CityBeat | March 20, 2024

NEWS

National Labor Relations Board Investigates NKY Amazon Air Hub for Spying, Harassing Union Organizers

National Labor Relations Board Investigates NKY Amazon Air Hub for Spying, Harassing Union Organizers

An NLRB trial date of April 22 has been set for the multi-billion dollar company.

Cincinnati City Council Passes Temporary Ceasefire Measure After Weeks of Public Comments

BY MADELINE FENING

Cincinnati City Council Passes Temporary Ceasefire Measure After Weeks of Public Comments

BY MADELINE FENING

CCincinnati City Council returned to a discussion of a Middle East ceasefire resolution in March, but the all-Democratic body remains divided.

incinnati City Council returned to a discussion of a Middle East ceasefire resolution in March, but the all-Democratic body remains divided.

For months, hundreds of people have addressed council during the public comment portion of the weekly meetings. Most are Cincinnatians imploring council to pass a resolution that calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, others have encouraged council to abstain from engaging in the conversation altogether.

For months, hundreds of people have addressed council during the public comment portion of the weekly meetings. Most are Cincinnatians imploring council to pass a resolution that calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, others have encouraged council to abstain from engaging in the conversation altogether.

On March 6, a resolution calling for a six-week ceasefire from council newcomer Anna Albi passed 7-1, while a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire from council member Meeka Owens failed 4-3, needing 5 to pass.

On March 6, a resolution calling for a six-week ceasefire from council newcomer Anna Albi passed 7-1, while a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire from council member Meeka Owens failed 4-3, needing 5 to pass.

The evolution of how council went from no ceasefire resolutions to two started in February when Owens spoke out in support of a possible resolution.

The evolution of how council went from no ceasefire resolutions to two started in February when Owens spoke out in support of a possible resolution.

Where council was on the matter in February

Where council was on the matter in February

An NLRB trial date of April 22 has been set for the multi-billion dollar company.

BY MADELINE FENING

BY MADELINE FENING

TThe National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a federal agency that investigates violations of workers’ rights to unionize, is investigating Amazon’s KCVG Air Hub in Hebron, Kentucky.

he National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a federal agency that investigates violations of workers’ rights to unionize, is investigating Amazon’s KCVG Air Hub in Hebron, Kentucky.

In a March 13 press release, Amazon Labor Union-KCVG organizers said the NLRB issued a “broad complaint” against Amazon related to possible workers’ rights violations at KCVG, setting an April 22 trial date for the multi-billion dollar company.

In a March 13 press release, Amazon Labor Union-KCVG organizers said the NLRB issued a “broad complaint” against Amazon related to possible workers’ rights violations at KCVG, setting an April 22 trial date for the multi-billion dollar company.

According to union organizers, the NLRB charged Amazon with “illegally seeking to stop the union campaign through a campaign of spying, interrogation, and harassment at KCVG.”

According to union organizers, the NLRB charged Amazon with “illegally seeking to stop the union campaign through a campaign of spying, interrogation, and harassment at KCVG.”

CityBeat obtained a copy of the full NLRB complaint, which details a consolidated group of charges filed by KCVG employees against Amazon between November 2022 and April 2023.Allegations against Amazon from KCVG employees include:

CityBeat obtained a copy of the full NLRB complaint, which details a consolidated group of charges filed by KCVG employees against Amazon between November 2022 and April 2023.Allegations against Amazon from KCVG employees include:

• Mandatory meetings to discourage unionization

• Mandatory meetings to discourage unionization

• Failing to reappoint employees to learning ambassador positions due to union activities

• Failing to reappoint employees to learning ambassador positions due to union activities

• Telling employees they cannot pass out union materials

• Telling employees they cannot pass out union materials

• Creating an impression of surveillance to discourage union activities

• Creating an impression of surveillance to discourage union activities

One complaint alleges KCVG general manager Karthik Bagavathi Pandian, area manager Kyle Makemson and operations manager Jason Lum engaged in “surveillance of employees engaged in union activities.”In an emailed statement to CityBeat, Amazon spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis said the allegations are unfounded.“The allegations in this complaint are without merit. Our Solicitation Policy is lawful, and we will continue to defend our position as the legal process continues,” Paradis said.Workers at KCVG have filed dozens of complaints against

One complaint alleges KCVG general manager Karthik Bagavathi Pandian, area manager Kyle Makemson and operations manager Jason Lum engaged in “surveillance of employees engaged in union activities.”In an emailed statement to CityBeat, Amazon spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis said the allegations are unfounded.“The allegations in this complaint are without merit. Our Solicitation Policy is lawful, and we will continue to defend our position as the legal process continues,” Paradis said.Workers at KCVG have filed dozens of complaints against

Amazon since they first started unionizing in November 2022, but the company faces more than 200 open and closed unfair labor practice charges from employees nationwide.

Amazon since they first started unionizing in November 2022, but the company faces more than 200 open and closed unfair labor practice charges from employees nationwide.

Background on the union effort

Background on the union effort

Employees at KCVG, Amazon’s largest air hub, began union efforts in November 2022 after upper management announced there would be no peak pay for the 2022 holiday rush, but mandatory overtime would be required. Amazon’s gross profit for the 2023 fiscal year was $256.202 billion, an 18.52% increase year-over-year for the world’s largest retailer. Employees pushing for a union at KCVG are asking for a standard $30 per-hour wage, among other changes like improved health benefits, on-site translation for non-native English speakers, and more.

Employees at KCVG, Amazon’s largest air hub, began union efforts in November 2022 after upper management announced there would be no peak pay for the 2022 holiday rush, but mandatory overtime would be required. Amazon’s gross profit for the 2023 fiscal year was $256.202 billion, an 18.52% increase year-over-year for the world’s largest retailer. Employees pushing for a union at KCVG are asking for a standard $30 per-hour wage, among other changes like improved health benefits, on-site translation for non-native English speakers, and more.

Council has voted to condemn acts of war and violence before, including passing a resolution that condemned Russia for invading Ukraine, as well as a resolution condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack that left upwards of 1,200 Israeli citizens dead. But only one member of council has expressed interest in a ceasefire resolution since Israel began its deadly counteroffensive in Gaza. Council Member Owens expressed her desire to put forth a ceasefire resolution in a tearful speech during a Feb. 7 council meeting, saying council was “not elected to be silent,” while council members Mark Jeffreys, Reggie Harris and Seth Walsh signed a joint statement declining to sponsor any ceasefire resolution.

Council has voted to condemn acts of war and violence before, including passing a resolution that condemned Russia for invading Ukraine, as well as a resolution condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack that left upwards of 1,200 Israeli citizens dead. But only one member of council has expressed interest in a ceasefire resolution since Israel began its deadly counteroffensive in Gaza. Council Member Owens expressed her desire to put forth a ceasefire resolution in a tearful speech during a Feb. 7 council meeting, saying council was “not elected to be silent,” while council members Mark Jeffreys, Reggie Harris and Seth Walsh signed a joint statement declining to sponsor any ceasefire resolution.

That all changed when Albi put forth a ceasefire resolution for the March 6 meeting, one that Jeffreys, Harris, Walsh and Victoria Parks co-sponsored. Mayor Aftab Pureval placed Albi’s resolution on the agenda alongside Owens’ resolution, and guest speakers were quick to point out their differences.

That all changed when Albi put forth a ceasefire resolution for the March 6 meeting, one that Jeffreys, Harris, Walsh and Victoria Parks co-sponsored. Mayor Aftab Pureval placed Albi’s resolution on the agenda alongside Owens’ resolution, and guest speakers were quick to point out their differences.

Amazon Air Hub union organizer Griffin Ritze addresses a crowd of Air Hub workers and supporters during a March 18 rally.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

How the two resolutions differ

Both Owens’ and Albi’s resolutions address the ongoing death toll in Gaza, but make different calls to action.

Council Member Owens’ resolution mirrors the comments she made during the Feb. 7 meeting.

It reads: “Expressing the request of the council of the city of Cincinnati for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel/ Hamas War so that humanitarian aid can reach Gazans, Israeli hostages can be released, and additional innocent lives can be spared.”

Councilmember Albi’s resolution broadly condemns “violence against civilians of any kind” and supports negotiations taking place in Cairo, advocating for a deal that would include a six-week ceasefire.

It reads: “Expressing Cincinnati City Council’s sympathy for the ongoing human suffering caused by the current conflict in the Middle East; condemning violence against civilians of any kind; affirming Cincinnati’s status as a welcoming community for those of the Jewish and Islamic religions, and all other religions; supporting the right of Palestinian and Israeli civilians to live in safety and peace; and encouraging Cincinnati residents to offer support and sincere empathy to members of our community affected by the ongoing violence and loss of life.”

As of press time, around 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza as Israel continues its counteroffensive measures against Hamas, according to the Hamasrun Gaza Health Ministry.

Public comments

Criticism was repeatedly lodged against Albi and her resolution’s co-sponsors during the public comment portion of the meeting. While Owens’ resolution calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, speakers were quick to point out that Albi’s resolution only offers support for negotiations currently taking place for a six-week ceasefire.

“This Council supports negotiators in Cairo advocating for a deal that would include a six-week cease-fire, the release of vulnerable hostages, and the provision of unrestricted humanitarian aid; and encourages our federal government leadership to continue working for lasting and permanent peace in the region,” reads Albi’s resolution.

One speaker told council a six-week ceasefire is not enough for her family living in the West Bank.

“A six-week ceasefire is not enough, nor has Israel ever felt bound to them,” said the speaker.

Senior administration officials for President Joe Biden told reporters on March 2 that Israeli leaders have

“basically accepted” a six-week ceasefire proposal, but that they are still waiting on approval from Hamas. But Hamas officials told reporters on March 5 that talks will resume sometime next week, according to the Associated Press.

Rabbi Ari Jun, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council for the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, addressed council to urge against a ceasefire resolution on Feb. 7, saying council was being asked to make “an impossible decision to either support or condemn a distant war that has fundamentally divided our community.” Jun returned to council on March 6, telling CityBeat that Albi’s resolution represents a compromise.

“The resolution that Anna Albi put forward, while it’s not exactly what every member of the Jewish community would ask for, represents a compromise,” Jun told CityBeat. “We have always, of course, held the dream and the goal that there would be peace and that this conflict would come to an end, but at the same time, it’s not council’s job to engage in foreign affairs when all it will do is divide our community.”

Why does this matter in Cincinnati?

While council’s most recent meeting would make it appear otherwise, Cincinnati’s elected leaders have no control over the negotiations taking place for peace in the Middle East. Still, one guest speaker told council that their messaging on the topic sends a signal to the community about safety and peace.

“As representatives of our beloved city, you have a responsibility, not only to your constituents, but to humanity at large,” she said. “By passing [Ownes’] resolution, we not only send a message of solidarity to the people of Gaza, but we would

also affirm our own city’s commitment to principles of human rights and dignity for all. We would be joining a growing chorus of voices calling for an end to violence.”

At least 67 U.S. cities have passed symbolic resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, including Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, Atlanta, Minneapolis and others. City leaders in Toledo, Dayton and Akron have all unanimously passed ceasefire resolutions, but city councils for Columbus and Cleveland have both voted against similar resolutions.

In Cleveland, pro-Palestinian advocates reacted to their city council’s rejection of a ceasefire resolution by passing a “People’s Resolution” instead.

Collective action to send Biden officials the ceasefire message even crept into Super Tuesday voting. Hundreds of thousands of voters across the country cast a ballot for no candidate or different versions of “uncommitted” during the March 5 Democratic primaries. The movement came just a week after 100,000 Michigan voters selected “uncommitted” to send a message to Biden over his handling of the situation in Gaza.

How exactly did council members vote?

Before voting, Albi addressed the gallery that spent hours calling her out by name, saying, “The atrocities of this conflict are truly incomprehensible. What we’ve heard from our Greater Cincinnati community is the resounding desire for peace and the end to this war.”

Albi goes on to say that council has no power over the conflict in the Middle East, but that council has the opportunity to show its support for the ceasefire negotiations currently underway.

“While none of us in this room have the power to shape the details of this ceasefire, I think it is important for us

to show our full support of these peace negotiations,” Albi said. “I understand these negotiations are just the first step − and we should all hope and pray that Israel and Hamas will be able to find common ground for a permanent and lasting peace.”

Some members of the gallery responded to Albi’s remarks with boos and shouts of “Shame!” before Mayor Pureval asked for order.

Members of council, who are all Democrats, voted on both resolutions as follows:

• YES votes on Albi’s resolution: Albi, Owens, Walsh, Jeffreys, Parks, Harris and Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney.

• NO votes on Albi’s resolution: Scotty Johnson

• YES votes on Owens’ resolution: Owens, Kearney, Johnson and Parks

• NO votes on Owens’ resolution: Walsh, Jeffreys and Harris.

Albi abstained from voting on Owens’ resolution.

Councilman Jeff Cramerding abstained from voting on both resolutions, saying he now regrets voting for resolutions regarding foreign affairs in the past.

“I will accept any criticism for those votes, but moving forward I will no longer vote for any international resolutions unless it directly pertains to Cincinnati city government,” Cramerding said.

Johnson, who didn’t speak up on the issue during the Feb. 7 meeting, spoke forcefully in favor of Owens’ resolution.

“I stand wholeheartedly, flat-footed behind the call for a permanent ceasefire,” Johnson said to cheers from the gallery. “I’m an honest man and I don’t understand everything that’s going on, but I do know that peace has to reign.”

Cincinnati City Council newcomer Anna Albi addresses the gallery about her temporary ceasefire resolution during a March 6 council meeting.

PHOTO: CITICABLE

Cincinnati Secures Spot in Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Initiative

BY MADELINE FENING

Cincinnati has clinched a coveted spot in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative, according to a March 12 announcement from Mayor Aftab Pureval’s office. Cincinnati is one of 25 U.S. cities participating in the commitment to building resilient, eco-friendly communities.

