CityBeat | August 23, 2023

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VOL. 27 | ISSUE 43 ON THE COVER: AIRBORNE AT 30 PHOTO: MADELINE FENING

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“The Birth of Shein”

NEWS NEWS

“The Birth of Shein” by Samuel Greenhill is a protest piece in response to Shein's recent pop-up store in Kenwood Towne Centre.

Birth Samuel P“The H OTO : S A of M UShein” E L G R by EEN H I L L Greenhill is a protest piece in response to Shein's recent pop-up store in Kenwood Towne Centre.

P H OTO : SA M U E L G R E E N H I L L

Cincinnati Artist Creates Statement Cincinnati Artist Creates Statement Photography in Response to Shein Photography in Response Pop-Up at Kenwood Mall to Shein Shein says 4,000 shoppers attended the Cincinnati pop-up.

Pop-Up at Kenwood Mall BY M A Dsays E L I N4,000 E F E N Ishoppers NG Shein attended the Cincinnati pop-up.

BY M A D E L I N E F E N I N G

S S

hein’s recent pop-up at Kenwood Towne Centre has ignited a hein’s recent pop-up at Kenfervorous response, not only from wood Towne Centre has ignited a shoppers and fast-fashion critics, but fervorous response, not only from also from a local artist who wants you to shoppers and fast-fashion critics, but boycott the retail Goliath. also from a local artist who wants you to Shoppers arrived in droves to stand boycott the retail Goliath. in long winding lines for a chance Shoppers arrived in droves to stand to shop Shein (pronounced SHE-in) in long winding lines for a chance products IRL from Aug. 10-13. But to shop Shein (pronounced SHE-in) Shein’s Kenwood Towne Centre popproducts IRL from Aug. 10-13. But up, which took place the same weekend Shein’s Kenwood Towne Centre popas the ultra-local City Flea, drew heavy up, which took place the same weekend criticism online and in protests against as the ultra-local City Flea, drew heavy the company’s alleged human rights criticism online and in protests against violations. the company’s alleged human rights “If you’ve opened the internet in the violations. last year, you’ll know that this company “If you’ve opened the internet in the is the largest of all fast fashion brands last year, you’ll know that this company (not a flex)! They have countless human is the largest of all fast fashion brands rights violations and are mass pollut(not a flex)! They have countless human ers,” wrote Emma Heines in an Aug. 11 rights violations and are mass polluters,” wrote Emma Heines in an Aug. 11

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Instagram post advertising a protest of the Shein pop-up. “Let’s show up Instagram post advertising a protest and let our community know it’s not of the Shein pop-up. “Let’s show up okay to support this incredibly harmful and let our community know it’s not company.” okay to support this incredibly harmful The retailer, which is normally only company.” available online, is regarded as one The retailer, which is normally only of the world’s biggest fast-fashion available online, is regarded as one producers. Shein is headquartered in of the world’s biggest fast-fashion Singapore, but more than a million producers. Shein is headquartered in different clothing and accessory prodSingapore, but more than a million ucts are made in third-party factories different clothing and accessory prodacross China under the Shein label. The ucts are made in third-party factories company reportedly adds up to 10,000 across China under the Shein label. The new items to its site every day, all for company reportedly adds up to 10,000 extremely low prices. A new blouse or new items to its site every day, all for crop-top can run as low as $2.50, and extremely low prices. A new blouse or accessories are commonly priced as crop-top can run as low as $2.50, and low as $1.50. accessories are commonly priced as While the cheap direct-to-consumer low as $1.50. model allowed Shein to soar in sales While the cheap direct-to-consumer through the pandemic lockup, a model allowed Shein to soar in sales through the pandemic lockup, a

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spokesperson for the company told CityBeat in an email that more than spokesperson for the company told 4,000 people ended up attending CinCityBeat in an email that more than cinnati’s in-person pop-up event. Shein 4,000 people ended up attending Cinsaid the in-person pop-ups are “a way cinnati’s in-person pop-up event. Shein for customers to interact with the brand said the in-person pop-ups are “a way in person and discover new items from for customers to interact with the brand our sub-brands like SHEGLAM and in person and discover new items from GLOWMODE.” our sub-brands like SHEGLAM and “This is enraging! I’ll be there,” one GLOWMODE.” user commented on the post about the “This is enraging! I’ll be there,” one pop-up protest. user commented on the post about the Samuel Greenhill was also enraged pop-up protest. by news of the pop-up.

Samuel Greenhill was also enraged “I was driving on [Highway 52 by by news of the pop-up.

Camp Washington] and saw a billboard “I was driving on [Highway 52 by advertising the Shein pop-up,” GreenCamp Washington] and saw a billboard hill told CityBeat. “My first reaction advertising the Shein pop-up,” Greenwas just super frustrated and angry. hill told CityBeat. “My first reaction Because I think it’s becoming so acceswas just super frustrated and angry. sible for everyone, the exploitation Because I think it’s becoming so accesseems so easy to take advantage of.” sible for everyone, the exploitation seems so easy to take advantage of.”

As a Cincinnati-based photographer, “The Birth of Shein” Greeenhill told CityBeat he wanted to As a Cincinnati-based photographer, channel that frustration into sending a Greeenhill told CityBeat he wanted to message with his art. As seen on Greenchannel that frustration into sending a hill’s Instagram, his work blends surremessage with his art. As seen on Greenalist and documentary-style storytelling hill’s Instagram, his work blends surreto evoke strong emotions. It was while alist and documentary-style storytelling Greenhill was in church that he began to evoke strong emotions. It was while sketching out in his head a symbolic Greenhill was in church that he began critique of Shein. sketching out in his head a symbolic “My goal was to make an image that critique of Shein. stops people from buying Shein,” he “My goal was to make an image that said. “It was kind of crazy how fast it stops people from buying Shein,” he came together. It all happened within said. “It was kind of crazy how fast it the span of a week.” came together. It all happened within Greenhill issued a model and crew the span of a week.” call the very next day. Only four days Greenhill issued a model and crew after seeing the billboard, he said the call the very next day. Only four days photo was taken at Otto Armleder after seeing the billboard, he said the Memorial Park in Cincinnati’s Linwood photo was taken at Otto Armleder neighborhood.

Memorial Park in Cincinnati’s Linwood “I actually was really nervous about neighborhood. posting this photo and I was expect“I actually was really nervous about ing it to flop,” Greenhill said. “I’m just posting this photo and I was expectsurprised so many people feel the way I ing it to flop,” Greenhill said. “I’m just did and as passionately as I did.” surprised so many people feel the way I The end result is a photo titled “The did and as passionately as I did.”

Birth of Shein,” an evocative play on The end result is a photo titled “The “The Birth of Venus” by Italian artist Birth of Shein,” an evocative play on Sandro Botticelli. Greenhill’s rendition “The Birth of Venus” by Italian artist of the Renaissance masterpiece depicts Sandro Botticelli. Greenhill’s rendition a Shein customer atop a pile of clothes of the Renaissance masterpiece depicts at the edge of a river; despondent gara Shein customer atop a pile of clothes ment workers lean towards her, one at the edge of a river; despondent garholding a sewing machine, the others ment workers lean towards her, one tossing or enveloped in fabric. holding a sewing machine, the others “‘The Birth of Venus’ has a very clear tossing or enveloped in fabric. embedded image in a lot of people’s “‘The Birth of Venus’ has a very clear heads,” he said. “This is like this God embedded image in a lot of people’s coming up to the shoreline, and I felt heads,” he said. “This is like this God like almost ironically taking advantage coming up to the shoreline, and I felt of that and making it where the conlike almost ironically taking advantage sumer is treating themselves as a God of that and making it where the conwithout realizing the exploitation that sumer is treating themselves as a God it takes.” without realizing the exploitation that it takes.”

The allegations against Shein

The allegations against Shein Numerous media reports point to allegations against Shein involving human Numerous media reports point to allerights violations, slave labor, environgations against Shein involving human mental damage and unsafe materials rights violations, slave labor, environused in the company’s products. In the mental damage and unsafe materials 2022 British documentary Inside the used in the company’s products. In the Shein Machine: Untold, filmmakers 2022 British documentary Inside the found production employees working Shein Machine: Untold, filmmakers extreme hours for little pay. Workers found production employees working were allegedly being paid around $20 a extreme hours for little pay. Workers day to meet strict quotas while workwere allegedly being paid around $20 a ing 18-hour shifts, sometimes seven day to meet strict quotas while workdays a week. In 2021, the Canadian ing 18-hour shifts, sometimes seven Broadcasting Corp., found “elevated days a week. In 2021, the Canadian levels of chemicals” like lead, PFAS and Broadcasting Corp., found “elevated phthalates in the company’s dirt-cheap levels of chemicals” like lead, PFAS and clothing. phthalates in the company’s dirt-cheap Shein told CityBeat in an emailed clothing. statement that the company has “zero Shein told CityBeat in an emailed tolerance” for slave labor. statement that the company has “zero “We take visibility across our entire tolerance” for slave labor. supply chain seriously, and we are com“We take visibility across our entire mitted to respecting human rights and supply chain seriously, and we are committed to respecting human rights and

adhering to local laws in each market we operate in,” a spokesperson for the company told CityBeat in an email. “We have zero tolerance for forced labor.

Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labour Organization’s core conventions.”

The PR timing The timing of Shein’s Cincinnati pop-up fell soon after the brand drew criticism for a highly publicized influencer partnership.

In June, Shein flew a group of influencers from TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to Guangzhou in southeast China.

The trip was meant to show these influencers’ millions of followers that Shein’s often single-digit-priced apparel is produced ethically. In an apparent attempt to remedy the company’s human rights image, influencers were taken on a guided factory tour by Shein, meeting employees and learning about their day-to-day lives. But commenters were quick to point out how the entire trip was staged to appear transparent.

“They showed you what they wanted you to see,” one commenter said below a video that glowed with Shein praise from Instagram Influencer Dani Carbonari.

Heavy backlash eventually caused Carbonari to walk back her endorsement of Shein, saying in a video posted on June 28, “I made a mistake, I made a huge mistake.”

Congress is getting involved A new congressional report titled “Fast Fashion and the Uyghur Genocide,” published in June, raises issues with Shein’s ability to avoid U.S. import regulations that seek to keep slave-created products out of the U.S. marketplace, known as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The report claims Shein and Temu, another fast-fashion retailer out of China, use a loophole in the Tariff Act of 1930, known as the de minimis rule. The de minimis rule allows importers like Shein to avoid customs duties on incoming packages that are valued at less than $800.

Because the de minimis loophole only applies to direct-to-consumer goods, it’s unclear if the clothes sold in Shein’s Cincinnati pop-up have skirted customs compliance.

CityBeat asked Shein to explain how the clothes sold during their Cincinnati pop-up were shipped to the U.S., and the company responded simply by saying, “SHEIN products are shipped from our centralized warehouse to the U.S.” When asked what the total sales numbers were for the Cincinnati popup event, Shein declined to disclose sales figures to CityBeat.

Eric Deters: Trump No Longer Coming to “Freedom Fest”

BY M A D E L I N E F E N I N G

F

ormer President Donald Trump has pulled out of Eric Deters’ 2023 “Freedom Fest” in Northern Kentucky, causing the entire festival to be canceled, organizers announced on Aug. 13.

Deters, a conservative YouTuber, podcaster and former candidate for Kentucky Governor, said Trump will instead be campaigning in Iowa in a video posted to Facebook.

“It was a tough call,” Deters said. “But you had all these people who bought tickets and everything based on Trump coming.”

The suspended lawyer has organized multiple “Freedom Fests” at his home farm in Morning View, Kentucky, about 30 miles south of Cincinnati. The nowcanceled 2023 event was the the first

time Trump has ever RSVP’d “yes” to one of Deters’ “patriotic political” festivals.

Other members of the Trump family who were slated to attend included Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, as well as conservative personalities like Kimberly Guilfoyle, Dinesh D’Souza and Dog the Bounty Hunter.

Trump’s fourth indictment While still campaigning to once again be elected president, Trump faces four different indictments across multiple jurisdictions: In New York, where Trump entered a not guilty plea on charges of falsification of business records; In Florida, where Trump entered a not guilty plea for allegations related to his handling of classified documents found

at his Mar-a-Lago residence; And in Washington, D.C., where Trump pleaded not guilty to four federal counts related to his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The most recent indictment was filed on Aug. 14 in Fulton County, Georgia where Trump and more than a dozen of his associates face 41 counts for election fraud, racketeering and other charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Deters routinely rails against the charges against Trump in videos posted to social media. Other routine posts include tirades against Hunter Biden, transphobic memes, and conspiracy theories about COVID vaccines.

Deters said he’s now starting to plan for “Freedom Fest” 2024.

Issue 1 Reactions Show Republicans Searching for Someone to Blame

BY M A D E L I N E F E N I N G

O

hio voters have rejected Issue 1, a ballot measure that sought to make it harder for citizens to amend the Ohio Constitution through future ballot initiatives.

As of 10 a.m. Aug. 9, the final numbers for the state show 1,744,094 “No” votes and 1,315,346 “Yes” votes. That’s 57.01% of the state voting to preserve the current rules allowing citizens to amend the Ohio Constitution with a simple majority of 50%, rather than the 60% Republicans were pushing to try and keep voters from passing an abortion amendment in November.

The morning after defeat, those Republicans are blaming the results on out-of-state donors, campaign time, and the “radical left.”

“Out-of-state dark money special interest groups, including a Swiss billionaire, just spent millions of dollars in Ohio to deceive voters into not passing Issue 1,” said Peter Range, Ohio Right to Life’s chief executive officer. Ohio Right to Life was heavily involved in campaigning with Republicans to pass Issue 1. Republicans even tapped the anti-abortion group’s president, Michael Gonidakis, to argue in favor of Issue 1 during the state’s only televised debate on the election.

Republicans are blaming the results on out-of-state donors, campaign time and the "radical left."

P H O T O : E M O R Y D AV I S

Through a repost on X (formerly Twitter), Gonidakis hinted that “Democrat poll workers” were to blame for results in some northern counties.

While conceding defeat, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) reportedly said there wasn’t enough time to plan the “Yes” campaign, even though his party put forth the issue and set the timeline.

LaRose blames loss on “radical left” Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the state’s top election official who stumped the hardest for Issue 1, blamed the “radical left” during a post-defeat appearance on Fox News.

“You’re right, the other side prevailed,” LaRose admitted. “The all-out assault on Ohio is coming from the radical left. I mean, look at the tech billionaires from California and New York that funded the ‘No’ campaign.”

Both sides benefited from outof-state funding during the Issue 1 campaign, including Republicans.

Ohio Democratic Party

spokesperson Reeves Oyster released a simple statement about LaRose after the race was called.

“Frank LaRose is officially Ohio’s biggest loser,” Oyster said.

Abortion rights advocates now have a clearer path toward solidifying reproductive autonomy in the Ohio Constitution. A petition to get reproductive autonomy in the Ohio Constitution made it to the November ballot as of July 25. Because Issue 1 failed, it will only take a simple majority of 50% plus one vote to solidify or jeopardize abortion access in the state.

Dr. Anita Somani, an OBGYN in Columbus who is part of the collective effort of Ohio doctors to defend abortion rights, released a statement in response to the election results: “Like Ohio voters, physicians overwhelmingly agree that women should be able to make their own decisions about pregnancy, contraception and abortion,” Somani said.

“The anti-abortion lawmakers who pushed Issue 1 should stop trying to take away the rights of women and all Ohio voters. This is a wake up call to show up in November.”

