CityBeat | June 2021

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VOL. 26 | ISSUE 23 ON THE COVER: HIT THE LIGHTS PHOTO: JOSHUA ALBANESE

PUBLISHER TONY FRANK EDITOR IN CHIEF MAIJA ZUMMO MANAGING EDITOR ALLISON BABKA DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR/ PHOTOGRAPHER HAILEY BOLLINGER ART DIRECTOR TAYLOR SPEED CONTRIBUTING EDITORS MUSIC: MIKE BREEN ARTS & CULTURE: MACKENZIE MANLEY THEATER: RICK PENDER FILM: TT STERN-ENZI DINING CRITIC: PAMA MITCHELL CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MORGAN ZUMBIEL, ANNE ARENSTEIN, BRIAN BAKER, STEPHEN NOVOTNI, BRIAN CROSS, HAYLEY DAY, JANE DURRELL, BILL FURBEE, JASON GARGANO, GREGORY GASTON, AUSTIN GAYLE, MCKENZIE GRAHAM, NICK GREVER, KATIE GRIFFITH, KATIE HOLOCHER, BEN L. KAUFMAN, DEIRDRE KAYE, JAC KERN, HARPER LEE, MADGE MARIL, ANNE MITCHELL, LAUREN MORETTO, TAMERA LENZ MUENTE, JACKIE MULAY, JUDE NOEL, SEAN M. PETERS, GARIN PIRNIA, KATHY SCHWARTZ, MARIA SEDAREEDER, LEYLA SHOKOOHE, SAMI STEWART, STEVEN ROSEN, KATHY Y. WILSON, P.F. WILSON

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Cincinnatians are one-of-a-kind.

For us, “Cincy” is a place, our personality and who we are. We take pride in everything from our chili to our children. And we’re resilient, never letting a bad loss get us down.

Recently, it felt like the world had been on a string of losses. But now, things are looking up.

Cincinnati still needs our help, and we’re not the type to turn our backs on our community.

Let’s safely show our love for this area.

Let’s support local shops, restaurants and hotels every chance we get. They’ve taken the steps to make sure you’re safe. Let’s return the favor by flipping the tumultuous into the triumphant in a way only we can.

Follow the posted guidelines and play it safe, but still play.

Find your new favorite things to do at CincinnatiExperience.com.

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NEWS

A mural at Su Casa Hispanic Center of Cincinnati P H OTO : O L I V E C O L L I N S N I E S Z

Greater Cincinnati Nonprofits Funnel COVID-19 Information to Hispanic Communities Hispanics largely have been shut out of the vaccine discussion, but Su Casa, Santa Maria Community Services and Community Action Agency are changing that

BY O L I V E C O L L I N S N I E S Z

H

ispanic people are the fastestgrowing immigrant group in Ohio, with a 63.4% increase in population since the year 2000, according to the Greater Cincinnati Latino Coalition.

And since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, this same group has also faced some of the highest coronavirus infection rates in the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that Hispanics in America are twice as likely as white Americans to contract COVID-19 and 2.3 times as likely to die from it due to “underlying conditions that affect health, including socioeconomic status, access to health care and exposure to the virus related to occupation.”

To help this vulnerable population during the pandemic, three Greater Cincinnati organizations — Su Casa Hispanic Center, Santa Maria Community Services and the Community Action Agency — sprang into action, offering COVID-focused assistance and essential resources in addition to their existing services.

“Su Casa” roughly translates to “your home,” which is what Su Casa Hispanic Center strives to be for the Cincinnati Hispanic community: a home base, a safe space and, most importantly, a vital resource.

“When (immigrants) are new to the community, they come to Su Casa because they find a place that is friendly to them; a refuge in the city,” says Director Giovanna Alvarez. “They come here first and then we help them navigate all of these new environments.”

Run by Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio since 1997, Su Casa offers dozens of resources ranging from social to educational to health services. Since the rise of COVID-19, the organization — like SMCS and CAA — has adjusted to focus on needs rooted in the pandemic, such as putting together and delivering household care packages; contributing direct financial

assistance toward rent and utilities; offering notary and legal services; conducting health screenings; hosting tutoring and English classes; providing laptops to children for remote learning; and distributing Spanish-language information packets about COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders.

“Many (people we serve) don’t speak English as a first language. They didn’t understand what was going on, or why their children weren’t going to school,” Alvarez says. “So we were able to explain COVID-19, the importance of social distancing and wearing a mask.”

According to the last U.S. Census, Hispanics make up 3%-4% of the population in the Cincinnati area.

Although this number is low, Hispanics and Latinos that were tested for COVID19 have had the highest positivity rate for the virus, says Alvarez — likely for the “underlying conditions” cited by the CDC. During a panel discussion on racism and public health at the University of Cincinnati in March, professor Ligia Gomez noted that many immigrant families live in multigenerational homes, and if one family member gets infected with COVID-19, the number of CONTINUES ON PAGE 06

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people exposed is much higher than in a ‘traditional’ household structure.

And a 2016 study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved showed that the majority of the Hispanic immigrant population (56%) relies on community health clinics as opposed to having a primary care doctor or seeking care from a larger health system.

The study noted that “many Latino immigrants interact with the health care system and other institutions as infrequently as possible because they are afraid of being asked about their immigration status.”

Lack of documentation also poses a challenge to accessing medical insurance and even reliable transportation because you need a social security number to register a vehicle or get a driver’s license.

And, because of their status, many immigrant families were not able to collect stimulus checks or unemployment benefits, which made working throughout the pandemic — and risking COVID-19 exposure — a necessity.

“Because who are the essential workers?” Alvarez asks. “Those are the people of minorities. Those are the people who could not afford to be working at home.”

Alvarez says many of Su Casa’s clients come to the U.S. to escape extreme poverty and extreme violence.

“They are sometimes fleeing for their lives,” she says.

The often-traumatic personal

CITY DESK

information about the virus and vaccines has also become a priority for the CAA. Founded in 1964, the CAA has primarily worked with low-income Black families in Hamilton County, but hired its immigrant liaison Mayra Jackson in 2019 to help serve other low-income groups in the area, including those from Central and South America. In addition to hosting a Head Start program for children and Camp Washington food pantry, the CAA recently held a town hall in Spanish for the community.

“For the vaccination, the amount of information you find available in Spanish is almost zero,” Jackson says. “When you call to make an appointment for your vaccine, nobody speaks Spanish.

There are no interpreters available. So how can we really push the community to go get vaccinated when it’s so difficult for them to even schedule an appointment?”

She says it is crucial that families understand that it is not necessary to have health insurance to receive a vaccine, nor is it necessary to have proof of documentation.

“Historically, undocumented immigrants, unlike everybody else, are not eligible for anything,” Jackson says.

“They don’t have access to medical care, they don’t have access to food stamps, cash assistance, housing assistance, absolutely nothing.”

While it is undeniable that the loss the world has faced from COVID-19 outweighs the gains, there are silver linings from the work done by these

organizations.

Alvarez believes that the pandemic’s forced transition to virtual learning may have positive effects in the long term.

“Our tutoring program was in partnership with two schools, but now because they have this virtual access, we have children from more than 10 different schools participating,” she says. “We’ve seen a lot of things come to light about the disparities and the digital divide, but (as more children have access to technology), it is going to be more of an equalizer in the future; the long-term disparities are probably going to lessen a bit.”

Schemmel agrees that the way COVID pushed the world to go online has allowed families to gain access to computers and the internet through programs that may not have otherwise been implemented.

Jackson notes that the pandemic forced many people who previously would not have asked for help to turn to organizations for assistance because “they had no other choice.” She hopes that these people will continue to utilize and benefit from these services even after a return to “normal.”

And whatever the timeline for that return, Alvarez says, “We continue to serve, despite it all.”

To obtain information and resources from Su Casa Hispanic Center, visit ccswoh.org; from Santa Maria Community Services, visit santamaria-cincy.org; and from the Community Action Agency, visit cincy-caa.org.

Hamilton County, Northern Kentucky Businesses Get PostPandemic Help from New PIVOT Program

BY W I L L I A M R I E S E N B E R G

As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eases coronavirus pandemic guidelines for the first time in nearly 15 months, business owners around the nation are trying to get their bearings as they reopen to wider audiences, including those in Greater Cincinnati.