The three-year program, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies with a $200 million investment, aims to turbocharge cities’ efforts to tackle the “overlapping crises of climate change and racial wealth inequity.”

“Cincinnati’s selection is a testament to our city’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and resilience,” said Pureval in a release announcing the initiative.

Cincinnati will now receive support from up to three dedicated Innovation Team members with expertise in data analysis, human-centered design and project management. The goal of the team is to bolster city capacity in driving progress on climate mitigation while promoting equitable outcomes.

City Manager Sheryl Long said the new Innovation Team will allow the city to pursue more ambitious projects.

“Our city leadership understands the importance of innovative environmental solutions,” Long said. “This initiative will enable us to pursue ambitious projects that will pave the way for a sustainable future for Cincinnati.”

The city will also receive a custom multi-year policy and technical assistance in collaboration with community-based organizations to mobilize public and private investments.

“Climate-forward cities, that are investing right now in resiliency, environmental justice and innovative solutions will be best-positioned to thrive in the generations to come,” Pureval said. “The expertise and direct support provided by our innovation team will be an essential part of this work, and we are exceptionally proud to take part in this program.”

Cincinnati is already a member of the 2030 Districts Network, a group of 23 (and counting) urban cities across North America that have publicly committed to reducing energy consumption, water use and transportation emissions by at least 50% before scientists say it’s too late.

Director of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment & Sustainability Ollie Kroner said the Innovation Team is a “major opportunity” for the Green Cincinnati Plan.

“We are focused on climate solutions that benefit everyone, especially communities that need the most help,” Kroner said. “This grant is a major opportunity to deliver on the community vision set forth in the Green Cincinnati Plan, and invest dollars in a way that touches peoples’ lives.”

The city’s announcement does not lay out a timeline for the new Innovation Team.

Director of Cincinnati's Office of Environment & Sustainability Ollie Kroner said the Innovation Team is a "major opportunity" for the Green Cincinnati Plan.

PHOTO: SINGKHAM, PEXELS

ADVICE COLUMN

What’s On Your Mind, Cincinnati?

Mike Madanat, the founder of Authentic Life Counseling, will be answering your burning questions in the “What’s On Your Mind, Cincinnati?” advice column each month.

I’ve shared a friendship spanning over two decades with my best friend, from elementary school to college and now in Cincinnati, where we live. Our bond has weathered relationship changes and life transitions, always adapting to new circumstances with understanding and respect. We’ve enjoyed coordinating hangouts, sharing our love for sports, and exploring Cincinnati’s breweries with our girlfriends.

Recently, I’ve noticed my friend growing distant, spending more time with others from his job, and leaving me feeling excluded. This shift has affected not only our relationship but also our girlfriends, who sense the tension. Despite feeling hurt, I’m torn between addressing or letting the issue slide. I’m scared that if I bring up my feelings, I’ll appear controlling or needy. Expressing these emotions feels unfamiliar, yet I recognize the importance of open communication. It just feels like a part of our relationship we haven’t had to work on until now.

So, here’s my question: Should I confront my friend about these changes, risking potential discomfort and tension, or should I allow the relationship to evolve naturally, even if it means further distancing? I’m hesitant, knowing that honest dialogue could either mend or strain our relationships with each other and our girlfriends.

I appreciate any guidance you can offer,

Anonymous (he/him)

Thank you for your question.

It is clear to me that this relationship is important to you. You and your best friend have weathered many storms over the years, from childhood through college and into adulthood. You have shared countless experiences, bonded over the difficulties of being a Cincinnati sports fan, and have built a life intertwined with your partners in Cincinnati. But lately, there has been a shift, a subtle

yet significant change that has left you feeling unsettled.

The once seamless coordination of hangouts has become disjointed. Your friend’s newfound connections with others have left you feeling excluded and distant. It sounds like it is not just impacting you, it is also affecting your partners too, creating an atmosphere of awkwardness and tension where there was once camaraderie.

Conflict is a natural part of relationships, occurring with friends, partners or family members. While it can cause, in your own words, discomfort and tension, there are ways to engage in challenging conversations and handle disagreements in a constructive way that benefits both parties in a relationship.

How do you typically handle disagreements? Do you tend to avoid them or confront them? Are you more inclined to seek compromise or ignore the problem altogether?

Everyone has their way of dealing with conflict, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding your conflict resolution style is key, as it can impact how you interact with others. You can help gain insight into your conflict style by paying attention to your thoughts and behaviors when disagreements arise. Once you recognize your approach to conflict, you can take proactive steps to address and resolve issues more effectively by asking yourself, “How is my conflict resolution style serving our relationship?” Does conflict avoidance tend to produce more distance in the relationship, or does the space bring us closer together?

I have a Conflict Styles Assessment that I like to use. If you feel it would be helpful for you, head to linktr.ee/ authenticlifecincy where you can find the assessment.

Navigating tension in a relationship with a best friend can be challenging, but also an opportunity for growth and deeper connection. A common move in relationships where conflict arises is to avoid it. As humans, it can feel natural to avoid conflict for many reasons, such as:

1. Fear of Confrontation: Many people fear confrontation and the potential for negative emotions or reactions that may arise during conflicts. They

may worry about hurting others or damaging relationships, so they choose to avoid conflict altogether.

2. Desire to Maintain Harmony: Humans are social beings who often prioritize maintaining harmony and avoiding disruptions in relationships. Conflict can be seen as a threat to this harmony, leading individuals to avoid it to preserve their connections with others.

3. Avoidance of Discomfort: Conflict can be emotionally taxing and uncomfortable. People may prefer to avoid these uncomfortable feelings by steering clear of situations that could lead to conflict.

4. Lack of Conflict Resolution Skills: Many individuals have not beentaught effective conflict resolution skills or have not had positive experiences with resolving conflict in the past. Without the necessary tools and strategies, they may resort to avoidance as a coping mechanism. (Remember: Ask yourself, “How is my conflict resolution style serving our relationship?”)

5. Perception of Conflict as a Negative: Some people view conflict as inherently negative and destructive, rather than as an opportunity for growth and resolution. This perception can lead them to avoid conflict to protect themselves from perceived harm. Do any of these resonate with you?

While conflict avoidance may offer temporary relief from discomfort, it can lead to unresolved issues, resentment, and communication breakdowns in relationships. Learning healthy conflict resolution skills, practicing assertive communication and cultivating emotional awareness are essential steps in overcoming the tendency toward conflict avoidance and building healthier, more resilient relationships.

Here are five areas to focus on that I believe can help guide you in the direction you want to go in and help answer the question of whether to confront or accept.

1. Transparency: If you value honesty and transparency, then I would encourage you to be open with your friend. Express your feelings calmly and respectfully and encourage your friend to do the same. Active listening is crucial here so do your best to understand their perspective without judgment in the same way you hope he will do for you. This might look like you sharing how you have been feeling hurt and more distant from him recently which has started to negatively impact your relationship.

2. Develop Boundaries: Healthy boundaries are essential in any relationship. Clarifying what is acceptable and what is not will help each of you understand the boundaries set for

each other. This can help with misunderstandings and conflicts now and in the future. You could emphasize the importance of mutual respect and consideration. Let him know that you miss spending time together and value your friendship deeply. Express a desire for more frequent communication and actively listen for what your friend shares in terms of challenges or stressors they have been experiencing with work or relationships. Let them know that you understand and respect the importance of developing relationships at their place of employment. Lastly, collaborate on healthy boundaries that honor both of your needs, emphasizing the importance of honesty and reliability in your friendship.

3. Address in the Moment: Do not let tensions simmer and escalate. Address issues as soon as they arise, rather than allowing them to build up over time. This can prevent resentment and help you both maintain trust in the relationship.

4. Focus on Solutions: When discussing issues, focus on finding solutions together rather than placing blame. Collaborate to find mutually beneficial resolutions that honor both of your needs and feelings.

5. Practice Empathy: Try to understand where your friend is coming from and empathize with their perspective, even if you disagree.

Empathy fosters understanding and compassion, which are crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. Good luck! Your friendship means a lot to you, and you’re hoping the tension will eventually fade away. However, avoiding the issue might only cover it up temporarily, like a quick fix. Real resolution usually comes from having honest conversations. I encourage you to share your feelings with your friend and stick to what you’re certain about. I wish you the best going forward, and I hope both you and your friend can learn and grow together to build a strong, lasting relationship. Remember, cultivating relationships is like tending to a garden - use care, trust, and kindness to help it flourish. Together, I am confident you both will continue to weather any storm and bask in the warmth of lifelong companionship.

Each month, CityBeat will be publishing a question (or two) answered by Mike in our print issues and online. These questions can be related to personal relationships, your professional life, mental health issues or anything else you feel could use Mike’s guidance. Your identity will not be disclosed. Submit your burning questions now via email to advice@citybeat.com.

CityBeat advice columnist Mike Madanat at Alms Park

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Cincinnati’s Favorite Mailman Cincinnati’s Favorite Mailman

That One Mailman, SEAN FOGELSON, talks rise to fame, stand-up comedy and life off screen BY KATIE GRIFFITH

It’s a sunny, winter afternoon on Beech Avenue in Price Hill and Sean Fogelson is standing in front of his childhood home.

“It didn’t used to be blue,” says Fogelson, a.k.a That One Mailman of TikTok fame. “We used to hoop over there.” He points to an empty driveway across the street, then takes a second to recall countless barbecues and block parties the neighborhood would throw. “We used to take those orange traffic cones and shut down the street ourselves,” he admits, smiling at the memory.

Then a wiry, yippy dog comes out of nowhere with a misplaced vengeance. The yellow-haired yapper approaches and regresses in militant form, offering a booming warning with a high-pitched, hostile bark that conquers the conversation.

“Welcome to my world,” Fogelson says.

As a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, he’s been skirting aggressive dogs for six years. These days, since becoming a local celebrity after realizing influencer status on social media, Fogelson also encounters eager fans pretty much everywhere he goes. While the sudden burst of energy from a random fan is a little more pleasant – and flattering –than an agitated dog, he’s still not used to the fame.

“I can’t go nowhere without people coming up to me. It’s crazy,” Fogelson tells CityBeat. “It’s cool though. I like it. Seeing the joy [people have], it’s like when you get home from work and the kids see you; it’s like that. Indescribable. It’s cool.”

Fogelson is a gracious, down-to-earth guy. He’s a West Sider through and through and embodies that warm, hometown friendliness you find on that side of Cincinnati. He grew up in Price Hill, lives in Price Hill and works in Price Hill. He attended public schools in Cincinnati, went to grade school dances, parish festivals and participated in sports like baseball and basketball when he was young. He says he learned the value of hard work growing up in a crowded house, where he wanted to buy his own snacks and 2 liters – not the “cheap shit,” he says. So he found odd jobs at the 25 Hour Store on the corner of Grand and Glenway avenues to afford things like name-brand snacks and his beloved pet bearded dragon.

“I was just growing up in the hood, one day at a time,” he says. “I would always work to buy what I wanted, like school shoes. I didn’t want Walmart shoes; I wanted Nikes. I didn’t grow up in the trenches, but I didn’t grow up wealthy or nothing.”

As fate would have it, when Fogelson started at USPS, he was assigned a route in Price Hill. After a certain amount of time on an assigned route, one can elect to change neighborhoods, he says, but he chose to stay close to home.

“We’re different here. Everybody in Cincinnati hustles,” he

says. “I ain’t been too far out the city, but we are just different here.”

Currently, Fogelson is getting that out-of-city experience he’s yet to have as the host of a comedy tour that stemmed from his social media fame. That One Mailman and Friends has stopped in Atlanta and will see two sold-out shows in Cincinnati at the Liberty Township Funny Bone Comedy Club on March 24.

Fogelson’s genuine nature and effortless humor have gained him 2 million followers on TikTok since he launched his account two years ago. But he didn’t set out to be an influencer and he definitely hasn’t put on a front to earn that status. There isn’t much of a difference between Sean Fogelson and That One Mailman, even the regular use of his catchphrase, “Hey lil’ stank-a-booty!” that he uses in his viral videos.

Fogelson tells CityBeat that the phrase came from a friend in school who once called him a “pale-neck-stank-a-booty-ass little boy,” in jest. From then on, Fogelson used the phrase as a silly pleasantry. He later found that the origin of the initial comment was derived from the comedy movie Next Friday Now, Fogelson uses the phrase in nearly all of his videos, mostly to greet friends and fans before moving on to whatever comedic topic he has in store for that segment.

Fogelson approaches his social media presence with an air of regularity and without predetermined lines. He doesn’t piggyback off of what’s trending; his hilarious commentary typically plays on relatable subjects like the glory of getting Tupperware for leftovers at a restaurant, ignoring a busted headlight or using a tax return to go to a nice dinner (somewhere “hood-nice,” he’ll declare, like Red Lobster.)

Then there’s the slew of skits that reveal mail-carrier-only problems that Fogelson describes comedically, like dogs, heavy packages or being hounded by residents about lost mail. His first-ever viral video is dubbed “Temu Tired.” It caught on so well that Yahoo News reported on its popularity and accurate hilarity. In the video, Fogelson jokes about awkward, bright-colored packaging that holds an outrageous amount of items purchased from the online store.

“I’m tired of this Temu shit. Y’all killin’ me,” Fogelson says playfully in the video. “It’s Temu, Temu, Temu. I’m Temu tired, aight? They put all 17 items you just ordered in one big-ass bag.”

Fogelson created the That One Mailman TikTok page to make tough days at work bearable, he says. During COVID, he was working 70 hours per week. Although he’ll be the first to admit that he loves his job, that amount of overtime is trying. So he decided to bring a bit of comic relief to his day and share it with the internet. He was already creating funny one-liners and toying with mail-carrier-related problems in his head, why not put it on TikTok?