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Sex Abuse Advocates Call on Ohio AG to Investigate Ohio’s Catholic Churches

BY M A D E L I N E F E N I N G

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ational, state and local advocacy groups are calling on the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to investigate possible sex crimes within the state’s six Catholic dioceses.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), Ohioans for Child Protection, and Greater Cincinnati Voice of the Faithful, made the announcement during an Aug. 16 press conference at the Ohio Statehouse.

“No longer should they have a license to prey, P-R-E-Y, on our most vulnerable,” said Claudia Vercellotti with SNAP. In a letter to Yost’s office, Ohioans for Child Protection points to similar investigations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois.

Investigations in three nearby states Pennsylvania’s 2018 Grand Jury Report details 300 priests who were credibly accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children. In the report, jurors said victims’ fear of coming forward could mean the number of abused children is actually in the thousands.

The Maryland Attorney General’s 2023 Grand Jury Report on the Archdiocese of Baltimore found “pervasive, pernicious and persistent abuse” within the Baltimore Archdiocese, revealing that more than 150 priests had been accused of abusing more than 600 victims in the last 80 years.

The Illinois investigation, also completed in 2023, revealed claims by nearly 2,000 survivors who were sexually abused by the more than 450 Catholic clerics.

Ohioans for Child Protection told Yost that the Attorney General reports from these three states show at least 49 clerics with sexual abuse accusations have links to Ohio.

“We are asking Attorney General Yost to simply step up and get on the train of accountability and justice for victims,” Vercellotti said during the press conference.

But Yost’s office told reporters in a statement that, “Ohio does not grant the Attorney General’s office the legal authority to investigate matters like this.”

“The General Assembly has the power to change the law, but at present, SNAP’s concerns should be addressed to local prosecutors,” Yost’s office said.

In a statement provided to WEWS, the Catholic Conference of Ohio said, “Every diocese in Ohio diligently maintains safe environments for all children

and adults. The Catholic Church conducts background checks and on-going safe environment training for employees and volunteers.”

CityBeat reached out to a spokesperson for the Cincinnati Archdiocese but did not hear back by press time.

Father Geoff Drew In their letter to Yost, Ohioans for Child Protection said a background check did not stop the Archdiocese of Cincinnati from allowing Geoff Drew to work with children, even with a known background of abusive behavior.

“Fr. Drew had a multi-decade paper trail of red-flag pattern of behavior with children across three Ohio counties,” the letter reads.

In 2021, Drew entered a guilty plea for nine counts of rape in a Hamilton County Court for raping an altar boy in his office while he was a music minister at St. Jude in Bridgetown from 1984 until 1999. The accuser was 10 when those rapes allegedly started in 1988 and continued until 1991. The Archdiocese suspended Drew on July 23, 2019, after allegations arose that he had sent

In their letter to Ohio AG Dave Yost, Ohioans for Child Protection said a background check did not stop the Archdiocese of Cincinnati from allowing Geoff Drew to work with children.

P H O T O : O H I O A N S F O R C H I L D P R O T E C T I O N , FA C E B O O K

inappropriate text messages to a minor.

Advocates’ proposed statewide investigation could mean more victims of Drew’s come forward. WXIX-TV’s Jennifer Edwards Baker reported in 2019 that Drew had been employed in a number of child-facing roles over decades.

Drew’s employment and assignment overview: • Music Minister at St. Jude Parish: 1984-1999 • Music Teacher at Elder High School: 1988-1991 • Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the

• • • • •

•

West: 1999-2004 Internship year at St. Anthony, Madisonville: 2001-2002 Ordained priest of the Archdiocese: May 2004 Parochial Vicar at St. Luke, Beavercreek: July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005 Pastor of St. Rita, Dayton: July 1, 2005 - June 20, 2009 Port of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Liberty Township: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2018 Pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Cincinnati: appointed July 1, 2018

Proposed Recreational Marijuana Law is Headed to the November Ballot in Ohio

BY M EGA N H E N RY, O H I O CA P ITA L J O U R N A L

A

proposed recreational marijuana law will be on Ohio’s November ballot after all.

The Secretary of State’s office verified 4,405 additional valid petition signatures — bringing the grand total to 127,772, Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Aug. 16 in a letter to the campaign. 124,046 signatures were needed.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol’s statute initiative would legalize and regulate cultivation, manufacturing, testing and sale of marijuana to Ohioans 21 and up. It would also legalize home grow for Ohioans 21 and up with a limit of six plants per person and 12 plants per residence and impose a 10% tax at the point of sale for each transaction.

“We are grateful to the thousands of Ohioans who helped us get to this point and are excited to bring our proposal to regulate marijuana like alcohol before Ohio voters this coming Election Day,” spokesperson Tom Haren said.

A proposed recreational marijuana law will be on Ohio’s November ballot after all.

P H O T O : A D D W E E D, U N S P L A S H

This comes after the coalition initially came up just short of collecting enough valid signatures. The coalition submitted 223,176 signatures in July, but only 123,367 were found to be valid signatures. They recently submitted 6,545 additional signatures after the 10-day cure period.

Hamilton County submitted the most valid signatures with 1,914. Next was Franklin County with 711 and

Montgomery County with 626.

Twenty-three states and Washington D.C. have legalized the recreational use and sale of cannabis.

The proposed marijuana statute will be on Nov. 7’s ballot alongside the reproductive rights amendment.

This story was originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal and republished by CityBeat with permission.

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at 30 How Cincinnati’s film industry continues to take flight, three decades later.

BY TT STERN-ENZI

O

n the eve of the 30th anniversary of the release of Rob Bowman’s Airborne (September 17, 1993, for those keeping track), it’s worth reflecting on the celebrated cinematic presence of the Queen City.

Along with introducing audiences to Jack Black and Seth Green, the movie serves as a jumping off point for the emergence of Cincinnati as a city that’s more than a placeholder being namechecked in film and television titles like The Cincinnati Kid and the HBO series John from Cincinnati.

It’s meaningful to me, personally, since I began my career as a freelance writer and film critic when I moved here in late 2000 and have found myself on a beat that has allowed me to document and, later on, even participate in the evolution of Cincinnati as a cinematic point on the map. We are a destination for film production, one of the best big cities to live in as a working filmmaker and the home of a really cool film festival. (Full disclosure, I am the artistic director of the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival).

Mentions in publications like MovieMaker Magazine (both the city and our festival) have attracted more than a fair amount of attention to the Queen City. What’s most intriguing about Cincinnati cracking these industry lists is that we have been able to do so solely on the strength of film production. We haven’t had a major television or streaming series repping our fine city — unlike Breaking Bad in Albuquerque or The Bear in Chicago — so our ranking is based on the rising power of Cincinnati as an iconic setting

Shane McDermott in Airborne.

P H O T O : C I N E M AT I C / A L A M Y S T O C K P H O T O

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Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in Miles Ahead.

P H OTO : B R I A N D O U G L AS, C O U RT E SY O F S O N Y P I C T U R E S C L AS S I C S

and its healthy tax credits, which have attracted a stellar roster of filmmakers in recent years to not only come to visit and work, but remain and set up roots as well. That is how a city builds its creative base.

In recent years, my critical focus has been on representation and reflections, which, in this case, is about how we as a major city get to see ourselves onscreen and how authentic those representations are.

Watching it now, Airborne feels like a period piece, as it revels in its fish-outof-water romantic comedy tropes about Mitchell Goosen (Shane McDermott), a teen moving to the city to live with extended family and struggles mightily to fit in alongside his cousin Wiley (Green). Coming from the West Coast, Mitchell has X-Games vibes that don’t mesh with the blue-collar Midwestern community. Remember, this is flyover country before the label stuck.

Of course, prior to Airborne, we had seen teen stories, even successful ones, rooted in Midwestern communities (think any John Hughes movie from the mid to late ’80s), but Cincinnati couldn’t quite compare with the allure of suburban Chicago. What it did boast though was regional spunk that mirrored the sensibility of its protagonist (if you were willing to squint at him to offset his blinding cool that the bullies couldn’t see through their biffed out glasses).

I found myself seeking something that was missing, some sense of the iconic and the familiar about Cincinnati. The climactic skating race down the Devil’s Backbone does its best to mimic the montage-like feel of Rocky Balboa’s training runs through the disparate streets of Philadelphia in Rocky, but even breaking the landscape down, scene by scene, there is a greater impulse to focus on what has been lost to time, rather than what remains as a nostalgic reminder.

What locations are comparable to Graeter’s Ice Cream and Skyline Chili?

And maybe the better question is do we need to see those obvious cues like the Cincinnati Museum Center with its Hall of Justice majesty, Great American Ball Park, Washington Park (and its luminescent glory), Fountain Square or the bridges crossing over into Northern Kentucky, or can we quietly acknowledge our beautiful street art (thank you, ArtWorks) and our historic architecture that tethers the region to its urban American roots?

Airborne falls just short of approximating that time capsule longing, but it did unveil a mirror for audiences, both local and far beyond, so that now Cincinnati shines and sometimes dresses up as another starry mythic city that speaks to what it is that makes us all American dreamers.

Cincinnati playing a role (as another city) A Rage in Harlem (1991) Predating Airborne, Bill Duke’s A Rage in Harlem finds Cincinnati boldly playing a version of New York with moxie to spare as a gangster’s moll (Robin Givens) hightails it to Harlem with stolen gold and the rest of her gang hot on her heels. This is jazzy and snazzy in all the ways one would want, but Cincinnati is deep undercover as a seedier part of the city that never sleeps. Duke knew the look and feel he wanted and was ably abetted by a cast that included Forest Whitaker, Gregory Hines and Danny Glover. While there’s a certain comedic effort on display, Duke found the rage in the source material (from the great Chester Himes) and infused the proceedings with an overdose of violence that left the scene covered in spilled blood.

Carol (2015) Todd Haynes delves into the noirkissed world of Patricia Highsmith in this adaptation about an eager and aspiring photographer (Rooney Mara) who encounters an older woman (Cate Blanchett) and becomes emotionally and sexually intertwined in the repressive ’50s. Once again, Cincinnati serves as a doppelgänger for New York, but this time, not only is the setting allure,

but also the period. The city is shot to accentuate the glorious feel of the ’50s in the cityscapes, while retreating to the quaint moments that would be expected outside the confines of the big city. It is in those moments that Cincinnati as New York disappears and the screen takes on the feel of a Midwestern hideaway, a closeted and secretive haven always on the verge of violent discovery.

Miles Ahead (2015) Late career Miles Davis with Don Cheadle masterminding the proceedings both in front of the camera (as the incomparable jazz great) and behind the scenes (as co-writer along with Steven Baigelman and Stephen J. Rivele and in the director’s chair). This isn’t a truly based-on-a-true-story take on Davis; instead, it is inspired by the kind of blue creative escapade Davis might have imagined for himself before heading into the studio towards the end of his career. If you can imagine a hard hip-hop merging of Davis playing his social music with all the flair of a guntoting gangster from Walter Mosley’s oeuvre, you might find yourself on the right street corner with the perfect view of all the action. And with Cincinnati standing in for New York, there is a fascinating game astute watchers can play with themselves as they wander Main Street in Over-the-Rhine after a home screening. Do you see OTR or

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give way to the thrilling fun of Cincinnati as a dark and twisted hellscape out of The Twilight Zone.

The other feature here, from director Tali Shalom-Ezer and writer Joe Barton, is a far more traditional indie romantic drama that finds its two protagonists — Mercy (Kate Mara) and Lucy (Elliot Page) — on opposite sides of the death row debate. As heavy as it sounds, there’s a quiet intensity in the frames, which are teeming with raw Midwestern ordinary-ness on full display. By the time the film ends in the alley beside The Esquire in Clifton, Cincinnati couldn’t be any more grounded and American if it tried.

Dark Waters (2019)

A portion of Carol was filmed at Maury’s Tiny Cove.

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

New York and can this game transport us to a sketchier place that might even look like Davis in Spain?

The Old Man & the Gun (2018) This one stretches Cincinnati by extending the regional connection to Dayton.

David Lowery, as co-writer with David Grann and director, presents a version of the story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) who escaped from San Quentin at the age of 70 and apparently went on to pull off a string of bank heists that bedeviled the authorities — except for the persistent John Hunt (Casey Affleck) — and charmed the public to no end. The region wears its own homespun appeal in much the same way as Tucker in squint-and-you-might-miss-it moments, where the skyline or a street corner pop up and nearly wink at audiences, as if to say, “Hey, now you see me, right?” It’s not dressed to the nines for a major performance as something other than what it is, which is when Cincinnati is at its best.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) Covington and Cincinnati, but not.

And really, what city wants to be associated with Ted Bundy, even a Bundy played with muted yet devilish charm

by Zac Efron? This based-on-a-truestory vision of Bundy comes courtesy of his longtime companion Liz (Lily Collins) who maintained a relationship with him for years during his infamous crime spree and had to confront the truth about him, along with the rest of the world, as he pleaded innocence in a nationally televised trial. One could argue that Cincinnati not playing Cincinnati is a lighter

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version of Bundy’s dark twist.

Cincinnati reflections Traffic (2000) Traffic is a story told in at least three settings with Cincinnati playing such a prominent role as the home of a conservative judge, now the newly appointed drug czar for the United States struggling to support his heroin-addicted daughter. This is every parent’s nightmare and the fact that it takes place in an affluent Cincinnati suburb is even more telling and prescient. The film was released in January of 2001 and within a few months, the city was ground zero for rioting and civil unrest after the killing of Timothy Thomas in Overthe-Rhine. What better juxtaposition did the community and the country as a whole need than this black-andwhite dynamic of criminal justice?

Indeed, this was reel-to-real life writ large, but it wasn’t merely a Cincinnati story; these situations were unfolding in cities across the country and the police attacks on Black citizens were only going to get worse, but Cincinnati, thanks to the Collaborative Agreement that would emerge as a result of the Thomas shooting, would become a leading example of how an urban community can join forces to create meaningful change.

The Ides of March (2011) What is it about Midwestern stars as idealistic politicians? From Dayton native Martin Sheen on The West Wing to local heartthrob George Clooney as co-writer (along with Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon) and director of The Ides

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of March, which focuses on a young staffer (Ryan Gosling) confronting the shadier side of the campaign trail.

Clooney isn’t some coastal liberal elite shoving his highbrow progressive bonafides down our throats; he’s reminding us that he learned these principles right here and continues to wave that banner for all the world to see.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), My Days of Mercy (2017) It is worth linking these two films together because they started a miniroll for Cincinnati narratives on the fall festival circuit. As a critic who has attended the Toronto International Film Festival religiously since 2009, I was overwhelmingly proud to rep the Queen City alongside these two films. I can’t confirm this, but very likely I probably wore Cincinnati-centric t-shirts to both screenings. And, truth be told, I was paying special attention during The Killing of a Sacred Deer because I had been informed by the owners of local winery Revel OTR Urban Winery that there was a chance their wines were featured in the film, and I wanted to be able to confirm that for them when I returned.

(And, indeed, a few bottles were clearly recognizable). Having writer-director Yorgos Lanthimos (and a couple of noted performers like Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell) sojourn to Cincinnati to make one of his quirky dramas was certainly a unique and distinct honor — while introducing audiences to Barry Keoghan — but the remarkable aspect of the film is how subtle and creepy the city feels as part of his surreal vision.

The usual stark realities we’ve been familiar with for how we see the ‘nati

Todd Haynes seemingly discovered his creative home base in the Queen City, but that is not to say that he has had rose-colored glasses on to obscure him from the dark side of our history.

