grubb is happy to do her part for the city that has made her who she is today — and that’s deeply entwined in her daily life, as she’s volunteered for the Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club, the Shade Tree Commission and the bicentennial committee.
“Wadsworth’s been really good to us. We’ve been here for over 30 years,” she says. “I just wanted to give back to the community.”
Medina’s Annual Fall Festival
Immerse yourself in the colors, scents and avors of autumn while enjoying fun seasonal activities! Medina’s Fall Festival takes place on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Medina’s Public Square. It is sponsored by Lit Fiber Medina. Enjoy a hay maze, puppy parade, petting zoo, farmers market, cra vendors, Americana music and several food trucks. More activities include a chili cooko , pumpkin painting, face painting, balloon art, carnival games, pony rides, apple art and more! Medina is only 30 minutes from Akron!
Public Square, Medina mainstreetmedina.com facebook.com/mainstreetmedina
Medina County District Library
Medina County District Library’s six locations and bookmobile serve patrons of all ages and in all stages of life. From story time and STEAM events for kids to writing groups for teens — and a myriad of book clubs and author events for adults — there’s something for everyone. Engage in genealogy and local history research by attending an event or preserving photo and video memories in the digital lab. Host your event in the library’s meeting rooms, apply for a passport or get creative in our makerspace. Medina County District Library is here for you.
Main Library
210 S. Broadway St., Medina 330-722-0588 mcdl.info
Space-themed mural, Tim Carmany
Cracker Barrel crowd, Paulette Grubb, photo by Deana Petersen
Out & About
Breeze by lakes, wildlife and forests at these Medina County parks.
Brunswick Lake Park
Find maple, oak, beech and ash trees, including some that are over 200 years old, in this over 79-acre park that is complete with a nature center. Explore a looped 1-mile paved trail or a 0.5-mile-plus natural trail that winds through wetlands. Keep your eyes peeled for critters like mink, turtles and frogs. You can also take in scenic views of the 13.2-acre Brunswick Lake while walking or biking on the encircling paved trail, which includes two wooden boardwalks. 1473 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick
Buckeye Woods Park
Named after the buckeye trees along the Schleman Nature Preserve stream, the approximately 392-acre Buckeye Woods Park is one of the largest in the Medina County Park District. There’s a little something for all ages, including soccer and softball fields, a picnic area with grills to barbecue, two playgrounds, three easy trails and a 3-acre fishing pond. It’s just a short walk across a bridge to enjoy two wooded trails through the Schleman Nature Preserve, where you can find pine trees, buckeyes and one of the oldest trees in the park district — a huge, awe-inspiring burr oak. 6335 Wedgewood Road, Medina
Hubbard Valley Park
This park was created around the Hubbard Valley Dam. Canoe or fish in the 21-acre lake. Hike the half-mile Sugar Woods Loop and 1.25-mile Trillium Trail, which offers chances to see wildlife in the woods. The park has picnic tables, a playground and a sledding hill. 8600 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville
Lake Medina
It’s all about water here — the lake makes up 105 of the park’s 233 acres and welcomes fishing and canoeing. Those wanting to stay on land can still enjoy lake views from a gravel or a paved trail. If you take the latter option, explore the 1.4-mile Greenway Trail to marvel at the bounty of sycamore and willow trees overhead. Return in the winter for cross-country skiing. 3733 Granger Road, Medina
Letha House Park West
Hike into the mature woods to see pawpaw trees, drop a line in a deepwater pond or observe wetland wildlife. There’s also a trail for equestrians to trot along and a playground for children to enjoy. This park becomes even more magical at night with an observatory operated by the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association. Come out Sept. 14 and Oct. 5 for a public viewing of the stunning night sky. 5800 Richman Road, Spencer
medinacountyparks.com
{ by Nora Vinson, Buckeye Woods Park photo by Deana Petersen }
Top: Floral wings, Allison Pence Art
Middle: Feathered peacock wings, Allison Pence Art
Below: Light ray wings, Allison Pence Art
From the Source
At 63 Corks restaurant, taste true farm-to-table ingredients.
Experience the breadth of foods Ohio brings to the table at 63 Corks, where 75 percent of the ingredients are locally sourced. Since opening in December 2022, the Strasburg restaurant — which boasts a chef’s table and a rentable wine tasting room — has been proudly serving up the best of Amish Country and beyond.
“We have local honey from a lady 5 miles down the road,” says Nathan Kelly, who coowns 63 Corks with his wife, Maggie. “Our beef is from 10 miles from the restaurant. … We make our own butter.”
In addition to working with several local purveyors, 63 Corks forages its own morel and chanterelle mushrooms from the nearby Harrison State Forest and surrounding areas. Ramps are another Ohio delicacy — 63 Corks has harvested 500 pounds of the plants this year. They’re turned into pesto for dishes like ramp pasta or dried to make salt.
While 63 Corks had a slow first year, it is now TikTok famous. Thanks to a rave May 2024 video — seen over 1.8 million times — from viral Canton-based food reviewer Dereck Malone (@snipingfordom), 63 Corks now flips its 60-seat restaurant nearly three times each evening. Patrons from 44 states have been flocking to the business to try its highly praised local dishes.
“We’re meeting farmers,” says Kelly. “We’re bridging relationships to highlight the most local and fresh food we can find.”
[ by Deana Petersen, photos provided by 63 Corks ]
63 Corks offers modern American dishes with Appalachian roots — like honeyand-thyme-marinated Amish chicken ($29), bourbon peach tea-braised pork belly ($32) and house-made lobster agnolotti, which is sweet corn pasta filled with ricotta and lobster ($37).
Try the 9185 house pork chop ($36), featuring a 14-ounce heritage pork chop from Smith Family Farm, located in St. Clairsville. It’s paired with fermented pepper barbecue sauce (made from peppers grown at 63 Corks), Amish Country sweet potato fries, colorful wax beans from the Marietta area and house-made peach kimchi. The dish has received gushing praise.
“I was kissed on the side of the neck,” says Kelly, “by a grown man for his pork chop!”
The Appalachian short rib ($36) also leaves an impression. The short rib — a certified native feed product — is sourced from the Ashland and Wooster area. It’s braised with whiskey and molasses and paired with Ohio green beans and aged cheddar grits, which are made with heirloom tomatoes grown on-site. The dish is drenched in a red-eye demi-glace.
“We actually take our own beef bones, we roast those down and make demi-glace,” says Kelly. “Then we highlight that with country ham, bacon fat and coffee and turn that into a classic southern Appalachian-style gravy.”