“You’re by yourself all day when you’re a mailman,” Fogelson tells CityBeat. “You get in your head, but TikTok took my mind

Sean Fogelson with his signature set of grillz.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

off of that. I was using sounds at first, and I kept thinking about how can I use this sound to pertain to mail or what video am I going to make? So I just kept thinking about that all day and it saved me.”

Over time, Fogelson started posting videos of himself outside of work. He’s seen tailgating at Bengals games and unboxing products from small businesses — and there’s no shortage of his famous fit checks. He’s often joined by comedian Gary Owens, who most recently appears in a joint video with Fogelson as they render their best version of the trendy “Made for Me” song by Muni Long. Owens also joins Fogelson on the That One Mailman and Friends tour, and Fogelson has appeared on stage at Owens’ shows, too.

But how does That One Mailman’s witty persona and comedy made for the brevity of social media translate to the stage? As a host for his lineup of comedian friends, the tour will be Fogelson’s first experience with standup comedy. He says he plans to “sling a couple jokes,” and be himself. He aims to bring the same improv style that bore “Temu tired,” to the stage.

“I’m excited. I’m just gonna get up there and be myself,” he says. “I’m not gonna try too hard. They know what they’re coming to see, what to expect. I’m not gonna overthink it. I think it’s gonna go alright. I’m a little nervous, but I was made for this. I think this is my calling. We’re all here for a reason. I think I’m just that lucky person to find a reason, find my purpose. It’s cool; it’s real cool.”

Fogelson stays real cool pretty much all the time. His relaxed confidence pairs with an uninhibited yet nonchalant personality. He’s able to be silly while delivering jokes, but he stays poised and self-assured. Most importantly, he’s always positive. He doesn’t get caught up in the depths of the internet, which inevitably shows its true, trolling colors once a person hits a certain level of fame. Every once in a while, he addresses negativity in the comment section via a PSA (“Public Stank-aBooty Announcement”) combating it with humor and humble positivity.

Tons of faceless internet users and a few real-life encounters have tried to call Fogelson out for faking his online persona and mail carrier career. He doesn’t respond with contempt, but he questions why he would need to make any of it up. “It’s just me,” he says.

“That’s me. All the time. Granted, I’m not calling everybody stank-a-booty every 10 words, you know what I mean? But it’s me,” Fogelson tells CityBeat “Nobody believes who I’m working with. Like I’m working with Gary Owens and his road manager is my manager. Everybody asks him, ‘Is he really like this?’ He’s like, ‘Nah, bruh, this is him for real.’ When we’re out in public, I’m

“It’s me. I don’t need social media, you know what I mean? I’m a grown-ass man; I don’t need to lie. I have a wife and kids. I have a family. I don’t need to lie to nobody. It’s pointless. Out of all the occupations, why in the hell would I pick a mailman to act like?”

cracking jokes. It’s me. I don’t need social media [to be me]. You know what I mean? For me to get on here and lie — like, I work in the public. It’d be too easy for me to get caught up. I’m a grown-ass man; I don’t need to lie. I have a wife and kids. I have a family. I don’t need to lie to nobody. It’s pointless. Out of all the occupations, why in the hell would I pick a mailman to act like?”

He trails off, still keeping his cool. He hasn’t raised his voice and his body language doesn’t change. He does have a point to make, but he doesn’t care if you get it or not.

“It is what it is. People will find out eventually,” he says.

As far as social media influencers go, one might expect to meet a loud personality. Every time Fogelson starts a video with his lively line, “Hey lil’ stank-a-booty,” or throws in a jovial “quit playin’ stank,” he interacts with his audience enthusiastically. But in person, Fogelson is as modest as he is indulgent in his videos.

One thing Fogelson is not quiet about: style. He’s a die-hard Cincinnati sports fan. If he isn’t wearing a USPS hat, he’s flaunting a Bengals or Reds flatbill. And he isn’t shy about his love for Ecko Unltd., a brand that’s been around for 30 years and represents urban fashion and streetwear style. Can’t forget the Jordans on the feet, either.

“My style is old school, ‘90s, early 2000s,” he says. “I was born in ‘92. I ain’t never changed. I still got clothes from when I was a teenager in the closet. This new style, I can’t do it,” he says, flashing That One Mailman smile, never seen without a diamond-studded or gold grill.

That One Mailman is a brand in itself. Fogelson created the brand out of his persona and he has the fanbase to prove it. He tells CityBeat that the reason he’s venturing into standup is because his fans suggested it. He created That One Mailman merch – sweatshirts, T-shirts and tank tops – because fans insisted he do so, continually inquiring about where they could find it.

“It’s crazy. It’s insane. It blows my mind,” he says. “I can’t even wrap my head around all this as it is and then to see somebody out with me on their shirt — like, what? It’s cool as hell.”

For every humble moment Fogelson

personifies, there’s a fan or a customer along his mail route that will jump at the opportunity to talk about what a kind, genuinely funny and caring person he is, deserving of all the attention and fame. As a mail carrier, he’s been known to go the extra mile for his customers, making sure to hide bulky packages or knock on someone’s door if he knows they’re waiting for a check or a certain piece of mail.

Betsy Sundermann, a Hamilton County judge, has lived in Price Hill for 10 years. Fogelson has been her mail carrier for a few years, and she says she’s never known any of her mail carrier’s names before him. Sundermann says Fogelson can be seen “literally running” from house to house delivering mail. When her daughter attempted to mail Taylor Swift bracelets, Fogelson noticed that the envelopes weren’t addressed correctly and brought it to the family’s attention.

“What mailman does that?” Sundermann says. “What mailman knocks on your door and tells you that you put a stamp on wrong and that you should fix it? Most mailmen would just take it and then it would be returned to sender. I asked him once, ‘How much do you walk every day?’ and he said over 10 miles. That’s unbelievable. And he loves his job. And he’s always talking to all the neighbors when he’s dropping off the mail, so we just kind of became friends.”

Sundermann not only considers Fogelson a friend but also a “neighborhood celebrity,” even before he found online fame. She says she trusts him to keep an eye on things around the neighborhood and that he creates a commonality among neighbors.

“It’s no surprise to me that now he’s going to be a national or international celebrity,” Sundermann tells CityBeat “He is so likable and so relatable.”

Businesses like Kickstand Cocktails and Southpaw Roofing have used Fogelson’s likeness for advertising, and he takes it upon himself to talk about GoFundMe and charitable initiatives to bring financial aid to people in need. Fogelson’s celebrity and mail carrier status even helped him find a realtor and aided in the house-hunting process.

Molly Thoms of Team Thoms Realty is also a customer on Fogelson’s mail

route. She says his kindness and magnetic personality enabled their relationship to grow professionally. “He’s the only mailman I’ve ever had that will knock on your door and personally hand you your packages,” she says.

While working in the incredibly competitive housing market, Thoms often posts photos of her clients to social media. She says a photo, along with a personal story can create a network that helps the buying process in surprising ways. Individuals sometimes come forward and offer off-market options or opportunities that wouldn’t present themselves otherwise.

During Thoms’ recent venture to find Fogelson a house, she decided to post him on Facebook and await a result.

“I said, ‘Look, Sean, this has worked for some of our other clients. What if we take a picture of the two of us and I post your search on social media and see if we can find somebody who has an off-market deal? This has worked for previous clients, and I think that with your following, it really could help you,’” Thoms tells CityBeat. “And that post blew up. There were over 600,000 impressions. People were sharing it left and right.”

The post reads: “Our mailman (yes, he’s actually our mailman) needs your help and so do we! Sean, aka ‘OG Stank’ and his wonderful family are looking for a house to call home.”

The Facebook post led to an offmarket opportunity for Fogelson and his family. Once they walked through the house, Thoms says Fogelson put an offer in that night. “People want to help people,” she says. The process is in its final stages, Thoms says, and Fogelson’s family’s goal to find a house by springtime is almost a reality. He’ll remain on the West Side – when he’s not hosting a standup comedy tour, of course.

“I want to emphasize how wonderfully kind and sincere [Fogelson] is and how he has this light that lights up around him, as a mailman, as someone on TikTok,” Thoms says. “It’s such an encouragement for me to be who I am. To be authentically you, and don’t let anybody squash that light, because it makes a difference in the world. It makes a difference for the people around you. It inspires people; it motivates people.”

That One Mailman and Friends will meet a sold-out crowd on March 24 at the Liberty Township Funny Bone Comedy Club, when Fogelson steps on stage for the first time in his hometown as the host of a standup comedy show. Fogelson will also be an official judge at CityBeat’s annual Margarita Madness competition on May 17 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

To learn more about That One Mailman and Friends or Sean Fogelson’s content, visit tiktok.com/@seanfogelson513.

ARTS & CULTURE

A Cinephile’s Dream

Woodward Theater screens a variety of indie films as part of its successful Woodward Cinema series

BY GARIN PIRNIA

It’s a Monday evening, and cinephiles are gathered at Woodward Theater with beer and popcorn in their hands to watch an indie film. Nothing is better than beginning the week with a film screening.

In 2021, the Woodward Theater soft launched Woodward Cinema, a means to screen local, national and global art house films. At first they showed a film every month for six months, but now the theater hosts screenings every Monday night with a 125-seat capacity. The ongoing series is the brainchild of Jonny Shenk, the Woodward’s film booker and curation lead of Cindependent Film Festival (there is no affiliation between Woodward and Cindependent), and Chris Varias, Woodward’s co-owner.

“Chris was interested in doing film and was kind of looking for the right way to do it,” Shenk told CityBeat. “I have some background working in film exhibitions. When we met, it kind of became a natural partnership with us that started doing that.”

From 2016-2021, Shenk was general manager at The Esquire and programmed daily repertory screenings.

“That was definitely my favorite part about the Esquire experience,” he said, “and one of my favorite jobs I’ve ever had. That’s how I got to meet a lot of people in the Cincinnati film community, and I have a lot of great memories.”

Filmgoers won’t find screenings of the latest Marvel movies, but they will find indie films from distributors like A24 and Utopia. Recently, the Academy Award-nominated Aftersun screened, and so did The Sweet East, with the film’s screenwriter Nick Pinkerton — who’s a Cincy native — in attendance. The buzzy film stars Jacob Elordi and recent Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri.

On Feb. 26, the Woodward screened

its 50th film in the series, Drift, starring Cynthia Erivo and Alia Shawkat. Many of the films aren’t available on streaming apps, so people need to go in-person.

“The vision has become to showcase stuff that isn’t playing anywhere else that deserves an audience, deserves a big screen presentation,” Shenk said. “I really love the Cincinnati film scene in general, and if I’m not working at the Woodward, I’m always going to see movies at the Esquire or I’m going to the Garfield.”

In 1913, the Woodward opened as a silent movie theater and showed films until the 1930s. Decades ago, downtown Cincy bustled with several movie theaters like Skywalk Cinemas and The Movies, which now houses Cincinnati World Cinema at the Garfield Theatre.

Until 2019, The Mini Microcinema screened indie films across the street from the Woodward, so the Monday night screenings are filling a void — sometimes a timely one.

In April 2022, Woodward screened the Ukrainian black comedy Donbass, shortly after the Russia-Ukraine war started.

“We had a Russian history professor come in from UC and do a conversation after the film,” Shenk said. “Everybody was kind of just processing what was going on with that attack, so we did that.”

OutReels Cincinnati, Cindependent and Cincinnati Socialists have sponsored screenings such as The Murder of Fred Hampton

In November 2022, the music documentary Meet Me in the Bathroom, based on the titular book about the early aughts NYC rock music scene, brought a full house.

“We found that doing music-related content often suits our venue pretty well because it is largely a concert venue, so it’s like a natural fit.”

So far in March, music documentaries have included the 40th anniversary screening of Stop Making Sense, a doc on Iron and Wine and Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (And Other Rock & Roll Stories). On April 1, the thriller Femme will screen, and the following week rock documentary The Napa State Tapes will premiere. In May, Jane Schoenbrun’s unsettling We’re All Going to the World’s Fair will screen in conjunction with the A24-distributed release of their new film, I Saw the TV Glow.

The Woodward’s main sources of revenue are concerts and special events, but its film arm, as Shenk explained, is similar to what Apple and Amazon do.

“They have their own thriving main element of their business, and then on the side, they’re able to do film or TV almost as a passion project or just as sort of a brand extension,” he said. “The Woodward is kind of similar to that in

a certain way where the Woodward doesn’t depend on the movie screenings to survive. They’re more able to do them as another fun element of what the business already is. And I think for that reason, we only show good stuff, essentially.”

The Woodward isn’t alone in its boutique programming. Secret Base Cinema and Outer Cinema Cincinnati program horror and cult films; the latter screens its picks at Esquire. The Lounge in Northside screens films like Romeo + Juliet and Certain Women every other Tuesday. Cinema in OTR specializes in Black cinema. Powered by Cindependent, Shenk runs Cincy Film Calendar in which he posts on Instagram what’s screening at cinemas, festivals and makeshift cinemas across the city every week.

“I think it’s only a good thing for Cincinnati to have more options, more variety in the film space,” Shenk said. “I think that’s how it used to be. I think we can all support each other and push each other to be better and kind of continue to see how the film scene continues to grow in Cincinnati. We’re growing together as a city, and I’m excited about where it’s all going.”

Woodward Theater

movies every Monday at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. More info: woodwardtheater.com.

screens

Woodward Theater hosts film screenings every Monday night.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY JONNY SHENK

CULTURE

AAAward-Winning Author Robin McLean to Discuss Her Work at University of Cincinnati’s Visiting Writers Series

BY MACKENZIE MANLEY

Award-Winning Author Robin McLean to Discuss Her Work at University of Cincinnati’s Visiting Writers Series

BY MACKENZIE MANLEY

ward-winning author Robin McLean describes her latest work, 2022’s Get ’em Young, Treat ’em Tough, Tell ’em Nothing –– a collection of 10 short stories –– as a “North American road trip.”

ward-winning author Robin McLean describes her latest work, 2022’s Get ’em Young, Treat ’em Tough, Tell ’em Nothing –– a collection of 10 short stories –– as a “North American road trip.”