Teaming up with a bevy of screenwriters (Nathaniel Rich, Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan), Haynes set out to explore the determination and diligence of Rob Bilott (Mark Ruffalo), a corporate defense attorney who took on the quintessential David versus Goliath environmental lawsuit against a chemical company with a longstanding history of pollution. Set in 1998, the story is based in Cincinnati, but spreads throughout the region (into West Virginia) as angry farmers beg the upstart lawyer to go after the chemical multinational Dupont. Bilott is a scrappy plugger, a Midwestern man with a strong sense of right and wrong who simply cannot walk away from a case that puts every aspect of his own life at risk. What this film reminds us is that the everyman is without a doubt Midwestern.

The Public (2018) This was another film, a year later, that stormed into Toronto and had me wearing my pride on my chest. Cincinnati couldn’t be more Cincinnati than it is in the Emilio Estevez drama The Public, which capitalizes on a huge social justice issue as it documents the battle between the police and a group of homeless citizens who seek shelter in the public library during a bitterly cold winter. The film is written, directed by and stars Estevez, but much like Ruffalo’s character in Dark Waters, he’s playing an everyman caught in the middle of a crisis with far more than two sides and it is truly amazing to watch the narrative reveal itself and all of its players without Estevez losing sight of his character or drawing too much attention to himself. That, in many ways, is the genius of Cincinnati.

We are a major city taking flight, but still cruising just underneath the radar. It makes you wonder though; how much longer can this status last?

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ARTS & ARTS & CULTURE CULTURE

The Lloyd Library & Museum’s Executive Director Patricia Van Skaik in the library’s lobby.

The Lloyd Library Executive Director P H OT O : K AT I E G R& I F Museum’s FITH Patricia Van Skaik in the library’s lobby.

P H O T O : K AT I E G R I F F I T H

Magic Mushrooms Magic Lloyd Library’sMushrooms newest exhibit, A Foray into Fungi, explores the international (and local) world of fungi.

BY K ATLibrary’s I E G R I F F ITnewest H Lloyd exhibit, A Foray into Fungi, explores the international (and local) world of fungi.

D D

BY K AT I E G R I F F IT H id you know that without

fungi, there would be no alcoid you know that without hol in the world – nor a ton of fungi, there would be no alcoother things essential to life on Earth? hol in the world – nor a ton of Mycologist Nicholas Money likes to other things essential to life on Earth? highlight the brewer’s yeast (SacchaMycologist Nicholas Money likes to romyces) in the Fungi Kingdom as one highlight the brewer’s yeast (Sacchaof countless and relatable fun facets of romyces) in the Fungi Kingdom as one fungi. An exhibition at the Lloyd Library of countless and relatable fun facets of & Museum, A Foray into Fungi, is curfungi. An exhibition at the Lloyd Library rently featuring an in-depth explora& Museum, A Foray into Fungi, is curtion of fungi’s many applications to the rently featuring an in-depth exploraworld around us. tion of fungi’s many applications to the “There’s all sorts of ways in which world around us. fungi play this sort of hidden but really “There’s all sorts of ways in which important role in our lives,” Money tells fungi play this sort of hidden but really CityBeat. “All of the alcohol on Earth is important role in our lives,” Money tells produced by a single fungus, so that’s CityBeat. “All of the alcohol on Earth is a yeast, the yeast Saccharomyces and produced by a single fungus, so that’s even if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s a yeast, the yeast Saccharomyces and extremely important. I mean, it’s worth even if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s about a trillion dollars just to the U.S. extremely important. I mean, it’s worth economy every year.” about a trillion dollars just to the U.S. There’s also the pharmaceutical economy every year.” industry that benefits greatly from There’s also the pharmaceutical the world of fungi, Money says, and industry that benefits greatly from regional interests are aplenty, including the world of fungi, Money says, and one of Procter & Gamble’s most popular regional interests are aplenty, including products. Head & Shoulders dandruff one of Procter & Gamble’s most popular shampoo is actually an antifungal that products. Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo is actually an antifungal that

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stalls the growth of a fungus on the scalp that creates dandruff, Money stalls the growth of a fungus on the explains. scalp that creates dandruff, Money The exhibition, which features rare explains. books, imagery and fascinating fungi The exhibition, which features rare information and events runs through books, imagery and fascinating fungi Nov. 18. A Foray into Fungi and its information and events runs through programming will take visitors through Nov. 18. A Foray into Fungi and its centuries of study — a lot of research programming will take visitors through that originated in Cincinnati — and centuries of study — a lot of research connect fungi to cultural, culinary and that originated in Cincinnati — and medicinal uses via speakers, hikes and connect fungi to cultural, culinary and documentaries. medicinal uses via speakers, hikes and Money will present “The Fungus documentaries. about Us: Our Lifelong Relationship Money will present “The Fungus with Yeasts, Molds, and Mushrooms,” about Us: Our Lifelong Relationship on Sept. 6 from 7-8 p.m. at the Lloyd with Yeasts, Molds, and Mushrooms,” Library. (The event is currently sold on Sept. 6 from 7-8 p.m. at the Lloyd out). He will lead a discussion conLibrary. (The event is currently sold cerning how human immune systems out). He will lead a discussion conengage constantly with “the teeming cerning how human immune systems mycobiome inside the body” and how engage constantly with “the teeming it protects our health. Money will also mycobiome inside the body” and how explore the hot topic of experimental it protects our health. Money will also fungi uses in the clinical treatment of explore the hot topic of experimental depression and anxiety. Psilocybin, fungi uses in the clinical treatment of which is produced by a few hundred depression and anxiety. Psilocybin, species of mushrooms, has been which is produced by a few hundred under the scope as possibly more species of mushrooms, has been than a recreational drug relating to the under the scope as possibly more than a recreational drug relating to the

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controversial topic, he says.

Even considering the variety of facts controversial topic, he says. and ways that fungi facilitate life on Even considering the variety of facts Earth, what excites Money most about and ways that fungi facilitate life on the fungus subject are the “unknowns,” Earth, what excites Money most about he says. While he’s invested a considthe fungus subject are the “unknowns,” erable amount of his life researching he says. While he’s invested a considand writing books on the subject, the erable amount of his life researching answers to-be are what pique his conand writing books on the subject, the tinued interest. answers to-be are what pique his con“It’s all the unanswered questions in tinued interest. fungal biology, that, despite a couple “It’s all the unanswered questions in of 100 years of experimental studies fungal biology, that, despite a couple on fungi, there’s still a lot that we don’t of 100 years of experimental studies know about this incredible kingdom of on fungi, there’s still a lot that we don’t organisms,” Money tells CityBeat. “If know about this incredible kingdom of you think about that general question organisms,” Money tells CityBeat. “If about how different chunks of biology you think about that general question work, there’s a lot of questions about about how different chunks of biology fungi that are fundamental things work, there’s a lot of questions about about how they conduct their lives that fungi that are fundamental things deserve our attention and keep me about how they conduct their lives that interested.” deserve our attention and keep me The Lloyd Library & Museum’s interested.”

Executive Director Patricia Van Skaik The Lloyd Library & Museum’s seconds the “unknown” notion, noting Executive Director Patricia Van Skaik how fungus is still incredibly mysteriseconds the “unknown” notion, noting ous to humans. It wasn’t until 1969, Van how fungus is still incredibly mysteriSkaik tells CityBeat, that fungi was clasous to humans. It wasn’t until 1969, Van sified under its own kingdom, before Skaik tells CityBeat, that fungi was classified under its own kingdom, before

then it was considered to belong to the Plant Kingdom. Van Skaik says she then it was considered to belong to enjoys the juxtaposition of dangerous the Plant Kingdom. Van Skaik says she versus safe fungi and the plethora of enjoys the juxtaposition of dangerous informative books on the subject. versus safe fungi and the plethora of “One of the themes that you see informative books on the subject. running throughout any discussion “One of the themes that you see of mushrooms to the present day is running throughout any discussion that they can be extremely helpful,” of mushrooms to the present day is Van Skaik says. “And they also can be that they can be extremely helpful,” extremely dangerous.”

Van Skaik says. “And they also can be An impressive display of rare books is extremely dangerous.” on view at the Lloyd Library & Museum An impressive display of rare books is as part of A Foray into Fungi, including on view at the Lloyd Library & Museum the first-ever book devoted to mushas part of A Foray into Fungi, including rooms by Giovanni Antonio Battarra the first-ever book devoted to mushcalled Fungorum Agri Ariminensis rooms by Giovanni Antonio Battarra Historia, published in 1755. called Fungorum Agri Ariminensis A visit to the Lloyd Library will reveal Historia, published in 1755.

Cincinnati’s integral role in mycological A visit to the Lloyd Library will reveal research, which began with one of the Cincinnati’s integral role in mycological library’s founders, Curtis Gates Lloyd, research, which began with one of the who sent for fungal specimens on a library’s founders, Curtis Gates Lloyd, global scale and amassed the largest who sent for fungal specimens on a collection of dried specimens in the global scale and amassed the largest world in the early 1900s. collection of dried specimens in the A postdoctoral fellow at the Institute world in the early 1900s. on the Formation of Knowledge at A postdoctoral fellow at the Institute the University of Chicago and curon the Formation of Knowledge at rent Curtis Gates Lloyd Fellow, Brad the University of Chicago and current Curtis Gates Lloyd Fellow, Brad

The Lloyd Library & Museum’s Executive Director Patricia Van Skaik (left) and current Curtis Gates Lloyd Fellow Brad Bolman (right).

P H O T O : K AT I E G R I F F I T H

Bolman, is researching the Curtis Gates Lloyd Papers to inform his upcoming book about the transnational history of mycology (The History of Transnational Mycology).

Atop Bolman’s desk at the library is a box of letters penned by Lloyd and sent to people around the world, asking for fungus. “There are 30 or so of these boxes,” Bolman says as he tells CityBeat about Lloyd as a book collector, selftaught mycologist and open critic of others in the field. The voluminous collection includes notes and mycological findings among correspondence about fungus from around the world.

“One of the reasons that Lloyd is such an interesting figure historically, is that despite being located in Cincinnati, which we don’t think of as being necessarily transnational, he maintained this really extensive correspondence with researchers all around the world,” Bolman says. “And it was in part because he was self taught. Part of what he wanted to do was build the biggest dried fungus collection that existed at the time. So he would send letters to people in Japan, to people in China, the Philippines, Africa, et cetera, saying, you know, ‘I don’t care who you are, I don’t care if you’re an expert or just a regular person, but when you go outside, or if you go on a hike send me whatever you find.

Just dry it, put it in a box and ship it

to Cincinnati.’ Nobody else was doing anything like that.”

Bolman says a lot of why American mycologists are so prominent now is because of Lloyd’s early efforts and research. The Lloyd Library & Museum is treasured for its archival materials on subjects such as botany, pharmacy, natural history, medicine, scientific history and visual arts — the last topic being an unexpected point of interest throughout A Foray into Fungi.

Visual arts are pertinent to the fungus subject because when research began, photography didn’t exist. Scientists would often have to also be artists, or employ an artist to render exact images of specimens for identification and documentation. A lot of this work turned into not only practical art but works of beauty and displays of talent like in the book Illustrations of the Fungi of Our Fields and Woods by Sarah Price, which is on view at the library.

Programming following Money’s discussion on Sept. 7, is a virtual event called “Cooking with Mushrooms” on Sept. 27 from 7-9 p.m. More in-person and virtual events are listed on the Lloyd Library and Museum’s website and will occur throughout the remainder of the exhibition.

A Foray into Fungi runs through Nov. 18 at the Lloyd Library & Museum.

Info: lloydlibrary.org.

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ONSTAGE ONSTAGE

A A

Broadway in Cincinnati’s MJ The Musical to Provide Theatrical Broadway Cincinnati’s MJ of The Musical to Provide Theatrical Take on theinCreative Genius Michael Jackson P REVIEW R I C K Creative PENDER Take onBY the Genius of Michael Jackson P R E V I E W BY R I C K P E N D E R

fter seeing a theater production, you’re likely to recall the fter seeing a theater producacting, the scenery and the tion, you’re likely to recall the costumes. But if it weren’t for effective acting, the scenery and the — and often dramatic — lighting, you costumes. But if it weren’t for effective wouldn’t see any of it. In fact, lighting — and often dramatic — lighting, you is a key factor in effective theatrical wouldn’t see any of it. In fact, lighting storytelling. When the tour of MJ The is a key factor in effective theatrical Musical lands at the Aronoff, you’ll storytelling. When the tour of MJ The see a show with Tony Award-winning Musical lands at the Aronoff, you’ll lighting design that tells the story of the see a show with Tony Award-winning artistry and early life of musician, singer lighting design that tells the story of the and dancer Michael Jackson, includartistry and early life of musician, singer ing recreations of more than 25 of his and dancer Michael Jackson, includhits. Natasha Katz, who has designed ing recreations of more than 25 of his lighting for more than 60 Broadway hits. Natasha Katz, who has designed shows and ballet productions, talked lighting for more than 60 Broadway by telephone with CityBeat recently to shows and ballet productions, talked describe her process. by telephone with CityBeat recently to She starts with the script. Two-time describe her process.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright She starts with the script. Two-time Lynn Nottage wrote the book for MJ Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright The Musical. “I just read it from the Lynn Nottage wrote the book for MJ storytelling and emotional point of The Musical. “I just read it from the view,” Katz says. “I try to get back to my storytelling and emotional point of first reaction, the first time I saw a show view,” Katz says. “I try to get back to my onstage. That’s the best way I can react first reaction, the first time I saw a show to what the audience is going through.” onstage. That’s the best way I can react Then she seeks out the director’s vision. to what the audience is going through.”

“That’s the most important. Christopher Then she seeks out the director’s vision.

Wheeldon is going to have a completely “That’s the most important. Christopher different vision for MJ than a different Wheeldon is going to have a completely director.” Katz and Wheeldon, a director different vision for MJ than a different and award-winning choreographer, director.” Katz and Wheeldon, a director have collaborated on numerous proand award-winning choreographer, ductions over the past 20 years, includhave collaborated on numerous proing the 2015 stage adaptation of An ductions over the past 20 years, includAmerican in Paris, for which she won a ing the 2015 stage adaptation of An Tony for her lighting design.

American in Paris, for which she won a “The director works first with the set Tony for her lighting design. designer, before the lighting designer,” “The director works first with the set Katz explains. “Then I can figure out designer, before the lighting designer,” what the environment is and what Katz explains. “Then I can figure out they’re trying to communicate. Some what the environment is and what of this is extremely technical. Some of it they’re trying to communicate. Some is about real estate — where lights will of this is extremely technical. Some of it be, where we need to have them to tell is about real estate — where lights will the story.” be, where we need to have them to tell She gives Wheeldon all the credit for the story.” telling stories through body movement.

She gives Wheeldon all the credit for “That is exactly what he has done with telling stories through body movement.

MJ. We work hand-in-glove. He is able “That is exactly what he has done with to convey the emotion of somebody, MJ. We work hand-in-glove. He is able what they’re feeling, without words, to convey the emotion of somebody, without music. You multiply that by a what they’re feeling, without words, million when you add music and light without music. You multiply that by a and scenery and costumes.” million when you add music and light MJ the Musical begins in a rehearsal and scenery and costumes.” room in 1992 as Jackson prepares for MJ the Musical begins in a rehearsal his “Dangerous World Tour.” “In the room in 1992 as Jackson prepares for blink of an eye we go from a naturalistic his “Dangerous World Tour.” “In the setting to the first performance by the blink of an eye we go from a naturalistic Jackson 5 on the Ed Sullivan Show [in setting to the first performance by the 1969]. That’s told through projection Jackson 5 on the Ed Sullivan Show [in and a light change, but also through 1969]. That’s told through projection the movement of the body.” Katz adds, and a light change, but also through the movement of the body.” Katz adds,

Roman Banks as Michael Jackson and the cast of the “MJ First National Tour.”