But 63 Corks doesn’t stop there — it utilizes locally sourced ingredients in its cocktails. The feisty, floral Queen Bee ($14) is composed of edible flowers — grown on-site and frozen in ice — grapefruit juice, gin, Cointreau, a mix of jalapenos from the restaurant’s on-site garden and Strasburg honey.
“It’s a gin cocktail with a little bit of heat on the back of it,” Kelly says. “People that had it — they’re kind of blown away by it.”
In addition, the smoked cherry old-fashioned ($14) is made of Buffalo Trace bourbon, fresh muddled cherries, pecan bitters and house-smoked oranges. To top this concoction off, 63 Corks makes its own Luxardo-style cherries — and, impressively, serves the drink smoked.
During his visit, Malone and his dining companion watched the kitchen team make focaccia from scratch, enjoying it with whipped ricotta. After trying pork belly, scallops, a veal chop and more, the reviewer — whose TikTok account nets about 15 million monthly total views — ended his meal exclaiming that 63 Corks is his favorite restaurant in Ohio.
In his TikTok, he looks sincerely at the camera. “I’m telling you right now,” he says, “run to this place.”
9185 state Route 250 NW, Strasburg, 330-878-4050, 63corks.com
[ by Cameron Gorman, photos provided by Guggisberg Swiss Inn ]
Alpine Stay
Guggisberg Swiss Inn o ers the respite of a simpler life.
Horses meander a 5-plus-acre property dotted with gazebos as swans and ducks glide through a picturesque pond. At Guggisberg Swiss Inn, located in Amish Country’s Millersburg, there’s an idyllic, pastoral spirit in the air.
Julia Guggisberg owns the 23-room inn along with her husband, Eric — whose family hails from Bern, Switzerland. Its comfort-
ably rustic decor spotlights a cuckoo clock, bears and other Swiss design elements.
“In Switzerland, they have a flag for every county,” she says of Bern. “Their symbol for that county is the bear.”
The sprawling building is tucked away from the main road, creating a sense of tranquil isolation — perfect for quiet getaways or intimate, small weddings of under 100 people. It’s precisely what the owners wanted to cultivate when they opened their doors in 1993. Both locals, Eric — a member of the well-known Guggisberg family, which cre-
ates Amish Country’s baby Swiss cheese — and Julia aimed to capture a sense of peace.
“We enjoy meeting new people and making them happy,” Julia says. “They’re coming to Amish Country, so our goal has always been to make it a comfortable stay.”
Experience local live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays, including musician Songbird Ohio and singer-songwriter Barefoot McCoy. Feast on a from-scratch breakfast featuring biscuits, gravy and cheesy potato casserole, made each morning by Julia. Afterward, take in your calming surroundings.
“We’ve tried really hard to make it a very relaxing atmosphere,” Julia says. “We have a lot of outside furniture so that people can enjoy it.”
Besides lodging, the grounds also feature riding stables and Doughty Glen Winery. Opened in 2013, the winery’s tasting counter is in the inn’s lobby. It boasts nine varieties, made on-site by the Guggisbergs’ daughter, Brittania — including popular offerings such as pink Catawba and concord.
The Amish Country Riding Stables, opened in 1998, are home to around 20 foundation quarter horses, most born there.
“We’re known for the horses roaming the grounds,” Julia says. “We have a field in the back where people can go up to the fence line and pet them, and sometimes they just decide they want to go down and say Hi to the people.”
The horses can be ridden, weather permitting and by reservation, from May to October. Guests ages 8 to 70 can journey down trails on guided horseback rides. Those who do are afforded glimpses of Doughty Valley, open fields, woods and vineyards.
“They’re incredibly majestic, and yet they serve man,” Eric says. “Their large presence just calms people.”
From its serenity to its easily accessible attractions, a weekend spent at Guggisberg Swiss Inn is rejuvenating.
“They’re coming in for rest and relaxation more than anything,” Julia says of her guests. “It’s very restful here.”
5025 state Route 557, Millersburg, 330-893-3600, guggisbergswissinn.com
Lehman’s Legacy
Lehman’s was founded by Jay Lehman (1929-2020) to serve the Amish community in Northeast Ohio. Jay greatly admired the Amish — their agrarian way of life and knowledge of practical, hands-on skills.
The Lehman’s store opened in 1955, with only one employee — Jay. He stocked Lehman’s with wood heating and cooking stoves, oil lamps, hand tools and water pumps. Jay, who spoke fluent Pennsylvania Dutch, would often drive out to Amish farms in his pickup truck, looking for new products. He knew that without products to sustain their connection to the land, Amish traditions would be hard to maintain. His mission became making the old-fashionedyet-brand-new products used daily by the Amish and other local farmers available. He wanted to preserve the past for future generations.
While non-Amish shoppers now make up 90 percent of Lehman’s base, the business keeps the skills of the Amish — leather working, iron working, woodworking, sewing and craftsmanship — alive. Today, in 2024, Lehman’s is still helping the Amish maintain their way of life — and offering the tried-and-true products they have been using for generations.
Don’t miss these alpine attractions while visiting Amish Country.