“There’s a lot of scammers and tricksters –– and those who were tricked,” McLean tells CityBeat via phone.

“There’s a lot of scammers and tricksters –– and those who were tricked,” McLean tells CityBeat via phone. “There’s a lot of exploration of the good and the bad in American mythology and thinking.”

“There’s a lot of exploration of the good and the bad in American mythology and thinking.”

McLean will read from Get ‘Em Young on Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Cincinnati’s Visiting Writers Series. She’ll also join her agent Stephanie Steiker in conversation on Friday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m. Both events take place in the Elliston Poetry Room (646 Langsam Library).

McLean will read from Get ‘Em Young on Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Cincinnati’s Visiting Writers Series. She’ll also join her agent Stephanie Steiker in conversation on Friday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m. Both events take place in the Elliston Poetry Room (646 Langsam Library).

Preceding Get ‘Em Young is her debut 2021 novel, Pity the Beast, and her first short story collection, 2015’s Reptile House. The former started as a work meant for her second short story collection, but as she wrote, she began to realize that her story could be something much more. Before Pity the Beast, McLean thought of herself solely as a short fiction writer.

Preceding Get ‘Em Young is her debut 2021 novel, Pity the Beast, and her first short story collection, 2015’s Reptile House. The former started as a work meant for her second short story collection, but as she wrote, she began to realize that her story could be something much more. Before Pity the Beast, McLean thought of herself solely as a short fiction writer.

“People would always say, ‘Are you going to write a novel?’ And I would say, ‘I don’t write novels.’ But every so often, you get one,” says McLean. “It sat as a short story for a long time and then I workshopped it. It was suggested that it could keep going. And so, it became a novel by mistake.”

“People would always say, ‘Are you going to write a novel?’ And I would say, ‘I don’t write novels.’ But every so often, you get one,” says McLean. “It sat as a short story for a long time and then I workshopped it. It was suggested that it could keep going. And so, it became a novel by mistake.”

Now, she’s working on her second full-length novel.

Now, she’s working on her second full-length novel.

At the time of the interview, McLean spoke from Missoula, where she is currently a Visiting Writer at the University of Montana. But McLean has worked and lived across the country, from Alaska to New Hampshire to Massachusetts. The UC visit will bring her back to her old Midwest stomping grounds –– she grew up in Illinois.

At the time of the interview, McLean spoke from Missoula, where she is currently a Visiting Writer at the University of Montana. But McLean has worked and lived across the country, from Alaska to New Hampshire to Massachusetts. The UC visit will bring her back to her old Midwest stomping grounds –– she grew up in Illinois.

The natural world is an oft-explored subject in McLean’s writings. When asked if the places she lives at any given time inspire her work, she responds that she’s interested in how the natural world can be central to a story, or even a character.

The natural world is an oft-explored subject in McLean’s writings. When asked if the places she lives at any given time inspire her work, she responds that she’s interested in how the natural world can be central to a story, or even a character.

“I’m also interested in how many, many books –– Westerns, for example –– leave the background in the background,” explains McLean. “I’m interested in bringing the background and the beings that live in the background forward into the main story. When I lived on a little lake in New Hampshire, I wrote a story about a frozen lake. The work that I’m doing now was mostly

“I’m also interested in how many, many books –– Westerns, for example –– leave the background in the background,” explains McLean. “I’m interested in bringing the background and the beings that live in the background forward into the main story. When I lived on a little lake in New Hampshire, I wrote a story about a frozen lake. The work that I’m doing now was mostly

started [while in] the desert, so it all takes place in the desert.”

started [while in] the desert, so it all takes place in the desert.”

McLean’s work history, like the places she has lived, also carves a unique background. Before receiving her MFA at UMass Amherst, she worked as a lawyer and a potter.

McLean’s work history, like the places she has lived, also carves a unique background. Before receiving her MFA at UMass Amherst, she worked as a lawyer and a potter.

She was also a figure skater, which she says prepared her for fiction writing. Figure skating, McLean explains, takes you to extreme ends of experience; one learns to skate, slide, jump and spin without friction.

She was also a figure skater, which she says prepared her for fiction writing. Figure skating, McLean explains, takes you to extreme ends of experience; one learns to skate, slide, jump and spin without friction.

“It’s an incredibly wonderful feeling once you’ve achieved mastery but, in order to do that, you have to fall and fall and fall and crash and smash and deal with a tremendous amount of failure,” says McLean. “I feel like learning to cope with failure as a necessary part of the process is a really, really good thing for fiction writers.”

“It’s an incredibly wonderful feeling once you’ve achieved mastery but, in order to do that, you have to fall and fall and fall and crash and smash and deal with a tremendous amount of failure,” says McLean. “I feel like learning to cope with failure as a necessary part of the process is a really, really good thing for fiction writers.”

Later in the interview, McLean says she puts pottery in the same category; like in figure skating, there’s a lot of screwing up to be had: pots collapse or blow up in the kiln, among other

Later in the interview, McLean says she puts pottery in the same category; like in figure skating, there’s a lot of screwing up to be had: pots collapse or blow up in the kiln, among other

issues.

issues.

“But at the end, you can have this dysfunctional thing where you can eat your cereal out of in the morning, or drink your coffee. Of course, potters tend to secretly believe in the ritual of food and being a part of that with strangers,” says McLean. “There’s something about association with writing a book or story that some stranger reads at some point in time.”

“But at the end, you can have this dysfunctional thing where you can eat your cereal out of in the morning, or drink your coffee. Of course, potters tend to secretly believe in the ritual of food and being a part of that with strangers,” says McLean. “There’s something about association with writing a book or story that some stranger reads at some point in time.”

When asked what attendees can expect during the March 28 reading/talk, McLean says that, since it’s tied to UC’s graduate creative writing program, there will likely be discussion about technique, methods and ticks or patterns in her writing. The following day’s conversation on March 29 will focus on the agent-author partnership.

When asked what attendees can expect during the March 28 reading/talk, McLean says that, since it’s tied to UC’s graduate creative writing program, there will likely be discussion about technique, methods and ticks or patterns in her writing. The following day’s conversation on March 29 will focus on the agent-author partnership.

McLean originally connected with Steiker, her agent, through Chris Bachelder, now the director of creative writing at UC. At the time, Bachelder served as McLean’s thesis chair when she studied at UMass Amherst. He connected her with his editor, who was

McLean originally connected with Steiker, her agent, through Chris Bachelder, now the director of creative writing at UC. At the time, Bachelder served as McLean’s thesis chair when she studied at UMass Amherst. He connected her with his editor, who was

at a writing conference and happened to be on the same panel as Steiker. Steiker and McLean then met at a bar. The rest is history.

at a writing conference and happened to be on the same panel as Steiker. Steiker and McLean then met at a bar. The rest is history.

“My agent, Stephanie Steiker, is a fascinating person,” says McLean. “She works mostly with non-fiction and groundbreaking political stuff. She’s a firecracker and brilliant and she’ll be quite interesting for everybody.”

“My agent, Stephanie Steiker, is a fascinating person,” says McLean. “She works mostly with non-fiction and groundbreaking political stuff. She’s a firecracker and brilliant and she’ll be quite interesting for everybody.”

The UC Visiting Writers Series will conclude in April with this season’s final writer: Douglas Kearney, the 2024 Elliston Poet-in-Residence. The multihyphenate has published seven collections, most recently Optic Subwoof. Catch Kearney’s talk at 5:30 p.m. on April 2 and a poetry reading at 6 p.m. on April 4.

The UC Visiting Writers Series will conclude in April with this season’s final writer: Douglas Kearney, the 2024 Elliston Poet-in-Residence. The multihyphenate has published seven collections, most recently Optic Subwoof Catch Kearney’s talk at 5:30 p.m. on April 2 and a poetry reading at 6 p.m. on April 4.

Robin McLean will join UC’s Visiting Writers Series on Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 for a fiction reading; and on Friday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m., McLean will be in conversation with her agent Stephanie Steiker.

More info: artsci.uc.edu.

Robin McLean will join UC’s Visiting Writers Series on Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 for a fiction reading; and on Friday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m., McLean will be in conversation with her agent Stephanie Steiker. More info: artsci.uc.edu.

Robin McLean will read from her new book, Get ’em Young, Treat ’em Tough, Tell ’em Nothing , at the UC event.

PHOTO: M. KEEFER/PROVIDED BY ROBIN MCLEAN

Robin McLean will read from her new book, Get ’em Young, Treat ’em Tough, Tell ’em Nothing , at the UC event.

PHOTO: M. KEEFER/PROVIDED BY ROBIN MCLEAN

ONSTAGE

PPFour Cincinnati Performing Arts Organizations Announce 2024-2025 Seasons

BY RICK PENDER

Four Cincinnati Performing Arts Organizations Announce 2024-2025 Seasons

BY RICK PENDER

redicting the future is a challenging job for the leaders of performing arts organizations, involving a lot of guesswork about what will be appealing and keep audiences returning. Earlier in March, four performing arts organizations announced their upcoming seasons. CityBeat spoke with the leaders of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati Ballet and the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras about what’s in store from new works to familiar classics.

redicting the future is a challenging job for the leaders of performing arts organizations, involving a lot of guesswork about what will be appealing and keep audiences returning. Earlier in March, four performing arts organizations announced their upcoming seasons. CityBeat spoke with the leaders of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati Ballet and the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras about what’s in store from new works to familiar classics.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park produces shows at the sizable Rouse Theatre and the historic, smaller Rosenthal Shelterhouse.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park produces shows at the sizable Rouse Theatre and the historic, smaller Rosenthal Shelterhouse.

“Overall, the season addresses all of our programmatic goals, in terms of big titles, new works and diverse stories,” said Blake Robison, the Playhouse’s artistic director. On the main stage, Dial M For Murder will kick off the season with a fresh adaptation of a murder-mystery thriller about a plan for vengeance and murder that goes terribly awry. Best known for Hitchcock’s 1954 film, this is Jeffrey Hatcher’s clever, fast-paced new treatment for the stage.

“Overall, the season addresses all of our programmatic goals, in terms of big titles, new works and diverse stories,” said Blake Robison, the Playhouse’s artistic director. On the main stage, Dial M For Murder will kick off the season with a fresh adaptation of a murder-mystery thriller about a plan for vengeance and murder that goes terribly awry. Best known for Hitchcock’s 1954 film, this is Jeffrey Hatcher’s clever, fast-paced new treatment for the stage.

Later in the fall, audiences will see Rutka: A New Musical, the world premiere of an indie rock musical based on a diary left behind by a 14-year-old Polish teenager in a war-torn Jewish ghetto in 1943. The Playhouse is producing this show with the hopes of moving it to Broadway. The Rouse Theatre will also be the venue for A Christmas Carol; an off-Broadway hit, Primary Trust; and the return of Karen Zacarías’s The Book Club Play, a hit in Robison’s first season in 2009.

Later in the fall, audiences will see Rutka: A New Musical, the world premiere of an indie rock musical based on a diary left behind by a 14-year-old Polish teenager in a war-torn Jewish ghetto in 1943. The Playhouse is producing this show with the hopes of moving it to Broadway. The Rouse Theatre will also be the venue for A Christmas Carol; an off-Broadway hit, Primary Trust; and the return of Karen Zacarías’s The Book Club Play, a hit in Robison’s first season in 2009.

Shows set for the Shelterhouse include English, the 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner, about four Iranian adults striving to learn to speak a different language, taught by a devoted teacher. For the holidays, the Playhouse will bring back a famed Chicago comedy troupe for The Best of the Second City, with new and tried-and-true material that has sold out every past Playhouse performance. Two other Shelterhouse productions are Mr. Parent about a struggling actor-turned-urban public school teacher, and Birthday Candles, exploring a ritual that unfolds across 90 years of birthdays from 17 to 107.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Shows set for the Shelterhouse include English, the 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner, about four Iranian adults striving to learn to speak a different language, taught by a devoted teacher. For the holidays, the Playhouse will bring back a famed Chicago comedy troupe for The Best of the Second City, with new and tried-and-true material that has sold out every past Playhouse performance. Two other Shelterhouse productions are Mr. Parent about a struggling actor-turned-urban public school teacher, and Birthday Candles, exploring a ritual that unfolds across 90 years of birthdays from 17 to 107.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Brian Isaac Phillips said the upcoming season will make great classic plays alive and relevant, “while contributing to the future of the American theater with three world premieres.” Shakespeare’s Hamlet will have a strong presence starting with the summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park, with outdoor performances in parks across the Tri-State. The company will present the 2022, Pulitzer Prize-winner Fat Ham in September, a reimagining of Hamlet about Juicy, a queer Black man at a family barbecue that’s a wedding reception for his mother and his uncle. The ghost of his murdered father appears as a specter out of the smoke, demanding vengeance. At the beginning of 2025, Cincy Shakes will produce the world premiere commission of A Room in the Castle. Based on the women of Hamlet, this play by prolific stage writer Lauren Gunderson explores Shakespeare’s tragedy from Ophelia’s perspective.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Brian Isaac Phillips said the upcoming season will make great classic plays alive and relevant, “while contributing to the future of the American theater with three world premieres.” Shakespeare’s Hamlet will have a strong presence starting with the summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park, with outdoor performances in parks across the Tri-State. The company will present the 2022, Pulitzer Prize-winner Fat Ham in September, a reimagining of Hamlet about Juicy, a queer Black man at a family barbecue that’s a wedding reception for his mother and his uncle. The ghost of his murdered father appears as a specter out of the smoke, demanding vengeance. At the beginning of 2025, Cincy Shakes will produce the world premiere commission of A Room in the Castle. Based on the women of Hamlet, this play by prolific stage writer Lauren Gunderson explores Shakespeare’s tragedy from Ophelia’s perspective.