P H O T O : M AT T H E W M U R P H Y, M U R P H Y M A D E

Roman Banks as Michael Jackson and the cast of the “MJ First National Tour.”

P H O T O : M AT T H E W M U R P H Y, M U R P H Y M A D E

“It’s what you can do in the theater in a split second. MJ’s story is not told with “It’s what you can do in the theater in a a lot of lumbering scenery. In this show, split second. MJ’s story is not told with somebody just turns upstage, and the a lot of lumbering scenery. In this show, room has transformed.” somebody just turns upstage, and the Katz worked closely with the show’s room has transformed.” scenic designer, Derek McLane (who Katz worked closely with the show’s also designed Moulin Rouge, another scenic designer, Derek McLane (who touring show that recently dazzled also designed Moulin Rouge, another Cincinnati audiences). “For a flashback, touring show that recently dazzled he built hidden lights into the scenery.

Cincinnati audiences). “For a flashback, They can look like chasing marquee he built hidden lights into the scenery. lights that you might see at a theater, They can look like chasing marquee especially back to the days of Motown lights that you might see at a theater, and the Apollo Theater in New York especially back to the days of Motown City. They are encased in the scenery, and the Apollo Theater in New York so you don’t see them until we turn City. They are encased in the scenery, them on. That gives audience members so you don’t see them until we turn a feeling that they’re being brought to them on. That gives audience members the theater and back in time.” a feeling that they’re being brought to Of course, Michael Jackson’s own the theater and back in time.” creativity — choreography and intriOf course, Michael Jackson’s own cately staged videos — have been key creativity — choreography and intriinspirations for this production. Katz cately staged videos — have been key went through all of his videos over and inspirations for this production. Katz over. “It’s kind of by osmosis that you went through all of his videos over and get a sense of what he was trying to do. over. “It’s kind of by osmosis that you In the show we also replicate many of get a sense of what he was trying to do. the iconic moments from his videos In the show we also replicate many of and concerts. We’re not doing imitathe iconic moments from his videos tions of Michael Jackson. This show is and concerts. We’re not doing imitaour interpretation of him, it’s the story tions of Michael Jackson. This show is that our book writer Lynn Nottage is our interpretation of him, it’s the story trying to tell about his life. There might that our book writer Lynn Nottage is be one small piece of scenery from the trying to tell about his life. There might Jackson 5’s appearance on Ed Sullivan, be one small piece of scenery from the so it’s not an exact replica. The cosJackson 5’s appearance on Ed Sullivan, tumes might be similar but not exactly so it’s not an exact replica. The costumes might be similar but not exactly

the same. They’re heightened theatrically for audiences seeing our show. the same. They’re heightened theatriWe’re not a Las Vegas imitation show cally for audiences seeing our show. in any way, shape or form. It is really a We’re not a Las Vegas imitation show theatrical extravaganza with a very solid in any way, shape or form. It is really a story to it. It’s more an interpretation of theatrical extravaganza with a very solid what the book writer and all of us feel story to it. It’s more an interpretation of through the eyes of Michael Jackson.” what the book writer and all of us feel Cincinnati is just the second stop through the eyes of Michael Jackson.” of MJ the Musical’s national tour. (It Cincinnati is just the second stop debuted in Chicago in August). Katz of MJ the Musical’s national tour. (It says the show has a few modest tweaks debuted in Chicago in August). Katz for touring. “In some ways, it’s better. says the show has a few modest tweaks It’s amazing on Broadway, so it’s superfor touring. “In some ways, it’s better. amazing on tour. This show feels so It’s amazing on Broadway, so it’s superoriginal. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen amazing on tour. This show feels so before — and I’m working on it.” original. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen Katz says MJ the Musical has before — and I’m working on it.”

Katz says MJ the Musical has

deepened and broadened her own perceptions of Jackson’s work. “There’s deepened and broadened her own no question about it. The deeper and perceptions of Jackson’s work. “There’s deeper that I got into the show, there no question about it. The deeper and is no question that he was one of a deeper that I got into the show, there kind, a genius. Nobody else could do is no question that he was one of a what he has done. Understanding all kind, a genius. Nobody else could do his groundbreaking musical ideas and what he has done. Understanding all thoughts and sounds — I really didn’t his groundbreaking musical ideas and realize it until I worked on this show.” thoughts and sounds — I really didn’t Cincinnati audiences will witness the realize it until I worked on this show.” full array of Jackson’s artistry, lit specCincinnati audiences will witness the tacularly by Katz. full array of Jackson’s artistry, lit spectacularly by Katz.

MJ The Musical will be presented by Broadway in Cincinnati at the Aronoff MJ The Musical will be presented by Center for the Arts from Sept. 5-17.

Broadway in Cincinnati at the Aronoff Info: cincinnatiarts.org.

Center for the Arts from Sept. 5-17.

Info: cincinnatiarts.org.

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CULTURE CULTURE

T T

University of Cincinnati Students Combat Climate Change University of Impact Cincinnati Combat Climate Through Net andStudents UC Sustainability StudentChange Groups BY S U M M E R ONet R BA N Impact and UC Sustainability Student Groups Through

BY S U M M E R O R BA N

he world is on fire — figuratively, metaphorically and literally. he world is on fire — figuratively, Temperatures and ongoing heatmetaphorically and literally. waves are breaking historical records.

Temperatures and ongoing heatOn-and-off Canadian wildfires are turnwaves are breaking historical records. ing Ohio skies into smog.

On-and-off Canadian wildfires are turnIt’s safe to say that Gen Z especially is ing Ohio skies into smog. feeling the heat.

It’s safe to say that Gen Z especially is And it’s getting hot in here. feeling the heat.

So how is this generation taking the And it’s getting hot in here. heat? This is what I decided to ask some So how is this generation taking the of my peers at my school, the University heat? This is what I decided to ask some of Cincinnati. of my peers at my school, the University Net Impact and UC Sustainability are of Cincinnati. two student organizations who focus on Net Impact and UC Sustainability are enhancing and creating a more just and two student organizations who focus on sustainable campus culture. I talked with enhancing and creating a more just and students Gray Blandford, Anna Stanley, sustainable campus culture. I talked with Sydney Krewson and Ben Booker to learn students Gray Blandford, Anna Stanley, more about the student organizations.

Sydney Krewson and Ben Booker to learn Blandford is a third-year environmenmore about the student organizations. tal studies major and the sustainability Blandford is a third-year environmensummit planner of UC Sustainability. tal studies major and the sustainability Stanley is a fifth-year urban planning summit planner of UC Sustainability. major minoring in environmental studies Stanley is a fifth-year urban planning and has been a contributing member of major minoring in environmental studies UC Sustainability for four years. Krewson and has been a contributing member of is a fifth-year mechanical engineering UC Sustainability for four years. Krewson major minoring in environmental studies is a fifth-year mechanical engineering and is vice president of career developmajor minoring in environmental studies ment for Net Impact. Booker is a fourthand is vice president of career developyear finance major with a certificate in ment for Net Impact. Booker is a fourthurban agriculture and is president of Net year finance major with a certificate in Impact. urban agriculture and is president of Net Impact.

CityBeat: What’s been your headspace lately in regards to a lot of big climate CityBeat: What’s been your headspace events that have been happening this lately in regards to a lot of big climate summer? With the ongoing heat crisis events that have been happening this and unpredictable weather patterns summer? With the ongoing heat crisis across the U.S., how are you feeling and unpredictable weather patterns about all this? across the U.S., how are you feeling Anna Stanley: I’m kind of like, “Well, I about all this? want to do everything I can to mitigate Anna Stanley: I’m kind of like, “Well, I that.” But it does feel very, very dark want to do everything I can to mitigate and looming in the sense that me as that.” But it does feel very, very dark one person cannot obviously change and looming in the sense that me as all of the climate issues that have been one person cannot obviously change going on. So I definitely feel a sense all of the climate issues that have been of fear and wanting to help, but also I going on. So I definitely feel a sense don’t know how to encourage others to of fear and wanting to help, but also I want to help in an active way. I lived in don’t know how to encourage others to Florida in the spring, so I got to actually want to help in an active way. I lived in experience a lot of the events that have Florida in the spring, so I got to actually been occurring. The day before I left experience a lot of the events that have was when all of the huge tornadoes and been occurring. The day before I left storms around the news blew through was when all of the huge tornadoes and Florida; I actually drove through it to storms around the news blew through go pick up my dad from the airport. So Florida; I actually drove through it to definitely a lot of climate anxiety and go pick up my dad from the airport. So wanting to help. definitely a lot of climate anxiety and Sydney Krewson: I think it is right in wanting to help. our faces, and I feel like a lot of news Sydney Krewson: I think it is right in outlets are calling it what it is and calling our faces, and I feel like a lot of news it climate change. But then the people outlets are calling it what it is and calling that I talk to in my daily life are a lot it climate change. But then the people that I talk to in my daily life are a lot

The UC Sustainability Summit in 2022.

P H O T O : AVA RY D I L L O N

The UC Sustainability Summit in 2022.

P H O T O : AVA RY D I L L O N

more hesitant to call it a result of climate change. I think people are aware and more hesitant to call it a result of climate they know, but I wish there was a little change. I think people are aware and bit more focus on the root cause rather they know, but I wish there was a little than the effects to better address it. bit more focus on the root cause rather than the effects to better address it.

CB: Can you elaborate a bit more on the work you do with your organization CB: Can you elaborate a bit more on with promoting campus sustainability? the work you do with your organization Stanley: UC Sustainability has been with promoting campus sustainability? in a rather transitional period the last Stanley: UC Sustainability has been couple of years…Like I said, the UC in a rather transitional period the last Sustainability Summit is a yearly event couple of years…Like I said, the UC that they put on that brings people from Sustainability Summit is a yearly event all different walks of life…Then about that they put on that brings people from once a month, they have a sustainall different walks of life…Then about ability steering committee and they once a month, they have a sustaingo through all of the different events ability steering committee and they that are going on. They have week-long go through all of the different events events; they talk about the Environthat are going on. They have week-long mental Literacy Program they work in; events; they talk about the Environthey have the UC Bike Kitchen, which mental Literacy Program they work in; is on campus where they fix bikes and they have the UC Bike Kitchen, which encourage bikeability within campus; is on campus where they fix bikes and we also have a UC garden that we volencourage bikeability within campus; unteer with that they created, where we we also have a UC garden that we volgrow food within the community. They unteer with that they created, where we also do a lot of recycling after a lot of grow food within the community. They the big sporting events. Obviously when also do a lot of recycling after a lot of people come for the sporting events, the big sporting events. Obviously when there’s a [lot] of trash: water bottles, people come for the sporting events, foam fingers, so much trash. They do there’s a [lot] of trash: water bottles, a lot of recycling within that event and foam fingers, so much trash. They do try to clean up as much as they can… a lot of recycling within that event and UC Sustainability has also been working try to clean up as much as they can… a little bit with the Center of EntreUC Sustainability has also been working preneurship and Net Impact — their a little bit with the Center of Entresustainability group is more business preneurship and Net Impact — their focused, so they focus a lot on the busisustainability group is more business ness side of sustainability and sustainfocused, so they focus a lot on the busiable startups…UC Sustainability and ness side of sustainability and sustainthe College of Arts and Sciences have able startups…UC Sustainability and also been putting on the Green Job Fair the College of Arts and Sciences have for the last couple of years, bringing in also been putting on the Green Job Fair people that work in sustainable fields, for the last couple of years, bringing in having opportunities for students to go people that work in sustainable fields, having opportunities for students to go

and talk to them, present their resume, interview with them and get jobs and and talk to them, present their resume, co-ops. So that has been a new initiative interview with them and get jobs and that’s been really, really cool to see. co-ops. So that has been a new initiative Booker: There are over 350 [Net that’s been really, really cool to see.

Impact] chapters, so it is cool to know Booker: There are over 350 [Net that we can all do different things. Our Impact] chapters, so it is cool to know chapter has chosen its own path as far that we can all do different things. Our as autonomy and what our programchapter has chosen its own path as far ming does look like, compared to other as autonomy and what our programchapters. We’re really kind of founded ming does look like, compared to other in three main things: we have our chapters. We’re really kind of founded career development, our education in three main things: we have our and our sustainable entrepreneurship. career development, our education Our career development is really what and our sustainable entrepreneurship. drives the main things that we’ve been Our career development is really what talking about, of really filling that gap drives the main things that we’ve been between students that are passionate talking about, of really filling that gap about sustainability and employers that between students that are passionate need skills that help green their operaabout sustainability and employers that tions and economy. need skills that help green their operations and economy.

CB: With a lot of Gen Z feeling the weight of climate change on their CB: With a lot of Gen Z feeling the shoulders, where do you hope to see UC weight of climate change on their and the Greater Cincinnati community shoulders, where do you hope to see UC in the future? and the Greater Cincinnati community Blandford: I think on a wide scope, I in the future? would really like to see everyone kind of Blandford: I think on a wide scope, I take this seriously. I just hope for everywould really like to see everyone kind of one to realize that this is a big threat take this seriously. I just hope for everyand that we all need to participate or one to realize that this is a big threat things could go south really fast. And and that we all need to participate or then something I also noticed is people things could go south really fast. And thinking that they can’t really make a then something I also noticed is people difference. But honestly, every little thinking that they can’t really make a thing that people do will help. Even if difference. But honestly, every little it’s just diverting your own personal thing that people do will help. Even if waste and recycling and reusing. I’d it’s just diverting your own personal also like to see, maybe on a university waste and recycling and reusing. I’d scale, universities implementing more also like to see, maybe on a university initiatives to save resources; I really scale, universities implementing more like the composting ideas. I’ve heard initiatives to save resources; I really a lot about turning lights on timers, like the composting ideas. I’ve heard so that they’ll turn off at night when a lot about turning lights on timers, people aren’t using the buildings or so that they’ll turn off at night when people aren’t using the buildings or

motion activated. Even little things like that would be nice. Because without a motion activated. Even little things like healthy planet, we can’t have healthy that would be nice. Because without a people and a functioning society. healthy planet, we can’t have healthy Stanley: It would be awesome to see people and a functioning society.

[UC] collaborate among all of those Stanley: It would be awesome to see [sustainability organizations] and [UC] collaborate among all of those uplift them and promote them. I know [sustainability organizations] and for example, you see a lot of green uplift them and promote them. I know roofs and there’s a living wall that is for example, you see a lot of green on Langsam Library. And so a lot of roofs and there’s a living wall that is those green infrastructure projects, on Langsam Library. And so a lot of while they were implemented initially, those green infrastructure projects, were not [maintained]…Like the living while they were implemented initially, wall, for example, they have to replant were not [maintained]…Like the living that every few months because they wall, for example, they have to replant either don’t plant the correct plants or that every few months because they it gets cold and it dies off and it could either don’t plant the correct plants or be improved…So I just think all the it gets cold and it dies off and it could pieces are there right now for a short be improved…So I just think all the term fix…From a long term perspecpieces are there right now for a short tive with UC, or with Cincinnati, I have term fix…From a long term perspecbeen in a position where I’ve actually tive with UC, or with Cincinnati, I have worked on a lot of sustainable projects been in a position where I’ve actually that are going on within the city right worked on a lot of sustainable projects now. One thing that I’m really excited that are going on within the city right for is [Cincinnati] trying to focus a lot now. One thing that I’m really excited more on public transportation. So for is [Cincinnati] trying to focus a lot there’s a transit-oriented development more on public transportation. So project that is starting within the city there’s a transit-oriented development that’s going to have bus rapid transit project that is starting within the city integrated…I would love to see more that’s going to have bus rapid transit infrastructure and more focus on integrated…I would love to see more pedestrian walkability, bikeability and infrastructure and more focus on public transportation. It’s a unique situpedestrian walkability, bikeability and ation with our university in the sense public transportation. It’s a unique situthat it’s situated in the middle of a very ation with our university in the sense urban, metropolitan center…So just that it’s situated in the middle of a very having more of an emphasis and focus urban, metropolitan center…So just on infrastructure. having more of an emphasis and focus on infrastructure.