Alpine Hills Museum
While enjoying Sugarcreek, Ohio’s Little Switzerland, get to know its past at the Alpine Hills Museum. The area was a popular landing spot for Swiss, German and Amish immigrants, a fact that’s reflected in the village’s culture — and at this museum, founded in 1976. Peruse artifacts, including clothing items, books, cheesemaking tools and photographs — as well as audio-visual displays. Walk through exhibits simulating an 1895 firehouse, an 1800s Swiss cheese house, a 19th-century Amish kitchen, a blacksmith shop and more. 106 W. Main St., Sugarcreek, 330-852-4113, alpinehillssugarcreek.com
Guggisberg Cheese
In the 1940s, Alfred and Margaret Guggisberg left Switzerland and immigrated to Ohio — quickly finding a place in the land of opportunity. Using American milk and keeping the more sensitive stateside palate in mind, Alfred developed a new, subtler kind of cheese based on his homeland’s best-known offering: baby Swiss. It’s a creamier, milder version of the mainstay. Guggisberg Cheese, founded in 1950, is now world-famous. At the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest, Guggisberg’s Ziller and smoked Swiss took first place. Take home a block to taste Switzerland. 5060 state Route 557, Millersburg, 330-893-2500, babyswiss.com
photos by Kenny Coblentz
photos provided by Guggisberg Cheese
The Ohio Swiss Festival
Ladies in long red skirts, black vests and lacy headpieces. The rich aroma of cheese. Yodeling voices and polka music. Though visitors to Little Switzerland find themselves surrounded by Swiss heritage all year, it’s during the Ohio Swiss Festival, from Sept. 26 to 28, that the spot truly comes to life. Since 1953, Sugarcreek has hosted this all-out celebration of Swiss culture. Featuring live music — including the simultaneous sounds of alphorns, long wooden instruments — wine and cheese tastings, contests such as a Little Swiss Miss pageant and parades, it transports visitors to an alpine village. Don’t miss a traditional game of Steinstossen, in which contestants compete to throw a stone weighing up to 138 pounds the furthest. Sugarcreek, ohioswissfestival.com
Swiss Heritage Winery
After sampling signature cheeses at the neighboring Broad Run Cheesehouse, stop by Swiss Heritage Winery for the perfect complement. Opened in 2002 by Broad Run’s founders, Hans and Nancy Schindler, the winery is still family-run today. Over 20 varietals of wine are made on-site, including fruit and berry wines, white wines and red wines — aged in oak barrels for around six
months. Its Dog Gone Good red wine won two platinum awards at the 2018 international Monterey Wine Competition, edging out California wineries. Swiss Heritage wines are sweeter — Ohio’s climate, like Germany’s, is conducive to more sugary grapes. Try the Dutch apple, rhubarb strawberry, red raspberry or cranberry cherry — Hans’ favorite blend. The latter’s bottle depicts the founder in traditional Swiss garb, honoring his heritage. 6011 Old Route 39 NW, Dover, 330-343-3884, swissheritagewinery.com
Towering Cuckoo Clock
Though the cuckoo clock may be emblematic of Swiss culture, one need not travel overseas to see one of the world’s largest examples. A working cuckoo clock, over 23 feet tall and 24 feet wide, graces the center of Sugarcreek’s Swiss Village. Its construction, beginning in 1963, took 12 years to complete and cost $50,000. By 2007, it had been restored — and, by 2012, it had moved to its current home. Surrounded by a small garden, it chimes every half hour, triggering a miniature polka band to appear beside a rotating water wheel. A bell sounds and a cuckoo bird flaps its wings. Jolly Swiss music plays as mechanized musicians mime along — providing a tune for a small dancing couple. 100 N. Broadway St., Sugarcreek, visitsugarcreek.com
photos by
Bev Keller
photo provided by the Ohio Swiss Festival committee
[ by Cameron Gorman ]
Health Check
It’s important to understand your rights and protections under Medicare.
One of the most essential things a new Medicare beneficiary can do — besides reading the handbook — is to brush up on the program’s rights and protections, according to Francine Chuchanis, Direction Home Akron Canton’s director of entitlement rights.
“They need to know their rights so that they can obtain the covered benefits they have under the law and the benefits that they need to maintain their health,” Chuchanis says.
Direction Home, a nonprofit that assists older adults and those with disabilities in Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties, makes teaching the Medicare community about those rights and protections part of its mission. Each year, the organization provides a free seminar on enrollment, coverage selection, legislative initiatives, protections and rights. This year’s event is set for Oct. 21, during Medicare open enrollment — Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
Before you can understand your rights and protections, however, you must understand the differences between Medicare plans — chiefly original Medicare (which includes Part A, hospital insurance, and Part B, medical insurance) and Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C, a
Medicare-approved private plan). You are first eligible to enroll in Medicare parts A and B three months before you turn 65 through three months after this birthday. Once you obtain this coverage, you may be eligible to switch to Medicare Part C. The protections and rights a beneficiary is afforded can depend on which route they’ve chosen.
“Traditional Medicare is where you use your red, white and blue card,” says Chuchanis. “Under traditional Medicare, you can go to any Medicare provider in the United States, but there aren’t a lot of extra benefits that you might have when you join a Medicare Advantage plan, like dental coverage, vision coverage, going to a gym.”
Medicare Advantage plans do offer those additional benefits — but can require prior authorizations for some services.
“Under traditional Medicare, that is not the case. … You don’t have to go through that process,” she explains. “The biggest difference is the provider network. Typically, in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may have to only use their in-network providers or pay a little bit more if they allow you to go out of network.”
Those with original Medicare may need to supplement with a Medicare Part D plan, which helps with the cost of prescription drugs. (Medicare Advantage usually includes drug coverage.)
“Every year, they should look at their coverage. They should make a list of the
medications that they take and the dosages,” Chuchanis says. “If they start there, they can go online, and they could compare what they would spend for traditional Medicare with a Part D plan and what they would spend under a Medicare Advantage plan.”
Only original Medicare users can add supplemental private insurance — also known as Medigap — to help pay extra costs. The open enrollment period for Medigap begins the first month a beneficiary 65 or older has Medicare Part B.
“Supplemental insurance is private insurance people buy to cover the cost gaps in traditional Medicare,” Chuchanis explains. “Supplemental plans will cover the out-ofpocket expenses incurred under traditional Medicare.”
Additionally, emergency care in the United States is generally covered by both original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.
Once a plan type has been selected, it’s important to make sure you know what is entitled to you — that knowledge could be key to your well-being.
All Medicare Plans
There are some rights and protections afforded to all Medicare recipients, regardless of the plan they choose. One right is to be treated with courtesy and respect.
“Every Medicare beneficiary has the right to be spoken to by plan representatives and
all Medicare providers in a courteous manner and to have their questions answered honestly regarding coverage,” Chuchanis explains. “I have had individuals call me who feel they’ve called Medicare and not gotten … an appropriate response. It is a right — they can call Medicare back and file a grievance.”
The ability to file a grievance — a complaint about a plan or the quality of care or services obtained from a Medicare provider, including (but not limited to) a doctor or hospital — is another broad right. You can get a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to assist in the filing process, which shifts depending on the complaint type.
All people receiving Medicare are protected from discrimination.
“Medicare recipients should receive the same equitable treatment by all Medicare providers and be able to receive all medically necessary covered services,” says Chuchanis. “This includes receiving information in a language that is understandable. That could even
include receiving information in Braille, larger print or sign language.”
Beneficiaries have the right to receive easyto-understand information about Medicare, including what is covered, how much they have to pay, what Medicare pays for covered elements and how to file a complaint or appeal. They’re also entitled to get Medicare-related questions answered — by calling the Medicare ombudsman program, Medicare itself or trained Medicare counselors through the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program. They should be participating fully in decisions regarding their health care.
“When somebody loses capacity, or assigns another person to act on their behalf, or if a person has a guardian or other legal authority — that’s the only time when another individual should be making a decision for a Medicare beneficiary,” she explains.