The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) has created a new program to help businesses through this transition. The Chamber launched PIVOT on May 24 to offer recovery strategies for businesses in Hamilton County and Northern Kentucky as they begin to open back up.

The chamber already offers 120 programs throughout the year to its small business members, including courses informing businesses on networking, marketing and accounting.

While PIVOT includes these lessons, its overall intent is broader than the other programs the AACC provides.

In PIVOT, experts with the AACC counsel owners on business issues and provide technological support by appointment or during walk-in sessions noon-4 p.m. Tuesdays at chamber headquarters at 2303 Gilbert Ave., East Walnut Hills. Businesses

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histories of clients can make it difficult for them to trust outside help, even if it comes in the form of a nonprofit built to directly assist these communities.

Price Hill’s SMCS has been serving Cincinnati immigrant communities since 1897, when it was founded by “two nuns and $5,” according to Luz Elena Schemmel, director of outreach and wellness services for SMCS. Over the years, the agency has served the city’s various immigrant waves, starting with Greek, Italian and German people, followed by immigrants from Appalachia and then, in the past 20 years, those from Central and South America and West Africa.

At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, SMCS partnered with the United Way of Greater Cincinnati to secure and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and offer hand sanitizer made by local distilleries to families who could not obtain or afford such items.

Fast-forward to 2021 and SMCS has turned its focus to offering COVID-19 vaccines to everyone they serve, hosting a health fair with free testing for COVID-19 antibodies and antigens, along with no-cost vaccinations.

Schemmel notes that there is difficulty in convincing people to receive a vaccine due to misinformation and lack of Spanish-language information on the topic. To counter this, SMCS visited Hispanic-owned businesses directly to spread accurate information, encouraging people to receive vaccinations.

Distributing Spanish-language

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with additional needs can find other resources through the PIVOT program.

“We are all about referrals, so we will refer (small business owners) to our community collaborators such as Greater Cincinnati Micro Enterprises if we are unable to help them,” Jill McCauley, AACC technical assistance and outreach business counselor, tells CityBeat.

Businesses do not have to be a chamber member or part of a specific industry to participate in PIVOT. The PIVOT project comes after U.S. President Joe Biden recently announced a $1.9 trillion Federal Small Business Stimulus Aid Program. For federal aid, a business’ gross receipts must have declined 20% in one quarter in 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019, according to uschamber.com.

PIVOT qualifications are much lighter, the AACC says, as the only qualification is that the business operates in Northern Kentucky or Hamilton County.

For more information on the PIVOT program, visit africanamericanchamber.com or email info@african-americanchamber.com.

JUNE 2021

Maya’s Bakes is a member of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce.

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Hit the Lights | Photo: Joshua Albanese

ENTERING ITS 18TH ITERATION THIS YEAR,

the Cincinnati Fringe Festival describes itself with an iconic slogan: “Kinda Weird, Like You.” From June 4 to 19, 37 oddball performances will be available, with presentations shaped by the pandemic. A few will be in-person outdoor events on two stages near Overthe-Rhine’s Know Theatre, which puts on the annual fest; some will be livestreamed shows online at specific times; and others can be watched as video-on-demand.

That’s a lot of weirdness.

One of the 37 productions embodying the Fringe slogan comes from a theater troupe with Cincinnati roots. Hit the Lights is a five-performer company based in New York City with an origin story at the University of Cincinnati, and they’re returning to the Queen City with a video-on-demand show that revolves around puppets.

Horsetale is a video production that weaves together handmade shadow puppetry created using vintage overhead projectors. In it, two Country Western musicians share their story of love, heartbreak and redemption through the tale of a horse that’s been separated from its tail. Interlaced with live, original music, homages to Looney Tunes cartoons and American iconography, the Hit the Lights show is self-described as “a story as wild and expansive as the West itself!”

But this won’t be the first time Hit the Lights has entertained Cincy Fringe audiences. Back in 2015, their very first show, Dungeon — inspired by video games and Japanese Kabuki — was awarded the Audience Pick of the Fringe. And they returned to the Queen City in 2016 to collaborate with Know Theatre on The Other Rhine, an original, site-specific immersive experience.

The group is now well established in New York, but their path has a deep local connection. Four of the five members of Hit the Lights are drama grads from

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the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Casey Scott Leach, who conceived of Dungeon, was in the class of 2010. Mikayla Stanley graduated in 2011, and Claron Hayden and Kristopher Dean were classmates in 2012. Leach and Stanley are now married. Dean’s wife, Samantha Blain, who majored in musical theater at Boston’s Emerson College, is the fifth member.

Leach, Stanley, Hayden and Dean found their way to CCM, attracted by the creative curriculum at the core of the school’s drama major, especially its annual Fringelike set of student-produced shows, Transmigration.

“The tools that that festival gave us were so invaluable, just the confidence that we could do something like this,” Stanley says. “It also gave us the business skills we needed to create a company. We’ve been able to make this come to life and keep on going.”

When Stanley was still a high school student in Tampa, Florida, she surprised a CCM interviewer by describing her aspiration to start her own theater company. No applicant had ever voiced such a goal. She remained true to that vision throughout her time in school. Once she and the others landed in New York City, Hit the Lights was almost inevitable, building on their experiences crafting productions for Transmigration.

But the quintet had to get past five individual egos to create and focus on the human element that makes their work appealing.

Hit the Lights’ modus operandi is “Less Talk/More Rock.” Hayden explains that they seek out “a beautiful moment where you have an idea that’s fresh and vibrant, and you feel inspired. Too often what happens is that you talk it to death, and you don’t know how to start doing anything with it.”

Instead, they take that idea, let it briefly be, “then immediately just work,” Hayden says. “Just jump in. It’s a

way to never let stagnation happen, never let things become too intellectual or conceptual. We always put the focus on ‘Do you really need dialogue here?’ The first thing is just tell the story.”

Cincy Fringe’s 2015 Dungeon was Hit the Lights’ first production.

“We hold this place and this festival very dear in our hearts,” Stanley says. “It was the place where we decided, ‘Oh, this is something.’ Our first show was Casey’s brainchild. He’s a video gamer, and he wanted to do a show that created the world of video games. He gathered together our friends from Cincinnati to make the show. It was a magical moment: We knew this was what we wanted to be doing.”

And Hit the Lights has been very busy since then: Dungeon was an editors’ pick at the Minnesota Fringe, and another show, Whales, was nominated for three New York Innovative Theater Awards. They created a live cinematic puppet adaptation of hit podcast The Habitat, collaborated with the New York Botanical Garden and contributed to a live music video for Grammy Awardnominated Sammy Miller and The Congregation.

Among other Off-Broadway credits, they were nominated for an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for “Best Family Show” for their theatrical adaptation of Rita Marshall’s children’s book Taste the Clouds. They also host workshops and return to Cincinnati to share their skills and experience with students at CCM. Recently, they developed original shadow puppets for Vogue magazine’s March 2021 cover shoot featuring international supermodel Gigi Hadid.

Hayden adds, “This is one of the friendliest I’ve ever been to. It’s not just the staff or the volunteers, it’s also the audiences and the culture. Know Theatre is so good at putting on a vibe — the whole thing ends up feeling like a kind of mini-carnival. I’ve seen some of my favorite fringe pieces here.”

For the 2021 Fringe, Hit the Lights chose to offer Horsetale as video-on-demand, rather than bring its stage production to Cincinnati.

“The original Horsetale was similar to what audiences will see, but it’s also drastically different,” Hayden says.

“We find new ways to express ourselves and bring that back into the previous shows. They’re all almost constantly in a state of evolution and growing. They continue to breathe and never get stale.”

The video will combine shots of what a theater audience would typically see, and then goes “backstage” to show how the performers manipulate the projectors to illustrate the story.

“We’ve used multiple close-ups, camera angles and behind-the-screen, even a full overhead shot going down on the entire stage,” Hayden says. “All of that’s been blended together in a way that will give the experience of what your eyes would naturally want to do as the show goes on.”

His video work will give the viewer “the best ride possible, the best you could expect from being in the theater with us.” And Stanley expects that Hit the Lights will find ways to produce video versions of their shows going forward.

Horsetale blends shadow puppetry and Country Western tunes | Photo: Marzio Fulfaro

And they’re excited to once again have their work showcased at Cincy Fringe.

“We’ve been to a lot of fringes, but there’s something very special going on here in Cincinnati,” Stanley says.