To learn more about UC’s branch of Net Impact, visit To learn more about UC’s instagram.com/netimpactuc. To branch of Net Impact, visit learn more about UC Sustainability, instagram.com/netimpactuc. To visit facebook.com/ucsustainability. learn more about UC Sustainability, visit facebook.com/ucsustainability.

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Review: Canada’s Shaw Festival is the Ultimate Destination Review: Canada’s Theater Lovers Shaw Festival is the Ultimate Destination CRITIC’S PICK for R E V I E W BY R I C K P E N D E R CRITIC’S PICK for Theater Lovers

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his time of year Cincinnati has fewer theater options, so an his time of year Cincinnati has excursion to Niagara-on-thefewer theater options, so an Lake, Ontario, Canada, is a good time to excursion to Niagara-on-thehead there for top-notch productions Lake, Ontario, Canada, is a good time to at the Shaw Festival. Launched in 1962, head there for top-notch productions this annual offering uses three attractive at the Shaw Festival. Launched in 1962, stages to produce an impressive, seventhis annual offering uses three attractive month season of more than a dozen stages to produce an impressive, sevenpolished, well-acted shows, including month season of more than a dozen works by legendary playwright George polished, well-acted shows, including Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) as well as works by legendary playwright George plays and musicals that originated durBernard Shaw (1856-1950) as well as ing his long life. In the 21st century it plays and musicals that originated durhas expanded its repertoire to produce ing his long life. In the 21st century it new plays written about subjects durhas expanded its repertoire to produce ing Shaw’s lifetime. After six decades new plays written about subjects durthe Shaw Festival has become one of ing Shaw’s lifetime. After six decades Canada’s most substantial and popular the Shaw Festival has become one of cultural institutions, well worth the Canada’s most substantial and popular eight-hour drive from southwest Ohio. cultural institutions, well worth the I was especially eager to see this eight-hour drive from southwest Ohio. summer’s production of Gypsy, the 1958 I was especially eager to see this Broadway musical about Rose Hovick, summer’s production of Gypsy, the 1958 the larger-than-life stage mother of Broadway musical about Rose Hovick, stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. With music by the larger-than-life stage mother of Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondstripper Gypsy Rose Lee. With music by heim, the show — created as a star vehiJule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondcle for Ethel Merman — is considered by heim, the show — created as a star vehimany to be one of the greatest musicals cle for Ethel Merman — is considered by of all time with one of the meatiest roles many to be one of the greatest musicals in all musical theater. This production of all time with one of the meatiest roles featured a powerful performance by in all musical theater. This production clarion-voiced Kate Hennig as Rose. She featured a powerful performance by brought down the house with “Rose’s clarion-voiced Kate Hennig as Rose. She Turn,” a fierce onstage mental breakbrought down the house with “Rose’s down by a woman who sought personal Turn,” a fierce onstage mental breakrecognition by pushing her daughters down by a woman who sought personal forward. Gypsy’s excellent supporting recognition by pushing her daughters cast — especially Jenni Burke, Krystle forward. Gypsy’s excellent supporting Chance and Élodie Gillett as a diverse cast — especially Jenni Burke, Krystle trio of raunchy but lovable strippers for Chance and Élodie Gillett as a diverse “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” — and a trio of raunchy but lovable strippers for detailed, adaptable backstage set made “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” — and a it the season’s most popular production, detailed, adaptable backstage set made repeatedly selling out performances at it the season’s most popular production, the Shaw’s mainstage, the expansive repeatedly selling out performances at 856-seat Festival Theatre. the Shaw’s mainstage, the expansive Playwright George Bernard Shaw is 856-seat Festival Theatre. represented by two shows, The Apple Playwright George Bernard Shaw is Cart (1928), a full-length, satirical represented by two shows, The Apple drama, and Village Wooing (1934), a Cart (1928), a full-length, satirical sweet lunchtime one-act. The Apple drama, and Village Wooing (1934), a Cart, presented at the Jackie Maxwell sweet lunchtime one-act. The Apple Studio Theatre, an adaptable black box Cart, presented at the Jackie Maxwell space with seating for 256 on four sides, Studio Theatre, an adaptable black box is astonishingly timely. It’s a fast-paced space with seating for 256 on four sides, tale about a parliamentary crisis driven is astonishingly timely. It’s a fast-paced by a power struggle between a thoughttale about a parliamentary crisis driven ful king and his aggressive prime minisby a power struggle between a thoughtter. It felt entirely in the moment of curful king and his aggressive prime minisrent British politics and royal intrigue, ter. It felt entirely in the moment of curalthough this production imagines it rent British politics and royal intrigue, in a fictional 1962. Truly an ensemble although this production imagines it piece with outspoken, opinionated in a fictional 1962. Truly an ensemble male and female cabinet members, as piece with outspoken, opinionated male and female cabinet members, as

Julie Lumsden (Louise) & Kate Hennig (Rose) in Gypsy.

P H O T O : D AV I D C O O P E R

Julie Lumsden (Louise) & Kate Hennig (Rose) in Gypsy.

P H O T O : D AV I D C O O P E R

well as the king’s coquettish mistress and his pragmatic queen, the producwell as the king’s coquettish mistress tion is anchored by Tom Rooney as the and his pragmatic queen, the producphilosophical and clever King Magnus. tion is anchored by Tom Rooney as the Village Wooing is Shaw’s one-act for philosophical and clever King Magnus. two performers, a cranky writer called Village Wooing is Shaw’s one-act for “A” and a sparky woman called “Z.” He two performers, a cranky writer called is a compulsive intellectual, while she “A” and a sparky woman called “Z.” He is a hardworking clerk in a store and a is a compulsive intellectual, while she telephone operator. They don’t have is a hardworking clerk in a store and a much in common, but that’s much telephone operator. They don’t have of the fun as they become awkwardly much in common, but that’s much acquainted on a cruise and fall in of the fun as they become awkwardly love in the village shop. Six actors are acquainted on a cruise and fall in involved, two of whom are mixed and love in the village shop. Six actors are matched for each midday offering, with involved, two of whom are mixed and the other four observing from the wings matched for each midday offering, with and occasionally delivering a prop the other four observing from the wings or a piece of furniture. This producand occasionally delivering a prop tion could be seen multiple times and or a piece of furniture. This producenjoyed with the varied performances tion could be seen multiple times and and matchups. It’s staged at the ornate enjoyed with the varied performances Royal George Theatre, built in 1915 as and matchups. It’s staged at the ornate a vaudeville house and added as a 305Royal George Theatre, built in 1915 as seat performance space for the festival a vaudeville house and added as a 305in the 1980s. seat performance space for the festival The Royal George is also the venue in the 1980s. for Tom Stoppard’s 1981 comedy, On The Royal George is also the venue the Razzle. Although Stoppard is betfor Tom Stoppard’s 1981 comedy, On ter known today for serious-minded the Razzle. Although Stoppard is betworks — his drama Leopoldstadt won ter known today for serious-minded the 2023 Tony Award for Broadway’s works — his drama Leopoldstadt won best play — this show is a hilarious the 2023 Tony Award for Broadway’s farce about two shop assistants who best play — this show is a hilarious escape from a sleepy Austrian town farce about two shop assistants who for an adventure in big-city Vienna escape from a sleepy Austrian town where they get into increasing scrapes for an adventure in big-city Vienna and crazy situations. It’s based on an where they get into increasing scrapes 1842 play that also inspired Thornton and crazy situations. It’s based on an Wilder’s The Matchmaker and Jerry 1842 play that also inspired Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker and Jerry

Herman’s musical Hello, Dolly! In this version, Stoppard goes full bore with Herman’s musical Hello, Dolly! In this his penchant for dazzling language, version, Stoppard goes full bore with used here for humor, especially terrible his penchant for dazzling language, puns, hilarious malapropisms and lots used here for humor, especially terrible of double-entendres. puns, hilarious malapropisms and lots Razzle is a non-stop, high-speed of double-entendres. tale told with amusing choreograRazzle is a non-stop, high-speed phy that cranks up comic mayhem tale told with amusing choreogra(and romance) even more. The cast phy that cranks up comic mayhem is anchored by Mike Nadajewski as (and romance) even more. The cast garrulous head clerk Weinberl and is anchored by Mike Nadajewski as Kristi Frank as Christopher, his naïve garrulous head clerk Weinberl and apprentice. Also noteworthy is Ric Reid Kristi Frank as Christopher, his naïve as Zangler, the shop’s tongue-twisted apprentice. Also noteworthy is Ric Reid proprietor, who remains oblivious of as Zangler, the shop’s tongue-twisted his employees’ shenanigans. Staged proprietor, who remains oblivious of with impressive physical detail by Craig his employees’ shenanigans. Staged Hall, the show has a highly inventive with impressive physical detail by Craig set (designed by Christina Poddubiuk) Hall, the show has a highly inventive that fluidly shifts from Zangler’s shop set (designed by Christina Poddubiuk) to a fashion boutique to the Imperial that fluidly shifts from Zangler’s shop Gardens Café. This is the kind of proto a fashion boutique to the Imperial duction you want to visit a second time Gardens Café. This is the kind of proto catch all the witticisms that come at duction you want to visit a second time you a mile a minute. to catch all the witticisms that come at Another British playwright, Noël you a mile a minute.

Coward (1899-1793), is represented Another British playwright, Noël by an extravagant staging of his “light Coward (1899-1793), is represented comedy about death,” Blithe Spirit. A by an extravagant staging of his “light socialite novelist invites an eccentric comedy about death,” Blithe Spirit. A medium, Madame Arcati, to conduct socialite novelist invites an eccentric a séance at his country home so he medium, Madame Arcati, to conduct can gather material for his next book. a séance at his country home so he Things don’t go as planned, and the can gather material for his next book. ghost of Elvira, Charles’s late, temThings don’t go as planned, and the peramental wife, appears. Invisible to ghost of Elvira, Charles’s late, temeveryone but Charles, she does her best peramental wife, appears. Invisible to to upend his more recent marriage to everyone but Charles, she does her best Ruth. The antic character of Arcati is to upend his more recent marriage to Ruth. The antic character of Arcati is

the play’s showpiece, and Deborah Hay delivers a wonderfully unrestrained the play’s showpiece, and Deborah Hay performance, whooping and whirling delivers a wonderfully unrestrained around the stage as she weaves erratic performance, whooping and whirling psychic spells. The story’s dénouement around the stage as she weaves erratic with the posh Art Deco living room psychic spells. The story’s dénouement completely collapsing is as much a with the posh Art Deco living room factor in the comedy as the cast’s finely completely collapsing is as much a tuned performances. factor in the comedy as the cast’s finely That’s not even half of the season tuned performances. offerings. Also on the Shaw’s various That’s not even half of the season stages are James Baldwin’s The Amen offerings. Also on the Shaw’s various Corner; a Narnia play, Prince Caspian; stages are James Baldwin’s The Amen Edith Wharton’s The Shadow of a Corner; a Narnia play, Prince Caspian; Doubt; J. M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Edith Wharton’s The Shadow of a Western World; Helen Edmundson’s The Doubt; J. M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Clearing; and Tim Carroll’s The Game of Western World; Helen Edmundson’s The Love and Chance.

Clearing; and Tim Carroll’s The Game of The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Love and Chance. (population 17,000), about a half-hour The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake north of Buffalo, N.Y., is a picturesque, (population 17,000), about a half-hour florally abundant setting for the Shaw north of Buffalo, N.Y., is a picturesque, Festival. Full of 19th-century Victorian florally abundant setting for the Shaw architecture, charming shops and Festival. Full of 19th-century Victorian varied restaurants, this town and the architecture, charming shops and theaters are eminently walkable from varied restaurants, this town and the numerous hotels and rentals. The theaters are eminently walkable from region is also known for its numerous numerous hotels and rentals. The wineries, pleasant excursions for everyregion is also known for its numerous one in town for excellent theater and wineries, pleasant excursions for everymild summer temperatures. one in town for excellent theater and mild summer temperatures.

The Shaw Festival’s main season began in late February and continues The Shaw Festival’s main season with productions in a rotating reperbegan in late February and continues tory through Oct. 15. The holiday with productions in a rotating reperseason (Nov. 8 to Dec. 23, 2023) offers tory through Oct. 15. The holiday an adaptation of Dickens’s A Christmas season (Nov. 8 to Dec. 23, 2023) offers Carol and the romantic 1947 musical an adaptation of Dickens’s A Christmas Brigadoon. Info: shawfest.com.

Carol and the romantic 1947 musical Brigadoon. Info: shawfest.com.

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FOOD FOOD & DRINK & DRINK

Sugar Shack by the Tracks opened in late June.

P H O T O : I N S TA G R A M . C O M / S U G A R S H A C K BY T H E T R A C K S

Sugar Shack by the Tracks opened in late June.

P H O T O : I N S TA G R A M . C O M / S U G A R S H A C K BY T H E T R A C K S

Sweet Nostalgia Sweet Sugar Shack byNostalgia the Tracks is a 1950s-style ice cream parlor serving treats retro vibes in Sugar Shack byup thesweet Tracks is a and 1950s-style ice cream Lockland. parlor serving up sweet treats and retro vibes in

BY K E LS E Y G R A H A M Lockland. about themes, so I just ran with it,” said

BY K E LS E Y G R A H A M

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brand new ice cream parlor on the Lockland and Reading brand new ice cream parlor border is serving up ice cream, on the Lockland and Reading sundaes and good times. Sugar Shack border is serving up ice cream, by the Tracks is owned and run by a sundaes and good times. Sugar Shack local family — Erika, John, and their by the Tracks is owned and run by a two sons. (The family did not want their local family — Erika, John, and their last names included in this story). two sons. (The family did not want their Their dreams of owning an ice cream last names included in this story). shop came to fruition a few years ago Their dreams of owning an ice cream while the family was enjoying a visit to shop came to fruition a few years ago one themselves. “We were actually at while the family was enjoying a visit to an ice cream shop ourselves one night, one themselves. “We were actually at and we were just watching everybody in an ice cream shop ourselves one night, line,” said Erika. “Like, everybody is just and we were just watching everybody in so happy. We thought, ‘How fun would line,” said Erika. “Like, everybody is just this be to own an ice cream shop?’ It’s so happy. We thought, ‘How fun would such an upbeat thing.” this be to own an ice cream shop?’ It’s The couple toyed with the idea of such an upbeat thing.” opening their own ice cream spot for a The couple toyed with the idea of few years before buying their current opening their own ice cream spot for a location and doing a total overhaul on few years before buying their current it to bring their vision to life, eventually location and doing a total overhaul on opening Sugar Shack by the Tracks in it to bring their vision to life, eventually late June. The site had been a medley opening Sugar Shack by the Tracks in of businesses in the past and most late June. The site had been a medley recently sat empty before the family of businesses in the past and most decided to buy it and renovate it. Since recently sat empty before the family John works in the general contracting decided to buy it and renovate it. Since and construction business, he was able John works in the general contracting to do a total renovation on the spot with and construction business, he was able a 1950s theme, seen both in the buildto do a total renovation on the spot with ing’s design and on the menu. “I’m all a 1950s theme, seen both in the building’s design and on the menu. “I’m all

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Erika. about themes, so I just ran with it,” said And run with it, she did. When you Erika. first step up to order, above your head, And run with it, she did. When you you’ll notice a ceiling covered with 700 first step up to order, above your head, gleaming hubcaps, each shined and you’ll notice a ceiling covered with 700 polished by Erika. “It was such a chore, gleaming hubcaps, each shined and but it looks so cool on the ceiling,” she polished by Erika. “It was such a chore, said. There are murals painted around but it looks so cool on the ceiling,” she the building that all have a personal said. There are murals painted around touch with a 1950s flair that they the building that all have a personal encourage guests to take pictures with. touch with a 1950s flair that they One is a painting of a vintage car with encourage guests to take pictures with.