It’s important to note that all beneficiaries have a right to their personal and health
information’s privacy. This information should only be available to the beneficiary or their legal representative. Any records used in decision-making fall under the right to privacy, including enrollment information, billing information and medical and case management records. Those on Medicare can receive a copy of their medical record from any Medicare provider, but they must be prepared to pay a fee.
Original Medicare
As mentioned previously, those on original Medicare may go to any provider participating in Medicare in the country. If a service, supply, drug or item is not covered by Medicare, those on the original plan should first receive an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage. This notifies the person that Medicare won’t cover the service, supply, item or drug.
If someone on original Medicare is denied coverage, there are five steps to the appeals process: First, a redetermination by a
Make Yourself at Home
Medicare Administrative Contractor; second, in Ohio, a reconsideration by a Quality Improvement Organization; third, an appeal to the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals; fourth, a Medicare Appeals Council review; and, finally, a judicial review.
“Most appeals don’t go past the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals,” says Chuchanis. “Regular appeals will take 30 days for services, 60 days for billing. … They can request what’s called an expedited appeal, and those will be responded to within 72 hours.”
Those on original Medicare should also receive quarterly statements about their coverage and payment, called a Medicare Summary Notice. (Those with Part D plans should also expect monthly statements.)
Medicare Advantage
Since those with Medicare Advantage have the right to choose a provider within the plan’s network, it’s key to understand your plan type. If the plan is a Health Maintenance Organization,
the beneficiary should generally use the providers in network. Under a Preferred Provider Organization plan, recipients may be able to go out of the network but will likely pay more.
“If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan that only allows you to go to the in-network providers and you go to an out-of-network provider,” Chuchanis warns, “you will be responsible for the bill.”
Those on Medicare Advantage also have the right to obtain a treatment plan from a doctor and may receive statements about what is covered.
If coverage is denied, beneficiaries can appeal the decision. Under Medicare Advantage, someone can first ask for a reconsideration by the plan.
“If the plan still denies it, then it goes to, again, the Quality Improvement Organization.
So somebody outside the plan is reviewing it, and they will give a response,” Chuchanis says.
The final three phases of the appeals process are the same as the steps for beneficiaries with original Medicare.
Medicare can be confusing — doubly so when considering the differences between plans. Your rights and protections, however, are worth the time it takes to understand them. Make sure you read your handbook and evidence of coverage notice to see a full listing of your rights and protections under Medicare.
Clarifying Care
Learn how a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman can help you.
If you have questions about your plan, you may be pointed to a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman. This is a person hired by Medicare to assist beneficiaries with questions, complaints and the understanding of their rights and protections.
“It’s a helpline through Medicare itself,” Chuchanis says.
An ombudsman can assist with the filing of grievances and appeals. So, who might benefit from calling a Medicare ombudsman?
“Anybody who has questions about their coverage or any denials that they might have received. … Or if they have complaints against Medicare,” she says. “Sometimes denials from Medicare can be incorrect. An outside, independent authority might be needed to review that decision.”
Though Chuchanis is an ombudsman through MyCare Ohio, she does not work for Medicare. Depending on the information the beneficiary would like to discuss, speaking to someone outside of Medicare is another option.
“We consider ourselves to be independent advocates,” Chuchanis says. “We’re not a government agency. We do receive state and federal funds, but I’m not paid by the government, so I tell people the truth.”
For more info, contact Direction Home Akron Canton, 1949 Town Park Blvd., Uniontown, 800-421-7277, dhad.org
$$
$$$ average entrees between $11-$16
$$$$ average entrees are $17 or higher
Information subject to change. Please call ahead to verify location, hours and events.
Akron Family Restaurant Neighborhood meeting place, homey atmosphere, reasonable prices. 250 W. Market St., Akron, 330-376-0600 $$ B, L, D, T, W
Aladdin’s Eatery Outdoor dining area, tasty Mediterranean cuisine. 782 W. Market St., Akron, 330-535-0110; 1991 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-4640; 44 Park Lane, Hudson 330-656-0560; 3895 Medina Road, Fairlawn, 330-665-3102 $$$ L, D, A, T, W
Al’s Corner Restaurant Old World comfort food served cafeteria style. Cabbage rolls and sausage made locally are a favorite. 155 Second St. NW, Barberton, 330-475-7978 $$ L, T, W
Alexander Pierce Restaurant Fine dining menu of steaks, house-made pastas, calamari misto and cavatelli alla vodka in an intimate speakeasy-style atmosphere. 797 E. Market St., Akron, 330-529-2003 $$$ D, A, P
Arcadia Grille Authentic Italian cuisine with pasta and chops. Breakfast served Sat. and Sun. A local favorite for more than 85 years. 321 Court Ave. NW, Canton, 330-454-6055 $$ B, L, D, A, W
Barley House Hot and cold deli sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, soups and more. 222 S. Main St., Akron, 330-374-0925 $$ L, D, A, T, W
Basil Asian Bistro Menu features Thai, Chinese and Korean dishes, as well as sushi and Vietnamese specialties. 585 Market Ave. N, Canton, 330-4523888; 145 W Liberty St., Wooster, 330601-0885 $$$ L, D, A, T, W
The Battleground Authentic Mexican food in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. It specializes in tortillas
Restaurants
[ notable food & drink ]
and salsa that are made fresh daily. Guests can enjoy street tacos, pozole, carnitas and delicious flan for dessert. 425 Cherry St., Kent, 330548-9019 $$$ B, L, D, T, A, P
Beau’s Grille Well-regarded, innovative menu at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. 3180 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330867-5218 $$$$ B, L, D, A, T, W, P
Beau’s on the River Stunning views of the falls with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary decor. Fusion eclectic cuisine, lunch bu et and Sun. brunch. Sheraton Suites Akron Cuyahoga Falls, 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-920-7530 $$$ B, L, D, A, T, W