The season also offers the world premiere of Kindred Spirits (Aug. 2-18), another sequel by Alice Scovell. This time it’s building on Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, bringing that play’s ghostly characters back to mischievous, hilarious life. A fresh new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will be presented for Halloween. The season will wrap up

The season also offers the world premiere of Kindred Spirits (Aug. 2-18), another sequel by Alice Scovell. This time it’s building on Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, bringing that play’s ghostly characters back to mischievous, hilarious life. A fresh new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will be presented for Halloween. The season will wrap up

with another world premiere, Mrs. Dalloway: The New Musical, an adaption of Virginia Woolf’s classic novel. The season also offers three Shakespeare plays: Twelfth Night, Macbeth and The Tempest. Of course, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some!), a hit for nearly two decades, will return with more holiday shenanigans.

with another world premiere, Mrs. Dalloway: The New Musical, an adaption of Virginia Woolf’s classic novel. The season also offers three Shakespeare plays: Twelfth Night, Macbeth and The Tempest. Of course, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some!), a hit for nearly two decades, will return with more holiday shenanigans.

Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Ballet

Cervilio Amador has devised his first

Cervilio Amador has devised his first

season as Cincinnati Ballet’s interim artistic director. He described it as a dance between “works that are new to our community … and finding the past with works have already been created.” The ballet season has a high-octane launch with The Kaplan New Works Series in September. It’s a curated collection of fresh, worldpremiere pieces by four visionary choreographers: Harlem-based Darrell Grand Moultrie (who has worked with Beyoncé); up-and-coming Christian Denice; Los Angeles-based choreographer and dancer

season as Cincinnati Ballet’s interim artistic director. He described it as a dance between “works that are new to our community … and finding the past with works have already been created.” The ballet season has a high-octane launch with The Kaplan New Works Series in September. It’s a curated collection of fresh, worldpremiere pieces by four visionary choreographers: Harlem-based Darrell Grand Moultrie (who has worked with Beyoncé); up-and-coming Christian Denice; Los Angeles-based choreographer and dancer

Bela Fleck will perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue as part of the CSO’s upcoming season.

PHOTO: BRANDON MARSHALL

Cincinnati Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz, choreographed by Septime Webre

PHOTO: HIROMI PLATT PHOTOGRAPHY

Bela Fleck will perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue as part of the CSO’s upcoming season.

PHOTO: BRANDON MARSHALL

Cincinnati Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz, choreographed by Septime Webre

PHOTO: HIROMI PLATT PHOTOGRAPHY

Caroline Dahm; and award-winning Gustavo Ramirez from Spain. This series is a perennial patron favorite at the Aronoff’s Jarson-Kaplan Theatre.

Later in the fall at Music Hall it will be perhaps the most romantic ballet of all time, Giselle, a hauntingly beautiful 19th-century work that explores enduring love, devastating betrayal and ultimate forgiveness. Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker, is back for its 50th anniversary at Music Hall. Other programs include The Wizard of Oz at Music Hall in late February and the Ballet’s “Family Series” offering, a one-hour, narrated rendition of Snow White next April at the Aronoff Center.

The season concludes in early May at the Aronoff with Director’s Vision: No Boundaries, more new works for Cincinnati audiences. Internationally renowned Alexander Ekman’s Cacti is a witty parody about contemporary dance. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Delmira, inspired by the life and tragic death of Uruguayan poet Delmira Agustini, gets just its second U.S. production. A work by David Morse, Cincinnati Ballet’s own choreographer, Our Story, will take a somber look at the Holocaust.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Jonathan Martin, president of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, said the CSO seeks to be the “most relevant orchestra in America,” offering a wide array of concerts and broad programming. An October program will feature virtuoso bluegrass musician, banjo player Béla Fleck, performing his own arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Creating this season while searching for the CSO’s next music director meant assembling substantial programs for its 18 subscription concerts. Martin has recruited a quartet of illustrious conductors: Marin Alsop (Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony), Sir Andrew Davis (Handel’s Messiah), Sir Donald Runnicles (Strauss’s An Alpine Symphony) and Jaap van Zweden

(Mahler’s Sixth Symphony, “Tragic”).

The season also offers three one-evening solo recitals by major classical artists: violinist Joshua Bell (with soprano Larisa Martínez performing works by Mendelssohn, Bernstein, Puccini); violinist Hilary Hahn (solo works by J. S. Bach); and explosive pianist Conrad Tao (works by Debussy and Schumann). Highlighting two of its own remarkable performers, the CSO will feature cellist Ilya Finkelshteyn in Saint-Saëns’ First Cello Concerto and horn player Elizabeth Freimuth in Richard Strauss’s First Horn Concerto.

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Pops Conductor John Morris Russell will lead several entertaining concerts at Music Hall, including a concert featuring travel authority Rick Steves; Cincinnati’s Holiday Pops tradition, with Broadway star Norm Lewis; and program featuring another Broadway star, Mandy Gonzalez. Russell will also conduct a New Year’s Eve Pops concert featuring music by Cole Porter and the annual Classical Roots concert next April. Conductor Damon Gupton will lead a Pops program focused on pop star Tina Turner and a Thanksgiving weekend special event film presentation of Home Alone

Russell conducts the Pops in March 2025 for another installment of its series exploring the roots of American music: American Originals: The Harlem Renaissance, with performances from the 1920s and ’30s, the music of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, poetry of Langston Hughes and the dance stylings of Josephine Baker.

If you can’t attend concerts at Cincinnati Music Hall, check out the orchestra’s Live From Music Hall digital concert series offering free live streams of CSO and Pops performances for a week after selected programs.

For more details about each season, visit cincyplay.org, cincyshakes.com, cballet.org and cincinnatisymphony.org.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will stage Rutka: A New Musical in the fall.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD & DRINK

A Culinary King on Court Court Street Kitchen offers New American fare in a charming environment on Court Street in Downtown

A Culinary King on Court

Court Street Kitchen offers New American fare in a charming environment on Court Street in Downtown

REVIEW BY PAMA MITCHELL

REVIEW BY PAMA MITCHELL

IIf you’ve been stuck in the winter doldrums, you might not have noticed the mini-renaissance going on in our dining scene. Over the past few months, several notable restaurants have opened in Cincinnati. Among the latest is Court Street Kitchen (CSK), a significant addition to what has become a fascinating cluster of places to eat just south of Central Parkway, between Over-the-Rhine and the Central Business District.

On or adjacent to Court Street, CSK joins Mid City Restaurant, Hawkers Alley, Onolicious Hawaii, Kitchen 1883 and Pata Roja Taqueria. And that’s not even

f you’ve been stuck in the winter doldrums, you might not have noticed the mini-renaissance going on in our dining scene. Over the past few months, several notable restaurants have opened in Cincinnati. Among the latest is Court Street Kitchen (CSK), a significant addition to what has become a fascinating cluster of places to eat just south of Central Parkway, between Over-the-Rhine and the Central Business District. On or adjacent to Court Street, CSK joins Mid City Restaurant, Hawkers Alley, Onolicious Hawaii, Kitchen 1883 and Pata Roja Taqueria. And that’s not even

a complete list of dining options in the immediate area. Amid all these options, Court Street Kitchen stands out as a fullservice restaurant serving New American fare in a comfortable setting that should appeal to a range of diners. I love the fact that it serves Sunday dinner, something of a rarity in our town. Compared to its nearby neighbors, CSK almost has a suburban vibe, with a roomy, open dining room flanked by a bar on one perimeter.

Owner Braheam Shteiwi patrols the aisles, checking in with patrons and making sure everyone has what they need.

I’d been watching the space for weeks,

a complete list of dining options in the immediate area. Amid all these options, Court Street Kitchen stands out as a fullservice restaurant serving New American fare in a comfortable setting that should appeal to a range of diners. I love the fact that it serves Sunday dinner, something of a rarity in our town. Compared to its nearby neighbors, CSK almost has a suburban vibe, with a roomy, open dining room flanked by a bar on one perimeter. Owner Braheam Shteiwi patrols the aisles, checking in with patrons and making sure everyone has what they need. I’d been watching the space for weeks,

if not months, awaiting the opening after “Court Street Kitchen” graced its exterior quite a while before the early February debut. Within a couple of weeks, we grabbed a Saturday dinner reservation at the 3CDC-backed venue. The establishment includes a separate lounge next door, called VII, a darkly lit room with a separate bar and a thumping sound system.

if not months, awaiting the opening after “Court Street Kitchen” graced its exterior quite a while before the early February debut. Within a couple of weeks, we grabbed a Saturday dinner reservation at the 3CDC-backed venue. The establishment includes a separate lounge next door, called VII, a darkly lit room with a separate bar and a thumping sound system.

Less than a month after opening, the restaurant understandably was working out some details about the fare, but my overall impression was positive. They describe the menu as New American

Less than a month after opening, the restaurant understandably was working out some details about the fare, but my overall impression was positive. They describe the menu as New American

— with notable Italian influences and one or two nods to French or Asian preparations. Cocktails stick to the tried and true, for the most part, and the short list of wines by the glass also hewed toward the familiar. (I’d appreciate an expansion of the glass pours, even perhaps as rotating specials, to offer something a bit more adventurous.)

— with notable Italian influences and one or two nods to French or Asian preparations. Cocktails stick to the tried and true, for the most part, and the short list of wines by the glass also hewed toward the familiar. (I’d appreciate an expansion of the glass pours, even perhaps as rotating specials, to offer something a bit more adventurous.)

Owner Shteiwi, a Cincinnati native whose parents emigrated from Jordan, thinks of his restaurant as “the anchor” of Court Street Plaza, and I can see how that could work. The restaurant and adjacent lounge have the largest footprint of any

Owner Shteiwi, a Cincinnati native whose parents emigrated from Jordan, thinks of his restaurant as “the anchor” of Court Street Plaza, and I can see how that could work. The restaurant and adjacent lounge have the largest footprint of any

Court Street Kitchen’s menu features New American fare with Italian influences

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY 3CDC

Court Street Kitchen has a suburban, roomy vibe

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY 3CDC

Court Street Kitchen owner and chef Braheam Shteiwi

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY 3CDC

Court Street Kitchen’s menu features New American fare with Italian influences

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY 3CDC

Court Street Kitchen has a suburban, roomy vibe

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY 3CDC

Court Street Kitchen owner and chef Braheam Shteiwi

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY 3CDC

nearby establishment, with prominent signage and patio space. It brought weekend valet parking service to Court Street, available whether they are dining at CSK or not. The patio may be open and lunch service up and running by the time you read this. Weather permitting, Shteiwi hopes to host the multitudes for the Reds’ Opening Day on March 28.

Nott Khonsue is chef de cuisine at CSK after spending many years as sushi chef at Jeff Ruby’s, both the original downtown location and the glitzy new venue. This is his first time helming a kitchen, and Shteiwi says he couldn’t be happier with the hire. “He’s very focused, and has been here every day,” Shteiwi said of Khonsue, adding that he initially expected to take chef duties himself but was delighted when his former colleague at Ruby’s came on board.

The restaurant’s compact dinner menu offers groupings of shellfish, appetizers, salads and soup, pasta dishes, sides and mains. There are plenty of interesting choices in the first three categories for patrons to fashion a meal from a couple of smaller dishes, skipping the big plates altogether. I like to eat that way sometimes, although for my first visit to Court Street Kitchen, I wanted to sample from the “mains” section, too.

For starters, we enjoyed the baked clams, a retro-style preparation with herbs, grated cheese and lemon butter that I haven’t seen on a menu in years. The clams were quite small, but Shteiwi told me that he has found a source for plumper bivalves, which should make the dish even more satisfying. Arugula salad features blue cheese and toasted almonds, and the house salad gets a lift from chopped kalamata olives and a creamy Italian dressing, brought in from the owner’s other restaurant, Caruso’s Ristorante & Bar, in Fairfield. The folks at Caruso’s also make the pastas served at CSK.

Two of the pasta dishes feature Caruso’s fettuccine: scampi and aragosta, the latter a mélange of shrimp, lobster and bay scallops in a tomato cream sauce. My date ordered the scampi with shrimp, the plate filled with the noodles and prosciutto, green peas and a lightly cheesy white wine cream sauce. It was a hearty portion and at least a third of the dish went home with him.

I tried the Chicken Cassoulet, which the menu describes as “airline chicken seared in butter, served with sausage and white bean stew in a casserole dish.” Some of its elements were marvelous, especially the beans, but cassoulet is best with rich duck meat instead of bland, white-meat chicken. Along with an expansion of glass pours on the wine list, I hope CSK will consider replacing the chicken with duck in this promising dish.

A menu offers four sweet treats, including Caruso’s tiramisu, plus gelato and sorbet. A hefty slice of olive oil cake with a pound-cake style density had a layer of lemon cream icing and a smear of raspberry sauce on the plate. Even better, the flourless chocolate cake had an unusual presentation; atop a large plate, a ramekin with the warm cake was accompanied by three additional small dishes containing vanilla ice cream, warm caramel sauce, and candied, roasted pecans. It was up to me to festoon the molten dark chocolate cake with however much of each garnish I wanted.

Court Street Kitchen’s owner says that Fridays and Saturdays have been busy but laments that Court Street “is a ghost town” on weekday evenings. Here’s hoping that the addition of this restaurant and many other dining options will enliven the neighborhood as the spring and summer ensue.

Court Street Kitchen, 7 E. Court St., Downtown. More info: courtstreetkitchen.com.

Court Street Kitchen serves dinner on Sundays — a rarity in downtown Cincinnati

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY 3CDC

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With Ice Cream From These Greater Cincinnati Creamy Whips

BY CITYBEAT STAFF

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With Ice Cream From These Greater Cincinnati Creamy Whips

BY CITYBEAT STAFF

PHOTO: JESSE FOX

SSpring is kicking into high gear, and that means creamy whips across the Cincinnati area are opening their walk-up windows and switching their soft-serve machines on to help you shake off the winter blues with some sweetness.

pring is kicking into high gear, and that means creamy whips across the Cincinnati area are opening their walk-up windows and switching their soft-serve machines on to help you shake off the winter blues with some sweetness.