Erika and John’s wedding date used on One is a painting of a vintage car with the license plate, so her husband always Erika and John’s wedding date used on remembers, Erika jokes. Another mural the license plate, so her husband always remembers the family’s much-loved remembers, Erika jokes. Another mural Corgi, who has passed, joyfully licking remembers the family’s much-loved an ice cream cone.

Corgi, who has passed, joyfully licking The location features a covered patio an ice cream cone. with outdoor seating, along with addiThe location features a covered patio tional uncovered seating on astroturf with outdoor seating, along with addinext to the building, which allows tional uncovered seating on astroturf visitors to sit and enjoy the train tracks, next to the building, which allows along with a drive-thru window on the visitors to sit and enjoy the train tracks, side of the building. along with a drive-thru window on the The menu includes an extensive list side of the building. of homemade hand-dipped ice creams, The menu includes an extensive list sundaes, milkshakes, soft serve and of homemade hand-dipped ice creams, fruity Dole whip flavors. Erika used trial sundaes, milkshakes, soft serve and and error to create all of the handfruity Dole whip flavors. Erika used trial dipped ice cream recipes herself and and error to create all of the handused feedback from family and friends dipped ice cream recipes herself and to fine-tune the flavors. “I’ve been drivused feedback from family and friends ing around with my sample cups for to fine-tune the flavors. “I’ve been driving around with my sample cups for

AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Artist Beth Stoughton completing a retro mural for Sugar Shack by the Tracks.

P H O T O : I N S TA G R A M . C O M / S U G A R S H A C K BY T H E T R A C K S

Artist Beth Stoughton completing a retro mural for Sugar Shack by the Tracks.

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all of my friends and family, dropping them off around Reading and Lockland all of my friends and family, dropping to get everyone’s feedback since I make them off around Reading and Lockland my own flavors of the hand-dipped ice to get everyone’s feedback since I make cream,” she said. my own flavors of the hand-dipped ice Some of the current most popular flacream,” she said. vors are butter pecan, which Erika said Some of the current most popular flavors are butter pecan, which Erika said

took five different versions to nail down, cookies and cream, and cherry cordial. took five different versions to nail down, The sundaes are also a big hit, all cookies and cream, and cherry cordial. inspired by both 1950s pop culture and The sundaes are also a big hit, all local landmarks, including the Exit 12, inspired by both 1950s pop culture and which gives a nod to the location’s exit local landmarks, including the Exit 12, just off of I-75 and the Benson Banana which gives a nod to the location’s exit just off of I-75 and the Benson Banana

The ice cream parlor’s ceiling is adorned in approximately 700 gleaming hub caps.

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The Exit 12 (pictured) is one of my Cincinnati-themed treats from Sugar Shack by the Tracks.

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Split for the Reading Bridal District.

Another customer favorite is the Knuckle Sandwich, an ice cream sandwich made with two homemade cookies that Erika says are the size of her hands. “It’s just fun to open the window and say, ‘I’ve got a knuckle sandwich for Sarah,’” she said. Along with the murals, Erika says it’s become a thing for people to order and take pictures with the giant ice cream sandwich due to its enormous size. Erika plans to add Italian ice to the menu, which will be homemade too.

And not only do they provide sweet treats for humans, but they welcome dogs too. Erika says they’re huge dog lovers, so she made a special treat for four-legged friends called the Pawsicle Cup, that’s made with whipped cream and a frozen homemade dog treat blended with yogurt, peanut butter, and pumpkin.

Since opening at the end of June, the location has been a hot spot for the community. Initially, Erika planned to

do a soft opening on June 30 with no advertising to give the workers a chance to learn the ropes, but she says they’ve been slammed since day one. “There was no chill period; it just went,” she said. “It was zero to sixty in one day. But it’s been awesome.”

But through it all, the family is having fun bonding and hosting events for the local community. “We’re just having a really good time,” Erika said. Recently, both the Reading and Lockland school district football teams have given them jerseys to display.

They even had a passing train stop for ice cream while passing through town. “The outpouring we’ve had from the community and just turning that corner around something positive,” she said. “It’s been so sweet.”

Sugar Shack by the Tracks plans to be open seasonally until October this year.

Sugar Shack by the Tracks, 405 E Wyoming Ave., Lockland.

Info: sugarshackbythetracks.com.

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EATS EATS

26 Greater Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars With Scenic Views BY T Y B E AT STA F Cincinnati F 26C IGreater Restaurants and Bars With Scenic Views

BY C I T Y B E AT STA F F

Take in stunning views of the water and skyline from the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.

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Take in stunning views of the water and skyline from the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.

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incinnati is one beautiful city, with a stunning skyline, numerincinnati is one beautiful city, ous hills that offer sweeping with a stunning skyline, numerviews of the Ohio River, an abundance ous hills that offer sweeping of historic architecture and other beauviews of the Ohio River, an abundance tiful spots around town like Fountain of historic architecture and other beauSquare and Washington Park. And one tiful spots around town like Fountain of the best ways to enjoy these features Square and Washington Park. And one is with a delicious meal and good drink. of the best ways to enjoy these features is with a delicious meal and good drink.

Luckily for us, there are plenty of restaurants and bars in Greater Cincinnati Luckily for us, there are plenty of resthat take full advantage of these views. taurants and bars in Greater Cincinnati Keep scrolling to see some of the best that take full advantage of these views. spots to dine and drink with a view.

Keep scrolling to see some of the best spots to dine and drink with a view.

Vista at Lytle Park Vista Park 311 Pikeat St.,Lytle Downtown

Cincinnati’s Lytle Park Hotel features 311 Pike St., Downtown a spectacular rooftop patio named the Cincinnati’s Lytle Park Hotel features Vista at Lytle Park. The 5,000-squarea spectacular rooftop patio named the foot rooftop lounge offers panoramic Vista at Lytle Park. The 5,000-squareviews of the Queen City and Ohio River. foot rooftop lounge offers panoramic The space is equipped with an “indoor” views of the Queen City and Ohio River. lounge (where the bar is located) lined The space is equipped with an “indoor” with windows that open up to the outlounge (where the bar is located) lined door patio with two fireplaces, seating with windows that open up to the outand tables. Choose from a selection door patio with two fireplaces, seating of cocktails, wine, beer and spirits, or and tables. Choose from a selection opt for their large-format cocktails that of cocktails, wine, beer and spirits, or serve four or more. Their food offerings opt for their large-format cocktails that range from hummus and olives to their serve four or more. Their food offerings range from hummus and olives to their

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Vista and Margarita flatbreads and 4YR Cheddar Burger.

Vista and Margarita flatbreads and 4YR Cheddar Burger.

Montgomery Inn Boathouse Montgomery 925 Riverside Drive,Inn EastBoathouse End

World-famous for its ribs, Montgomery 925 Riverside Drive, East End Inn has been a staple in Cincinnati for World-famous for its ribs, Montgomery more than 70 years. Along with ribs, the Inn has been a staple in Cincinnati for Inn offers barbecued spring chicken, more than 70 years. Along with ribs, the silver salmon, pulled-pork sandwiches, Inn offers barbecued spring chicken, burgers, salads and more, including silver salmon, pulled-pork sandwiches, everyone’s favorite: Saratoga chips burgers, salads and more, including served with their famous barbecue everyone’s favorite: Saratoga chips sauce. Their Boathouse restaurant also served with their famous barbecue offers a stunning view of the water and sauce. Their Boathouse restaurant also the city skyline. offers a stunning view of the water and the city skyline.

Top of the Park TopE.of the St., Park 506 Fourth Downtown

For a stunning, nearly-360-degree view 506 E. Fourth St., Downtown of downtown Cincinnati and its riverFor a stunning, nearly-360-degree view front, plus some amazing craft cockof downtown Cincinnati and its rivertails, snag the elevator in the lobby of front, plus some amazing craft cockThe Phelps hotel and take it to the very tails, snag the elevator in the lobby of top where you’ll find one of the best The Phelps hotel and take it to the very rooftop bars in the city. The seasonal top where you’ll find one of the best Top of the Park is intimate, with plenty rooftop bars in the city. The seasonal of comfy seating, including a glass bar Top of the Park is intimate, with plenty top where you can sit with your drink of comfy seating, including a glass bar and enjoy the bird’s-eye view. Grab a top where you can sit with your drink Rooftop Lemonade (Ketel One Citroen, and enjoy the bird’s-eye view. Grab a Rooftop Lemonade (Ketel One Citroen,

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muddled strawberries, fresh lemon juice and wild berry simple syrup) and muddled strawberries, fresh lemon toast to the amazing sights. juice and wild berry simple syrup) and toast to the amazing sights.

Incline Public House Incline Public House 2601 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill

Named after the Cincinnati inclines 2601 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill that traveled to Price Hill, Incline Public Named after the Cincinnati inclines House features a gorgeous view of the that traveled to Price Hill, Incline Public city and delicious American food for House features a gorgeous view of the brunch, lunch and dinner. While you city and delicious American food for enjoy the view of downtown Cincinnati brunch, lunch and dinner. While you on their all-season patio, try one of their enjoy the view of downtown Cincinnati popular pizzas, like the equal-parts on their all-season patio, try one of their sweet and salty Prosciutto Fig, featurpopular pizzas, like the equal-parts ing fig jam, Italian ham, goat cheese, sweet and salty Prosciutto Fig, featurcaramelized onions and arugula on top. ing fig jam, Italian ham, goat cheese, Or, build your own using the expansive caramelized onions and arugula on top. list of sauces, cheeses and toppings.

Or, build your own using the expansive Pair it with one of their local craft brews list of sauces, cheeses and toppings. on tap and their mouthwatering short Pair it with one of their local craft brews rib poutine to split with the table to top on tap and their mouthwatering short off the experience. rib poutine to split with the table to top off the experience.

Lisse Steakhuis Lisse Steakhuis 530 Main St., Covington

This Dutch steakhouse in the heart of 530 Main St., Covington Mainstrasse has a third-floor roofThis Dutch steakhouse in the heart of top lounge that offers excellent city Mainstrasse has a third-floor roofviews. On the menu, you’ll find plenty top lounge that offers excellent city of steaks, as well as seafood and views. On the menu, you’ll find plenty of steaks, as well as seafood and

Indo-Dutch favorites like Nasi Goreng and Babi Panggang. Lisse Steakhuis Indo-Dutch favorites like Nasi Goreng also has an extensive list of wines, and and Babi Panggang. Lisse Steakhuis its bourbon offerings also recently got it also has an extensive list of wines, and named a member of the B-Line, a trail its bourbon offerings also recently got it of bourbon-centric bars, restaurants named a member of the B-Line, a trail and distilleries in Northern Kentucky. of bourbon-centric bars, restaurants and distilleries in Northern Kentucky.

Eighteen at the Radisson Eighteen at Covington the Radisson 668 W. Fifth St.,

As Cincinnati’s only revolving steak668 W. Fifth St., Covington house, you can enjoy a 360-degree view As Cincinnati’s only revolving steakof both sides of the river’s unique city house, you can enjoy a 360-degree view skylines from the Radisson’s 18th floor. of both sides of the river’s unique city The restaurant interior moves just fast skylines from the Radisson’s 18th floor. enough to register with your eyes if The restaurant interior moves just fast you stare, but too slowly to notice at a enough to register with your eyes if glance — it takes an hour to make a full you stare, but too slowly to notice at a rotation and it’s not the entire top of the glance — it takes an hour to make a full building that moves, just the restaurant rotation and it’s not the entire top of the floor. building that moves, just the restaurant floor.

Rhinegeist Brewery Rhinegeist Brewery 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine

The sun feels warmest on the roof at 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Rhinegeist. Or, at least, it sure seems The sun feels warmest on the roof at like it when you have 360-degree unobRhinegeist. Or, at least, it sure seems structed views of OTR. The brewery has like it when you have 360-degree unobamazing, crushable beers like Glow and structed views of OTR. The brewery has Cheetah that are perfect for an outdoor amazing, crushable beers like Glow and happy hour, but Rhinegeist’s cocktails Cheetah that are perfect for an outdoor happy hour, but Rhinegeist’s cocktails

Enjoy views of the the Little Miami River as you sit on Little Miami Brewing Company’s patio.

Rhinegeist Brewery’s rooftop offers unobstructed views of Over-the-Rhine.

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are also surprisingly top-notch. A word of advice: Arrive early on especially gorgeous days if you want to secure your spot on the roof.

AC Upper Deck 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks This modern hotel situated right at The Banks is sure to offer perfect views of the city. Enjoy some cocktails from the Upper Deck, one of the largest hotel rooftop bars downtown, or, if you want to stay the night, many of the rooms offer city views with their own balconies.

Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant 11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township Nestled near the edge of the West Side is an idyllic winery surrounded by rows of grapes and rolling hills. VinoKlet is the only working winery in Hamilton County and is home to 12 award-winning wines. Bask in the warmth of a nice day with a glass of vino and enjoy the scenery. And on Fridays and Saturdays, the winery hosts its Grilled to Perfection dinner where you select your entree and grill it yourself while sipping on a half bottle of wine of your choosing.

City View Tavern 403 Oregon St., Mt. Adams City View Tavern is Mt. Adams’ beloved hillside dive and home of one of the best spicy bloody marys, along with

offering some of the best views in town.

The burgers are damn tasty, too.

Little Miami Brewing Company 208 Mill St., Milford Little Miami Brewing Company features a patio that overlooks the scenic namesake river. Stop by the popular Milford brewery to enjoy some of their 16 seasonal craft beers on tap and tacos or hand-tossed pizza, plus some breezy views. For a touch of adventure, you can also rent a kayak from Scenic River Canoe Excursions and roll up on the bank by the brewery for a good time, or hop on the Little Miami Scenic Trail at the nearby Milford trailhead for some strolling or biking.

Moerlein Lager House 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks With a come-as-you-are atmosphere, a relaxing biergarten and a stunning view of the riverfront and Roebling Bridge, Moerlein Lager House is a prime stop for Reds or Bengals game-goers, Smale Park revelers and those who just find themselves at The Banks craving a beer and hearty meal. The restaurant and microbrewery’s menu features New American-style eats with German influences, like the shareable pretzels and beer cheese, the German sausage platter entree and the Zincy Style Bratwurst. Along with its line of Moerlein beers, the restaurant also offers plenty of elevated bar-fare-style shareables, a

variety of burgers and sandwiches and upscale entree offerings like the filet mignon or salmon Oscar.

Rusk Kitchen + Bar 2724 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills Rusk Kitchen + Bar serves up eclectic American cuisine and elevated bar food alongside beverage options like beer, wine and housemade cocktails you can enjoy on their rooftop patio, which offers a killer view of East Walnut Hills. With its cozy, welcoming vibes, Rusk aims to become a neighborhood go-to where you can watch the game, enjoy date night or just hang out with friends. The menu features a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, including sandwiches, like what would surely be Michael Scott’s favorite sandwich, “That’s What Brie Said” (grilled chicken, melted brie, honey dijonnaise, lettuce and tomato served on a croissant), burgers, entrees, salads and power bowls, as well as daily specials.

Porch at Washington Park 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Head over to Washington Park and enjoy a selection of local beer, seasonal cocktails, canned wine and more. The bar offers seating on the porch or on the lawn, so BYOB (bring your own blanket) and enjoy the sites of one of Cincinnati’s oldest parks. Tables and heaters are located under the covered patio for when the weather isn’t cooperating.

The Rooftop at 21c 609 Walnut St., Downtown The rooftop at the 21c Museum Hotel is once again open, offering guests a relaxing place to lounge while they enjoy a cocktail, some snacks and an incredible view of downtown Cincinnati. New chef Zachary Barnes’ menu has transformed The Rooftop at 21c into a coastal-inspired oasis with Peruvianstyle fare. The new menu features tapas-style dishes with bright flavors, like Amarillo Chicken Skewers, as well as seafood-forward items, like the Halibut Ceviche. 21c says each dish is meant to be shared alongside the coastal-inspired cocktails, with fresh takes on traditional summer sips like caipirinhas, palomas and margaritas. They also offer buckets of ice-cold beer to share, as well as nonalcoholic drinks.

Bishop’s Quarter 212 W Loveland Ave., Loveland Each floor of this three-level bar comes with its own vibe. On the first floor, you’ll find an extensive list of bourbon and the feel of New Orleans’ French Quarter; go upstairs to the second floor for wine and coziness thanks to the fireplace and love seats; and for an industrial and sportsbar-style space with a view of historic Loveland, go to The Landing, Bishop’s Quarter’s rooftop bar on the third level.

Bridgeview Box Park 1 Levee Way, Newport Bridgeview Box Park, a cluster of small

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food, drink and shopping vendors, offers a panoramic view of Cincinnati year-round. The establishments are housed next to each other in shippinglike containers — hence “box park” — and are interspersed among a common outdoor area. The breezy space overlooks the Ohio River and city and features turf lounge areas, string lights and outdoor games like corn hole and giant Jenga.

Braxton Brewing Company 27 W. Seventh St., Covington The Rooftop at Braxton Brewing Co. doesn’t just have a scenic view of Covington and downtown Cincinnati, but also comfortable outdoor seating, shade and greenery. Sip on all of your favorite Braxton drafts, and if you’re hungry, you can grab a pizza from the new Dewey’s next door.

Kreimer’s on the River

Chow down on delicious American fare at Incline Public House while you take in views of the city.

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6052 OH-128, Whitewater Township Located in the backyard of Kreimer’s Bier Haus, this Bavarian biergarten on the Great Miami River has three decks, fire pits and a ton of Black Forestinspired wood features, from picnic seating to a whimsical cuckoo-clocklooking German grill house, which serves snacks like sauerkraut balls, pretzel bread, bier cheese and plenty of juicy metts. You can also order to-go from the restaurant and take your meal into the biergarten for dinner with a view.

diner on an Italian journey. Classic Italian cocktails like a Negroni and Aperol Spritz are a clever accompaniment to a collection of Italian (and California) wines.

Fretboard Brewing & Public House

The View at Shires’ Garden 309 Vine St., 10th Floor, Downtown The View at Shires’ Garden is on the 10th floor of the City Club Apartments and offers views of the riverfront and the surrounding cityscape. This rooftop spot’s menu features a wide selection of smoked, grilled and wood-fired options for dinner and they open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Try the Rooftop Benedict, with poached eggs and prosciutto on an English muffin, topped with blister cherry tomatoes, roasted shallots, herb oil and chimihollandaise with a side of breakfast potatoes.

Cabana on the River 7445 Forbes Road, Sayler Park This Margaritaville-esque oasis on the river will make you feel like you’re on vacation with their neon palm trees out front, sand volleyball courts, multiple walk-up bars where you can grab a drink while you wait for a table, and just overall Jimmy Buffett vibes. While all the seating is technically outside, the best seats aren’t underneath the awning, but on the lower deck closest

Sit back and relax while you take in soaring views at Braxton Brewing Company.

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to the river. The menu is similar to what you’d find at a beachy restaurant – fish tacos, burgers, chicken sandwiches and shareables – but they also have some great salad options as well as the Cincinnati touch of metts, brats and franks. We also highly recommend a margarita while you’re there to 1) complete the aesthetic and 2) because they’re delicious.

Le Bar a Boeuf 2200 Victory Parkway, Walnut Hills This cozy bistro boasts a menu of French classics with contemporary twists. Try the escargot as an appetizer or the beet salade and soup du jour ahead of your meal. The entrees are elegant and feature favorites like seared duck breast, sea scallops, salmon, a rack

of lamb and steak frites — a 10-ounce ribeye with sauce forestiere and fries.

If you can, sit on the patio and take in the amazing view of the Ohio River.

If you want to maintain the French experience, just pretend you’re in Paris overlooking the Seine.

Via Vite 520 Vine St., Downtown Via Vite showcases chef Cristian Pietoso’s casual take on Northern Italian cuisine in the Queen City. The view overlooks Fountain Square and their rooftop patio is the perfect escape to people watch. Crispy, stone-fired pizzas and hearty pastas hearken to the motherland, while entrées like 12-hour braised lamb shank with white polenta and rosemary lead the

103 Main St., Hamilton This public house from Blue Ash’s Fretboard Brewing Company offers first-come-first-serve seating on its rooftop patio overlooking the heart of downtown Hamilton — but make sure you stop by the hostess stand first. The menu offers elevated pub fare, with an entree selection of burgers, sandwiches and wraps, as well as dishes like fish and chips, southern-fried chicken and meatloaf. You can also find some of your favorite Fretboard craft brews on tap, like the strawberry blonde ale Reba, tropical red ale Island Style and pilsner Vlad, as well as a range of rotating taps. But if beer’s not your thing, Fretboard Brewing & Public House also offers a selection of craft cocktails and wines by the glass or bottle.

Enson Harbor 25 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue This former seafood spot recently rebranded and now offers authentic Chinese dim sum from its riverside restaurant. Along with the varieties of cold, steamed, pan-fried and even dessert dim sum, Enson Harbor also serves steamed soup dumplings, stir-fried mini bowls and a curated selection of cocktails and teas to complement your meal. Or, stop in for a bubble tea or refreshing smoothie.

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MUSIC MUSIC

Darlingside P H O T O : I N S TA G R A M . C O M / D A R L I N G S I D E

Darlingside

P H O T O : I N S TA G R A M . C O M / D A R L I N G S I D E

Darlingside Comes Out (of Lockdown) with Darlingside Comes Out (of Lockdown) with Everything is Alive Everything is Alive The indie folk quartet changes everything but their core philosophies on their new album.

BY R I A N BA K E quartet R TheB indie folk changes everything but their core philosophies on their new album.

W W

BY B R I Aith N COVID BA K EinRour back seats instead of our rearview mirith COVID in our back seats rors, it’s conceivable that instead of our rearview mirartists’ music continues to be refracted rors, it’s conceivable that through the prism of the past three artists’ music continues to be refracted years. Darlingside guitarist, banjoist through the prism of the past three and vocalist Don Mitchell understands years. Darlingside guitarist, banjoist how that assumption applies to the and vocalist Don Mitchell understands Boston quartet’s latest album, the how that assumption applies to the just-released Everything is Alive, but Boston quartet’s latest album, the he’s quick to illustrate the reasons that just-released Everything is Alive, but differentiate it from that expectation. he’s quick to illustrate the reasons that “We would have created an album differentiate it from that expectation. during lockdown, so it’s not like lock“We would have created an album down gave us the time and therefore during lockdown, so it’s not like lockthis album happened, but it being this down gave us the time and therefore exact album, it’s for sure influenced by this album happened, but it being this the pandemic. I just wouldn’t go so far exact album, it’s for sure influenced by as to say it’s a ‘pandemic record,’” says the pandemic. I just wouldn’t go so far Mitchell by phone from his Waltham, as to say it’s a ‘pandemic record,’” says Massachusetts apartment. “It found Mitchell by phone from his Waltham, its way into some of the themes; Massachusetts apartment. “It found coming back to life, back to yourself, its way into some of the themes; being distanced from or being a part coming back to life, back to yourself, being distanced from or being a part

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of a community. There are mortality themes that are closer to home, havof a community. There are mortality ing older parents and the fear of what themes that are closer to home, havmight happen. But it’s not something ing older parents and the fear of what that we were like, ‘Let’s all process might happen. But it’s not something this together.’ In some ways, Fish Pond that we were like, ‘Let’s all process Fish was more of a pandemic record this together.’ In some ways, Fish Pond because we finished it at the very Fish was more of a pandemic record beginning of the pandemic. We started because we finished it at the very writing Everything is Alive mostly in beginning of the pandemic. We started 2021 and into early ‘22. This is more of writing Everything is Alive mostly in a coming out of lockdown record than 2021 and into early ‘22. This is more of a lockdown record.” a coming out of lockdown record than Darlingside has never shied away a lockdown record.” from changing courses. After their Darlingside has never shied away 2009 formation in Boston, Mitchell and from changing courses. After their his bandmates — Sam Kapala, Auyon 2009 formation in Boston, Mitchell and Mukharji (mandolin, violin, vocals), his bandmates — Sam Kapala, Auyon Harris Paseltiner (guitar, cello, vocals), Mukharji (mandolin, violin, vocals), and David Senft (bass, kick drum, Harris Paseltiner (guitar, cello, vocals), vocals) — forged a sound rooted in ‘90s and David Senft (bass, kick drum, indie rock, but once Kapala’s departure vocals) — forged a sound rooted in ‘90s pared them down to a quartet, they indie rock, but once Kapala’s departure adopted the single mic/drummerless pared them down to a quartet, they adopted the single mic/drummerless

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percussion of traditional bluegrass.

Sonically, the band retained their indie percussion of traditional bluegrass. rock roots but incorporated more ‘70s Sonically, the band retained their indie harmonic folk, particularly British folk, rock roots but incorporated more ‘70s and rock into the mix; everyone from harmonic folk, particularly British folk, the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & and rock into the mix; everyone from Young to the Zombies and Nick Drake the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & have been referenced to describe Young to the Zombies and Nick Drake Darlingside. have been referenced to describe “When we transitioned from indie Darlingside. rock to the bluegrass format, around “When we transitioned from indie 2013, 2014, that’s when I started playing rock to the bluegrass format, around the banjo and Auyon started learning 2013, 2014, that’s when I started playing fiddle chops and rhythmic patterns, the banjo and Auyon started learning and we pulled in a lot more from the fiddle chops and rhythmic patterns, world of old time bluegrass and folk and we pulled in a lot more from the music,” says Mitchell. “Prior to that, world of old time bluegrass and folk we’d been influenced by ‘90s/early music,” says Mitchell. “Prior to that, 2000s college rock. Guster used to we’d been influenced by ‘90s/early come to our college; the earliest version 2000s college rock. Guster used to of Darlingside got to open for Guster come to our college; the earliest version and that was a big deal back then.” of Darlingside got to open for Guster Since then, Darlingside’s four core and that was a big deal back then.” members have been open to exploring Since then, Darlingside’s four core members have been open to exploring

different creative pathways to achieve their end results. Given the band’s different creative pathways to achieve democratically collaborative architectheir end results. Given the band’s ture — all four members are credited democratically collaborative architecequally as songwriters — it didn’t matture — all four members are credited ter who brought songs into the process, equally as songwriters — it didn’t matbecause everyone ultimately contribter who brought songs into the process, uted to their completion. That changed because everyone ultimately contribslightly with the isolation of lockdown uted to their completion. That changed in 2020, which had an unintended slightly with the isolation of lockdown effect on Everything is Alive. in 2020, which had an unintended “We’ve always done a lot of collabeffect on Everything is Alive. orative writing where we’re all in on “We’ve always done a lot of collabeverything from the beginning, and we orative writing where we’re all in on were doing that at the start of the paneverything from the beginning, and we demic,” says Mitchell. “We were remote were doing that at the start of the panbut we could play the telephone game, demic,” says Mitchell. “We were remote essentially; somebody passes a prompt, but we could play the telephone game, somebody else does a free write and essentially; somebody passes a prompt, somebody else turns it into a verse. somebody else does a free write and Then somebody sets a melody to that somebody else turns it into a verse. verse and somebody else adds a whole Then somebody sets a melody to that new section. But since we had so much verse and somebody else adds a whole less in-person time, we decided to do new section. But since we had so much less in-person time, we decided to do

“There are a lot more songs where you can see the edges of the different writing sensibilities and singing voices of the members,” says Mitchell. “It started organically, then we said, ‘Here’s what we like about this. Let’s hold onto that and not sand it away,’ like we might have been tempted to do in the past.” assignments and work in pairs, and by the end of the week, each person would have to take something that was not developed and present a full draft, maybe not a final draft but a complete song.”

As a result, Everything is Alive retains the gorgeous atmospherics that Darlingside has championed since 2015’s Birds Say, while incorporating a rawer, more roughly hewn sound and a more personal lyrical perspective. Repeated listening reveals an album that is a solid contender for best-of-2023 honors.

“There are a lot more songs where you can see the edges of the different writing sensibilities and singing voices of the members,” says Mitchell.

“It started organically, then we said, ‘Here’s what we like about this. Let’s hold onto that and not sand it away,’ like we might have been tempted to do in the past.”

Another new wrinkle for Darlingside on Everything is Alive is the fact that each member has a fully functioning home studio, and given that the group has often been given a collective co-production credit, they’ve come to understand their finished product through their own demos as well as through the production of other people’s work.

“We are all producers in a certain way, and we realized that some of the core takes in the demos we were sending around were worth holding onto and building around,” says Mitchell. “In a lot of cases, that bare bones thing is in the final track. We recorded drums and keyboards around it later in a proper studio, but that initial seed is from the moment of creation.”

The pandemic had another unintentional effect on the outcome of Everything is Alive through the livestreams that Darlingside was performing during lockdown. For the band’s fifth livestream, they assembled in Mitchell’s living room for the first time in months, and that proximity led to a momentous decision.

“Some band members hadn’t yet listened to all of the new songs that were being generated in pairs, so we

decided to debut songs for each other on the livestream, while playing them for the audience. It was sort of a reality TV moment for us,” says Mitchell with a laugh. “It was one of the things that made us choose to lean into the individual voices and experiential lyrics and keep things relatively unadorned. For a lot of bands, it wouldn’t be that weird, but for us it was a deeply uncomfortable and vulnerable thing and we decided to honor the trust and vulnerability and carry it forward into the album.”

For Darlingside’s first tour in a very long time, there will be a few changes.

Original member Senft will not be touring with the band on this circuit — Mitchell assures that Senft is on “family leave” and doing fine — so his slot will be filled by bassist Molly Parden, who also sang on Everything is Alive.

And Darlingside will be expanded to a live sextet with the addition of drummer Ben Burns and keyboardist Deni Hlavinka.

From the very beginning nearly a decade and a half ago, Darlingside’s mission statement as a band has been contained in their name, derived from a quote offered by British writer Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and imparted to the band by their college songwriting instructor Bernice Lewis, who advised her classes to “kill their darlings.” By all rights, they should be committing darlingcide, but in true independent fashion, they preferred their adapted spelling. In any event, they have tried to stay true to that counsel.

“We’re not always as good at it as we’d like to be after this many years, but it’s something we try to do,” says Mitchell. “I don’t have favorite songs, maybe just on a given day, but I have favorite bits and moments, which I try to be suspicious of, as our name would suggest. Be suspicious of your cleverest bits that you’re most tickled by. I find the favorites thing to be difficult with my own work, and I’m glad I don’t have favorites because it would start to feel like it was keeping me in one place.”

Darlingside plays Memorial Hall OTR at 8 p.m. Aug. 31.

Info: memorialhallotr.com.

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SOUND ADVICE SOUND ADVICE

Los Straitjackets P H O T O : D AV I D Z E L L A BY, F L I C K R

Los Straitjackets

P H O T O : D AV I D Z E L L A BY, F L I C K R

Daniel Caesar P H OTO : R A P H _ P H , W I K I M E D I A C O M M O N S

Daniel Caesar

P H OTO : R A P H _ P H , W I K I M E D I A C O M M O N S

DANIEL CAESAR Aug. 31 • Andrew J Brady DANIEL CAESAR

Music Center Aug. 31 • Andrew J Brady Daniel Caesar is embarking on a gauntMusic Center let of a world tour. The second leg of his Daniel Caesar is embarking on a gaunt“Superpowers World Tour” includes 33 let of a world tour. The second leg of his stops, one of which is at the Andrew J “Superpowers World Tour” includes 33 Brady Music Center on Aug. 31. stops, one of which is at the Andrew J Known for his insouciant demeanor Brady Music Center on Aug. 31. and music, Caesar exudes a captivating Known for his insouciant demeanor air with his stage presence and sound. and music, Caesar exudes a captivating His velvety R&B vocals and lyrics that air with his stage presence and sound. explore personal storytelling with His velvety R&B vocals and lyrics that existential and romantic themes grace explore personal storytelling with moody and obscure soundscapes. existential and romantic themes grace At times, his music feels reclusive moody and obscure soundscapes. and dark — most palatable alone — At times, his music feels reclusive with stripped-back instrumentals and and dark — most palatable alone — lithe, airy vocals arranged with gripping with stripped-back instrumentals and intention that cast him as a soft-spolithe, airy vocals arranged with gripping ken, introspective force. Other times, intention that cast him as a soft-spoken, introspective force. Other times,

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his melodies float effortlessly amid meandering and dreamy backdrops his melodies float effortlessly amid that affirm his vitality and agency as a meandering and dreamy backdrops prolific singer-songwriter. that affirm his vitality and agency as a His latest album, Never Enough, prolific singer-songwriter. which dropped in April, builds on the His latest album, Never Enough, style and reputation he’s developed which dropped in April, builds on the since his gradual rise to fame starting style and reputation he’s developed around 2015. He continues to reach for since his gradual rise to fame starting new heights in his writing’s philosophiaround 2015. He continues to reach for cal contemplations and the delicate new heights in his writing’s philosophiintoxication of his sonic atmosphere. cal contemplations and the delicate Curated to illustrate his experiences intoxication of his sonic atmosphere. and lessons learned in life since grabCurated to illustrate his experiences bing his status as an acclaimed singer, and lessons learned in life since grabeach song feels like its own scene bing his status as an acclaimed singer, designed with strokes of allure, pride each song feels like its own scene and skepticism. designed with strokes of allure, pride On stage, Caesar’s voice will climb and skepticism. into its signature high frequencies and On stage, Caesar’s voice will climb cruise through its utterly calm intones, into its signature high frequencies and cruise through its utterly calm intones,

AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

bewitching the crowd and casting a blanket of potent emotion over the bewitching the crowd and casting a concert hall. He’ll work his way through blanket of potent emotion over the a repertoire of songs manufactured to concert hall. He’ll work his way through simmer in the heart, mostly consisting a repertoire of songs manufactured to of tracks from Never Enough. simmer in the heart, mostly consisting The show will be opened by singer of tracks from Never Enough.

Montell Fish, who’s known for his The show will be opened by singer gospel-inspired take on lo-fi, experiMontell Fish, who’s known for his mental R&B — a sensible supporting gospel-inspired take on lo-fi, experiact who should set the tone perfectly for mental R&B — a sensible supporting Caesar’s set. act who should set the tone perfectly for Daniel Caesar plays the Andrew J Caesar’s set.

Brady Music Center at 8 p.m. Aug. 31.

Daniel Caesar plays the Andrew J Info: bradymusiccenter.com. (Killian Brady Music Center at 8 p.m. Aug. 31.

Baarlaer) Info: bradymusiccenter.com. (Killian Baarlaer)

LOS STRAITJACKETS LOS1 STRAITJACKETS Sept.

• Woodward Theater

You might not expect America’s last, Sept. 1 • Woodward Theater great surf rock band to hail from You might not expect America’s last, landlocked Nashville, Tennessee, but great surf rock band to hail from then maybe you’ve never witnessed landlocked Nashville, Tennessee, but Los Straitjackets in their wild habitat: then maybe you’ve never witnessed synchronized onstage in Mexican Los Straitjackets in their wild habitat: wrestling masks and matching suits synchronized onstage in Mexican wielding their salty blend of surf rock, wrestling masks and matching suits twang and roots-rock. The veteran wielding their salty blend of surf rock, quartet have been bending expectatwang and roots-rock. The veteran tions and entertaining audiences since quartet have been bending expectathe early ‘90s, originating from their tions and entertaining audiences since inimitable debut in 1995, The Utterly the early ‘90s, originating from their Fantastic and Unbelievable Sound of inimitable debut in 1995, The Utterly Los Straitjackets. From the start, Los Fantastic and Unbelievable Sound of Straitjackets’ deadpan sense of humor, Los Straitjackets. From the start, Los charismatic brio, and live spark fueled Straitjackets’ deadpan sense of humor, their rise as premier players of surf rock charismatic brio, and live spark fueled their rise as premier players of surf rock

instrumentals, including both originals and classic covers. instrumentals, including both originals Reminiscent of the famed The and classic covers.

Ventures’ bold renditions of variReminiscent of the famed The ous pop tunes, but Los Straitjackets Ventures’ bold renditions of varijuice that archetype with more garage ous pop tunes, but Los Straitjackets crunch, rockabilly and attitude in their juice that archetype with more garage material. For the last decade, they’ve crunch, rockabilly and attitude in their collaborated with Nick Lowe as his material. For the last decade, they’ve backing band, which has proven to be collaborated with Nick Lowe as his an inspired arrangement for both acts backing band, which has proven to be as they lend their firepower to Lowe’s an inspired arrangement for both acts dynamic canon. Los Straitjackets as they lend their firepower to Lowe’s released What’s So Funny About Peace, dynamic canon. Los Straitjackets Love and Los Straitjackets in 2017, an released What’s So Funny About Peace, instrumental homage to Lowe’s witty Love and Los Straitjackets in 2017, an pop songs, such as the title track and instrumental homage to Lowe’s witty “Cruel to be Kind,” etc. As Eddie Angel, pop songs, such as the title track and Straitjackets’ co-founding member “Cruel to be Kind,” etc. As Eddie Angel, and guitarist, explains to the AssociStraitjackets’ co-founding member ated Press in 2018, “We had nothing and guitarist, explains to the Associto lose. Nick had his credibility on the ated Press in 2018, “We had nothing line going onstage with four guys in to lose. Nick had his credibility on the wrestling masks. He really did take a line going onstage with four guys in chance on us. He wasn’t sure how his wrestling masks. He really did take a fans would react.” chance on us. He wasn’t sure how his Fresh off a tour with Lowe, Los Straitfans would react.” jackets play the Woodward Theater at Fresh off a tour with Lowe, Los Strait8 p.m. Sept. 1, with Jake La Botz Trio jackets play the Woodward Theater at as the opener. Info: woodwardtheater.

8 p.m. Sept. 1, with Jake La Botz Trio com. (Greg Gaston) as the opener. Info: woodwardtheater. com. (Greg Gaston)

SMASHING PUMPKINS SMASHING PUMPKINS Sept.

5 • PNC Pavilion

In July 1993, the Chicago-based quartet Sept. 5 • PNC Pavilion released their debut album, Siamese In July 1993, the Chicago-based quartet Dream, in a year that saw some of the released their debut album, Siamese Dream, in a year that saw some of the

OHIO IS FOR LOVERS FESTIVAL

Smashing Pumpkins P H OTO : K E V I N L U S H

Hawthorne Heights P H O T O : C O U R T N E Y K I A R A B OY E R

greatest albums of the modern era released. The album’s opening track, “Cherub Rock,” sends shockwaves to the listener’s ears. Angst-ridden frontman Billy Corgan stated the song’s about his “relationship to the indieworld and the media,” and the lyrics “Who wants honey? As long as there’s some money” is an indictment of that world. The album sold more than 4 million copies and landed the band in the mainstream; a backlash from the indie world ensued. By the time their

third album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness came out — it went on to become the best-selling double album of the 1990s — the band experienced even more mainstream success, with a Grammy award and Mellon Collie selling 10 million units. However, discord among band mates and rampant drug use caused the band to break up in 2000. Six years later, the band reformed, but without original bassist D’arcy Wretzky and guitarist James Iha. The current lineup consists of three of the

four original members.

Though the Pumpkins get grouped into the alt-rock movement of the ‘90s, their music has swung between goth rock, hard rock, electronic and dream pop, and is constantly evolving. Their latest release is the ambitious Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts, which has slowly rolled out since November 2022.

It’s a concept album, a loose sequel to Mellon Collie and 2000 albums Machina/The Machines of God and Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music. Pitchfork described Atum as “a trilogy-completing, podcastaugmented three-part intergalactic techno-libertarian rock drama.”

Since July, the band’s been on the road with “The World Is A Vampire Tour,” named after a lyric from their Grammy-winning song “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.” Seeing the Pumpkins in 2023 — 30 years after their debut album — hits different. We live in a culture overwhelmed with nostalgia, and rock bands seem like a thing of the past. “Tonight, Tonight,” “Today” and “Cherub Rock” will transport live music fans back to the beginning of the Pumpkins’ storied and winding career.

It’s been a long ride for Corgan and company, and unlike so many of their contemporaries, they’re still here and they’re still rocking.

Smashing Pumpkins play PNC Pavilion at 8 p.m. Sept. 5. Info: riverbend.org.

(Garin Pirnia)

Sept. 9 • Riverbend Music Center The guys in the long-running Dayton, Ohio-based band Hawthorne Heights are lovers of various related rock and roll subgenres delivered by everyone from Blink-182 to far lesserknown purveyors with descriptors like emo, screamo, pop punk, power pop, melodic hardcore and more. As such, the quartet has released seven hookladen albums over the last 20 years that touch on all of the above, garnering a considerable following in the process.

And now, for the second straight year, the band is curating a multi-city festival tour to celebrate their musical output of choice. The fest’s Cincinnati stop — dubbed “Ohio Is for Lovers,” after a Hawthorne Heights song of the same name — includes more than 20 acts anchored by genre mainstays Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, Underoath, State Champs, Saosin and, of course, Hawthorne Heights. Conceptually, think of it as a smaller-scale version of the late Warped Tour or as a style-specific version of Lollapalooza before it became the overstuffed, identity-free entity it is today.

“In year one, we got to go to a few of our favorite cities, with bands that are our friends, and some bands that we simply love,” Hawthorne Heights frontman JT Woodruff is quoted on the festival’s website. “We want to give fans an inclusionary place to go that features a wide variety of bands from all walks of life, and we want to do it with a smile on our face, because we have chosen to work with people who we love and respect. The most important part for us is to make sure that the fan experience is equal to the band experience. We just want everyone to have fun and have an easy day together.”

Woodruff is in luck: Headliner Jimmy Eat World’s crafty tunes are easy to ingest. The long-running Phoenix-area quartet remains a cornerstone of a scene that has evolved and expanded in the years since their one-two punch of 1999’s Clarity and 2001’s Bleed American broke through to a wider musical world. And if the other acts at Ohio Is for Lovers remain more obscure, those in attendance aren’t likely to care as their ears take in an entire day of buzzing guitars and soaring choruses. The Ohio is For Lovers Festival takes place at Riverbend Music Center at 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 5. Info: riverbend.org. (Jason Gargano)

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AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

A FEW SHORT CROSSWORD

BY B R EN DA N E M M E T T Q U I G L E Y W W W. B R E N DA N E M M E T TQ U I G L E Y.C O M

Across

39. With it

Down

29. Five-star

1. Gentle touches

40. One selecting health and 401k plans, say

1. Priest’s subordinate

31. Bibimbap base

2. Play room?

32. Drink with free refills, sometimes

5. What’s for dinner?

41. Forever and ever

9. Digital screen standard with a 4:3 aspect ratio

3. Mexican goat stew

44. Cranny

33. Vaping device

13. Toledo’s lake

45. Modern-day guide, for short

4. Some of the “everything” on an “everything bagel”

14. Siren’s call

48. It can help you get out of a rut

5. Musical staff symbol

36. Problem for turbines

15. To read, in Tours

49. Snack

16. One-tenth of a polo field

51. Fish taco topping

6. “Only Murders In the Building” streamer

37. Vehicle in a portfolio

17. Israel’s national airline

53. A few ___ short of a ___

18. “When you put it that way ...”

57. Actress Parrilla

19. A few ___ short of a ___

58. Turning point

9. Commentator Mystal

42. “Sign me up”

22. One writing lofty verses

59. Publication with the slogan “Cure Ignorance”

10. “The Simpsons” character in a leisure suit

43. Desert in 11 countries

60. Does the math

11. People who might perform “Hamlet” in Klingon, probably

23. Snap up 24. Rubber-stamps

30. Cyrus the Great’s realm

63. “We’ll fix it in ___”

32. It might be up a creek 34. Thingamabob

64. Administers of lethal injections in Greco-Roman times

35. A few ___ short of a ___

65. Like lemons and limes

20. Environmentalist’s bugaboo at takeout

50. Cars that people might accidentally leave their phones in

21. Food coloring

52. “My mind is made up”

25. “The Idol” cocreator Levinson

allergies

+ 8 6 6 $ , 1 / , = $ 5 ' 6 $ 9 ( 1 8 ( $ 2 + + ( / / 2 6 2 2 1 6 2 1 % ( ( 1 % ( 1 ( . ( ' 9 $ 7 ( < 5 ( 0 ( * $ 3 / ( ; 6 5 6 6 / 2 % % ( 5 7 : 2 5 ( ( ) 5 ( ) 1 $ $ 1 1 $ 1 0 ( 1 8 $ & / 8 . ( ( 1 . ( 1 $ ' ' 6 $ ' 6 $ 9 2 1 / ( $ ' < ( ( ' 6 ) / $ 7 6 / $ % $ 6 3 6 ) 8 5 6 ( 7 6 < ( ( 7 < ( 7 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 , 1 & $ 5 * 2 ( ; 3 2 8 1 ' 1 ( ' < 2 6 7 6 7 ( 3 3 ( 6

56. Sources of some houseguests’

LAST PUZZLE’S ANSWERS:

55. Skipping-stones sound

54. Right direction?

28. Overnight stop in the country

46. Like a two-dimensional world 47. Without words?

45. Pork-and-grain sausage

12. Middle of a river?

39. Abyssinian gate

8. Get tearful

62. Superfan that was added to the OED in 2018

27. Ocean current

38. Get back

7. Sonicare rival

61. Free-for-all

26. Jazz Masters Fellowships sponsor

35. Pikes Peak spot

Bertha G. Helmick

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AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

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810 Sycamore St. 4th Fl,

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