The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard Situated on a 55-acre estate in a renovated historic barn that overlooks a beautiful lake. Serving rustic Italian fare using only fresh and seasonal ingredients. 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330-497-1000 $$$ L, D, A
The Bistro of Green An upscale dining establishment with a diverse menu that features some of Akron’s finest cuisine and gluten-free options made from fresh ingredients. Has a large selection of wine, beer and cocktails, and the inviting atmosphere o ers a memorable experience. 3459 Massillon Road, Uniontown, 330-896-1434 $$$$ D, T, A
Bistro on Main House-made desserts, hand-cut steaks and fresh pasta. 1313 W. Main St., Kent, 330-673-9900 $$$ L, D, A, T, W
Block 7 Bar & Grill Fresh-ground burgers, unique sandwiches, onion rings and more. 524 W. Tuscarawas St., Barberton, 330-745-7677 $$ L, D, A, T, W
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern Creative American fare in six nature-inspired dining environments. Sun. brunch bu et. 8960 Wilcox Drive, Twinsburg, 330-486-2583 $$$$ L, D, A, T, W
Blue Door Cafe & Bakery Chef-driven sandwiches, quiche, crepes, housemade pastries and rotating specials made using local ingredients. Voted No. 1 brunch in Ohio. Drive-thru available. 1970 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-926-9774 $$$ B, L, T, A Berlin Farmstead Enjoy regionally-
inspired homestyle meals including the all-you-can-eat Barn Raising Bu et with mashed potatoes and a salad bar. 4757 Township Road 366, Berlin, 330-893-4600 $$ B, L, D, W, T
Bob’s Hamburg Classic family diner with a ordable favorites such as the BBQ Bonanza burger. 1351 East Ave., Akron, 330-253-2627; Inside Ray’s Pub, 801. W. Market St., Akron, 330805-1456 $ B, L, D, W, T
Bombay Sitar Fine Indian cuisine. Food is natural and prepared fresh daily. 5111 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, 330305-0671 $$ L, D, T, W
Bricco in Kent Menu is modeled a er the original Bricco in downtown Akron. A la carte brunch on Sun. 210 S. Depeyster St., Kent, 330-677-1335 $$$ L, D, A, T
Brew Wall Sample a vast amount of pour-it-yourself beers and wines while you nosh on wood-fired pizza and more from the crew behind Antonio’s Pizza. 3161 Heritage Center Drive, Copley, 330-576-6880 $$$ L, D, A, W, T
Brubaker’s Pub Specialty sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, appetizers and a full bar. Bottomless soup and salad special. 4005 Medina Road, Montrose, 330-666-8021; 5823 Darrow Road, Hudson, 330-650-9401; 3939 Massillon Road, Green, 330896-8803; 4141 Bridgewater Parkway, Stow, 330-475-1525 $$$ L, D, A, T, W
Burntwood Tavern Owned by the same couple that runs the other Burntwood locations, this restaurant’s menu features steaks, sliders, smoked, planked and woodgrilled food. 2291 Riverfront Parkway, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-794-7085; 4320 Everhard Road NW, Canton, 234-2099746; 3750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 234-466-7372 $$$$ L, D, A, T, W
The Cabin Upscale Italian within the Mario’s International Spa and Hotel complex. 35 E. Garfield Road, Aurora, 330-562-9171 $$$$ B, L, D, A, T
Cafe Bricco This menu is a smaller version of the one at the original Bricco location downtown. DoubleTree Hotel, 3150 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-835-2203 $$$ B, L, D, A, T
Cafe Tandoor Casual atmosphere, Indian
cuisine. 96 Barrington Town Center, Aurora, 330-562-5334
$$$ L, D, A, T
Cana Valley Winery Check out this winery’s 13 varieties. Bring in your own food. 5665 Waterloo Road, Atwater, 330-596-3017 $$$$ D, A Casa Del Rio Mexican dining. 839 High St., Wadsworth, 330-335-4001; Express location, 2927 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-849-5160 $$ L, D, A, T
The Crush House at Gervasi Vineyard A modern industrial building that houses a state-of-the-art winery facility, wine bar and eatery. Perfect for a fun lunch, casual dinner or late snack. 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330497-1000, ext. 5 $$ L, D, A
D’Agnese’s at White Pond Akron Contemporary Italian food served in a classy yet casual setting. Live entertainment. Full service catering. 566 White Pond Drive, Akron, 234678-3612 $$$ L, D, A, T, P
D.B.A., Dante Boccuzzi Akron Modern American food in a rock ‘n’ roll palace setting. Several menu items can be ordered in varied portion sizes, based on your appetite. Vegetarian and vegan options available. Order a drink and relax on the restaurant’s spacious patio. 21 Furnace St., Akron, 330-375-5050 $$$$ D, A, T, V, P
Desert Inn Family-owned since 1970. Specializes in family-style shish kebabs. 204 12th St. NW, Canton, 330-456-1766 $$$$ L, D, A
Downtown 140 New American cuisine using as few ingredients as possible to make an impact and keep clean flavors on the menu at this finedining establishment. 140 N. Main St., Hudson, 330-655-2940 $$$$ L, D, A
Eadie’s Fish House Bar & Grill All kinds of seafood, including fried alligator bites, lobster tail and homemade crab cakes. 6616 Wise Ave. NW, North Canton, 330-494-4000 $$$ L, D, A, T
Eddy’s Deli and Restaurant Try the banana split wa le, a corned beef sandwich or chicken paprikash. 2655 Oakwood Drive, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-7489; 4581 Kent Road, Stow, 330-346-0551 $$ B, L, D, T
Edgar’s Restaurant Serves a variety of entrees, such as chargrilled grouper,
UNTAPPED
by Aaron Fowler
Leaf Season Libations
Knock back these alternative alcoholic drinks this autumn.
1911 ESTABLISHED’S CANDY CORN HARD CIDER
If cider is your speed this autumn, New York’s 1911 Established produces arguably one of the most unique offerings on shelves. This month sees the release of its Candy Corn hard cider ($11.99, fourpack 16-ounce cans) — perfect for those with a true sweet tooth. This cider expertly matches the taste of candy corn with a smooth vanilla finish.
REVOLUTION BREWING’S OKTOBERFEST
Chicago’s Revolution Brewing crafts one of the best American Oktoberfest brews available in the Buckeye State. This Märzen ($10.99, six-pack 12-ounce cans) is just what it should be — bready and subtly hoppy. Caramel malt flavors bring forth a well-crafted brew, ideal for September. Try it with a pretzel at your local celebration.
SHIPYARD BREWING CO.’S SMASHED PUMPKIN
While Shipyard Brewing Co.’s Pumpkinhead — a pumpkinflavored wheat ale — is its most popular option each fall,
the Maine brewery has also gained praise for its beer’s bigger and bolder sibling, Smashed Pumpkin ($15.99, four-pack 16-ounce cans). Coming in at a massive 9 percent alcohol by volume, Smashed Pumpkin erupts with essences of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. It’s pumpkin pie in a can.
STEVENS POINT
BREWERY’S COOKIES ‘N CREAM
Looking for a lighter, dessertstyle brew with all the right flavors? Stevens Point has just the beer for you. Cookies
‘N Cream ($9.99, six-pack 12-ounce bottles), a 5.5 percent alcohol by volume delight, hits the spot. Dark roasted malts balance expertly with vanilla and chocolate characteristics to create the ideal light-yet-flavorful stout for the season.
TWIN OAST BREWING’S SHIP BURNER
A fall beer list couldn’t be complete without a local favorite. Consistently making its presence known in northern Ohio, Twin Oast Brewing, a truly breathtaking destination brewery, is located on Catawba
Island — and makes some of the state’s best beers. Ship Burner ($10.99, four-pack 16-ounce cans), its year-round porter, boasts a blend of chocolate and coffee flavors that will please any admirers of the style.
Find these drinks at select Giant Eagle, Acme Fresh Market, Heinen’s, Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, Buehler’s Fresh Foods and Fishers Foods locations, as well as your finer craft beer stops throughout the state.
along with homemade soups, salads and starters. 530 Nome Ave. at Good Park Golf Course, Akron, 330-8693000 $$$ D, A, T
El Campesino Authentic Mexican cuisine. Carryout or delivery available. 4360 Kent Road, Stow, 330-686-5561; 9169 state Route 14, Streetsboro, 330-6269777; 4048 Lincoln Way E., Massillon, 330-477-8731 $$$ L, D, A, T
El Rincon Authentic Mexican cuisine. 720 S. Main St., North Canton, 330-4972229 $$ L, D, A, T
The Eye Opener Diner-style menu features jams and jellies from Crooked River Herb Farm. Upscale decor includes photos of historic Akron. 1688 W. Market St., Akron, 330-867-1114 $$ B, L, D, T
FlipSide Gourmet, Ohio-raised beef burgers with chef-cra ed condiments, toppings and sides; free-range organic chicken breast sandwiches; and market fresh salads. Cra beer on tap. 49 Village Way, Hudson, 330-655-3547 $$ L, D, A, T
Fred’s Diner Well-known North Hill stop for breakfast and lunch. 930 Home Ave., Akron, 330-535-3733 $ B, L, T
Guiseppe’s Pizza Family-owned pizzeria known for its Sicilian-style square pizza. 14 E. Caston Road, Akron, 330644-8842 $$ L, D, T
Honeymoon Grille Check out our new building: We even have patio seating! Portage Lakes neighborhood gathering place since 2013 that features made-to-order breakfast, lobster bisque, organic salads, handcut steaks, specialty sandwiches, fresh-ground burgers, colossal onion rings, hand-battered mushrooms and more. Catering menu and private room rental available. 3458 Manchester Road, Akron, 330-6444355 $$$ B, L, D, A, T
The Howlin Bird Features a menu full of chicken comfort food entrees as well as an apple spinach salmon salad and house burger. Brunch is served on weekends. 123 S. Main St., North Canton, 234-714-9000 $$$ B, L, D, T, A, P
Ido Bar & Grill Home of the beloved Ido Burger. An Akron tradition since World War II. 1537 S. Main St., Akron, 330-773-1724 $$$ L, D, A, T, P
The Jetty River Bar and Grill Located on the north end of the Sheraton Suites, it is a posh place to have dinner and a drink with a view. Choose from a menu of casual salads, flatbreads and small entrees. 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-920-7544 $$$ L, D, T, A, P
Jilly’s Music Room All gluten-free menu of creative American tapas in a sophisticated setting. Live music, concerts and events Wed. through Sat. 111 N. Main St., Akron, 330-5763757 $$, D, A, T, W
Jimmy’s Backyard BBQ A family-friendly restaurant known for award-winning baby back ribs. 526 Graham Road,
Cuyahoga Falls, 330-349-6949 $$ L, D, T
Kasai Japanese Restaurant Sushi, hibachi, noodles, don buri, agamono and more. Finish your meal with tempura cheesecake. 295 Weatherstone Drive, Wadsworth, 330-334-7141; 3875 Massillon Road, Suite 300, Uniontown, 330-899-9788 $$$ L, D, A, T
Ken Stewart’s Lodge Casual, Adirondackstyle atmosphere, eclectic cuisine. 1911 N. Cleveland Massillon Road, Bath, 330-666-8881 $$$$ D, A, T
Ken Stewart’s Tre Belle Italian atmosphere and authentic cuisine. Specialties include an antipasto bar, big drinks and an extensive wine list. 1911 N. Cleveland Massillon Road, Bath, 330-666-9990 $$$ D, A, V, T
Kingfish A posh yet sleek interior features the freshest seafood of North Coast. Dress is business casual. Reservations recommended. 115 Montrose West Ave., Copley. 330777-2005 $$$$ D, A
LagerHeads BBQ Smokehouse and Brewing Co . Try the ribs, smoked wings and beer cheese soup, made with Barnburner lager. For dessert, taste the fruit crisp made with grains used to brew their signature beers. 2832 Abbeyville Road, Medina, 330-7251947 $$$ L, D, A, T
Lucia’s Steakhouse Fresh seafood, signature garlic butter-topped steaks, Italian favorites and Lucia classics, like house-made lump crab cakes or cubanella and long, hot peppers. 4769 Belpar St. NW, Canton, 330-492-9933 $$$$ D, A
Nomz Café Provides customers with farm-fresh, local eats that showcase favorites like the ham and cheese breakfast sandwich and the chicken sandwich marinated in Thirsty Dog Brewing’s Citra Dog beer that are made from scratch inside the Northside Marketplace. 21 Furnace St., Akron, 330-286-1315 $$$ B, L, D, T, A, P
North End Choose from over 50 fine beers or over 1,000 options of global wine selections along with light appetizers and upscale entrees like rainbow trout and flank steak. 7542 Darrow Road, Hudson, 330-342-1400
$$$$ D, T, A
Oak and Embers Tavern Southern-style barbecue brisket, pork, ribs and chicken with signature drinks including the Devil’s Grandma and the Revolver. 7774 Darrow Road, Hudson, 234-602-1056 $$$ L, D, W, A, T
The Oaks Lakeside Casual dining, fabulous ambiance in 1914 estate. Outdoor dining with water views. 5878 Longacre Lane, Chippewa Lake, 330-769-2601 $$$$ D, A
111 Bistro House Manager Meghan Pender and Executive Chef Anthony Scolaro own this eatery which features starters, soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta and entrees, as well as an extensive wine, cra
beer and cocktail list. Weekend brunch available. 2736 Medina Road, Medina, 330-952-1122 $$$$ D, A
One Red Door Decadent menu featuring gourmet pizzas, share plates such as bacon-wrapped roasted dates and burgers. 49 Village Way, Hudson, 330342-3667 $$$$ L, D, A
On Tap Grille & Bar Relaxed atmosphere, great gyros and Greek food. 3263 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-9220464; 2736 Medina Road, Medina, 330-725-1972 $$ L, D, A, T