And to say Cincinnati is a mecca of creamy whips would be an understatement. From neighborhood staples that have been serving ice cream and smiles for generations to the newer shops inspired by their memories made at the nostalgic awnings and picnic tables of the OG whips, there are plenty of places across the city for the young and young-at-heart to grab a shake, sundae or just a classic cone.

And to say Cincinnati is a mecca of creamy whips would be an understatement. From neighborhood staples that have been serving ice cream and smiles for generations to the newer shops inspired by their memories made at the nostalgic awnings and picnic tables of the OG whips, there are plenty of places across the city for the young and young-at-heart to grab a shake, sundae or just a classic cone.

Putz’s Creamy Whip

(Opening March 18)

2673 Putz Place, East Westwood/ Northside

Putz’s Creamy Whip (Opening March 18)

2673 Putz Place, East Westwood/ Northside

Putz’s Creamy Whip has been in the family since the day Constantine and Anna Putz opened their first trolley car walk-up ice cream window in 1938. The Putz as we know it — now in a square concrete structure just down the hill from Mt. Airy Forest — is a scoop of summer nostalgia served with a smile. Not much about this place has changed over the past several decades. Putz descendants have been cranking out cones at the creamy whip for the last few decades — all on the same Electro-Freeze machine. Another tradition? Putz’s is cash-only. Despite the hoopla about the vintage ice cream machine and vanilla soft-serve, the pineapple sherbet is a must. It’s creamy like softserve and tangy to boot. “Face cones” are also a hot commodity at Putz’s. The soft-serve cones are adorned with Necco wafer ears and crunchy googly-eyed candy.

Putz’s Creamy Whip has been in the family since the day Constantine and Anna Putz opened their first trolley car walk-up ice cream window in 1938. The Putz as we know it — now in a square concrete structure just down the hill from Mt. Airy Forest — is a scoop of summer nostalgia served with a smile. Not much about this place has changed over the past several decades. Putz descendants have been cranking out cones at the creamy whip for the last few decades — all on the same Electro-Freeze machine. Another tradition? Putz’s is cash-only. Despite the hoopla about the vintage ice cream machine and vanilla soft-serve, the pineapple sherbet is a must. It’s creamy like softserve and tangy to boot. “Face cones” are also a hot commodity at Putz’s. The soft-serve cones are adorned with Necco wafer ears and crunchy googly-eyed candy.

Zip Dip

4050 Drew Ave., Green Township

Zip Dip

4050 Drew Ave., Green Township

Zip Dip literally shines like a beacon of light through the dark — the iconic neon lightning bolt adorning the roof is unmistakable. It was added to the building in 1951 and has been guiding customers through summer heat waves to ice cream salvation ever since. Everyone loves a classic. The top-seller here is a basic small cone with a twist, but scrap the whole chocolate and vanilla idea. Zip Dip serves an orange and vanilla twist that will make you forget you ever wanted anything else. If you’re looking for more, Zip Dip has a whole heap of ice cream selections, from chipwiches to sundaes. Those who prefer to drink their ice cream should skip the shakes and opt for a malt instead.

Zip Dip literally shines like a beacon of light through the dark — the iconic neon lightning bolt adorning the roof is unmistakable. It was added to the building in 1951 and has been guiding customers through summer heat waves to ice cream salvation ever since. Everyone loves a classic. The top-seller here is a basic small cone with a twist, but scrap the whole chocolate and vanilla idea. Zip Dip serves an orange and vanilla twist that will make you forget you ever wanted anything else. If you’re looking for more, Zip Dip has a whole heap of ice cream selections, from chipwiches to sundaes. Those who prefer to drink their ice cream should skip the shakes and opt for a malt instead.

Whetsel Whip (Opening April 12)

Whetsel Whip offers classic chocolate and vanilla soft-serve with hard shell flavors of chocolate, birthday cake and butterscotch. Sure you can get that in a classic waffle cone, but you can also get it served up in a delicious, fluffy bubble waffle. And if you can’t choose between the selection of mouthwatering sundaes, order a flight, which comes with four signature flavors.

Whetsel Whip offers classic chocolate and vanilla soft-serve with hard shell flavors of chocolate, birthday cake and butterscotch. Sure you can get that in a classic waffle cone, but you can also get it served up in a delicious, fluffy bubble waffle. And if you can’t choose between the selection of mouthwatering sundaes, order a flight, which comes with four signature flavors.

The Cone (Opening April 4)

The Cone (Opening April 4)

6855 Tylersville Road, West Chester

Whetsel Whip (Opening

4825 Whetsel Ave., Madisonville

April 12)

Located right next to The Cheesecakery,

4825 Whetsel Ave., Madisonville

Located right next to The Cheesecakery,

6855 Tylersville Road, West Chester West Chester’s The Cone is arguably the most recognizable creamy whip in all of Ohio — partially because of its large ice cream cone-shaped exterior. The Cone’s flavors and ingredients are all-natural, the majority of which are made in-house daily with fresh fruit, real chocolate and more. Even their famous bright orange zebra cone is made from real oranges. Plus all their ice creams, yogurts, Italian ices and sherbets are not only all-natural,

West Chester’s The Cone is arguably the most recognizable creamy whip in all of Ohio — partially because of its large ice cream cone-shaped exterior. The Cone’s flavors and ingredients are all-natural, the majority of which are made in-house daily with fresh fruit, real chocolate and more. Even their famous bright orange zebra cone is made from real oranges. Plus all their ice creams, yogurts, Italian ices and sherbets are not only all-natural,

Zip Dip has been serving creamy whip to hungry customers for decades

Zip Dip has been serving creamy whip to hungry customers for decades

PHOTO: JESSE FOX

but soy-free, gluten-free and egg-free, and their whipped cream is homemade on a daily basis from scratch. They also have peanut-allergy-friendly options, as well as dairy-free and sugar-free selections.

The Root Beer Stand

11566 Reading Road, Sharonville

The Root Beer Stand has been delighting summertime guests since it first opened as an A&W Root Beer Stand in 1957. The now-family-owned restaurant makes secret recipe root beer (available by the jug) using water from the property’s 280-foot-deep well, which you can add to two scoops of ice cream to make into a float. The stand also offers classic vanilla soft-serve with eight flavor burst options to mix in, and make sure you try a footlong coney while you’re there. The family’s secret-recipe chili is to die for.

Mt. Washington Creamy Whip & Bakery

(Opening April 1)

2069 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington Nestled on the edge of Mt. Washington sits one of Cincinnati’s most simplified creamy whips. Filled with historic and nostalgic Cincinnati imagery, they offer three flavors of soft-serve: vanilla, chocolate and swirl, plus Dole Whips. Among the traditional flavors are a ton of optional toppings. Their Oreo Malt has the perfect cookie/ice cream ratio. Most

recommended is their peanut butter sundaes or shakes, or their weekly flavor offerings.

Cowboy Cones

(Opening April 6)

508 N. Wyoming Ave., Wyoming

An HVAC salesman and the owner of Wyoming Heating and Air one day realized that Wyoming was in desperate need of some ice cream. They took it upon themselves to create Cowboy Cones, a cow-print-covered ice cream stop that serves up sundaes, shakes, floats, tons of imaginative ice cream flavors and, of course, creamy whips. The shop offers 14 rotating flavors of creamy soft-serve that can be topped or swirled to create the perfect flavor. For those who don’t eat dairy, Cowboy Cones also serves a few flavors of soy-based ice cream.

Bold Face Dairy Bar (Opening TBA)

801 Mt Hope Ave., East Price Hill

This walk-up urban creamy whip is helmed by the Grear and Harkins families. The menu includes floats, shakes and flurries in addition to softserve. Cones come in vanilla, chocolate or swirl with toppings like sea salt, sprinkles and chocolate sauce, but where things get creative are their flavor swirls. Among additions like lavender, pistachio and chai tea is bourbon barrel

stout, a unique Kentucky-style standout. And if you want to get really adventurous, try Bold Face’s PB&J hot dog.

The Parlor

1218 Broadway St., Pendleton; 119 Main St., Milford; 2069 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington

The Parlor specializes in the fusion of ice cream and espresso, but its softserve is also a must-try. Customers can order from a diverse menu of creamy whip flavors ranging from strawberry to Nutella swirl, but soft-serve won’t be the only choice to fill your cup or cone. More adventurous customers can opt for edible cookie dough by the scoop or choose to blend the batter into a shake or sundae. Mom always said never to eat raw cookie dough, but forget her advice for now.

Mason Whippy Dip

127 E. Main St., Mason

Mason Whippy Dip, also known as Tucker’s Whippy Dip, is a family-owned ice cream shop that’s been crafting cones and smiles since 1999. They’re best known for their creative animal cones, using ice cream, candy and an assortment of other treats to make sweet creatures that are almost too cute to eat (almost). Whippy Dip also has some incredible gourmet sundaes like the Black Forest (chocolate soft-serve

with hot fudge and cherry topping) or the Sandstorm (chocolate soft-serve with marshmallow topping, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, malt powder and chopped peanuts).

Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar

7840 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy While Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar famously serves 2-pound monster cones for dirt cheap, its rotating sherbet flavors are to die for. They offer a farmers market variety of flavors throughout the summer: Shocking Strawberry, Bold Black Cherry, Awesome Orange and Perfect Pineapple to name a few. The Bold Black Cherry tastes uncannily like a cherry Starburst.

Don’s Creamy Whip (Opening April 1)

1522 Market St., Reading

Don Vonderhaar of Vonderhaar Catering opened Don’s Creamy Whip in March 1976. Considered a hidden gem in Reading, it often has a long line of locals or passersby. Don’s not only offers ice cream, but slushies and delicious fast food with quality portion sizes. Their most popular menu items are their soft-serve ice cream and “Whippers,” similar to Flurries or Blizzards, with your choice of candy swirled perfectly within your favorite ice cream flavor.

Bold Face Dairy Bar serves up classic and interesting flavors, like lavender, pistachio and chai tea.

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

Gold Top Dairy Bar is a top culinary destination in White Oak

PHOTO: SAMI STEWART

Dreamy Whip

3020 Washington St., Burlington

This soft-serve ice cream and coffee shop wants to be your symbol of summer, and with its menu of cones, shakes, malts and floats, how could it not? Ice cream is flavored in-house and in small batches, and flavors are rotated weekly. The vanilla is always available dairy-free, as are their dole whips. And not only does Dreamy Whip have its Burlington storefront, it also has its own ice cream truck and trailer that can be rented out for events.

Sugar Shack by the Tracks

405 E. Wyoming Ave., Lockland

This new ice cream parlor and coffee shop offers retro vibes along with its sweet treats. While the shop has been focusing on donuts and coffee during the winter months, spring is coming, and ice cream will be back on the menu in April. Inside, you’ll find colorful murals and gleaming hubcaps on the ceiling, and on the menu is an extensive list of homemade hand-dipped ice creams, sundaes, milkshakes, soft-serve and fruity Dole whip flavors. Some of the most popular flavors last year were butter pecan, cherry cordial and cookies and cream. The sundaes are also a big hit, all inspired by both 1950s pop culture and local landmarks, including the Exit 12, which gives a nod to the location’s exit just off of I-75, and the Benson Banana Split for the Reading Bridal District.

Eishaus

117 Park Place, Covington

Eishaus is home to spaghetti eis, a soft-serve-like German ice cream dish that has the appearance of spaghetti, which, conveniently for Cincinnati chili die-hards, can be made to look like our famous 3-Ways. Spaghetti eis can also be topped with different fruits and chocolate to form a visually striking and delicious dessert. Eishaus also serves coffee, burritos, loaded tots, tea and a daily rotation of pastries. The next-door sister restaurant Frosthaus focuses on boozy slushies and flatbreads.

Whipty-Do!

2529 US-22, Maineville

Whipty-Do! opened its doors in May of 2009, when owners Joe and Kristen Fields turned their love of ice cream into a colorful brick-and-mortar shop. They began serving blue ice cream in 2010, and customers drive from as far as Columbus and Indianapolis to stock up on the stuff with coolers and dry ice in tow. And for folks who are dairy-free, they have rotating-flavor Dole Whips. Also, be sure to try their secret menu item, the Whipty Whirl (ice cream blended with candy and/or syrup), at least once this summer.

The Lil Goodie Shoppe

7120 Eagle Creek Road, Colerain Township

Opened in 1983, The Lil Goodie Shoppe has been run by three generations of women from the Anderson family. Their turtle sundae is a dream come true, and they have an extensive list of ingredients you can add to your flurry, including classic candies like M&Ms, Reese’s Cups and Butterfingers, as well as real fruit. Among their specialty items, you’ll find an adorable clown cup – soft-serve topped with rainbow sprinkles, candy eyes and ears and a cone hat on top – as well as a strawberry shortcake, banana

split and Reese’s Cup Parfait. The Lil Goodie Shoppe also has real-deal Slush Puppies that come in 10 flavors, and you can also add Sour Shocker to any of them.

Silver Grove Dari Bar

5178 Mary Ingles Highway, Silver Grove

This little walk-up classic creamy whip in Northern Kentucky has tons of amazing options. If you’re a fan of Graeter’s black raspberry chocolate chip, opt for one of the Dari Bar’s hot fudge sundaes topped with black raspberry. Or a black raspberry blitz — their take on a Blizzard. In addition to soft-serve, the Dari

Bar offers burgers, sandwiches, coneys, actual foot-long footlongs and cheese fries.

Gold Top Dairy Bar (Opening March 18)

2810 Blue Rock Road, White Oak

Served out of a walk-up window with a bright yellow roof, this White Oak stop has the traditional Cincinnati creamy whip experience. Their menu features soft serve in a few traditional flavors plus blue raspberry that can be served in a cup or smothered in all types of toppings from sprinkles to cake batter. You can also take home a pint of soft-serve, edible cookie dough or even order an ice cream cake.