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“I couldn’t help but think that lockdown had something to do with it,” says Fringe artist Peter Michael Marino, who will offer Planet of the Grapes Live, a mash-up of the Victorian Era’s toy theater movement, grape puppets, corks and the classic science-fiction film, Planet of the Apes. “As a newly minted puppeteer, I can safely say that a year with no opportunities for in-person collaboration led me in this wild new direction.”

Cincy Fringe favorite storyteller Paul Strickland and puppeteer/actress Erika Kate MacDonald are presenting Away, Now, a video-on-demand piece using a suitcase toy theater, shadow puppets and masks. Cincinnati’s Leave No Trace Productions is performing On Maintenance (How to Keep a Life), an outdoor piece on a stage near Know Theatre; they’ll use life-sized origami and abstract puppets in a dance of construction and deconstruction.

Other video-on-demand shows include puppets on fire and puppets underwater in Unintentional Significance: A Puppet Show About Everything and Nothing, by Cincinnati-based Autumn Kaleidoscope. A troupe from Mount St. Joseph University Theatre Arts has produced a video, Empty Space, a comedic drama about an astronaut saved by puppets. Kaleidoscopic Bone House from New York City’s Cookie Tongue is a Freak-Folk musical that promises a mix of puppetry, original songs and animation about mythology, fairy tales, childhood and ghost stories, plus a bit of magic.

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Poster for On Maintenance (How to Keep a Life), | Photo: Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Paul Strickland at a previous Cincy Fringe Photo: Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Poster for Away, Now | Photo: Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Hit the Lights won’t be the only company using puppets in the 2021 Cincy Fringe. In fact, seven other productions have employed this element, perhaps to enable social distancing during a year when everyone is still factoring pandemic precautions into their efforts.

There will also be a pair of livestreamed shows featuring puppets. Performance Gallery, back for its 18th Cincy Fringe in a collaboration with Solasta Theatre Lab, will offer Continuum, a mind-bending take on reality and demons. And Marino’s aforementioned Planet of the Grapes Live.

Of course, the 2021 Cincy Fringe offers more than puppets. There will be humor and music, serious and satiric themes, and mind-bending storytelling. This year's fest promises six outdoor shows, 10 livestreamed productions — plus the popular “Channel Fringe Hard Hitting Action News Update” nightly — and 21 video-ondemand shows from artists around the country.

In addition to primary performances, there will be special events, works-in-progress, the popular Visual Fringe gallery exhibits (available to view in-person and online) and the Fringe After Hours bar series. That late-evening feature, which usually takes place in Know Theatre’s Underground bar, will move to the parking lot just north of the theater building, beneath the vibrant “Lookin’ Good” mural facing 12th Street in OTR. You’ll still need tickets to enjoy this year’s Cincinnati Fringe Festival, no matter if you’re outdoors and in-person or at home. A $275 all-access pass gets you into all 37 shows in the primary lineup (plus special events) and for $80, you can get a six-show Flex Pass. Individual tickets are available for around $10-$15. Fringe divides ticket revenue 50/50 with the artists.

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival takes place June 4-19. For more information, show descriptions, a schedule and tickets, visit cincyfringe.com.

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Caring For Our Watersheds is a joint program of the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District and Nutrien Ltd. Caring For Our Watersheds is a program that empowers students to imagine, develop, and create solutions in their local watersheds. The program promotes watershed awareness and stewardship, values student ideas, and offers support when turning theoretical ideas into action. Judges in the environmental field score student entries and ten projects are selected to compete in the final competition which was held on April 27th. $10,000 in implementation funding (up to $1,000 per project) is available to all participants, allowing each and every idea to be turned into a reality. At the final event, students presented their projects and finalists received cash awards and matching grants for their schools.

Caring For Our Watersheds is a joint program of the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, Nutrien and the Nutrients For Life Foundation.

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CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS FINALISTS

1st

First Place: West Holmes High School Garrett

OUT OF ALMOST 130 ENTRIES submitted this year, these ten teams advanced to the Final Competition where students competed for $12,000 in awards for themselves and their schools.

Project: LET’S CATCH THE RAIN! Student: Morgan & Allison School: Wyoming High School Description: Acknowledging all of the rain Cincinnati gets in the spring paired with its combined sewage system, Morgan and Allison wanted to reduce the amount of runoff in their community. Working with their city manager, city representatives, and school district, they were able to install two rain barrels at a local elementary school and community garden that experience high precipitation in the spring. By bringing these rain barrels into a public space, more people in the area will be exposed to the benefits of reducing rain runoff and water consumption.

Project: THE BUTTERFLY OASIS Student: Ava, Madeline & Becca School: Mount Notre Dame High School Description: Ava, Madeline, and Becca wanted to help improve air quality and increase pollination in the area around their high school, leading them to create a butterfly garden. This project will both beautify the grounds at their school while leading as an example pollinator habitat in the area. In collaboration with their school administration and environmental club, their butterfly oasis will remain for years to come.

Project: SALIX PHYTOEXTRACTION Student: Clarke School: Wyoming High School Description: Growing up, Clarke grew a fondness for the creek behind their home, exploring it with their brother as often as possible. As they grew older, they

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2nd began to learn and see the impacts of heavy metals in the Mill Creek and wanted to develop a solution for it.

A Salix, or willow tree, helps prevent erosion with its root systems while also removing heavy metals from soil and water. Clarke’s project includes collaborating with local parks in order to plant willow tree along the Mill Creek.

Project: COMMUNITY THRIFTING EVENT Student: Caitlin & Stefanie School: Wyoming High School Description: As avid thrifters and advocates for secondhand clothing, Caitlin and Stefanie wanted to create an event for their school to reduce the impacts of fast fashion. They will be collecting donations of used clothing a month in advance so that they have time to sanitize, mend, and sort the items they receive. The money collected at their thrifting event will be donated to their Community Green Team, allowing the embodiment of “think globally, act locally” in their project.

Project: GO 2 BAT FOR OUR WATERSHED Student: Mark & Owen School: Wyoming High School Description: A healthy watershed is the key to a healthy community, and the animals that could help contribute to that are bats! Mark and Owen want to improve bats’ reputation as pollinators and consumers of insects, so they plan to create an educational website and flyers to distribute in their community.

With this new information, they hope to encourage people in their area to install bat houses to support the local population.

Project: LIGHTING OUR WAY TO A GREENER FUTURE Student: Hannah, Brenna, Kayla & Sarah School: Mount Notre Dame High School

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Second Place: Wyoming High School Caitlin & Stefanie

3rd

Description: At Hannah, Brenna, Kayla, and Sarah’s high school, excessive electricity consumption is a major problem. In an effort to reduce this, they are working to replace the outdoor lights around walkways and signs with solar powered ones instead. This simple switch will cut back on electricity consumption and open doors for new ways to rely on renewable energy sources.

Project: PRECISION CONSERVATION IN THE MOHICAN RIVER WATERSHED Student: Garrett School: West Holmes High School Description: Nitrogen runoff from agriculture is one of the major sources of pollution in the Mohican River Watershed. Garrett, working with the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District, wants to provide farmers with access to data modeling and educational resources in order to implement the best fertilization methods on their land. With these tools, the amount of nitrogen runoff polluting the watershed will slowly decrease while also improving the efficiency of local farms.

Project: REDUCE, REUSE, SHAMPOO! Student: Megan & Meredith School: Mount Notre Dame High School Description: Shampoo and conditioner bottles so often find their way into landfills, creating waste instead of being recycled or reused. Megan and Meredith want to reduce this waste in their school and will be creating solid shampoo and conditioner bars. Their classmates will be encouraged to bring in three empty shampoo or conditioner bottles in exchange for these low-waste alternatives, allowing more to try out a plastic-free option while the traditional bottles are diverted from the trash.

Third Place: Wyoming High School Mark & Owen

Project: INCREASING CLEVELAND’S DEPLETED TREE CANOPY Student: Ehthyu & Emeraude School: John Marshall School of Engineering Description: With the urbanization of the Cleveland area, many trees have been removed, leading to increased runoff with heavy rain and an urban heat island effect in warmer months. Ehthyu and Emeraude, in looking to find a solution to these problems, proposed to plant red oak trees in the surrounding community. These native trees can absorb up to 50 gallons of water a day and will provide shade as they grow, creating a more habitable urban space.

Project: SCOOP THE POOP Student: Kk (Calyn) School: Mount Notre Dame High School Description: Winton Woods Park is popular in its area for its walking and hiking trails with many bringing their dogs along for an adventure. Kk found that despite its popularity, there were no stations in the park for pet waste. In collaboration with park staff, the duo is working to install and maintain waste stations with biodegradable bags.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Educating the Future of Our Watershed Jake, Chris & William (Wyoming High School) Pollution Cleanse with White Pine Trees Arishta, Faith, Izzy (Wyoming High School)

PRECISION CONSERVATION IN THE MOHICAN RIVER WATERSHED Most high school students have enough on their plates as they juggle school and extra-curricular activities, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Writing and submitting a proposal on their own to improve the health of their local watershed is not normally at the top of their to-do list, but that’s exactly what West Holmes High School sophomore Garrett Houin did.

Houin developed a proposal that would reduce nutrient loss from farm fields into the streams and rivers of the Mohican Watershed. “My dad works in precision agriculture, and my mom works for Ashland Soil and Water, so we have a lot of very nerdy conversations in our house about how precision agriculture can be an important tool to address water quality concerns,” Houin said.

Houin’s research found nutrient runoff from farm fields and bacteria from failing septic systems and livestock manure are the biggest threats to water quality in his watershed. His

proposal helps area farmers use computer modeling tools to make better nutrient management choices.

Houin’s proposal includes 100 percent cost-share for farmers to use the Adapt-N nitrogen model as well as Winfield United’s R7 Field Forecasting tools. The tools provide an in-depth look at current nitrogen availability in farm fields as well as a forward-facing, predictive model of what nutrient levels will look like weeks and even months into the future. “Using theses crop modeling tools, producers can see how the four Rs, right rate, right time, right source and right place, can benefit the bottom dollar for farmers, all while managing nutrients to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff,” Houin said. “That’s good news for farmers, good news for the environment, and good news for those of us who live and work in the watershed.”

INCREASING CLEVELAND’S DEPLETED TREE CANOPY Trees play an important role in our environment. They provide oxygen, shelter, improve air quality, water quality, and can do more. One tree can produce nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year, so many trees can really help to create a safer environment. That’s why we have decided to focus on trees. Planting more trees would mean, increasing Cleveland’s tree canopy, which has massively decreased over the last 80 years, and reducing stormwater runoff, which has also become a huge issue in our community.

Ever since Cleveland’s tree cover has begun to decrease, the Lake Erie watershed has become exposed to many harmful pollutants that enter through stormwater runoff, which leaves our environment unsafe. In order to keep this from happening, we have decided to plant trees and encourage people to plant trees as well, so that we can create a healthier environment. We are planning on

teaching a lesson on trees to fifth graders so that they can know how crucial they are in our environment. We also plan on distributing red oak seedlings and brochures to 190 fifth-grade students on the East and West side of Cleveland and planting trees on our campus ground.

We made a brochure that contains information on native trees, how to plant and care for trees, and are planning on distributing them throughout the community to spread awareness. We are also planning on partnering up with a neighborhood organization called the BellairePuritas Development Corporation and Dominion Gas, which will use our brochure to spread the word and keep people more informed of this issue. Our goal and hope are to increase Cleveland’s tree canopy, by planting more trees, which will have a huge impact on the environment in the city of Cleveland and keep the Lake Erie watershed healthy for all.

CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS – COVID EDITION As with everything else this past year, Caring For Our Watersheds changed a lot to account for the coronavirus pandemic, adhering to all CDC and statewide mandates. While some students remained in person for most of the school year, some districts were mostly remote, and others had hybrid schedules, changing back and forth based on the current community spread. This is most definitely not the ideal way to learn, but students, teachers and parents did an amazing job adapting to this ‘new normal.’ We all did our best to learn, teach, adapt, stay connected while staying apart and hopefully finding time for some self-care.

The Caring For Our Watersheds contest was no different. We switched all of our presentations to virtual zoom presentations and helped students and teachers through online chats, email

and phone calls. We had seven new schools participate in the contest this year for the first time and we truly hope they enjoyed their experience and will be back to participate next year, with all being well, in-person.

All of the top 10 students deserve an extra shout-out. They did am amazing job adapting their projects to comply with current safety standards, finding ways to be creative and educate people in a virtual world and adjusting to the ever-changing deadlines we threw at them because we had to change our finals to a virtual event. Everyone did such an amazing job and deserves all the praise (and cash prizes). It has been a pleasure working with you and I hope our paths cross again someday. IN the meantime, do everything you can to stop the spread.

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CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS

PARTNERS PARTICIPATING TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION Organizations dedicated to creating the next generation of land stewards in Hamilton County Nutrien, The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Nutrients for Life Foundation understand the importance of protecting our watersheds and conserving natural resources. But it’s equally important to cultivate future land stewards and tomorrow’s advocates for the environment. That’s why the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Nutrients for Life Foundation have partnered with Nutrien to establish Caring For Our Watersheds, a unique program that enhances classroom learning through the practice of environmental research, writing skills, public speaking and hands-on stewardship. The program asks high school students to propose ideas on how to improve local watersheds. Students with strong proposals will then have the opportunity to put those ideas into action. As projects are planned and implemented, students develop strong leadership skills, learn sustainable practices and contribute to creating a healthier ecosystem. Students also have opportunities to connect with environmental professionals who volunteer and mentor the students as they learn new skills and develop deeper connections with the community in which they live. Caring For Our Watersheds is open to all high school students who live in or go to school in Ohio.

Caring for Our Watersheds is sponsored by Nutrien, a worldwide producer and retailer of fertilizers and other agricultural products and services. As the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, Nutrien plays a critical role in Feeding the Future by helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner. With nearly 20,000 employees, operations, and investments in 14 countries, Nutrien’s crop inputs and services reach every major growing region of the world.

The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District (HCSWCD) is responsible for the conservation of natural resources within Hamilton County, Ohio. They have a special emphasis on soil and water with a focus on assisting landowners in planning and applying conservation practices on the land.

HCSWCD is dedicated to the sustainable use of our natural resources and to encouraging positive behavioral changes that produce a higher quality of life for our citizens. The District assists all Hamilton County residents, schools, and jurisdictions through their services and dynamic partnerships that continually provide innovative solutions for the challenges of our region.

The Nutrients for Life Foundation is a global organization consisting of members and collaborative partners that develops and distributes science-based materials to improve plant nutrient literacy, soil health knowledge and promotes fertilizer’s role in sustaining a growing population. Plant nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, are also required to keep our parks, gardens, playgrounds, sports fields and golf courses green and healthy in communities from coast to coast.

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Jeff Bakunas - Rutherford B. Hayes High School Deborah Brookbank - Winton Woods High School Mary Brown - John Marshall School of Engineering Joe W Carstensen - Clay High School Ashley Chorba - John Marshall School of Engineering Kelly Dye - West Holmes High School Taylor Freeman - Port Clinton High School Maggie Little - Valley STEM Tracy Majors - Wyoming High School Monika Nuñez - Ursuline Academy Mary Beth Rieth - Mount Notre Dame High School Tony Riley - Athens High School Tricia Schoen - Genoa Area High School Kat Sickinger - Summit Country Day School Shannon Thomas - Twinsburg High School

JUDGES AND VOLUNTEERS Emma Brandt - CFW Intern Pat Bruns - former OH Dept of Education member Rachel Cranmer - Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Lori Dorn - Greenacres Foundation Sara Fehring - HC Conservation District Gia Giammarinaro - Cincinnati Park Board Cory Gonya - Nutrien Scott Huber - HC Conservation District Sarah Kitsinis - Coyle SWPPP Professionals Christen Lubbers - Architectural Fdn of Cincinnati Kara Luggen - Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Anne Lyon - Mill Creek Alliance Sue Magness - Office of Environment & Sustainability Katie Nainiger - Nutrients for Life Fia Turczynewycz - Guide Us Green

S

TREASURES FROM THE TAFT Coming July 3, 2021 Assembled nearly 100 years ago, does the Taft’s collection hold relevance today?

Join us as we look at our city’s celebrated art collection through a 21st-century lens.

Timed tickets available now at taftmuseum.org

EXHIBITION SPONSOR

FOUNDATION SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

SEASON FUNDERS

OPER ATING SUPPORT

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees

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“the most important exhibition in America” —Ideelart Magazine, London

American Painting: The Eighties Revisited Now–September 5, 2021 | Galleries 301, 302, and 303 | Free admission cincinnatiartmuseum.org/americanpainting

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ARTS & CULTURE

Joe Solomon plans to kayak the entire Mississippi River P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY A DV E N T U R E CREW

Paddling for a Cause A Cincinnati man plans to kayak the entire Mississippi River to raise funds and awareness for mental health issues and local youth nature program Adventure Crew

BY K AT I E G R I F F IT H

W

hat’s good for the body is good for the mind and vice versa.

A local man who lives by this mantra is taking it one step further by applying it to something bigger than himself: community. After all, what is a community without the small actions of its individuals? And what happens when those small actions expand to

the size of the second-longest river in North America?

Cincinnatian Joe Solomon has set out to kayak the entire Mississippi River to raise money and awareness for mental health issues, stigma and solutions. Solomon says the 2,350-mile journey will take roughly 60 to 80 days. During this time, he also hopes to inspire $10,000

in donations to benefit local nonprofit Adventure Crew, which empowers city youth through nature and aims to provide equitable access to the outdoors. Adventure Crew recently began a new program called Crew Cares that employs mental health professionals to integrate therapeutic practices during outdoor activities.

“Nature has a lot of healing properties,” Solomon says. “That’s how I found my way back from a horrible sickness... through kayaking. And ultimately these kids are the future leaders of this nation.

If they can get out into nature and get those healing properties too, then why not support them.”

On May 31, Solomon pointed his 14-foot, sky-blue kayak south and began to navigate the narrow headwaters of the Mississippi. From Minnesota to Louisiana, he will pass through 10

states and camp on the shore each night. With a 75-pound pack in tow, and a crew of three friends who will join segments of the trip, Solomon aims to paddle 40 to 50 miles per day and admits the beginning will be the most challenging.

“The headwaters are loaded with beaver dams and downed trees,” he says. “It’s rough for the first 100 miles. A lot of people quit at that 100-mile point.

There are mosquitoes, biting flies, it’s rowdy.”

But for Solomon, that’s all part of the sport he credits with overcoming and learning to live with his own mental health obstacles. A few passes of his hand saw will get those trees out of the way, easing navigation and getting him closer to meeting his goal.

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Adventure Crew is a Cincinnati nonprofit that connects local teens with nature P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY A DV E N T U R E C R E W

FROM PAGE 21

“I am disabled by a mental health condition,” Solomon says. “I almost died because of it, and it’s taken me seven or eight years to regain my sanity.

So I’m doing this to create as much awareness as I can. I’m totally good with talking about it because I know that it’s helping other people in the process.”

Ten years ago, Solomon was a registered nurse when he contracted cellulitis in his elbow.

“It impeded the nerves in these three fingers,” he says, waving the fingers on his left hand. During corrective surgery, Solomon had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia and fell into a catatonic state, he says.

“It happens to about .02% of the world’s population,” Solomon says. “I could have been struck by lightning four times in my life before something like this happened.”

Solomon says he spent 15 days in a coma, and a combination of certain medications were neurotoxic and wiped out his short-term memory.

“I have bi-polar disorder, I have PTSD and ADHD,” he says confidently. “And

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all of those combined make me one badass.”

Solomon discovered how healing nature and kayaking can be when he used it to live with his disability. He purchased a pass to Green Acres Kayak and paddled at least eight miles every day for four months during his recovery.

“The repetition of paddling feels good, it’s good for your body, good for your mind, good for your soul,” Solomon says. “I get into a zone when I’m paddling. I’m totally disconnected from the outside world and that kind of makes me a powerhouse.”

After one summer of non-stop kayaking, Solomon figured he’d be able to navigate an entire river system.

He wanted to share the meditative experience and healing benefits while dissolving stigmas such as keeping mental health struggles a secretive and solitary battle. Solomon created Kayaking 4 a Cause in 2018, which included “awareness paddle” plans to complete the Ohio River.

Nearly 1,000 miles of Ohio River later, Solomon succeeded and raised $3,000 for Santa Maria Community Services, a nonprofit that benefits Price Hill

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families and the community.

He says this time around he will bring more food and make sure to keep in constant contact with barges, noting that it’s best to stay far away from their powerful engines.

Solomon is looking forward to documenting this trip better, too. His Kayak 4 a Cause Facebook page and blog keep him busy in between paddling, and he will be livestreaming at random points along the Mississippi. He’ll also save video footage for a documentary he hopes to produce about the journey.

Miriam Wise, associate director at Adventure Crew, says it costs about $25 dollars to support one child on any of their various activities, including transportation, gear and food.

“10,000 dollars — that’s a lot of kids getting to go hiking or mountain biking for the first time,” she says.

Solomon is the second participant of Adventure Crew’s new Crew Champions fundraising program. It blossomed out of pandemic limitations, when Adventure Crew couldn’t host its biggest fundraiser of the year, Ohio River Paddlefest, in the traditional way.

Instead, solo paddlers volunteered

to branch off and create their own mini or peer-to-peer campaigns, which inspired people like Solomon. The first participant, Jason Voss, is hiking the Continental Divide. Wise says Crew Champions doesn’t have to be an elite adventure program; it just happened that the first two volunteers decided to do something intense.

“We welcome those kinds of extreme adventures,” Wise says. “But Crew Champions is also available for someone who has maybe a summer goal to paddle 10 different waterways in the region. We are particularly excited about folks who are doing activities we can expose our students to.”

As for Solomon, he says he’ll be celebrating in New Orleans at the conclusion of his trip before concocting a plan to finish all of the nation’s major inland rivers shortly after.

Donate to Joe Solomon’s Adventure Crew fundraiser and learn more about his voyage down the Mississippi River at adventure-crew.networkforgood.com/ projects/131854-joseph-solomons-fundraiser or facebook.com/ goingthedistance2019.

THEATER

Playhouse in the Park Announces 2021-22 Season

BY R I C K P E N D E R

After a year of dark stages, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is ready to return to the business of live, onstage theater for 2021 and 2022. The productions will sound familiar to Playhouse fans, since all but one were initially put forth for the 2020-2021 season that didn’t happen due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With eight productions on the Marx and Shelterhouse stages (cautiously reduced from the usual schedule of 11), the coming season has an anticipated start date of Oct. 9.

The season features three world premieres — two of which tell authentic Cincinnati stories — a pair of fresh comedies, a familiar tale of female friendships and a onewoman show about Dr. Ruth Westheimer. The Playhouse also plans to bring back the full production of its annual holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.

The West End (Oct. 9-Nov. 7, Marx Theatre) — Set in 1941 in Cincinnati’s West End, this world premiere drama by Cincinnatian Keith Joseph Adkins offers insight into a transformative chapter of local history.

Need Your Love (Oct. 30-Dec. 12, Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre) — A second world premiere with Cincinnati ties, this is a musical about King Records star Little The West End Willie John. KJ Sanchez, whose P H O T O : T O N Y A R R A S M I T H / A R R A S M I T H & A S S O C I AT E S Cincinnati King was loved by local audiences in 2018, is Becoming Dr. Ruth (April 9-May 15, back to direct her new show.

2022, Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre) A Christmas Carol (Nov. 24-Dec. 30, — Mark St. Germain’s one-woman script Marx Theatre) — A longtime Playhouse chronicles the journey of Ruth Wesfavorite for the holidays will be back theimer’s path to becoming America’s with a cast of nearly 30 actors, elaborate favorite sex therapist in the 1980s and costumes and thrilling special effects. ’90s.

Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual School Girls: or, The African Mean Help (Jan. 29-Feb. 27, 2022, Marx TheGirls Play (April 30-May 22, 2022, Marx atre) — Set in 1973, Katie Forgette’s play Theatre) — Set in an exclusive boarding portrays an Irish-Catholic family with school in Ghana, Jocelyn Bioh’s biting affectionate humor as they muddle comedy explores the universal chalthrough hilarious mishaps that jeoparlenges of teenage girlhood. dize their reputation and their souls.

The eight-show lineup is a response Rooted (Feb. 12-March 20, 2022, to COVID safety precautions and a Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre) — The shorter season to accommodate the season’s third world premiere brings final phase of construction on the theback Deborah Zoe Laufer with another ater’s new mainstage complex. Blake quirky comedy. Her Playhouse-comRobison, the Playhouse’s artistic direcmissioned premiere Be Here Now was tor, says, “The new season showcases staged in 2018, and several of its charthe range and diversity of the Playacters return in this story about a recluhouse, and we can’t wait to get back to sive amateur botanist who becomes a producing a full schedule of live theater New-Age YouTube messiah. for Cincinnati.”

Steel Magnolias (March 19-April 17, Since COVID guidelines are still in 2022, Marx Theatre) — Robert Harling’s flux, subscriptions and tickets for the 1987 beauty-salon classic features season will not go on sale until summer. beloved characters, heartwarming diaFor more information about logue and snappy repartee in a tale of Playhouse in the Park, visit powerful female friendship. The show Rooted cincyplay.com. was a hit for the Playhouse back in 1989.

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T O N Y A R R A S M I T H / A R R A S M I T H & A S S O C I AT E S

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Voted Best Smoke Shop

Voted Best Green / Sustainable Goods Store

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FOOD & DRINK

Pampas’ main dining room P H OTO : H A I L E Y B O L L I N G E R

A Taste of Argentina in O’Bryonville Housed in the former Eighth & English space, Argentine gastropub Pampas serves a rustic, gaucho-inspired menu in a beautifully decorated dining room R E V I E W BY PA M A M IT C H E L L

I

experienced a jumble of emotions when I noticed the “now open” signage on a familiar brick building along Madison Road in O’Bryonville:

happiness and relief that the space had been revitalized, mixed with trepidation that yet another set of hopeful restaurateurs was taking a chance on a

location that I’d come to think of as the place where good restaurants go to die.

Extreme as that may sound, the address — 2038 Madison Road — has proven untenable for at least two pretty wonderful establishments: Enoteca Emilia and Eighth & English. Will this new venture, Pampas, described as an Argentine gastropub and owned by Ignite Entertainment, find a formula for success that has eluded others?

It could be helpful that the new owners have purchased the building instead of leasing it and have created a fascinating space with so much to look at on the walls, counters, stairways and cubby holes. They’ve also acquired the property next door that has gone through a few restaurant iterations of its own.

Another hopeful factor is experience in the Cincinnati restaurant market.

Among other local dining and drinking establishments, Ignite Entertainment is the parent company of downtown’s Butcher and Barrel and Over-theRhine’s Che — both with menus that emphasize traditional, meat-oriented Argentine cuisine — and now Pampas, which brings this style of cooking to a slightly more suburban neighborhood.

There are distinctions among the three Ignite restaurants that go beyond location, though. Che is the most casual, focusing on a variety of empanadas. The more upscale Butcher and Barrel features grilled meats in a style called parrillada, which mixes several

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different meats in one serving.

Pampas, the newest restaurant, draws on Ignite Entertainment owner Juan Imeroni’s interactions with farmers and gauchos — those whom we might call cowboys — during the summers he spent at his grandfather’s home in the grass and farmlands, or pampas, of Argentina. Here the food is more rustic.

Pampas has a short menu, with three appetizers (plus a charcuterie option), two salads, four entrees and a soup. Because Argentine food tends to be meat-oriented, vegetarians will find very few options here. You can at least avoid red meat at Pampas, if you are so inclined, but then you’d miss what the cuisine — and this restaurant — does best.

While you decide, you might want to enjoy one of the seven house cocktails.

El Gaucho Del Camino ($14) starts with rye whiskey and mixes it with ancho chile liqueur, lime and simple syrup.

The Blackberry Kentucky Mule ($12) — bourbon, ginger beer, blackberry simple and fresh lime served over crushed ice — was so delicious that my friend ordered them all through the meal and said he would come back again just for that drink. Other cocktails based on gin, Aperol, wine or vodka should please the non-whiskey drinker.

I’ve dined at Pampas twice and for the most part passed on the appetizers.

But I did try — and like — Provoleta ($10), an uncomplicated dish of baked provolone cheese seasoned with fennel and chile. If you ask (we did), the team will bring toast crisps to go with the melty cheese. Another popular app, according to our server, is Pampas Fritas ($14), house fries all gussied up with smoked cheese curds, lamb gravy and chimichurri. There are mussels ($14) with bacon, anchovies and cream along with grilled bread; worth a try on a subsequent visit, I thought.

Both salads ($10 each) sounded appealing: pear and arugula or spinach and beets. They had terrific lists of additional ingredients, from crispy ham with whipped goat cheese and spiced pecans on the arugula to smoked grapes and grilled onions in the spinach salad.

Because there are only four items listed as main courses, you would expect each of them to be carefully assembled and represent the best the kitchen has to offer. But in our experience, just two lived up to that expectation. One of the hits was a burger, listed as Hamburguesa Wagyu ($18), crafted from high-end wagyu beef and enhanced by bacon, grilled onion, provolone and smoked garlic. It had a charcoal-grilled flavor that was quite appealing.

We also appreciated the dish called El Bife ($32), marinated skirt steak over house fries with a delightfully savory sauce based on mushrooms, chimichurri and housemade steak sauce. El Pollo ($26) featured roasted chunks of dark and white meat chicken with a mélange of vegetables that tended more toward starch than greens; unfortunately, the chicken came out overcooked. (When I mentioned that to

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Pampas Fritas P H OTO : H A I L E Y B O L L I N G E R

the manager, she took the dish off our bill, a nice gesture.)

El Pescado ($26) sounded enticing: salmon over Israeli couscous with olives, piquillo peppers and vermouth beurre blanc. One of my companions ordered this dish each of the two times I was there, and each time it tasted bland.

Pampas has a decent wine list that brings a variety of Argentine wines to diners’ attention, including a couple by the glass. Two or three desserts are available most nights, and the menu descriptions attracted us to try Dulce de Leche Cheesecake as well as Torta de Chocolate Salado.

Given the tribulations that the restaurant industry is experiencing with staffing — both front of house and kitchen — I found the service here to be seamless, with just the right amount of attention and responsiveness to our requests.

Staffers say the restaurant group may be expanding again soon with still another Argentine-Italian concept. In the meantime, Chef Nicholas Hendrix will have his chance to keep the dining room filled at this pleasant and beautifully decorated space.

Pampas, 2038 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, pampascincinnati.com

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El Gaucho Del Camino P H OTO : H A I L E Y B O L L I N G E R

THE DISH

Bee’s Barbecue Causes a Buzz in Madisonville

BY B RY N D I P P O L D

Walk up to Bee’s Barbecue on Chandler Street in Madisonville, and you won’t have to wonder why it has sold out every day since opening on April 17.

Bee’s outside patio is reminiscent of a classic barbecue joint, with a smoker and picnic tables. Upon entry, you’ll be greeted by bumble-bee-inspired decor.

The restaurant’s namesake, Brendan “Bee” Hague, can usually be found in the kitchen.

“They don’t let me in the front of the shop because I’ll just talk to everybody,” Hague says with a laugh. “I gotta stay in the back and slice all the meat.”

Hague grew up in Madisonville, just 10 blocks from where Bee’s Barbecue is now located. As a kid, he would ride his bike to the nearby catering location of the now-closed Barbecue Review and get pulled-pork sandwiches. That experience — and those sandwiches — prompted a lifelong love for barbecue, he says.

Before Bee’s, Hague was a bartender at MadTree Brewing when he started getting the itch to barbecue.

“My now-wife loves hosting,” Hague says. “And we’d have these gettogethers and parties at the house. I started fooling around with smoking meats in big batches and people were like, ‘Man, this is really good.’ ” In 2017, he obtained the LLC for Bee’s Barbecue, found a smoker trailer and began pop-up barbecue events, including at Oakley Wines and the nowdefunct Dutch’s Larder in Hyde Park.

“They would close their kitchen at 4 p.m. on Sundays,” Hague says of Dutch’s. “The bar would stay open, and typically I’d show up at 5 p.m. and set up and we’d sell barbecue. It got really popular there. By the end of it, there was a line down the street.”

Hague also catered for about two years and saw success.

But, from the beginning, he knew he wanted a brick-and-mortar location.

In 2019, he found the storefront on Chandler Street — previously home to Jojo’s Chicken & Fish, a pizzeria and a candy shop — and has been paying rent on the space ever since.

Hague’s original plan was to open in early 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic hit that March, closing restaurants, schools and businesses. Hague was unable to do pop-ups as Bee’s Barbecue, so he paid out-of-pocket for his shop all of last year.

But every day since he finally opened, Bee’s has sold out completely. The shop is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, unless they run out of barbecue earlier.

“The quickest (we sold out) was during the first week, by 1:30 p.m.,” Hague says.

With its “Porkopolis” moniker and litany of pig statues, Cincinnati has its fair share of barbecue places. Alabama Que on Short Vine has mouthwatering turkey tips; Lucius Q has signature sandwiches, meat platters and live

Bee’s sandwiches range from brisket to turkey breast to The Bee Sting: pulled pork topped with coleslaw, Bar-B-Q Grippo’s and hot sauce.

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music; Eli’s BBQ is a Cincinnati institution with outdoor seating and unique sides; and don’t forget the iconic Montgomery Inn. It can be hard to differentiate yourself as a new barbecue joint, but Hague has a certain mentality that he thinks sets him apart.

“We make it fresh every day,” he says.

“And we don’t sell yesterday’s barbecue.

We won’t do that. We open at 11 a.m., sell it until it’s gone and then get ready for the next day. To me, barbecue has a life and needs to be treated as such.”

For Bee’s Barbecue newbies, Hague recommends the brisket — which is smoked for 12 to 15 hours — as a starting point. Bee’s also offers pulled pork, turkey breast, Cincinnati hot links, ribs and black pepper Lockhart, which consists of coarsely ground Avril-Bleh Meat Market & Deli beef brisket and pork sausage with a black pepper kick; the dish pays homage to Lockhart, the barbecue capital of Texas. All menu

items may rotate seasonally.

Bee’s also offers sandwiches, such as brisket, pulled pork, turkey breast and sausage, along with The Bee Sting, which is pulled pork topped with coleslaw, Bar-B-Q Grippo’s and Bee’s hot sauce. Sides include creamy shells and cheese, collard greens, coleslaw and sticky barbecue beans, which include bits of briskets. Bee’s also offers a few desserts, like banana pudding and bourbon peach cobbler.

Hague gets a majority of his ingredients from Findlay Market and AvrilBleh, continuing relationships that he created early on with Bee’s Barbecue.

“We really care about sourcing from local purveyors as best as we can,” Hague says. “I didn’t want to end (the) relationship (with vendors) because we’re busier and it was more convenient to go with someone else. We worked out with Mackie’s down in Findlay Market so that I come down

once a week and they come up once a week. I just told them that I didn’t want to break up.”

Much of Hague’s successful partnerships are credited to his personality.

“I take care of my relationships and my friendships,” Hague says. “And I think that’s important.”

As for an end goal, Hague says he hopes to “make it through this week.”

“I want to sustain a really nice quality product,” he says. “I want to be involved with the community that I grew up in. And feed the people that live there.

There’s room for growth, but we’re gonna do it at our speed. On our terms.”

Bee’s Barbecue, 5910 Chandler St., Madisonville, beesbarbecue.com

JUNE 2021

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Restaurant Open

342 Ludlow Ave Clifton

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MUSIC

Turtledoves perform during the first installment of Joyful Noise on the Green.

P H OTO : C H U R C H O F T H E A DV E N T

Uplifting Music with an Intentional Twist Joyful Noise on the Green in Walnut Hills presents all-are-welcome, free outdoor concerts featuring local — and regional — bands

BY K AT R I N A E R E S M A N

A

s live musical performances gradually make their way back into our post-vaccine world, a new local concert series could become a staple this summer.

Joyful Noise on the Green — which launched at the end of May — takes place roughly every other Saturday through October on the lawn of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Walnut Hills.

It is the brainchild of church

employees Reverend Jason Oden, also known as Espresso Priest on Instagram, and Brianna Kelly, a local musician.

The music series is not quite what you might expect from a religious institution, though.

Part of Rev. Oden’s role is to bring new life and ideas to a diminishing congregation. After he took his job at the church last fall, he began meeting with Kelly, whom he knew from

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Local artist Lizzy DuQuette designed the set piece behind the stage.

P H O T O : C H U R C H O F T H E A DV E N T

FROM PAGE 29

working together at another parish, to discuss whether she’d want to bring her music leadership skills to Church of the Advent.

“This church has this historic presence, it’s been going on for 175 years, and there’s like 20 people coming,” says Rev. Oden. “Advent has always been open to bringing in artists and cultivating art and giving back to the community and being a place where people can experience community.”

Kelly is now the church’s minister of liturgy, music and arts. And, drawing on her years in the local music scene, she’s brought a fresh perspective to the concept of hosting concerts.

“I was really inspired by the way that people were creative throughout COVID, about being able to gather safely and in spaces that are outside of traditional bars and venues,” she says.

Some people’s personal experiences or conservative upbringings may lead them to believe a church concert is a man with gelled hair emphatically playing major chords on the acoustic guitar.

But these shows are nothing like that, Kelly and Rev. Oden say.

“It’s kind of a blank slate here,” Kelly says. “(We realized) we could just submit a budget for creative, fun stuff and see if the ministry approves it, and they have.”

The lineup of artists is rich with talented Cincinnati musicians plus those

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from nearby states, all offering sounds that extend far beyond cookie-cutter chapel music. Genres include SingerSongwriter, Indie Folk, Pop, Hip Hop and, yes, Christian. Although the shows follow a 5 p.m. service and a 6 p.m. community dinner, there’s not necessarily a connection between the events, and there’s certainly no obligation to participate in the more spiritual aspects.

“The concert is not an extension of the church service,” says Church of the Advent communications director Matt Latchaw. “It’s just another way to love our neighborhood and love artists who...shape the culture and speak to something deeper than just everyday life.”

With its mission to create opportunities for Cincinnati artists to perform and be cared for in a space that is free and open to anyone, Joyful Noise on the Green reflects an intentionality that is missing in some live music settings.

Before the pandemic, there were a lot of free shows around the city, but many were centered around alcohol and late hours. Things are a little different with Joyful Noise.

“I know a lot of folks that can’t do shows at like 11 p.m. or would really like to bring their family,” Kelly says. “Or people who are pursuing sobriety and just playing in the same few bars every night, which is hard — especially when part of your payment is having free drinks thrown at you.”

But with Joyful Noise, no portion

JUNE 2021

of artist payment will be dealt in beer. Kelly is emphatic about treating the performers well, and part of the secured budget will allow them to fairly pay musicians. Kelly even has set up a green room inside the church, furnished with plants and vintage orange couches passed down from her family.

“I just want everything to feel really cozy and cared for,” Kelly says. “(To) create a space that feels like we’re here to listen and really absorb art and be elevated by it.”

The first show in the series happened May 29, featuring Indie singersongwriter Cory Pavlinac, performing as Zoo, and husband-and-wife Lo-Fi duo Turtledoves. Despite the unseasonably cool weather, people sat scattered across the lawn on blankets and chairs. The performers played on a cobblestone stage tucked under a tree. A white cascading set piece by local artist Lizzy DuQuette stood behind them. The crowd sat peaceful and enthralled, even as a handful of kids happily galloped around. Latchaw ran sound, Kelly hosted and Rev. Oden made coffee and chatted with the crowd. If the first concert was any indication, Joyful Noise on the Green is manifesting everything it wants to be.

At the moment, Joyful Noise on the Green is booked through the beginning of August, but will ultimately run through the end of October. Music is always 7-9 p.m. on the lawn, or masked and distanced inside if it rains.

Music lovers can ensure seating by registering for free on Eventbrite, and anyone may attend the 6 p.m. dinner provided in partnership with La Soupe ahead of the performances.

The current lineup includes: • A community hymn/song share on June 12; • Brianna Kelly, Chorusing and Small Sur on June 19; • Patterns of Chaos and another band TBD on July 10; • Rae Fisher and Mull Graham on July 24; • and Brooklynn Rae and MichaelAndrew Spalding on Aug. 7.

More acts will be announced soon.

The church hopes to continue the public music program, and it’s currently their main focus.

“I think that the church has a rich history of supporting the arts,” Latchaw says. “I hope that the (concerts are) like a way to support artists again, because again art speaks to a deeper part of the human experience that I think is important.”

On weeks where there isn’t a band scheduled, they say they plan to host other Saturday evening community events, like movies and game nights.

Church of the Advent is located at 2366 Kemper Lane, Walnut Hills.

For more on Joyful Noise on the Green and to see the rest of the lineup as it’s announced, visit adventcincy.org/joyful-noise.

SPILL IT

Touring Roundup: Live Music Truly Is Back, and Here’s Who’s Coming to Cincinnati

BY W I L L I A M R I E S E N B E R G A N D C IT Y B E AT STA F F

The opening of two new concert venues in Greater Cincinnati — the Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center in downtown and The PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION in Newport — as well as the multitude of historic music centers around the area have made the Queen City a hot spot for many big-name musicians.

As artists begin to perform live shows once again, Cincinnati’s touring lineup for 2021 and beyond is already strong.

Summer will truly blast into gear when Rock band Foo Fighters kicks off the ICON Music Center’s first-ever outdoor concert. Fresh off the band’s announcement as 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the Cincinnati show will be Dave Grohl and company’s first confirmed headlining performance since the February release of the Foos’ album Medicine at Midnight.

They’ll perform at the ICON Festival Stage on July 28. More info and tickets: iconmusiccenter.com.

Eclectic and innovative singer/guitarist St. Vincent — aka Annie Clark — is hitting the road in support of her latest album, Daddy’s Home. The sixth release from Clark and a follow-up to her Grammy-winning MASSEDUCTION, Daddy’s Home was called “a mutant strain of retro Pop steeped in New York lore” by Rolling Stone and given a four-star review.

She’ll be stopping by the ICON Music Center on Sept. 7. More info and tickets: iconmusiccenter.com.

Indie Rock icons Modest Mouse are gearing up to release their seventh studio album — The Golden Casket — on June 25. And to support the new material, the band is hitting the road.

On this album, frontman Isaac Brock explores “the degradation of America’s psychic landscape through the glass of the smartphone screen and invisible technology,” says a release. The album also “touches on a new theme in his life, fatherhood.”

Modest Mouse will play the ICON Music Center on Oct. 5 with special guests Future Islands. More info and tickets: iconmusiccenter.com.

Veteran singer-guitarist Bob Mould has just announced a series of “Solo Distortion” electric shows. The jaunt supports Mould’s forthcoming vinyl box, Distortion: Live. The eight-LP set includes live recordings from Mould’s solo career and from his band Sugar.

The concert will span Mould’s entire 40-plus year career and include tracks from the Distortion collection and from his former band Husker Dü.

“It’s been a year and a half away from the stage,” says Mould. “I’ve missed the noise, the sweat, and seeing your smiling faces. I’m fully vaccinated, and I hope you are too, because this fall will be a Punk Rock party with the band — and the solo shows will be loud and proud as well. It’s time to make up lost time, reconnect and celebrate together with live music.”

Mould will perform at Memorial

Clockwise from top left: Foo Fighters, St. Vincent, Jonas Brothers, Kings of Leon P H O T O : D A N N Y C L I N C H , Z A C K E R Y M I C H A E L , P R O M O T I O N A L P H O T O P R OV I D E D BY M E M I , M AT T H E W F O L L O W I L L

Hall on Oct. 22. More info and tickets: memorialhallotr.com.

We’ve cherry-picked a few more upcoming shows to look forward to below.

The Black Crowes, Aug. 3, Riverbend Music Center — The delayed 2020 “Shake Your Money Maker” tour is finally set to hit the road. The legendary Rock band will play the entirety of its debut album Shake Your Money Maker in addition to all of its hit songs. Rockers Dirty Honey will open.

Jason Mraz, Aug. 6, ICON Festival Stage at Smale Riverfront Park — Jason Mraz and his 13-piece Reggae band will make a stop in Cincinnati during the “Look For The Good Live!

Summer 2021” tour. The show will include a different take on Mraz’s classics in addition to songs from his newest album, Look for the Good.

Jason Aldean, Aug. 12, Riverbend Music Center — Chart-topping Country artist Jason Aldean is touring with his band for the first time since 2019. The Academy of Country Music “Entertainer of the year” will perform his old-school Country roots. Country upand-comer Lainey Wilson opens.

Kings of Leon, Aug. 31, Riverbend Music Center — Kings of Leon, the four-time Grammy Award-winning band, will perform songs from the 2021 album When You See Yourself live for the first time, along with hits such as

“Use Somebody.” Indie Rockers Cold War Kids will open.

Lady A, Sept. 2, PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION — The Country band consisting of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood will bring its “What a Song Can Do” tour to Newport’s OVATION. The tour includes openers Carly Pearce, Niko Moon and Tenille Arts on different dates.

Dead & Company, Sept. 11, Riverbend Music Center — Despite the loss of frontman Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir have shared the Dead’s legacy by continuing to play the Psychedelic Rock group’s greatest hits around the world. John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti will join Dead & Company onstage.

Bleachers, Sept. 18, PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION — Bleachers is touring alongside its new LP Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night. The record highlights topics that have been common for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as depression and loss.

The Jonas Brothers, Sept. 21, Riverbend Music Center — From Disney Channel sweethearts to bona fide global superstars, the Jonas Brothers are hitting the road once again for their “Remember This” tour with Country star Kelsea Ballerini. The Jo Bros — Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas — last toured in

2019 behind the album Happiness Begins.

The Lone Bellow, Nov. 10, Taft Theatre — Americana trio The Lone Bellow is hitting the road in support of 2020 album Half Moon Light, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Album chart.

Ben Folds, Nov. 18, Taft Theatre — Ben Folds, the Alternative Pop artist best known for his skills as a pianist, will take the stage live for the first time in more than a year. The “In Actual Person Live For Real” tour will feature Folds’ solo piano songs along with orchestral performances. The tour will support his last album that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Classical and Classical Crossover charts.

Justin Bieber, April 19, 2022, Heritage Bank Center — Grammy-winning former teen heartthrob Justin Bieber has added Cincinnati to his newly rescheduled “Justice” world tour and is slated to perform at Heritage Bank Center in 2022. The Queen City is one of seven new locations added to Bieber’s previous tour dates since rescheduling due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout the country. The tour now will feature 52 dates in North America, beginning Feb. 18 in San Diego and wrapping up a few months later in Milwaukee.

JUNE 2021

For a weekly roundup of recently announced concerts and other music news, visit citybeat.com.

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Midnight Dew” (Wordsworth)

1. Sends an Evite for

43. 5 p.m., in memo lingo

6. Streaming TV option, for short 7. Lists for screened answers, briefly

7. White on some white meat

44. Between-album releases

10. Animal mouth

45. Turn droopy

13. Most preciously twee

48. Hydrocarbon group

8. “Mad as ___ snake” (Australian slang for “furious”)

14. “St. Matthew Passion” composer

50. “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” opener

9. Will Shortz’s newspaper’s nickname, at least before they ran color photos

53. “Duh!” [eye roll]

10. Burgundy wine

57. Resting period for some Mariners

11. Indigenous person who wears parkas made from seal guts

15. Copying in the kitchen 16. Movie scenes involving dancers in toe shoes 19. Education acronym 20. Subjects in audience research 21. Boozy and bawdy sitcom on the 14-Down 24. Long-winded, angry monologue 25. Brown truck company 28. Kashi ingredient 29. “You’re the Worst” actress Cash

60. Org. that offers a “Telehealth Implementation Playbook” 61. Website with a Certified Refurbished section 62. 32-card card game 63. Trevor Lawrence, for short 64. Tierra Whack’s genre 65. Super-hunk DOWN

33. Frozen treat company with a mint leaf in its logo

1. B-2 Spirit’s homes: Abbr.

40. The general public

14. Where 21-Across was first shown, with “the” 17. “Time’s a-wasting!,” briefly 18. Org. concerned with magazines?

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42. “___ With Cold Beads of

5. Lao-___

25. The world’s largest economy by nominal GDP: Abbr.

38. Saison ensoleillée

39. Students who checked out back in Feb.

45. Prehistoric redhead

36. Bit of instruction

43. Disney princess who sings “The cold never bothered me anyway”

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46. ER drip source

47. Grazing spot

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27. Neither bad nor good

56. Plan on it!

29. Certain trader, briefly

58. Legal thing

30. “Whatever, dude!”

59. Letters used in ancient dates

33. “Halo” singer, to fans

26. Banned pollutants

32. Short time off?

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