Open Door Coffee Co. This cafe is housed in the landmark Saywell building, across from the Hudson green. Co ee, smoothies, pastries, music and art. 164 N. Main St., Hudson, 330-653-5900, 12 E. Exchange St., Akron, 330-434-1888 $ B, L, D, T
Pad Thai Elegant restaurant, extensive menu of traditional Thai dishes. 3545 Brookwall Drive, Fairlawn, 330-6689981; 5657 Darrow Road, Hudson, 330-650-9998 $$$ L, D, A, T
Pancho & Lefty’s Popular neighborhood cantina. 3254 Kent Road, Stow, 330686-6781 $$ L, D, A, T
Papa Gyros Greek Grill Authentic Greek fare, wine and beer. 3939 Massillon Road, Green, 330-899-0707; 4760 Everhard Road, Canton, 330-4971100; 320 W. State St., Alliance, 330823-7773; 2045 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, 330-456-9000; 1 N. Hawkins Ave., Akron, 330-247-2475 $$ L, D, A, T
Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s Extensive wine list, fine Italian fare, seafood and steaks. 1561 Akron Peninsula Road, Akron, 330-923-7999 $$$ L, D, A, T
Thyme2 Pub & Fine Dining Contemporary cuisine with worldly influences, served in an upscale, modern setting. 113 W. Smith Road, Medina, 330-7644114 $$$$ L, D, A, T
Tim’s Pizzeria and Pub Split specialty pizzas like the ranch with bacon and green pepper along with traditional pies. The menu also has sub sandwich options, roasted chicken and pasta entrees, along with weekly specials like Monday’s 39 cent wings. 2823 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-1530 $$$ D, T, A, P
Timber Lodge Steaks are hand-selected from the finest USDA Prime and Choice aged beef. Seafood is flown in daily to assure the peak of flavor and freshness. Prime rib is slow roasted rotisserie-style and hand-carved to your taste. Famous for its No. 1 giant lobster tail. 2809 Pearl Road, Medina, 330-725-6288 $$$$ D, A, T
Trecaso’s Mary Coyle Highland Square carryout spot known for several ice cream parlor and soda fountain options. 780 W. Market St., Akron, 330-253-1511 $$ L, D, T
Twiisted Sushi and traditional Japanese food, with gourmet burgers and steaks, salads, appetizers, desserts and a full bar. 985 Boardman Alley, Medina, 330-661-0606 $$$ D, A, T
The Twisted Olive Casual classic Italian-
American fare grilled or baked wood-fire ovens. Indoor and outdoor seating. 5430 Massillon Road, Green, 330-899-0550 $$$ L, D, A, T, P
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse Hibachi steakhouse and sushi bar. Chefs prepare food right before your eyes. 150 Montrose West Ave., Copley, 330666-5522; 6338 Strip Ave. NW, North Canton, 330-966-8866 $$$$ L, D, T
Waterloo Restaurant Eclectic menu. Famous for the Waterloo Big Apple and French onion soup. 423 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-773-5158 $$ B, L, D, T
Water Main Grille Sandwiches, soups and dinner platters. 339 Main St., Wadsworth, 330-331-7757 $$ L, D, T
The West Side Bakery Specialties include cakes, pastries and cookies. Breakfast items include scones, mu ins and yogurt parfaits. All sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups are made from scratch. 2303 W. Market St., Akron, 330-836-4101 $ B, L, T
Whitehouse Chicken A Barberton tradition. 180 Wooster Road N, Barberton, 330-745-0449; 4195 Massillon Road, Uniontown, 330896-5644; 199 Great Oaks Trail, Wadsworth, 330-335-6000 $$ L, D, T
Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers Famous chili, generous portions and live entertainment on the weekends. 3600 Brecksville Road, Richfield, 330659-3600 $$ D, A, No credit cards
Wild Goats O ers light entrees, vegan and vegetarian soups, and exceptional co ee. 319 W. Main St., Kent, 330-677-2326 $$ B, L, D, T
The Wine Mill Open daily for wine, cra beer, and bites made from fresh, local ingredients. The rustic Wine Mill serves salads, sliders and cheeseboards, along with Mason jar desserts. The Wine Mill is available for weddings and private events. 4964 Akron Cleveland Road, Peninsula, 234-571-2594 $$$ L, D, A, V, P
Yours Truly This award-winning restaurant is family-owned and operated, with an emphasis on customer service and family-friendly dining. Try the burgers and breakfast items. 36 S. Main St., Hudson, 330-656-2900; 3725 Medina Road, Medina, 330-722-5800 $$ B, L, D, A, T
Please send any changes or corrections to kpetryszyn@ bakermediagroup.com.
Go to akronlife.com to view more area restaurants & events.
By Kelly Petryszyn and photos by Deana Petersen
Culinary Flair
Blue Canyon’s renovation brings forth a stylish atmosphere and contemporary menu.
A 3,000-PLUS CRYSTAL HORSE-SHAPED CHANDELIER — WITH LED COLOR-CHANGING LIGHTS — CROWNS A NEWLY OPENED BAR. AN ENGLISH GARDEN-INSPIRED TERRACE WITH A GREEN LIVING WALL, SURROUNDING A RECTANGULAR ELECTRIC WHITE-HEXAGONAL-TILED FIREPLACE, ADDS VIBRANCE. Hand-painted in gray over books and recipe pages, a world map sets the tone for international inspiration. Twinsburg restaurant Blue Canyon’s complete renovation blends rustic and modern elements with bright colors and whimsy to redefine its atmosphere. It’s a stark contrast to the 20-year-old spot’s formerly dim, brown log cabin interior. Now, the contemporary American menu with global influences suits the eclectic, striking environment.
“Sometimes it felt weird to be served a dish that might be a Japanese preparation of tuna or maybe a Caribbean preparation of a lobster tail and eat that in a log cabin,” says culinary director Scott Coffman. “They wanted the decor to match the food.”
A wall came down to open up the tavern, complete with a large, blue-toned quartzite bar. Patrons can now sink into cozier, more inviting booths, helmed by industrial cage lamps.
With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking treetops, the adjoining terrace brings the outside in with hand-painted birch log walls, supports and beams. White quartz tables with black-and-white French bistro chairs are complemented by black-and-white striped awnings
Opposite page: Kitchen area, This page: Top left: Chicken and shrimp, Top right: Hibachi tacos, Bottom: Tavern
“The different colors, especially the lighter colors and textures, really brighten the place up,” Coffman says.
A seating area, facing an open kitchen, captures a market feel — a mounted wall art piece, featuring monochromatic painted utensils, surrounds a blue neon “This Must be the Place” sign. Varied woven basket lights shine over weathered seating. The adjoining great room is adorned with three impressive gold leaf chandeliers — made of real oak leaves imprinted on metal — and new booths and banquettes, with muted blue and green cushions. Blue Canyon’s event
spaces are refreshed, including its bolder porch that now features distressed, white-painted wood walls. Its sophisticated lodge is capped with a new, blue-veined quartz-topped bar.
Coffman is influenced by Asian, Italian and southern cuisines — and the menu is infused with those flavors. Savor the baseball-sized corn bread crab cake, served with lemon dill mayo and roasted corn and poblano relish ($19.50). In this rich dish, corn bread crumbs complement sweet crab. The bang bang calamari ($19.50) plays on Asian-style bang bang shrimp, using cornstarch breading instead of flour to avoid greasiness and add crunchiness. It’s topped with green onions, a Thai chili mayo-based bang bang sauce for spicy tang, lime zest and lime juice for a tart citrus punch, nutty sesame
seeds (mixed with coarse salt and granulated garlic and onions) for more crunch and, finally, Fresno chiles — pickled in-house.
“When we pickle them, it tends to tame down the heat,” Coffman says.
“They’re pickled in rice wine vinegar, sugar and salt, so that’s the acid we use to balance out the dish but also create a good spice.”
The hibachi tacos ($19.50) also offer a twist on Asian flavors. Thinly sliced flank steak is marinated in tamari sauce, ginger, orange juice, Sriracha, salt and pepper. It’s then stuffed in flour tortillas with jasmine fried rice, house yum yum sauce and a salad of red cabbage, carrots and green onion. Marinated in rice wine vinegar and spices, these vegetables add bright acidity to the mouthwatering dish.
“It tastes like eating a really good hibachi stir-fry but on a taco,” Coffman says.
A spin on shrimp and grits, the chicken and shrimp ($27.50) begins with a boneless chicken thigh. Slow-cooked and chargrilled, it’s slathered with a Korean barbecue sauce made of gochujang, pineapple and ginger. The dish is served with creamy pickled jalapeno cheddar garlic herb grits, crispy shrimp with a sweet chili aioli and garlic spinach.
“First you’re going to get sweet, then you’re going to get acid from the pineapple juice and barbecue sauce and then a little spice from the pickled jalapeno grits,” Coffman says. “It’s a good balance of sweet and savory.”
Blue Canyon classics are mixed into the menu as well, including lighter fare like a grilled, marinated flank steak romaine salad ($25.50) with a hard-boiled egg, cucumbers, tomatoes, crispy onions, grilled bread and a unique, creamy blue cheese tarragon dressing. The pretzel-crusted trout ($21-$32) has been on the menu for the entirety of Blue Canyon’s two decades — and for good reason: the distinct flavors pop. Butterflied Idaho rainbow trout is breaded with crushed pretzels, creating a crunchy, salty crust that contrasts with the tender fish. It’s served with whipped Yukon gold potatoes, garlic green beans and a Dijon mustard caper butter — adding strong flavors.
“There’s a bit of lemon and whole-grain mustard in the sauce. But there’s also capers, which are briny and salty — it all goes together really nice,” says Coffman.
With a livelier space and a menu to match, customers are raving about the revamp.
“The way the place is now gives a lot more flexibility to approach more flavors,” he says. “We could be a bit more outside of the box and less traditional.”
Opposite page: Top: Kitchen area, Middle, clockwise from top: Chicken and shrimp, pretzel-crusted trout, bang bang calamari, hibachi tacos, steak salad, Bottom: Tavern, This page: Great room
UNCORKED
by Eric Van Sant, photo by Cameron Gorman
Benziger Family Winery
Glen Ellen, California
The Benziger family intertwines art with wine.
In 1973, newly married founders Mike and Mary Benziger headed west. They moved to northern California, and, in 1980, Mike and his father purchased their first winery property on Sonoma Mountain in Glen Ellen. By 1986, the family had launched a collaboration with artist Bob Nugent — the Imagery series of wines, which evolved into Imagery Estate Winery. These bottles feature unique, artist-rendered labels. Visitors to the Glen Ellen Imagery property’s tasting room can view a gallery spotlighting about 100 pieces that have appeared on Imagery bottles.
Through the family’s stewardship, the Benziger Sonoma Mountain estate shifted to more sustainable methods — officially certified as a Biodynamic Farm by the Demeter Association in 2000. In 2001, Benziger launched its flagship wine, Tribute.
Today, Benziger Family Winery still maintains its certification for biodynamic farming over multiple vineyards — and all wines are certified sustainable, organic or biodynamic. With both Benziger Family Winery and its sister property, Imagery
Estate Winery, the Benziger family continues to strive for excellence.
BENZIGER FAMILY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
From Benziger Central Coast vineyards, this 100 percent cabernet sauvignon ($14.99) is very approachable. With notes of blackberries, mocha and currants on the palate, this wine has bright tannins. Soft on the finish, this is a velvety cabernet drinker’s selection. Enjoy sipping on the deck with a hamburger.
BENZIGER FAMILY CHARDONNAY
This chardonnay ($11.99) is perfect for someone just getting into the varietal. Floral on the nose with a soft, creamy mouthfeel, it’s crisp and bright on the palate. This wine finishes with fresh acidity and flavors of lemon and pear. Try it chilled, with salty cheeses and cured meats. It’s great with spicy tuna as well.
BENZIGER FAMILY SAUVIGNON BLANC
White lotus greets the nose when tasting this sauvignon blanc ($11.99), complete with notes of green apple, melon and citrus. Vivid acidity comes to the front, with a lush, round mouthfeel. Happily, this wine isn’t overly herbaceous. It’s ideal chilled on its own or with seafood and cream sauces.
Eric Van Sant is
by Molly Hoffer, photo by Ott Gangl and provided by Summit
Hard Rock
“”
Akron, 1972
On July 11, 1972, at the Rubber Bowl, the Rolling Stones played arguably one of the best concerts ever held in Akron. It sold out, causing some of its attendees — over 40,000 people — to spend the night before camped in cars and the nearby woods. As the music started for opener Stevie Wonder, however, police attempted to arrest a youth on drug charges. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, fans threw
bottles and other objects, creating 10 minutes of chaos. Seven cops were hurt and almost 30 concertgoers were arrested, but the show went on — the Stones impressing with “Satisfaction” and “Gimme Shelter.” Though the demolition of the Rubber Bowl was completed in 2023, Akronites can still rock out to epic shows, such as the Outlaw Music Festival — featuring Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson — at Blossom Music Center Sept. 12.