Sprinkles Creamy Whip

500 N. Miami Ave., Cleves

This small-town ice cream shop in Cleves serves up 19 flavors of soft serve plus an extensive menu of shake and malt flavors, as well as sundaes, flurries and more. Sprinkles Creamy Whip serves its delicious menu out of a cashonly walk-up window. If you stop by, try the donut ice cream sandwich, made with any flavor of ice cream between two glazed donuts.

Aubrey + Zach’s Ice Cream

3447 Epworth Ave., Westwood

Attached to W Bar + Bistro in Westwood, Aubrey + Zach’s features classic dips with flavors ranging from the classic Dutch Chocolate and Old Tyme Vanilla to the less conventional, like Cold Brew Coffee, Peach, Sea Salt Caramel Toffee and one called “Superfriends.” Any of their flavors can be turned into a shake, and adding

Come for the Parlor’s ice cream, stay for the edible cookie dough

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

The Rootbeer Stand is a classic Cincinnati foodie staple

PHOTO: DANIELLE SCHUSTER

rainbow sprinkles to your ice cream is always free. The little shop also offers specialty sundaes, plus boozy shakes and slushies.

The Goody Shop

2009 Springdale Road, Mt. Healthy Head over to North College Hill and spot the space-age building with a giant yellow sign to find The Goody Shop. On top of various flavors of soft-serve (which can be ordered with tons of toppings), this ice cream shop sells homemade chili and pulled pork barbecue.

Norwood Delite Creamy Whip (Opening TBA)

4490 Forest Ave., Norwood

This no-frills whip has been in Norwood for nearly 70 years, serving everything from footlongs and barbecue to burgers and, of course, ice cream. Alongside the classic soft-serve, this staple also offers cyclones, sundaes, shakes and malts. If you grew up going to Kings Island as a kid, you probably partook in your fair share of blueberry soft-serve at the Huckleberry Dairy in what used to be Hanna-Barbera Land. To relive the nostalgia — and if you can’t swing the $50plus admission — Norwood Delite has you covered. This creamy whip staple offers the famed blueberry soft-serve.

Piper’s Cafe and Ice Cream Bar

520 W. Sixth St., Covington

Piper’s Cafe in Covington serves 88 soft-serve flavors, which can be blended with one to three additional flavors, meaning the menu offers 100,000 possible blends. Their flavors range from the traditional to teaberry, apple pie, papaya, Candy Jellybean, Kahlua and more. All their soft-serve is lactosefree, as is their whipped cream. You can also get your soft-serve “affogato” style, meaning drenched in a shot of espresso.

General Custer’s

3325 Westbourne Drive, Western Hills

On the West Side of Cincinnati, mini golf and ice cream go hand in hand. General Custer’s is a mini-golf spot and creamy whip in one — like the kind of family roadside attraction you might see in Florida. They even have a little bungee jumper harness for kids. The creamy whip here has over 20 different flavors, including rotating fruit-forward Dole flavors. You’ll also find flurries, slushies, volcanoes (slushies with ice cream in the middle), sundaes and snack-bar food (think walking tacos and hot dogs) on the menu.

Flub’s Dari-ette

981 Eaton Ave, Hamilton (Now open); 530 Wessel Drive, Fairfield (Opening TBA); 4065 Hamilton Cleves Road, Ross (Opening March 17); 401 N. B St.,

Hamilton (Spooky Nook; open select weekends)

Butler County’s Flub’s Dari-ette has been serving locals for nearly 60 years. Originally named The Dari-ette in 1965, owners Mike and Ann Connaughton changed it to “Flub’s Dari-ette” in the first year of their ownership. There are 45 homemade and unique Cyclone flavors to choose from. No. 1 on the menu is the Flub’s Fudge Ripple — vanilla creamy whip layered with their famous Johnston’s hot fudge, topped with more of the same, a whipped topping and a cherry.

Back 2 the Dipper (Tentative opening March 22)

6918 Plainfield Road, Silverton Beloved Silverton ice cream shop Back 2 the Dipper, or The Dipper, serves up every different type of sweet frozen you could want. They’ve got slushies, shakes, malts, floats, slushies, banana splits and more. Their creamy whip selection features inventive flavor bursts you can add in your soft-serve like the famous “blue” ice cream plus bubble gum, green apple and mint. The spot also has hot dogs, coneys and walking tacos available.

Walker Bros. Ice Cream (Opening TBA)

9425 Montgomery Road, Montgomery

This family-owned ice cream shop in Montgomery is named after the owners’ four boys who (like most kids) love ice cream. On top of the typical soft-serve flavors, they serve up imaginative sundaes with the likenesses of various characters and animals like the Cookie Monster and Montgomery’s Bear sundaes.

Sweets N Eats

4719 Delhi Pike, Delhi

This West Side staple serves up all the creamy whip classics from its walk-up window on Delhi Pike (you’ll be able to spot it easily thanks to the big, pink ice cream cone on its visage and the everlong line that forms there on hot days). Their slushies and snow cones come in an extensive list of flavors, and you’re never too old to try their famous dirt sundae: soft serve doused in crushed Oreos and dotted with gummy worms.

Loveland Dairy Whip

611 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland

A former Dairy Whip and hamburger stand that opened on the Fourth of July in the ‘50s, Loveland Dairy Whip now specializes in creamy soft-serve ice cream made with a thick and creamy Dairyman’s blend. With chocolate, vanilla and twist cones, plus chocolate, cherry and butterscotch dip top — and a cake batter dip top — or sprinkles, the whip offers a taste of nostalgia. They also have a drive-thru.

MUSIC

MUSIC

The Party Isn’t Over

The Party Isn’t Over

Jill Sobule’s career remains vital since 1995’s groundbreaking “I Kissed

a Girl”

BY STEVEN ROSEN

Jill Sobule’s career remains vital since 1995’s groundbreaking “I Kissed a Girl”

BY STEVEN ROSEN

IIn 1995, while working as a Denver newspaper writer, I attended Austin’s South by Southwest music festival and discovered a talented and new — to me — singer/songwriter, Jill Sobule.

n 1995, while working as a Denver newspaper writer, I attended Austin’s South by Southwest music festival and discovered a talented and new — to me — singer/songwriter, Jill Sobule.

Another Denver writer at South by Southwest had encouraged me to attend a showcase for artists recently signed to Atlantic Records, because one was from Denver.

Another Denver writer at South by Southwest had encouraged me to attend a showcase for artists recently signed to Atlantic Records, because one was from Denver.

That was Sobule. She had a local following going back well before I had moved to Denver. After the showcase, she came over to talk to us and was thrilled with her Austin showcase.

That was Sobule. She had a local following going back well before I had moved to Denver. After the showcase, she came over to talk to us and was thrilled with her Austin showcase.

Although she had released an earlier album that hadn’t done much, her new self-titled Lava/Atlantic debut seemed to make her, at age 36, destined for bigger things.

Although she had released an earlier album that hadn’t done much, her new self-titled Lava/Atlantic debut seemed to make her, at age 36, destined for bigger things.

The album contained a very touching and daring, strikingly written and convincing song that was also quite catchy. Her label was going to try to make a hit out of “I Kissed a Girl.” It would be groundbreaking.

The album contained a very touching and daring, strikingly written and convincing song that was also quite catchy. Her label was going to try to make a hit out of “I Kissed a Girl.” It would be groundbreaking.

Alas, Sobule didn’t become a breakthrough superstar — the video, which featured a very funny Fabio as a guest, was popular on MTV and the song itself was an alternative rock favorite, but it stalled out at No. 67 on the Billboard Top 100 songs charts. But she has ever since had a productive career as what she calls a “middle class” musician, meaning “mid-level.”

Alas, Sobule didn’t become a breakthrough superstar — the video, which featured a very funny Fabio as a guest, was popular on MTV and the song itself was an alternative rock favorite, but it stalled out at No. 67 on the Billboard Top 100 songs charts. But she has ever since had a productive career as what she calls a “middle class” musician, meaning “mid-level.”

During a telephone interview from California ahead of a too-infrequent Cincinnati solo show on March 24 at Newport’s Southgate House Revival, she remembers that exciting time in Austin very well.

During a telephone interview from California ahead of a too-infrequent Cincinnati solo show on March 24 at Newport’s Southgate House Revival, she remembers that exciting time in Austin very well.

“I had no idea what to expect,” she says. “We complained about record companies and how they rip you off, but I was there during a time when you could be a middle-class artist and you’d still get an advance and a tour bus. That stuff doesn’t happen anymore. There are the Taylor Swifts or else someone on TikTok.”

“I had no idea what to expect,” she says. “We complained about record companies and how they rip you off, but I was there during a time when you could be a middle-class artist and you’d still get an advance and a tour bus. That stuff doesn’t happen anymore. There are the Taylor Swifts or else someone on TikTok.”

“I Kissed a Girl” ultimately

“I Kissed a Girl” ultimately

accomplished far more than the brief chart success it had at the time. Because it was an undeniably memorable song for anyone who heard it, especially those with sexual identity questions, it has become a pop landmark that signaled a change in society’s acceptance of queerness.

accomplished far more than the brief chart success it had at the time. Because it was an undeniably memorable song for anyone who heard it, especially those with sexual identity questions, it has become a pop landmark that signaled a change in society’s acceptance of queerness.

“Yeah, I moved the way people think about personal relationships, and love, and freedom,” she says proudly. (A Katy Perry hit with the same title that came out much later, in 2008, is a different song.)

“Yeah, I moved the way people think about personal relationships, and love, and freedom,” she says proudly. (A Katy Perry hit with the same title that came out much later, in 2008, is a different song.)

Across her 10 studio-recorded albums, Sobule has proven a sensitively observant, sharp-witted singer/songwriter who can convincingly convey jubilance and anger, as well as emotions in-between. She also can write about all sorts of subjects and personal experiences.

Across her 10 studio-recorded albums, Sobule has proven a sensitively observant, sharp-witted singer/songwriter who can convincingly convey jubilance and anger, as well as emotions in-between. She also can write about all sorts of subjects and personal experiences.

Actually, Sobule comes here while a project that she started in New York in 2022 builds momentum. Back then, she created an off-Broadway musical called F*ck7thGrade, described as a queer musical memoir about her difficult time getting through the toughest year in school. She supplied the music and performed it on stage with a female group; Liza Birkenmeier provided the book.

Actually, Sobule comes here while a project that she started in New York in 2022 builds momentum. Back then, she created an off-Broadway musical called F*ck7thGrade, described as a queer musical memoir about her difficult time getting through the toughest year in school. She supplied the music and performed it on stage with a female group; Liza Birkenmeier provided the book.

The musical received a Critic’s Pick from The New York Times and was nominated for a Drama Desk Best Musical Award. It also built a devoted fanbase. She has since reprised the musical twice in New York and is slated for another revival there in November.

The musical received a Critic’s Pick from The New York Times and was nominated for a Drama Desk Best Musical Award. It also built a devoted fanbase. She has since reprised the musical twice in New York and is slated for another revival there in November.

Creating the show meant revisiting

Creating the show meant revisiting

an unpleasant time and place for Sobule. “In those days, and we’re talking the 70s, the only role models I knew who were queer women were Miss Hathaway of the Beverly Hillbillies (a television series) or my gym teacher who looked like Pete Rose. It was something you had to hide — so a lot of that was keeping secrets, having unrequited love.“

an unpleasant time and place for Sobule. “In those days, and we’re talking the 70s, the only role models I knew who were queer women were Miss Hathaway of the Beverly Hillbillies (a television series) or my gym teacher who looked like Pete Rose. It was something you had to hide — so a lot of that was keeping secrets, having unrequited love.“

I got together with a writer for this and it was an amazing experience,” Sobule continues. “I exorcised all my demons from junior high school. It has redemption and a beautiful story at the end of it.”

I got together with a writer for this and it was an amazing experience,” Sobule continues. “I exorcised all my demons from junior high school. It has redemption and a beautiful story at the end of it.”

It is not exclusively for a queer audience, Sobule explains. “The thing of it is, when I ask people what their worst year is, for girls it seems to be 7th and 8th grade and for boys it seems to be the first year of high school. What they can agree on is, ‘I wish I would have known everybody else was as miserable as me — that would have given me great comfort.’”

It is not exclusively for a queer audience, Sobule explains. “The thing of it is, when I ask people what their worst year is, for girls it seems to be 7th and 8th grade and for boys it seems to be the first year of high school. What they can agree on is, ‘I wish I would have known everybody else was as miserable as me — that would have given me great comfort.’”

Sobule includes songs from the musical in her current tour. At the same time, she is planning to take her band from F*ck7thGrade on the road for some special dates doing concert versions of the musical. Further, she’s trying to line up other cities besides New York for full stagings of the musical.

neuromodulator that is designed to control her essential tremor condition. A small generator in her chest tells thin wires traveling to her brain to stop the tremors in her hands that were interfering with her guitar playing. As a story on the Abbott website explains, she had the problem for years before an attendee at a TEDMED conference — where she was performing a musical set in-between a program of medical presentations — approached her about her hand tremors and offered suggestions on the cause.

neuromodulator that is designed to control her essential tremor condition. A small generator in her chest tells thin wires traveling to her brain to stop the tremors in her hands that were interfering with her guitar playing. As a story on the Abbott website explains, she had the problem for years before an attendee at a TEDMED conference — where she was performing a musical set in-between a program of medical presentations — approached her about her hand tremors and offered suggestions on the cause.

She had the surgery in 2021 and is now happy to talk about her experience and the positive results. “While I was having surgery, they had me play guitar and sing,” she says. “And I joked my biggest fear was not that the operation would go wrong but my performance would not be up to snuff for the nurses and doctors.”

She had the surgery in 2021 and is now happy to talk about her experience and the positive results. “While I was having surgery, they had me play guitar and sing,” she says. “And I joked my biggest fear was not that the operation would go wrong but my performance would not be up to snuff for the nurses and doctors.”

Sobule includes songs from the musical in her current tour. At the same time, she is planning to take her band from F*ck7thGrade on the road for some special dates doing concert versions of the musical. Further, she’s trying to line up other cities besides New York for full stagings of the musical.

“We need to bring it to your town,” she tells me.

“We need to bring it to your town,” she tells me.

On the current tour, Sobule says she will perform for employees of Abbott Laboratories near Chicago. That’s because she has an implanted Abbot

On the current tour, Sobule says she will perform for employees of Abbott Laboratories near Chicago. That’s because she has an implanted Abbot

She even posted on Instagram about her unusual recital during the operation. “I put it up there and it was amazing how much response I got from people saying, ‘I have it, my son has it, my mother, can you tell me more,’” Sobule recounts. “It’s been great to be able to talk to people and be kind of a helper spokesperson. I feel like it’s the same thing with ‘I Kissed a Girl.’

She even posted on Instagram about her unusual recital during the operation. “I put it up there and it was amazing how much response I got from people saying, ‘I have it, my son has it, my mother, can you tell me more,’”

Sobule recounts. “It’s been great to be able to talk to people and be kind of a helper spokesperson. I feel like it’s the same thing with ‘I Kissed a Girl.’

“I feel the best about myself when I think about what I do as a kind of social service.”

“I feel the best about myself when I think about what I do as a kind of social service.”

Sobule plays Southgate House Revival at 7 p.m. on March 24. More info: southgatehouse.com.

Jill Sobule plays Southgate House Revival at 7 p.m. on March 24. More info: southgatehouse.com.

Jill Sobule

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL

Jill

Jill Sobule

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL

SOUND ADVICE

Colin Hay

COLIN HAY

March 28 • Taft Theatre

COLIN HAY

March 28 • Taft Theatre

The first live concert I remember experiencing as a kid was a Men at Work show at Timberwolf Amphitheater, the venue next to Kings Island. It was Aug. 19, 1983. My dad took my brother and me, both of us excited to see our favorite band at the time. Soon-to-be-huge INXS played before their Aussie counterparts, but it was the evening’s openers, local heroes The Raisins, who left a deeper impression: Rob Fetters’ guitar gymnastics yielded wild screams from the sizable contingent of females in attendance.

The first live concert I remember experiencing as a kid was a Men at Work show at Timberwolf Amphitheater, the venue next to Kings Island. It was Aug. 19, 1983. My dad took my brother and me, both of us excited to see our favorite band at the time. Soon-to-be-huge INXS played before their Aussie counterparts, but it was the evening’s openers, local heroes The Raisins, who left a deeper impression: Rob Fetters’ guitar gymnastics yielded wild screams from the sizable contingent of females in attendance.

It was a surreal experience watching actual human beings perform the same songs that would emanate from my vinyl copies of Men at Work’s two albums, 1981’s debut Business as Usual and 1983’s Cargo. Frontman Colin Hay looked even more diminutive from our faraway seats than he did in the MTV videos for “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Down Under.” But his distinctive vocal delivery and the band’s crafty, new wave-infused take on Australian pub rock came through loud and clear, the versions of “Overkill” and “It’s a Mistake” both rougher and more visceral than their recorded counterparts, ushering in my lifelong love of live music in the process.

It was a surreal experience watching actual human beings perform the same songs that would emanate from my vinyl copies of Men at Work’s two albums, 1981’s debut Business as Usual and 1983’s Cargo. Frontman Colin Hay looked even more diminutive from our faraway seats than he did in the MTV videos for “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Down Under.” But his distinctive vocal delivery and the band’s crafty, new wave-infused take on Australian pub rock came through loud and clear, the versions of “Overkill” and “It’s a Mistake” both rougher and more visceral than their recorded counterparts, ushering in my lifelong love of live music in the process.

Men at Work would implode a few years later, but Hay has continued to crank out solo records (15, to be

Men at Work would implode a few years later, but Hay has continued to crank out solo records (15, to be

success story, starting her career as a starry-eyed songwriter before transitioning into a gifted performer in her own right. The Pacific Northwest native moved to Nashville in the late 1990s to join the “music business program” at Belmont University, an experience that no doubt prepared her for the ups and downs of the modern country music industrial complex — an entity that hasn’t exactly been inviting to female songwriters and performers over the years.

success story, starting her career as a starry-eyed songwriter before transitioning into a gifted performer in her own right. The Pacific Northwest native moved to Nashville in the late 1990s to join the “music business program” at Belmont University, an experience that no doubt prepared her for the ups and downs of the modern country music industrial complex — an entity that hasn’t exactly been inviting to female songwriters and performers over the years.

Clark’s storytelling acumen was apparent by the time she worked with a range of artists, from Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker and Miranda Lambert to Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban and Kacey Musgraves (with whom she collaborated on the Grammy-winning “Follow Your Arrow.” By 2012, she started opening shows for Crow. Her debut album, 12 Stories, surfaced a year later, featuring a dozen songs rife with personal touchstones, lacerating wit and a direct, plainspoken voice that rarely fails to penetrate. Clark’s fourth and most recent record, 2023’s self-titled Brandy Clark, was produced by friend and confidante Brandi Carlile.

Clark’s storytelling acumen was apparent by the time she worked with a range of artists, from Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker and Miranda Lambert to Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban and Kacey Musgraves (with whom she collaborated on the Grammy-winning “Follow Your Arrow.” By 2012, she started opening shows for Crow. Her debut album, 12 Stories, surfaced a year later, featuring a dozen songs rife with personal touchstones, lacerating wit and a direct, plainspoken voice that rarely fails to penetrate. Clark’s fourth and most recent record, 2023’s self-titled Brandy Clark, was produced by friend and confidante Brandi Carlile.

“She pushed me a lot,” Clark said of Carlile in a recent interview with Billboard. “I’ve never been as challenged by a producer as I was by her. I gave her like 18 to 24 songs and asked her to pick about a dozen. I liked them all, but I was surprised by some of her choices. She told me, ‘I chose the songs that I thought sounded like you wrote them in your bedroom and not in the writing room.’ And that was a really good reminder for me, because when we all got into music it wasn’t because we needed it to be perfect; it was because it moved us.”

“She pushed me a lot,” Clark said of Carlile in a recent interview with Billboard. “I’ve never been as challenged by a producer as I was by her. I gave her like 18 to 24 songs and asked her to pick about a dozen. I liked them all, but I was surprised by some of her choices. She told me, ‘I chose the songs that I thought sounded like you wrote them in your bedroom and not in the writing room.’ And that was a really good reminder for me, because when we all got into music it wasn’t because we needed it to be perfect; it was because it moved us.”

exact) and tour consistently ever since. His most recent album, 2022’s Now and the Evermore, is a lush affair, with guitars, organ, strings and horns intermingling with that familiar vocal inflection, which is not as acutely Australian as it was back in the day. And while Hay’s solo output has never come close to the commercial heights of Men at Work’s apex (Business as Usual has sold more than six million copies in the U.S. alone and it won a grammy for Best New Artist), it’s allowed him an outlet for his seemingly endless supply of hooks and

melodies.

exact) and tour consistently ever since. His most recent album, 2022’s Now and the Evermore, is a lush affair, with guitars, organ, strings and horns intermingling with that familiar vocal inflection, which is not as acutely Australian as it was back in the day.

And while Hay’s solo output has never come close to the commercial heights of Men at Work’s apex (Business as Usual has sold more than six million copies in the U.S. alone and it won a grammy for Best New Artist), it’s allowed him an outlet for his seemingly endless supply of hooks and

melodies.

If previous tours are any indication, expect a mix of Men at Work classics, tunes from across Hay’s solo work and a couple covers, all of which should sound stellar amid the Taft Theatre’s storied environs.

If previous tours are any indication, expect a mix of Men at Work classics, tunes from across Hay’s solo work and a couple covers, all of which should sound stellar amid the Taft Theatre’s storied environs.

Colin Hay plays Taft Theatre on March 28 at 8 p.m. Info: tafttheatre. org. (Jason Gargano)

Colin Hay plays Taft Theatre on March 28 at 8 p.m. Info: tafttheatre. org. (Jason Gargano)

BRANDY CLARK

Two such “bedroom” tunes are “Buried,” a sparse, acoustic-based tune about living without shame, and “Dear Insecurity,” a duet with Carlile that uses one’s various insecurities as a metaphor for an insensitive lover. The latter won a Grammy this year for Best Americana Performance, yet another noteworthy step in Clark’s rise in prominence.

Two such “bedroom” tunes are “Buried,” a sparse, acoustic-based tune about living without shame, and “Dear Insecurity,” a duet with Carlile that uses one’s various insecurities as a metaphor for an insensitive lover. The latter won a Grammy this year for Best Americana Performance, yet another noteworthy step in Clark’s rise in prominence.

Brandy Clark plays Ludlow Garage on March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (JG)

Brandy Clark plays Ludlow Garage on March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (JG)

JESUS JONES

JESUS JONES

March 29 • Ludlow Garage

BRANDY CLARK

March 28 • Ludlow Garage

Brandy Clark is a rare country music

March 28 • Ludlow Garage Brandy Clark is a rare country music

March 29 • Ludlow Garage

The tagline for the link to Jesus Jones’ website reveals the following: “No,

The tagline for the link to Jesus Jones’ website reveals the following: “No,

PHOTO: PAUL MOBLEY

Brandy Clark

PHOTO: VICTORIA STEVENS

Colin Hay

PHOTO: PAUL MOBLEY

Brandy Clark

PHOTO: VICTORIA STEVENS

we didn’t split up. Come and find out …” It’s a curious declaration from a band that never fully left the musical landscape, another in a long procession of 1990s acts to hang in long after their commercial apex. The British fivesome (keyboardist Iain Baker, guitarist Jerry De Borg, bassist Jerry Doughty, singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Edwards and drummer Simon “Gen” Matthews) are trailblazers of sorts, among the first acts to meld electronic dance music within a more typical rock and roll configuration. Yet it comes as no surprise that the band’s most popular song — the enduring radio staple “Right Here, Right Now” from 1991’s breakthrough second album Doubt — is among the most accessible of their efforts, a wistful mid-tempo tune about the fall of communism that, though infused with synthesizers and samples, climaxes with a guitar solo.

The rise of grunge would soon bump Jesus Jones and the likeminded wave of sleek electro rock and pop acts from the U.K. (see The Soup

Dragons, EMF, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and so many more) from the alternative spotlight — a colorful footnote amid an aesthetically downcast era.

Jesus Jones’ third album, 1993’s Perverse, was among the efforts buried in history, but it remains an interesting artifact, darker and fuzzier than

anything in the band’s discography. It’s also noted as the first album created entirely via a computer, which, depending on your point of view, can be seen as a fascinating evolution in the creation of sound or a soul-numbing slide into the overly synthetic.

The band, which has dropped only one record in the last 23 years (2018’s Passages), intended to tour the U.S. last year but ran into visa issues. This spring’s rescheduled run includes a Cincinnati stop that will feature an array of songs from the band’s discography. Per their website: “It’s the original lineup, so Al will be with us on bass, and we’ll play material from across these 35 years, from ‘Info,’ which was written in the summer of 1988, to our new single ‘Still Smiling,’ written in the summer of 2023. Amazingly, it’s been three decades since the original five-piece lineup toured the U.S., so it’s an extra-special occasion for us.”

Jesus Jones plays Ludlow Garage on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (JG)

Jesus Jones

PHOTO: CANLEY, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

CROSSWORD

Across

PITHY PUZZLE

BY BRENDAN EMMETT QUIGLEY WWW.BRENDANEMMETTQUIGLEY.COM

1.  No-___ (breadmaking approach)

6.  Parkinson’s medicine

11.  Bad spell

14.  Flip out

15.  Gemini pictures, e.g.

16.  Quest for Indy

17.  Ability to stifle a belch?

19.  Flair in the wrestling ring

20.  NBA star Brook

21.  Struggled for air

23.  Home for irises

26.  Iraq city on the Shatt al-Arab river

27.  Death personified

28.  Inherited

31.  Secret competitor

32.  Positions in the fashion industry

33.  Morning shower?

34.  “Deal with it”

35.  More fresh

36.  ___ Zuckerberg Initiative (Nonprofit started by Facebook’s Mark and his wife)

37.  “Sure is,” poetically

38.  Chopped (down)

39.  “That group over there”

40.  Three-time Cy Young winner Max

42.  Negative Nancy on steroids

43.  Cover-up name

44.  Quidditch players

45.  More goofy

47.  Arrow button function

48.  Brest bud

49.  Foolishness from the brain?

54.  Karate level

55.  Not cool

56.  Mark on a tree

57.  Measurement of work

58.  Menial laborers

59.  Grind together, as teeth

Down

1.  Its last chairman was Vadim Bakatin

2.  Camp ___ (El Clásico stadium)

3.  Listening device

4.  American symbol

5.  Faked out

6.  Strike zones?

7.  Airhead

8.  Canoe propeller

9.  Esports star, e.g.

10.  They cover the whole world

11.  Two things important to a domestic angel?

12.  Vowel-heavy lake

13.  Randall Munroe webcomic with a nonsense name

18.  0 letters

22.  Hindu honorific

23.  Political writings

24.  Fearless

25.  Lawman Wyatt convulsing?

26.  Headquartered

28.  Hide in fear

29.  Movie advertisement

30.  Collective bargaining side

32.  Statesman Shimon

35.  Jesus, Mary, or Joseph, e.g.

36.  Found difficult to accept

38.  Lifted, as a trapdoor

39.  Piggy’s decoration

41.  Yale student

42.  The “D” in “CODA”

44.  Puts in one’s cart

45.  Green mineral

46.  Actor ___ Benson Miller

47.  PR agent’s approach

50.  Campus letter

51.  Campus letter

52.  Mini splits, e.g.: Abbr.

53.  “I’m trying to think here!”

LAST PUZZLE’S ANSWERS: