CityBeat | June 1-14, 2022

JUNE MAY1, 4,2022 2022--JUNE MAY 17, 14, 2022 | CITYBEAT.COM

1

VOL. 27 | ISSUE 11

PUBLISHER TONY FRANK

ON THE COVER: SUMMER GUIDE PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASHLEY MOOR MANAGING EDITOR ALLISON BABKA DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR MAGGY MCDONEL SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR MAIJA ZUMMO STAFF WRITER MADELINE FENING CALENDAR EDITOR, WRITER SEAN M. PETERS ART DIRECTOR TALON HAMPTON CONTRIBUTING EDITORS MUSIC: MIKE BREEN ARTS & CULTURE: MACKENZIE MANLEY THEATER: RICK PENDER DINING CRITIC: PAMA MITCHELL

05 10 27 36 42 51

NEWS COVER ARTS & CULTURE EATS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANNE ARENSTEIN, BRIAN BAKER, STEPHEN NOVOTNI, BRIAN CROSS, HAYLEY DAY, JANE DURRELL, BILL FURBEE, JASON GARGANO, GREGORY GASTON, AUSTIN GAYLE, MCKENZIE GRAHAM, NICK GREVER, KATIE GRIFFITH, KATIE HOLOCHER, BEN L. KAUFMAN, DEIRDRE KAYE, JAC KERN, HARPER LEE, MADGE MARIL, ANNE MITCHELL, LAUREN MORETTO, TAMERA LENZ MUENTE, JACKIE MULAY, JUDE NOEL, GARIN PIRNIA, KATHY SCHWARTZ, MARIA SEDA-REEDER, LEYLA SHOKOOHE, SAMI STEWART, STEVEN ROSEN, KATHY Y. WILSON, P.F. WILSON, MORGAN ZUMBIEL CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS HAILEY BOLLINGER, SCOTT DITTGEN, JESSE FOX, PHIL HEIDENREICH, KHOI NGUYEN, BRITTANY THORNTON, CATIE VIOX EDITORIAL INTERNS LAUREN SERGE LINDSAY WIELONSKI MARKETING AND EVENTS DIRECTOR JESSICA TOMAIN SENIOR DIGITAL MARKETING CONSULTANT MARK COLEMAN SENIOR MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DAN RADANK DISTRIBUTION TEAM TOM SAND, STEVE FERGUSON

MUSIC

EUCLID MEDIA GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ANDREW ZELMAN

CROSSWORD

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS CHRIS KEATING, MICHAEL WAGNER VP OF DIGITAL SERVICES STACY VOLHEIN DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR JAIME MONZON

CIT Y BE AT | 811 R ACE ST., FOURTH FLOOR, CINCINNATI, OH 4 5202 PHONE: 513-665- 4700 | FA X: 513-665- 4 368 | CIT Y BE AT.COM PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH SOY-BASED INKS. PLE ASE RECYCLE THIS NE WSPAPER! THANKS :)

© 2022 | CityBeat is a registered trademark of CityBeat Communications, LLC. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission.

CityBeat covers news, public issues, arts and entertainment of interest to readers in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The views expressed in these pages do not necessarily represent those of the publishers. One copy per person of the current issue is free; additional copies, including back issues up to one year, are available at our offices for $1 each.

Subscriptions: $70 for six months, $130 for one year (delivered via first–class mail).

Advertising Deadline: Display advertising, 12 p.m. Wednesday before publication; Classified advertising, 5 p.m. Thursday before publication.

Warehousing Services: Harris Motor Express, 4261 Crawford Street, Cincinnati, OH 45223.

2

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

MEMI CONCERT CALENDAR

June 1 4 7 7 8

19 19 21 21 22 23 24 24 25 29 30

BRIGHT EYES with Alex G HOME FREE THE LUMINEERS with Caamp THE MASKED SINGER LIVE FLOGGING MOLLY & THE INTERRUPTERS with Tiger Army and The Skints CHRIS ROCK SOLD OUT CHRIS ROCK NICK CANNON presents: MTV Wild 'N Out Live STYX & REO SPEEDWAGON with Loverboy WHISKEY MYERS with Shane Smith & The Saints and 49 Winchester STEELY DAN with Snarky Puppy HELMET THE WOOD BROTHERS & GUSTER with David Wax Museum JOSH GROBAN with Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Lucia Micarelli, and Eleri Ward TRAIN with Jewel, Blues Traveler, and Will Anderson An Acoustic Evening with TREY ANASTASIO WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE with Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt THE CHICKS with Patty Griffin DEAD & COMPANY KENNY CHESNEY with Carly Pearce JACKSON BROWNE BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS with Carm MAREN MORRIS with Brent Cobb MT. JOY with Madison Cunningham BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY

Riverbend Music Center The Andrew J Brady Music Center Taft Theatre Riverbend Music Center Riverbend Music Center Riverbend Music Center The Andrew J Brady Music Center Taft Theatre The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park The Andrew J Brady Music Center Taft Theatre

6 7 9 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 21 23 24

BIG TIME RUSH with Dixie D'Amelio THE DOOBIE BROTHERS SANTANA and EARTH, WIND & FIRE ROD STEWART with Cheap Trick TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND with Los Lobos and Gabe Dixon THE CULT with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Zola Jesus STEVE-O KEITH URBAN with Ingrid Andress CELESTE BARBER 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER with Pale Waves BONNIE RAITT with Mavis Staples THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS with X BARENAKED LADIES with Gin Blossoms and Toad The Wet Sprocket JIMMY BUFFETT & The Coral Reefer Band LITTLE FEAT with Nicki Bluhm CHICAGO & BRIAN WILSON with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin TROUBLE NO MORE with Rebirth Brass Band and Aaron Lee Tasjan

The Andrew J Brady Music Center Riverbend Music Center Riverbend Music Center Riverbend Music Center PNC Pavilion PNC Pavilion Taft Theatre Riverbend Music Center Taft Theatre The Andrew J Brady Music Center The Andrew J Brady Music Center The Andrew J Brady Music Center PNC Pavilion Riverbend Music Center Taft Theatre Riverbend Music Center PNC Pavilion

9 10 10 11 15 16 16 17 18

July

The Andrew J Brady Music Center Taft Theatre Riverbend Music Center Taft Theatre The Andrew J Brady Music Center Taft Theatre Taft Theatre Riverbend Music Center Riverbend Music Center The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park Riverbend Music Center The Ballroom at Taft Theatre The Andrew J Brady Music Center Riverbend Music Center

GET TICKETS AT TICKETMASTER.COM RIVERBEND.ORG

PNCPAVILION.COM

MEMI.BIZ

BRADYMUSICCENTER.COM

TAFTTHEATRE.ORG

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

3

28TH ANNUAL

Cincy

Blues Fest S C H M I D L A P P E V E N T L AW N C I N C I N N AT I , O H I O

$20 TICKETS ON SALE NOW

JULY 16 3-11PM

DETAILS AT CINCYBLUESFEST.ORG

TORONZO CANNON

Marquise Knox

|

Shaun Murphy

NOAH WOTHERSPOON • G MILES AND THE KY CUZINS BITS • 2022 BLUES CHALLENGE WINNERS E V E N T D E TA I L S

LAGER HOUSE

4

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

NEWS

Ohio Statehouse P H OTO : N I AGA R A 6 6 , W I K I M E D I A COMMONS

Ohio Supreme Court Rejects Partisan Redistricting Maps for Fifth Time Republicans continue to push unconstitutional maps ahead of upcoming elections.

BY O H I O CA P ITA L J O U R N A L STA F F

O

hio House and Senate district maps previously passed by Republican members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission and previously ruled unconstitutional remain

invalid, a bipartisan 4-3 majority on the Ohio Supreme Court ruled May 25.

Declining to hold commissioners in contempt, the court ordered the Ohio Redistricting Commission be

reconstituted to draft and adopt new General Assembly maps that meet the requirements of the Ohio Constitution.

The court set a new deadline of June 3.

This date is past the May 28 date a federal court has set as a deadline for when it will implement the maps that were just rejected for the second time by the state high court.

In between their original adoption by the commission and the court’s first rejection of them as unconstitutional, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose ordered boards of elections to load the maps into their systems and prepare to use them.

Republicans on the redistricting commission used the fact that elections officials were already ordered to use the maps as part of their decision to pass the maps a second time.

LaRose is among the four commissioners who voted for the maps both

times. Others were Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Republican legislative leaders representing the Ohio House and Senate (originally Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp and Senate President Matt Huffman, then their chosen replacements on the commission, state Rep. Jeff LaRe, and state Sen. Sen. Rob McColley).

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor and Justices Michael P. Donnelly, Melody Stewart, and Jennifer Brunner joined the majority opinion.

“The respondents who voted in favor of readopting Map 3 defend the commission’s action, arguing that Map 3 is the only viable option for use in the 2022 election cycle,” the majority wrote.

“The fact remains that Map 3 still violates Article XI, Sections 6(A) and 6(B) of the Ohio Constitution.”

The majority noted that they had ordered the commission to adopt an

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

5

entirely new map.

“Neither the current election deadlines, the General Assembly’s inability or unwillingness to alter those deadlines, nor the question whether the map would be a viable option for use in the 2022 election cycle prevented the commission from adopting a new, constitutional district plan,” they wrote.

In a concurring opinion, Chief Justice O’Connor, joined by Justice Donnelly, wrote that with the federal court’s reassurance that continuing delays and inactions would be rewarded, the commission has “engaged in a stunning rebuke of the rule of law” by readopting Map 3.

“This court has been placed in a remarkable position,” O’Connor wrote.

“With the reassurance provided by a federal district court in (the federal case) that continuing delays and inaction would be rewarded with the implementation of a previously rejected map, respondent Ohio Redistricting Commission has, contrary to this court’s clear order, resubmitted an unconstitutional General Assembly district plan and, in doing so, has engaged in a stunning rebuke of the rule of law.”

She said the federal court “did not stay its hand until May 28 as it stated it would,” but rather “provided the Republican commission members not only a roadmap of how to avoid discharging their duties but also a green light to further delay these proceedings by stating its intention to implement ‘Map 3’ … all the while acknowledging that this court had declared Map 3 to be invalid and unconstitutional.”

Each of the federal court’s concerns about conducting the election, O’Connor said, were “created by the commission’s lack of action — which is in direct defiance of its constitutional duties and this court’s four prior judgments — and all those concerns were then, and are now, fully capable of resolution by the commission or the General Assembly.”

“Lamentably, the federal court’s optimism that the commission members ‘are public servants who still view partisan advantage as subordinate to the rule of the law,’ proved to be unfounded,” she said.

O’Connor even referenced a recent Columbus Dispatch profile of Senate President Matt Huffman.

O’Connor wrote, “The Republican dominance of the General Assembly gave rise to a telling boast by President of the Senate Matt Huffman: ‘We can kind of do what we want.’ Do what we want apparently translates into the Republican-majority members of the redistricting commission ignoring rulings of this state’s highest court and the mandates of Ohio’s Constitution.

“Americans’ belief that no one is above the law — no individual, no

6

CITYBEAT.COM

|

organization, no political party — is a bedrock of our nation’s legal system, and one which makes it the envy of many other countries,” O’Connor wrote.

“In light of this court’s limited role in the redistricting process, setting aside differences and working together is the responsibility of the commission members in upholding their oaths of office as elected officials — oaths that are taken not to ensure that one political party has a supermajority but to obey Ohio’s Constitution.”

O’Connor said that the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Constitution “should not be held hostage by a redistricting commission acting according to partisan directives and a legislature that has created a crisis due to its own inaction.”

“Any threat to Ohioans’ right to vote in this scenario stems entirely from the commission’s repeated failures to comply with this court’s rulings and the General Assembly’s refusal to set a workable primary date,” she wrote.

“The remedy, then, should not be the approval of an unconstitutional map that rewards those who created the crisis to begin with. The remedy, instead, must be to craft a resolution of the manufactured crisis by those with the authority to do so — the commission and the legislature.”

Finally, O’Connor offered advice to Ohio voters: “Having witnessed the ways in which constitutional reforms may be frustrated by hyper-partisanship and the power of inertia, Ohioans have the power to change those dynamics. That opportunity must not be squandered.”

Justices Sharon L. Kennedy and Patrick F. Fischer wrote separate dissenting opinions. Justice Kennedy stated the court has overstepped its limited authority to review the commission’s maps. Justice R. Patrick DeWine joined Justice Kennedy’s opinion. Justice Fischer wrote the state constitution contains provisions for when the bipartisan commission reaches an impasse and cannot agree on a map. He also maintained that the court has never had the constitutional authority to review the disputed commission plans.

This story was originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal and is republished here with permission. See more at ohiocapitaljournal.com.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Pride Events Planned for June

BY L AU R E N S E R G E A N D L I N D SAY W I E LO N S K I

2019 Cincinnati Pride Parade P H O T O : B R I T TA N Y T H O R N T O N

Greater Cincinnati organizations, shops and nightlife destinations will celebrate Pride Month in June with a bevy of commemorations and events. Here’s a small sampling.

Pride Flag Raising at City Hall A ceremony, hosted by Cincinnati Pride in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, will honor LGBTQ+ citizens with the raising of the inclusive Pride flag, redesigned in 2018 by Daniel Quasar to represent more people. 3:30-4 p.m.

June 1. 801 Plum St., Downtown, cincinnatipride.org. (Lauren Serge)

Pride Kick-Off Block Party at City Hall Following the flag raising, Cincinnati Pride and city officials will host a Pride Kick-Off Block Party at City Hall. The party will feature music from DJ Bard as well as several drag performances. Food trucks will also will be on hand. 4-6:30 p.m. June 1. Free admission. 801 Plum St., Downtown, cincinnatipride.org. (LS)

Block Party After-Party at The Birdcage Head to The Birdcage, an LGBTQ+ bar and lounge, to celebrate Pride Month with dancing and music. 7-11 p.m. June 1. 927 Race St., Downtown, cincinnatipride.org. (LS)

Rainbow Challah Bake at Mayerson Jewish Community Center Participants in the rainbow challah bake will make and braid their own rainbow dough. The event will include singing and light refreshments, as well as crafts and a photo booth for kids ages 8 and up. Doors 5:30 p.m., event 6-8:30 p.m. June 1. $18 for non-members, $15 for members. Mayerson Jewish Community Center, 8485 Ridge Ave., Amberly, cincinnatipride.org (Lindsay Wielonski).

Pride Film Series at The Esquire The Esquire is hosting a series of LGBTQ+-centric films for Pride Month on Thursdays in June. Each week, Cincinnati Pride will partner with OutReels Cincinnati and Esquire Theatre to debut films throughout the month, including Saving Face, Mala Mala, I Carry You With Me (Te Llevo Conmigo) and Shortbus. Free tickets are available at the Esquire Box Office. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursdays throughout June. Free admission. 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, cincinnatipride.org. (LS)

2019 Cincinnati Pride Parade P H O T O : B R I T TA N Y T H O R N T O N

Over the Rainbow Pride Cabaret

Rainbow Shabbat at Sample Space

The Queen City Cabaret will host a Pride-themed cabaret event in celebration of Pride Month at The Redmoor. On June 3, Sarah Folsom, Matthew Umphreys and several guest performers will entertain guests with music and comedy. The event will feature food and drinks and will raise funds for the nonprofit Transform Cincy, which provides transgender youth with free clothing that suits their preferred gender identity. Doors 6 p.m., show 7-9 p.m. June 3. Tickets $15-$120. The Redmoor, 3187 Linwood Ave., Mt. Lookout, cincinnatipride.org. (LS)

On June 10, Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial, ish and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati will collaborate to host Rainbow Shabbat. The event will “honor and celebrate Cincinnati Pride month and LGBTQ+ identity as an important part of the Jewish experience, and engage with the broader civic community,” according to the event’s Facebook event page. The event will be hosted by Miz Cracker, who was featured on Rupaul’s Drag Race. All proceeds will benefit Transform Cincy, an organization that provides clothing to transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Tickets include Shabbat dinner, wine, a drink ticket and a performance. 7-10 p.m. June 10. Suggested donation of $36 per person. Sample Space, 140 Marian Spencer Way, Downtown, jewishcincy200. org. (LW).

Pride Community Night at Great American Ball Park During Pride Community Night, the Cincinnati Reds will celebrate Pride Month by recognizing local LGBTQ+organizations and citizens at the ballpark.

There are several special ticket packages for the event, and the first 1,500 guests to purchase one will receive a Cincinnati Reds Pride hat. A portion of proceeds from special ticket packages will be donated to Cincinnati Pride. 6:40 p.m. June 3. Ticket package prices vary. 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, reds.com. (LS)

Pride Night at Grainworks Brewing

Pride Prom at Hard Rock Casino Midwestern Lesbian will host a Pride Prom at the Hard Rock Casino. Guests will enjoy performances by Kora Sline and PHDee. Reservations are required.

10 p.m. June 18. Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati 1000 Broadway St., Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com. (LW).

Grainworks Brewing Company will host an “Absolutely Grainworks Pride Night” in honor of Pride Month. The party will include festivities such as a drag revue, dance party and costume contest. A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefit PFLAG Cincinnati, a nonprofit organization that offers support, education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals, families and friends. 8 p.m.midnight. June 4. Grainworks Brewing Company Taproom, 7790 Service Center Dr., West Chester. cincinnatipride.org. (LW).

Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival

Northern Kentucky Pride Parade and Festival

Legally Blonde at Washington Park

Northern Kentucky will celebrate Pride Month at MainStrasse and Goebel Park on June 5. The parade and festival will feature a variety of local LGBTQ+ organizations and community services. The parade will begin at the Covington Riverfront at 1 p.m. Noon-5 p.m. June 5. Free admission. 501 Philadelphia St., Covington, nkypridecenter.org. (LS)

Cincinnati Pride’s edition of the Summer Cinema series will feature Legally Blonde on June 22 at Washington Park. Food trucks and a bar will be available.

Washington Park sells Coca-Cola products, beer, wine, seltzer and liquor from local businesses, according to the Cincinnati Pride website. 7:30 p.m. June 22.

Movie starts at 9 p.m. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org. (LW).

Cincinnati will celebrate 49 years of Cincinnati Pride this year. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at 7th St. and Plum and will end at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, the location for the Pride festival. The festival will include vendors as well as entertainment provided by Shea Diamond, Jordy, Alex Newell and Daya. 11 a.m. June 25. Free. 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, cincinnatipride. org. (LS)

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

7

EVENT CALENDAR Wednesday, June 1st

City Hall Inclusive Pride Flag Raising City Hall / Plum Street 3:30-4:00pm City Hall Pride Block Party City Hall / Plum Street 4:00-6:30pm Block Party Official After Party The Birdcage 7:00-11:00pm

Thursday, June 2nd

"Saving Face" Pride Film Series Esquire Theater (Clifton) 6:30-8:30pm

Friday, June 3rd

Pride Community Night at the Reds Great American Ball Park 6:40-10:30pm

Sunday, June 8th Pride Festival Meeting Caracole 6:00-8:00pm

Thursday, June 9th

"Mala Mala" Pride Film Series Esquire Theater (Clifton) 6:30-8:30pm

Friday, June 10th

Rainbow Shabbat feat. Miz Cracker Sample Space (Downtown) 7:00-9:30pm

Saturday, June 11th

Pride EDM Night - DJ Bloodbath Glowfellows (Oddfellows) 10:00pm-2:00am

Sunday, June 12th Pride Board Meeting Che 11:00am-1:00pm

8

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Adult Swim: Pride Edition Ziegler Park (OTR) 7:00-10:00pm

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

9

10

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

S

ummer in Cincinnati can be sweltering, but there’s no lack of cool ways to spend your days — both literally and figuratively. Whether you’re looking to relax poolside, stuff yourself with fried festival food or catch an outdoor concert, there’s an activity for every vibe as the temperatures rise. This list of 25 things to do when it’s hot AF outside will help you navigate the season, taking you from creamy whips and Kings Island to air-conditioned attractions and everything in between.*

1. TAKE A DIP IN A PUBLIC POOL The good news is that many public pools will be opening in Greater Cincinnati this summer. The bad news is that because of staffing shortages, not all of them can. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (cincinnati-oh.gov/recreation) is opening eight of its 24 pools, with the goal of hiring additional lifeguards to open more. The pools at Dunham, McKie and Oakley are currently operational and Dempsey, Evanston, Hirsch, Lincoln and Pleasant Ridge open June 6. Daily and season passes are available. Covington’s (covingtonky.gov) Goebel Park Pool, Randolph Park Pool and the Latonia Water Park/Splash Pad open June 8 and entry is free for residents (with registration). In Newport (newportky.gov), the pool at Veteran’s Memorial Park is open with a $3 entry fee (free for seniors, military and those under age 4). Over-the-Rhine hotspot Ziegler Pool (zieglerpark.org) is also open for the season and only requires reservations for early-morning lap swimmers. Entry is $4 per day. Check each pool’s website for amenities — slides, climbing walls, concessions, etc. — and full details.

Over-the-Rhine hotspot Ziegler Pool is open for the season.

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

2. SPLASH THROUGH A SPRAYGROUND You don’t have to be a kid to revel in the fun of a sprayground. Similar to running through a giant sprinkler, these centrally located public splash pads feature fountains, jets and other water elements to cool you down on a hot day. Bonus? They’re free to enjoy and open daily. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (cincinnati-oh.gov/recreation) operates nine spraygrounds — Caldwell, College Hill, Dyer, McKie, North Fairmount, Oakley, Oyler, Pleasant Ridge and South Fairmount — featuring fun and colorful sculptural elements. In the heart of the city, there are also spraygrounds at Washington Park (washingtonpark.org), Smale Riverfront Park (facebook.com/smaleriverfrontpark) and Ziegler Park (zieglerpark.org); the Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Spray Ground at Sawyer Point is closed this summer for maintenance.

3. RIDE THE 11 ORIGINAL ATTRACTIONS AT KINGS ISLAND This summer marks Kings Island’s 50th anniversary.

The amusement park staked its claim in Mason in 1972 as a replacement for the longtime — and frequently flooded — favorite Coney Island. While Coney only closed from 1971-1973 before reopening its attractions along the banks of the Ohio River, many of its classic rides (and employees) made their way to Kings Island. According to King Island’s area manager, digital marketer and roller coaster-enthusiast Don Helbig, there were only 60 attractions when the new theme park opened; today, there are more than 100. While we have loved and lost many favorites to retirement

Kings Island’s Grand Carousel was built in 1926 and is the oldest ride in the park.

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

(RIP Phantom Theater), these 11 attractions have been around since the park opened in 1972, though several have been renamed, multiple times: Eiffel Tower, Dodgem, Grand Carousel, The Racer, K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad, Monster, The Scrambler, Peanuts’ Off-Road Rally (fka Pee Wee Raceway), Linus’ Beetle Bugs (fka Funky Phantom), Race for Your Life Charlie Brown (fka the Kings Mills Log Flume) and Woodstock Express (fka The Beastie). visitkingsisland.com.

4. WATCH THE SUNSET WHILE SIPPING A DRINK AT A ROOFTOP BAR During summertime, it doesn’t get dark until late in the evening, which provides a perfect excuse to watch the sun go down and the city lights come up with a

cocktail in hand. These are the city’s top 10 rooftop bars, as voted by CityBeat readers in the 2022 Best Of Cincinnati issue.

Rhinegeist (1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist. com) Braxton Brewing Company (27 W. Seventh St., Covington, braxtonbrewing.com) 21c Cocktail Terrace (609 Walnut St., Downtown, 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati. Still closed for the season; check instagram.com/cocktailterrace/ for updates).

Top of the Park (506 E. Fourth St., Downtown, topoftheparkcincinnati.com) City View Tavern (403 Oregon St., Mount Adams, facebook.com/cityviewtavern) The View at Shires’ Garden (309 Vine St., Downtown, theviewatshiresgarden.com)

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

11

AC Upper Deck (135 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks, acupperdeck.com) Pins Mechanical Company (1124 Main St., Over-theRhine, pinsbar.com) Bishop’s Quarter (212 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland, bishopsquarterbar.com) The Blind Pig (24 W. Third St., Downtown, blindpigcincy.com)

5. STUFF YOURSELF AT A FOOD FESTIVAL Go Greek for the day or gorge on goetta at these seven favorite food festivals.

Newport Italianfest: Celebrate local Italian heritage with authentic eats, live music and history displays.

June 9-12 at Newport’s Riverboat Row. Free. italianfestnewport.com.

Panegyri Greek Festival: Dance, drink and dine like you’re in Santorini. June 24-26 at Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Admission is $3. panegyri. com.

Rockin’ Taco Festival: This fest promises “a splash of Latino culture on the banks of the Ohio River” and lots of tacos. June 24-26 at Covington Plaza. Free. cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.

Bacon, Bourbon and Brew: Hosted by Braxton Brewing, every menu item has to incorporate bacon, bourbon or beer. July 14-17 at Newport’s Festival Park.

Free. cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.

Cincy Soul: The Black Taste: Musicians, vendors and local Black-owned eateries celebrate African American heritage. July 22-24 at Sawyer Point. No admission details as of press time. cincysoulblacktaste.com.

Glier’s Goettafest: Enjoy everything from goettawurst and goetta nachos to goetta fudge, plus the world’s only goetta vending machine. July 28-31 and Aug. 4-7 at Newport’s Festival Park. Free. goetta.com/ goettafest.

Great Inland Seafood Festival: Get whole Maine lobsters and tons of other tasty crustaceans and fish.

Aug. 11-14 at Newport’s Festival Park. Free. cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.

Enjoy a sun-filled boozy afternoon at Rhinegeist’s rooftop bar.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY R H I N E G E I S T

6. PLAY SOME PICKLEBALL Invented in the 1960s by the family of a congressman who used ping-pong paddles and wiffle balls on a badminton court when they couldn’t find their shuttlecock, pickleball seems to be Cincinnati’s new favorite sport.

It can be played on tennis courts or regulation pickleball ones. Sawyer Point is in the process of resurfacing its popular pickleball courts through mid-summer, so players will have to find elsewhere to enjoy some friendly competition until then. Locally, the Cincinnati Pickleball Club connects players, has a comprehensive list of places to play, and explains how to sign up to reserve a court. cincinnatipickleballclub.com.

7. SHOP AN OUTDOOR POP-UP Warm weather means open-air markets, from makerfriendly pop-ups to outdoor antique fairs. Here are some upcoming summer shopping dates: Art on Vine: Shop the work of local fine artists and crafters. Noon-6 p.m. June 5 and July 3 at Fountain Square. artonvinecincy.com.

Burlington Antique Show: Features more than 200 antique and vintage vendors. Admission fee. 6 a.m.-3 p.m. June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21 at the Boone County

12

CITYBEAT.COM

|

Spot the world’s only goetta vending machine at Glier’s Goettafest.

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

Fairgrounds. burlingtonantiqueshow.com.

Charm at the Farm: A shabby-chic vintage and maker market. Admission fee. June 10-12 and Aug. 19-21 on a former Lebanon horse farm. charmatthefarm.com.

The City Flea: A “curated urban flea market.” Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 11, July 16 and Aug. 20 (includes a kid market) at Washington Park. thecityflea.com.

O.F.F. Market: A monthly market featuring local makers, vendors and food artisans. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

June 11, July 9 and Aug. 13 at Summit Park. theoffmarket.org.

Second Sunday on Main: An Over-the-Rhine street festival with shopping, food, music and a monthly theme. Free. Noon-5 p.m. June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14 on Main Street. secondsundayonmain.org.

Tri-State Antique Market: Features items

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

guaranteed to be at least 30 years old and/or out of production. Admission fee. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7 at Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds. lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.

WestSide Market: Features more than 100 local vendors, food trucks and activities. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

June 4, July 2 and Aug. 6 at Westwood Town Hall. westsidemarketcincy.com.

8. CATCH A MOVIE AT A PUBLIC PARK While Cincinnati has two great drive-in theaters nearby for some outdoor cinema — Starlite Drive-In and Holiday Auto Theatre — plenty of parks in Greater Cincinnati also offer screenings of family-friendly (and not-so-family-friendly) movies throughout the summer.

generally starting in July. Alpine Berry Farm (alpineberryfarm.weebly.com) in Batesville, Indiana, opens around Father’s Day for blueberry picking. And Hidden Valley Orchard (hiddenvalleyorchards.com) in Lebanon offers multiple u-pick options throughout the summer, including strawberries, blueberries, peaches, grapes and apples. Bright Star Acres (brightstaracres. com) blueberry farm in Kenton County, Kentucky has yet to list its 2022 dates.

10. TAKE A TOUR OF CREAMY WHIPS Is it even summer without a visit to a neighborhood creamy whip? These walk-up ice cream joints sling soft serve, chili dogs and nostalgia with a smile.

Putz’s Creamy Whip: The still-family-run Putz’s Creamy Whip first opened in a trolley car in 1938 before relocating to its current concrete structure just down the hill from Mt. Airy Forest in the 1950s. A cult favorite, not much about this place has changed over the past several decades: they still use the same Electro-Freeze machine and it’s still cash only. putzscreamywhip.com.

Zip Dip: Westwood’s Zip Dip literally shines like a beacon of light through the dark — the iconic neon lightning bolt adorning the roof is unmistakable. It was added to the building in the 1950s and has been guiding customers through summer heat waves to ice cream salvation ever since. Try an orange and vanilla twist. zip-dip.com.

Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar: Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar has been serving leaning towers of soft serve for more than 65 years. If you’ve got a giant appetite and love a good challenge, they also have a monster sundae that jams three servings of ice cream and sundae toppings, four brownies and a banana into a ginormous bowl. facebook.com/MHDB98.

Norwood Delite Creamy Whip: This no-frills whip has been in Norwood for more than 65 years, serving everything from footlongs and barbecue to burgers and Cincinnati’s famed blueberry soft serve. facebook.com/ norwooddelitecreamywhip.

Silver Grove Dari Bar: Open since 1952, the Blitz — their take on a Dairy Queen Blizzard — is a favorite menu item at this little walk-up creamy whip in Northern Kentucky. facebook.com/silvergrovedaribar.

Bonus: Surprisingly, the AmeriStop gas station in Bellevue is a favorite creamy whip destination. Owner Meghal Patel is the brains behind the store’s dessert offerings, which draw patrons from across the Tri-State.

He has two machines and rotates flavors each week. facebook.com/ameribellevue.

Putz’s Creamy Whip has become an iconic beacon of summertime in Cincinnati.

P H O T O : S A M I S T E WA R T

Mr Gene’s Doghouse in South Cumminsville has been serving up delicious hot dogs for 60 years.

11. HAVE A HOT DOG

P H O T O : S A M I S T E WA R T

Here are three: NightLight 513: This is a new 21+ movie pop-up and party coming to Sawyer Point this summer. The season kicks off with a screening of The Breakfast Club on June 16 and will feature a pre-show DJ, local food trucks and craft beer. Films begin at dusk, but general admission is at 7:30 p.m. Events are ticketed. nightlight513.com.

Summer Cinema at Washington Park: Free films will be screened every Wednesday at the park’s bandstand beginning at 8 p.m. Parent Trap kicks off the season on June 8. Food trucks will be parked onsite and concessions — aka the bar — will be open. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to claim your spot. washingtonpark. org.

Float-In Movie Nights at Great Parks: Swap your car for a rowboat to enjoy a movie at various lakes in Great Parks of Hamilton County this summer. There are three

screenings left — Jungle Cruise (June 3), Hairspray (July 8) and Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Aug. 19). Films begin at 9:30 p.m. Register online in advance; boat rental is $40. greatparks.org.

9. GO BERRY PICKING Summertime means berry time and several local farms offer the public u-pick opportunities throughout the season. Crops can ripen at different rates based on weather, so check with each farm before heading out with your basket in tow. Blooms & Berries Farm Market (bloomsandberries.com) in Loveland offers the chance to pick blueberries by the pound, typically in June and July. Indian Springs Berry Farm (indianspringsberryfarm.com) in Fairfield Township lets you harvest your own USDA-certified organic blackberries,

Just like with creamy whips, Cincinnati is home to seasonally open walk-up hot dog stands that harken back to the nostalgia of summers’ past. Sharonville’s cult-favorite Root Beer Stand (therootbeerstand.com) originally opened as an A&W Root Beer Stand in 1957 and still makes its root beer using well water from the property. The eatery is famous for its foot-long Timmy Dog, topped with secret-recipe chili, cheese, onion, mustard, hot sauce, ketchup, relish, slaw and sauerkraut. Mr. Gene’s Doghouse (mrgenesdoghouse.com) in South Cumminsville has been slinging dogs for 60 years. Signature menu items include a classic Chicago Dog, a Rueben Dog and a popular Slaw Dog loaded with chili and coleslaw.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

13

12. RENT A CANOE OR KAYAK Spend a Sunday floating down one of Greater Cincinnati’s rivers in a canoe or kayak. Loveland Canoe & Kayak (lovelandcanoe.com) offers a 2-4 hour paddling party down the Little Miami River and past Historic Loveland Castle. Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures (morganscanoe.com) has spots in Ft. Ancient on the Little Miami River, in Brookville on the Whitewater River and even in Costa Rica, with trips 3-7 miles long.

Green Acres Kayak (greenacrescanoe.com) in Harrison is located on the Whitewater River and offers 3-, 5- or 8-mile trips. Check with each business about reservations, boat rental fees and what you can — and can’t — bring with you. (We’re looking at you, ca-brewers). Use your new watercraft skills during Ohio River Paddlefest (ohioriverpaddlefest.org) on Aug. 6. Thousands will take to the Ohio River in canoes and kayaks in the nation’s largest paddling party.

13. SUNBATHE ON LOCAL BEACHES We may not have a coastline here in the Midwest, but several nearby state parks are home to lakeside public beaches. About an hour away, Caesar Creek State Park (ohiodnr.gov) in Waynesville offers a 1,300foot beach that is open to the public 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. After a day of hiking, mountain biking, fishing or boating, hang out on the beach or take a dip in the lake.

East Fork State Park (ohiodnr.gov) in Clermont County is one of Ohio’s largest state parks, offering trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, as well as access to fishing and boating. The 1,200-foot beach is open dawn to dusk and has amenities like changing booths, showers and restrooms.

Embark upon an unforgettable outdoor adventure courtesy of Loveland Canoe & Kayak.

P H O T O : S AVA N A W I L L H O I T E

14. SNACK YOUR WAY THROUGH CINCINNATI STADIUMS The Cincinnati Reds (reds.com) may be having one of their worst seasons in recent memory, but they aren’t the only sports team in town. MLS soccer team FC Cincinnati (fccincinnati.com) and Frontier League baseball team the Florence Y’alls (florenceyalls.com) are both heating up their respective stadiums. And regardless of whether any of the teams’ performances can entice you, their stadium eats surely can. Great American Ball Park revealed several new menu items this season, from loaded vegetarian hot dogs and a cone stuffed with barbecued meat to the Rookie Cookie Fry Box: french fries smothered in chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, crumbled Oreos, bits of chocolate-chip cookies and miniature marshmallows. TQL Stadium welcomed a new executive chef this season and a bevy of new dining options, including dishes from locals Lucius Q and Fusian. Those with Cincinnatus Club seats can indulge in a Lucho Burger from Blue Ash burger joint Sammy’s. Named for player Lucho Acosta, the sandwich features a special burger grind, cheese, peppers and chimichurri aioli. The Y’alls Thomas More Stadium offers classic ballpark eats and a few fun drinks. The bourbon peach slushie is a popular option.

15. RIDE A WATERSLIDE This summer, Coney Island hopes to make history.

Between noon on June 17 and noon on June 18, Coney Island will attempt to set a world record for the most people down a water slide in 24 hours. The attempt will

14

CITYBEAT.COM

|

The indulgent Rookie Cookie Fry Box is one of the newest additions to the Great American Ball Park’s new menu.

P H OTO : A L L I S O N BA B K A

take place on The Twister, a 45-foot-high water slide that features four separate chutes twisting and turning over a quarter mile in length before dropping riders into the pool. If you can’t take part in this feat, you can still hit the park’s waterslides anytime this summer, bounce across a floating obstacle course or lounge in the world’s largest recirculating pool, aka Sunlite Pool. coneyislandpark.com.

16. HIT A LOCAL BIKE TRAIL Looking for the best trails to bike this summer? We asked Wade Johnston, director of area bikeway advocacy group Tri-State Trails, for his recommendations.

Plan your ride with their “Low-Stress Bike Map” feature. tristatetrails.org.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Whitewater Canal Trail: “What used to be three noncontiguous trail segments has now connected into a cohesive 11-mile trail spanning from the Laurel Fedder Dam almost all the way to downtown Brookville. This scenic corridor traverses through historic downtown Metamora and features memorable locks from the former Whitewater Canal.”

Wasson Way: “The recent extension of Wasson Way through the treetops of Ault Park is a must see. This east-west corridor of the planned CROWN 34-mile urban trail loop now spans roughly 6 miles and connects to downtown Mariemont via the Murray Path.”

Great Miami River Trail: “Last year, a key gap between Middletown and Franklin was closed, after nearly a decade of effort. You can now ride roughly 65 miles from Middletown through Dayton to Piqua, which is a big deal!”

associated Long Branch Farm) and get your passport stamped after each one to win a prize. Note: There is a fee to enter the Cincinnati Nature Center and Great Parks locations. cincynature.org.

18. GO TO AN OUTDOOR CONCERT With the addition of the festival stage at downtown’s newish Andrew J Brady Music Center (bradymusiccenter.com) and Newport’s indoor/outdoor PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION (promowestlive.com) to the existing Riverbend Music Center (riverbend.org), Cincinnati is now a prime spot to catch a concert under the stars. Some big-name acts heading through town this summer include Maren Morris (June 25) and Glass Animals (Aug. 3) at the Brady; Bon Iver (June 21), Death Cab for Cutie (July 7) and Wilco (Aug. 16) at OVATION; and Dead & Company (June 22), Rod Stewart (July 12), Jimmy Buffett (July 21), Backstreet Boys (July 26), Alica Keys (Aug. 18) and Wiz Khalifa (Aug. 27) at Riverbend.

19. WATCH SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

‘Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ opens June 1 in the former Gidding-Jenny department store.

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is bringing its super popular, free Shakespeare in the Park series to public spots across the Tri-State, with productions from Over-the-Rhine to West Chester and beyond. This summer’s show is Twelfth Night, which CSC describes as a “lively rom-com on an island where everyone is in love with someone — and the wrong person loves them back.” The season kicks off July 15 at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park. cincyshakes.com.

P H O T O : D A N S WA R T Z F O R E X H I B I T I O N H U B & F E V E R

20. COOL OFF IN AIR-CONDITIONED ATTRACTIONS Need to beat the heat? Take a break in the air conditioning. Local museums are a great option for a cool retreat, and the Taft Museum of Art (taftmuseum. org) reopens to the public with Jane Austen: Fashion & Sensibility on June 11, featuring costumes from famous Austen film and TV adaptations. Another big indoor attraction opening this summer is Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience (vangoghexpo.com), a largescale digital art and virtual reality experience at the former Gidding-Jenny department store downtown. It opens June 1 and there is an entry fee. Escape under the sea at the Newport Aquarium (newportaquarium. com), which features everything from shark bridges and touch tanks to glowing jellyfish and a new 60,000-gallon coral reef tunnel.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is set to host its free Shakespeare in the Park series this summer.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY C I N C I N N AT I S H A K E S P E A R E C O M PA N Y

Riverfront Commons: “Covington’s riverfront got a makeover last year with a new amphitheater and improved trail alignment west of the Roebling Bridge.

On top of that, Covington recently extended the trail’s western terminus to Swain Court, which drastically improves biking to West Covington and Ludlow, as well as featuring a spectacular riverfront view of Cincinnati.”

Ohio River Trail: “Cincinnati is doing its part to advance the regional vision for the Ohio River Way between Portsmouth and Louisville by building out new connections in the Ohio River Trail. Last year, a critical link between Lunken Airport and Coney Island was completed. This eastern leg of the CROWN extends roughly 7 miles from Schmidt Field in the East End to Kellogg Park in Anderson Township.”

Little Miami Scenic Trail: “I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Little Miami Scenic Trail, also lovingly

referred to as the Loveland Bike Trail. Unfortunately, a key stretch of this trail will be closed through December for the construction of a new bridge at King Ave./Grandin Road near Cartridge Brewing. When complete, the trail will feature an improved trailhead, parking lot and tunnel to bypass the road intersection.”

17. TAKE A HIKE Both Great Parks of Hamilton County and Cincinnati Parks — recently named the fourth best parks system in the nation — have excellent hiking trails. But the Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford offers a fun “Hike for Your Health Challenge” that comes with its own passport. The center’s Rowe Woods spans more than 1,000 acres and features over 14 miles of trails, rated from easy to difficult. Hike all 17 (including those at the

21. VISIT THE MIDWAY AT A CHURCH FESTIVAL OR COUNTY FAIR As fish frys are synonymous with the Lenten season in Cincinnati, so too are church fairs with summer.

The Catholic Telegraph (thecatholictelegraph.com/ festivals) has a full list of Cincinnati-area fests, full of carnival rides, games, live music, funnel cake, beer and even light gambling. One of the first of the season — All Saints Catholic Church Festival in Kenwood (June 3-5) — has it all, from local craft beer and food trucks to blackjack and bourbon tastings. For a similar vibe, the Hamilton County Fair (hamiltoncountyfair.com) is back Aug. 11-14 with a midway full of rides and games, livestock displays, demolition derbies, arts and crafts exhibits, tons of fried food, giant tomatoes and all the

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

15

rest of the wholesome county antics you’d expect.

22. GET NOSTALGIC AT A POP-UP ROLLER RINK Get ready to lace up those skates: Frisch’s and 3CDC have partnered to host a special pop-up roller skating rink at Court Street Plaza downtown this summer.

The retro experience launched during Memorial Day weekend and has additional dates July 1-4 and Aug. 5-7, with events into October. The rink spans 10,000 square feet and offers rentable skates. There is an admission fee and skate rental fee; guests also can bring their own skates. Event details are searchable on Facebook.

23. STOCK UP AT THE FARMERS MARKET In need of farm-fresh, seasonal produce? Farmers markets abound in Cincinnati, with one happening most days of the week. Here are three favorites, as voted

by CityBeat readers in the 2022 Best Of Cincinnati issue.

Findlay Market: Ohio’s continuously-operated public market is full of independent vendors and a markethouse stocked with meat, veggies, homemade bread and sweets. On weekends, the shed plays host to area farmers selling their fresh-picked goods, including wildflowers. findlaymarket.org.

Hyde Park Farmers’ Market: Held 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sundays through October on Hyde Park Square, the market features more than 35 food artisans and produce from sustainable farmers. Check the website to see what’s fresh that week. hydeparkfarmersmarket.com.

Northside Farmers Market: This year-round market is held 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays during the summer at North Church. Browse everything from baked goods and farm-fresh eggs to apothecary items and seasonal produce. Pre-ordering is available online. northsidefm. org.

The Northside Fourth of July Parade returns to its full glory this year.

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

24. DORA DISTRICTS DORA districts — or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas — are popping up in neighborhoods across Greater Cincinnati. In these specific spaces, you can grab a beer, wine or cocktail to sip while you stroll, either from shop to shop or in the great outdoors. Westwood (westwoodcivic.org) recently hosted the grand opening of its 14-acre DORA along Harrison Avenue and The Banks (thebankscincy.com) opened its 85-acre DORA last year. Other neighborhoods including Loveland (lovelandoh.gov), Bellevue (bellevueky.org), Milford (downtownmilford.com), Hamilton (hamilton-oh.gov) and Summit Park (summitparkblueash. com) in Blue Ash have their very own designated areas where visitors can have an open beer or cocktail, as long as they follow some simple rules: beverages must be in branded DORA cups, alcohol must remain in the boundaries of the district and drinkers must be 21+.

Each neighborhood’s DORA hours and regulations are slightly different, so it’s best to check with each before imbibing.

25. WATCH A PARADE OR FIND SOME FIREWORKS Two of the most colorful annual parades take place during summer in Cincinnati. After being limited for two years due to COVID, the Cincinnati Pride (cincinnatipride.org) parade and main celebration takes place on June 25, with floats, dance troupes, drag queens and LGBTQIA+ supporters of all stripes proceeding through

16

CITYBEAT.COM

|

Sip and stroll through various DORA districts.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY T H E C I T Y O F H A M I LT O N

downtown and into Sawyer Point. Fest headliners this year are singer/songwriter and transgender rights activist Shea Diamond, pop singer Jordy, Glee’s Alex Newell and Grammy-winner Daya. After a canceled event in 2020 and a house float tour in 2021, the eccentric Northside Fourth of July Parade (northsidejuly4.com) will be back in full swing this year. Thousands line the streets to see creative handmade floats from vintage stores, bars and community organizations; local marching bands; drill teams; every local politician you’ve ever heard of; ladies dancing with lawn chairs; guys dancing with power tools; and other unexpected and delightful displays of pride and spirit. The event is the centerpiece of a weekend of events down at the Northside Rock N’ Roll Carnival (northsiderocks.com). Blue Ash is bringing live music back to its big Fourth of July party. This year’s Red, White & Blue Ash (blueashevents.com) will

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

be headlined by Pop artist Gavin DeGraw, and Cincinnati’s own Blessid Union of Souls will open the show.

The day will also be full of rides, wandering entertainment and food and drink vendors, with an Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics fireworks show to close out the night.

While details are still being determined for Riverfest (webn.iheart.com), it is the best way to say goodbye to summer in Cincinnati. Launched more than four decades ago to celebrate the 10th anniversary of radio station WEBN, the Labor Day weekend bash features food, music, major traffic jams and one of the largest firework displays in the Midwest. *Note: This is not a comprehensive list of everything you can do or attend this summer.

We’re saving a seat for you!

Metro is hiring operators.

• Great pay and benefits • Paid training including CDL training • $2000 bonus paid after training We can’t fill the rest of the seats until we fill the driver’s seat, so apply today. www.go-metro.com/careers

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

17

Voted Best Smoke Shop

Voted Best Green / Sustainable Goods Store

18

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

19

SUMMER SCHOOL 20

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

C

lass is in session! Education doesn’t have to stop with graduation, and learning new skills isn’t just for kids. The fun of being a grown-up is being able to only go to the classes you actually want to attend.

This summer, expand your horizons and get schooled on everything from how to make an excellent risotto, plant a pollinator garden, use a pottery wheel or even learn how to speak beginner’s French. The opportunities are endless.* *This is not a full list of all classes, topics or locations at which to take classes in Greater Cincinnati.

CONTINUING EDUCATION Xavier University Accelerated Bachelor of Science Program This 16-month ABSN program for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree has three start dates per year, with rolling admission. Programs start in January, May and August.

Get more info at acceleratednursing. xavier.edu.

MISCELLANEOUS Campbell County Public Library This Northern Kentucky library chain hosts educational events for adults, as well as crafting events, lectures and book clubs. Get more info, cost and register at cc-pl.org.

Upcoming examples include: Sea Salt & Watercolor Bookmarks: June 7 Coffee Tips and Tricks with Mercede: June 22 Harness the Power of Storm Water Runoff : July 7 Cincinnati Public Library The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County offers a plethora of programs and classes for all ages.

Topics range from reading assistance and ESOL to crafting and conversation. Get more info, cost and register at cincinnatilibrary.org. Upcoming examples include: Breaking the Silence: A Class of Conversation: June 9 Virtual Explore 101: So, You Want to Try Stand-Up Comedy: June 14 Virtual Explore 101: Paint Like the Masters: June 23 Clifton Cultural Arts Center The Clifton Cultural Arts Center is a nonprofit arts organization that hosts events, exhibits and classes. Classes are divided by age group and interest, with topics ranging from writing and dance to theater and art. Get more info, cost and register at cliftonculturalarts.org. Upcoming examples include:

On Becoming an Author: June 18-July 23 Absolute Beginner Tap Dance: June 20-Aug. 29 Comedy Boot-Camp: July 12-Aug. 2 Kenton County Public Library This Northern Kentucky public library chain hosts events for all ages, including adults. Topics range from cooking and community to health and wellness and career help. Get more info, cost and register at kentonlibrary.org. Upcoming examples include: Needle Felting: June 7 Basic Excel: June 14 Virtual History Tour: Southern Kenton County: June 15 University of Cincinnati Communiversity This non-credited program at UC is focused on adult learners with a passion for new things. Experts, artisans and UC educators lead these weekday or weekend programs, either in-person or online. Get more info, cost and register at uc.edu/about/ continuing-ed/communiversity.html.

Upcoming examples include: Beginning Conversational French: June 15; lasts six weeks Travel in Italy: June 16 Beginning Stained Glass: June 25 Summer Winemaking Workshop: June 30 Photoshop for Hobbyists: July 12-19 Wedding Ballroom Dance Workshop: July 13-Aug. 10

ARTS & CRAFTS Art Academy of Cincinnati The Art Academy offers a slew of artistic courses for adults, with both one-time and ongoing classes.

Get more info, cost and register at artacademy.edu/com-ed/com-ed. php.

Upcoming examples include: Intro to Woodworking: June 6-Aug. 8 Portrait Techniques of the Masters: June 8-July 27 Make It Workshop: Ceramic Jewelry: July 30 Art at the Barn This Ohio Cultural Center is home to the Women’s Art Club of Cincinnati, offering a plethora of one-day or ongoing classes. Get more info, cost and register at artatthebarn.org.

Upcoming examples include: Paint the Bob Ross Way: June 12 and July 10 Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangement): Fourth Friday of the month Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting: Aug. 4-25

Brazee Street Studios’ Glassroom Brazee Street Studios in Oakley hosts in-person glassmaking classes and also offers kits for purchase for all levels of artists. Get more info, cost and register at glassroomart.com.

Upcoming examples include: Torch to Kiln: Florals: June 17 Introduction to Glass Beadmaking: Part 1: July 21 and July 22 Core Clay Learn to hand-build or wheel-turn your own pottery. Get more info, cost and register at coreclay.com.

Beginner Classes: This six-week program is available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings as well as Tuesday mornings and Saturday afternoons.

Bootcamps: Core Clay hosts twoday bootcamps on June 11 and 12 and July 16 and 17 to learn how to throw on a wheel.

Greg Storer Art Artist Greg Storer hosts a series of classes for youths and adults. Start dates begin within 30 days of registration and include one or two classes per week focused on exercises and projects to learn the fundamentals of drawing or painting. Get more info, cost and register at artclassescincinnati.com.

Hank, A Yarn Boutique This yarn store hosts ongoing knit nights and workshops for all types of knitters. There’s a Rookie Sweater School on Monday and Wednesday and Knitting with Hank for smaller projects on Tuesday and Friday. Get more info, cost and register at hankyarn.com.

Manifest Manifest is a gallery and creative education center which provides quality and accessible art-based learning to the public. Get more info, cost and register at manifestgallery. org.

Open Sessions: These weekly programs are open to all and include no instruction. Learn how to draw figures from life or from casts. Open photo lab sessions are available to those who have completed and orientation.

Instructed Courses: The upcoming four-week program focuses on Expressive and Symbolic Color, with a registration deadline of July 4.

Drawing as Mindfulness is another guided, eight-week program with session start dates on Jun 6, June 13, June 20 and June 27.

Queen City Clay This pottery spot offers both one-day and multi-week hands-on

learning opportunities, as well as workshops. Get more info, cost and register at queencityclay.com.

Adult Class: The multi-week adult summer class session for everyone from beginners to advanced students starts on June 13 or July 11, with class topics ranging from mugs and wall pockets to ramen and rice bowls.

One-Night: Hand-building and open wheel classes take place frequently.

Sew Valley This nonprofit has a mission of focusing on “sustainable, apparel focused, small batch manufacturing, education and membership for small designers.” Hands-on sewing and textile classes are open to the public.

Get more info, cost and register at sewvalley.org. Upcoming examples include: Summer Sandal Workshop: June 11 Silk Road Textiles This College Hill fabric, fiber and textile shop sells ethically produced items from across the globe. Textilefocused classes are for crafters of all skillsets. Get more info, cost and register at silkroadcincinnati.com.

Upcoming examples include: Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving on a Cricket Loom: June 5 and June 19 Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine: June 11 Beginner Mini Quilt: June 16 and June 23 Taft Museum of Art The Taft Museum of Art brings in local creatives to lead themed classes.

Get more info, cost and register at taftmuseum.org. Upcoming examples include: Jane Austen Embroidery: July 16 Beginner’s Bookbinding: Aug. 6 Wave Pool Wood Shop This Camp Washington art gallery and creative studio has an in-house wood shop. Experienced woodworkers can join a co-op for access to the shop, and Wave Pool offers classes for beginners or intermediate woodworkers. Upcoming schedule not listed as of press time. Get more info, cost and register at wavepoolgallery. org.

COOKING CLASSES The Cooking School at Jungle Jim’s This cooking school located within Jungle Jim’s features both hands-on and demo cooking classes. No matter the type of class, students get recipe packs and to taste each dish, served with wine. Get more info, cost and reserve at junglejims.com. Upcoming examples include:

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

21

Handmade Ricotta Gnocchi: June 16 Lobster Pasta Date Night: June 21 Weeknight Summer Chicken: June 28 Restaurant-Style Dining at Home Date Night: June 30 The Learning Kitchen Learn to make each recipe at your own cooktop. Get more info, cost and reserve at thelearningkitchen.com.

Upcoming examples include: Date Night: KY Bourbon Steak: June 10 Philly Cheesesteak & Perfect Fries: June 13 Parent-Child Date Night: DetroitStyle Pizza from Scratch: June 22 Light Summer Pasta: June 29 Out of Thyme Offers hands-on cooking classes for all levels of expertise, working in groups of two. Classes include recipes and dinner. Current class offerings are sold-out through June.

Get more info, cost and reserve at outofthymechef.com.

Tablespoon Cooking Co. This cooking school in Findlay Market offers hands-on options that frequently sell out. June classes have not been announced as of press time.

Get more info, cost and reserve at tablespooncookingco.com.

Turner Farm The Teaching Kitchen at Turner Farm — an organic farm and education center in Indian Hill — features cooking classes focused on seasonal, local food as well as health and wellness. June classes have not been announced as of press time.

Get more info, cost and reserve at turnerfarm.org

DANCE & THEATER CLASSES Cincinnati Ballet Cincinnati Ballet faculty teach dance and dance-inspired classes for all levels of adult dancers with ongoing programs. Topics include ballet basics, street dance, modern dance and more fitness-focused classes like barre. Get more info, cost and register at cballet.org/adult-dance-schedule.

Mutual Dance Theatre Mutual Dance Theatre hosts ongoing Mutual Arts Education programs for all levels of adults. Class topics include ballet, modern dance, musical theater, hip hop and improvisational. Get more info, cost and register at mutualdance.org.

22

CITYBEAT.COM

|

Salsannati Learn Salsa and Bachata dance with programs for beginners to level 2 and level 3 dancers. Classes are offered two separate nights per week.

Start date has not been announced for the next session. Get more info, cost and register at salsannati.com.

Improv Cincinnati This improv theater in Clifton hosts workshops, classes, team building exercise and also performs.

Improv 101 classes teach the basics of the genre “through games and exercises focusing on spontaneity, listening and creative collaboration.”

Multi-week 101 classes begin June 28 and July 9. Get more info, cost and register at improvcincinnati.com.

GARDENING & OUTDOORS Civic Garden Center The nonprofit Civic Garden Center “has been teaching people how to grow food and care for the environment” since 1942. The organization hosts a series of classes and workshops focused on everything from sustainability and homesteading to gardening. Get more info, cost and register at civicgardencenter.org.

Eve Floral Co. This local florist offers a Flower Design + Wine Workshop where attendees can learn the basics of how to craft a seasonal and “textural” floral centerpiece while sipping on wine from Oakley Wines from female winemakers. Light snacks, wine and supplies provided.

Upcoming dates Aug. 5 and Sept. 9.

Get more info, cost and register at evefloralco.com.

Great Parks of Hamilton County Hamilton County’s parks hosts a series of outdoor-focused classes for adults ranging from archery and biking to kayaking, including Women in the Outdoors Series: Kayak Basics: Flatwater on June 4. Get more info, cost and reserve at greatparks.org/discovery/ adults.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Lloyd Library & Museum Downtown’s Lloyd Library is home to a vast collection of plant-based art, history and ephemera relating to medicine and science. Events and classes typically revolve around the current exhibit on display. Get more info, cost and reserve at lloydlibrary. org. Upcoming examples include: The Power of Nature Photograph for Bird Conservation: June 8 The Secret Lives of Fungi: July 20

LANGUAGE CLASSES Alliance Française de Cincinnati Learn to speak French in small groups. Alliance Française says it offers “regular and thematic adult classes” on a 10-week cycle, ranging from beginner to expert with quicker courses on French culture. The last cycle started on April 11. Get more info, cost and register at afcincinnati. com.

Cincinnati Spanish School This Spanish language schools offers classes for adults of all skill levels. The immersive and conversational classes are conducted in small groups. The current rotation of classes started on June 1 and lasts nine weeks. Get more info, cost and register at cincinnatispanishschool. com.

WRITING

Women Writing for (a) Change Per its description, this nonprofit’s classes encourage self-expression through the art of writing and other creative processes. Topics include genres ranging from poetry and personal essay to fiction and even song-writing. The eight-week Core Classes are offered for women only or all genders and start in June or July (as well as August-December and January-May). The Core classes focus less on instruction and more on writing, while programs like Craft of Writing includes instruction and exercises. Women Writing for (a) Change also offers specialty classes.

Get more info, cost and register at womenwriting.org. Upcoming examples include: Let’s Be Perfectly Queer: June 14-Aug. 2 Free Core Class Sampler: June 18 Free Craft of Writing Sampler: June 12

Summer Tours Now Booking

10% OFF

513-258-7909 local 844-Beer-Fun Toll Free

CincyBrewBus.com

Public and Private Tours Monday-Sunday

with code SummerBus22 at checkout

/CincyBrewBus

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

23

EXHIBITIONS Asha Ama’s New Moon Through June 5, 2022 Breaking Water Through August 14, 2022 Center of Unfinished Business Through August 28, 2022

SUMMER

WITH THE CAC

Artist-Run Spaces Through September 11, 2022

FAMILY & YOUTH Art Play for Kids Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Young Adult Lab Every Thursday at 4:00 p.m.

Artist-In-Residence for Teens Every Friday at 4:00 p.m.

PERFORMANCES Sertraline Dolls June 9, 5:30 p.m.

Pardon My Partum June 22, 5:30 p.m.

PROGRAMS Architecture of Sound June 7, 1:00 p.m, June 9, 10:30 a.m.

June 11, 10:00 a.m.

Fluidity & Movement Workshop June 22, 5:30 p.m.

Buck Niehoff, the Thames, and Connecting Through Water June 23, 5:30 p.m.

C& Reading Group June 26, 2:00 p.m.

FREE FOR ALL. PROGRAMS & EXHIBITIONS CONTINUE ALL SUMMER Program Details, Locations, and Full Calendar: bit.ly/CincyCACcal

24

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

DISCOVER. EXPLORE. FEEL. WONDER. BUILDING HOURS W-F 10am-7pm Sa-Su 10am-4pm 44 E 6th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.cincycac.org

FEEL SOMETHING.

$

GERS FR R U B 5

O M 5 0 + R E S TA U R

ANTS

JULY 11-17, 2022 WWW.CINCYBURGERWEEK.COM

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

25

REGIONAL PREMIERE DRAMEDY

NOW – JUNE 25

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

by Cheryl Strayed adapted by Nia Vardalos co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, & Nia Vardalos A funny and deeply touching exploration of resilience.

www.ensemblecincinnati.org

SEASON FUNDER

OPERATING SUPPORT

26

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival

June 3-18, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

Pg 1 27

How to Fringe!

Box Office

How Can I buy tickets?

Visit cincyfringe.com or call 513-300-5669. Or, visit us at Fringe Headquarters - 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Box Officers at Fringe HQ can accept cards, cash (please no bills larger than $20), and checks for all ticket purchases. We always recommend purchasing in advance when you can.

Late Seating Policy

Venue houses open 15 minutes prior to showtime for all performances.

NO LATECOMERS WILL BE ADMITTED TO ANY PERFORMANCE. Due to the small nature of Fringe Festival venues and the tight schedule of more than 177 performances in just 2 weeks, there is No Late Seating to any Fringe Festival Event.

Avoid disappointment and arrive early for your shows.

Did you Know?

Fifty Percent of the value of every ticket you purchase for the Cincy Fringe goes directly to the artist who created that show. The Fringe Festival exists to foster the creation of new works. Thank you for supporting independent theatre artists with every ticket you buy.

Tickets and Passes Individual tickets

Single tickets to all Festival shows and special events are $16, or: opt for the $20 “Love Your Artists” ticket that puts more cash in the hands of artists.

PAsses

Multi-show passes are a perfect way to enjoy the Fringe.

Passes can be purchased online or at any Fringe box office.

All Access Pass: $275

See it all with the All Access Pass; this non-transferable pass entitles you entry to any and every show of the Fringe.

This is the best option for the individual who wants to see 18 shows or more - you can reserve tickets in advance online, at Fringe HQ, over the phone, or at the venue (as long as seats are available.) You can even see shows more than once.

Fringe flex Pass: $80

Good for entry into 6 shows, this is the ONLY pass that you can transfer among friends. Use this pass to secure tickets in advance, or depending on seat availability, this pass can also be used for walkup tickets.

Where do we fringe?

Most of the ticketed performances of the 2022 Cincy Fringe will take place in either Know Theatre’s MainStage space or in one of 5 rooms in the Art Academy of Cincinnati. We will also have FREE performances on our Outdoor Stage, as well as FREE nightly themed events in our Beer Garden in the parking lot at 12th & Jackson Street. See the center of this Guide for for the full Indoor Festival Schedule, and visit cincyfringe.com for the most up to date schedule for the Outdoor Stage.

Covid 19 Policy

Despite our fondest wishes, we still find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic, with new variants of the coronavirus circulating and significant community spread. Because of these pandemic conditions, masks are required in all indoor spaces at the 2022 Cincy Fringe: the Underground, the Art Academy lobby, and all performance spaces. We recommend, but do not require, masks outdoors in crowded environments. Please be aware that community members have varying degrees of comfort with physical proximity based on their own particular risk factors and experiences. Let’s all offer each other space and grace. Help us keep our entire Fringe community safe: for our amazing audiences, for our astounding artists who will be performing without masks, and for any of our friends and family who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

Outdoor bar and Whisper lounge

At the Fringe, there’s a place for loud: the Outdoor Bar & Stage - as well as a place for quiet. During the day, the Know Underground will be transformed into the Whisper Lounge, a place where hushed voices, soothing music, and quiet meditation reign supreme. Masks will be required. After 10pm, should weather not permit, the Know Underground will serve as the venue for all After Hours events.

Venue support comes from our Festival partner, the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival 28

CITYBEAT.COM

|

June 3-18, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Pg 2

Fringe Sponsors The 2022 Cincinnati Fringe Festival is made possible with the support of our Sponsors!

This list reflects sponsor support as of May 11, 2022.

Festival Sponsor

Know Mainstage Sponsor

Venue Partner

Outdoor Stage Sponsor

Joshua Wallace

Henrietta Barlag

Taft, Stettinius, & Hollister LLP Full Venue sponsorS

Media Partners

Jeffrey Hungerford Patrick Cusick Esper Tovar & David Gruber Partial Venue sponsorS

Greg Schaper Suzana & Randy Waterhous Ross Royce

Artist Support sponsor

Jeff Syroney

Print Partner

After Hours SponsorS

Staff

Know Theatre of Cincinnati Producing Artistic Director Andrew Hungerford Associate Artistic Director Tamara Winters Operations and Company Manager Ri Moodie Production Manager Jim Stark Marketing and Communications Manager Liz Carman Design and Production Associate Kayla Williams Resident Sound and Projection Designer Doug Borntrager Resident Costume Designer Noelle Wedig-Johnston

Haley Elkins & Luke Brockmeier (Fringe Prom) BaTHrooms sponsored bY Alexandra Kesman (Fringe-A-Oke) Performance Fringe Jury: MesSeD Comics

Season Sponsors David C. Herriman

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival

June 3-18, 2022

Cincinnati Fringe Festival As of May 11, 2022 Fringe Producer Katie Hartman Production Manager Doug Borntrager Technical Director Jim Stark Graphic Design Kayla Williams Head Venue Tech Cyrus Newitt Venue Technicians Jonathan Armstrong, Josie Palmarini, Aaron Woodstein, Drew Homan Box Office Manager Tom McLaughlin Volunteer Coordinator Danitza Piper Fringe Photography Coordinator Paul Wilson ASL interpreterS Elizabeth Simpson, Cassidy Robertson

Andrew Ian Adams, Sulia Altenberg, Ariel Mary Ann, A.J. Baldwin, Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Mark Benzel, Ian Bivins, Rob Bucher, Brandon Burton, Burgess Byrd, Liz Carman, E. Carr, Jessica Coyle, Julie Engebrecht, Rachelle Fordyce, Maliyah Gramata-Jones, Janelle Hanna, Ana Hart, Katie Hartman, Andrew Hungerford, John D. Huston, David Levy, D. Lynn Meyers, Jenny Moeller, Todd O’Dowd, Lindsey Hope Pearlman, Rick Pender, Kim Popa, Regina Pugh, Katrina Reynolds, Keli Rodgers, Rowan Salem, George Sapio, Brian Sikorski, Paul Strickland, Ted Weil, Kayla Williams, Tamara Winters, & Ricky and Dana Young-Howze.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

Pg 3 29

Visual Fringe

Look around the Fringe to find work by various local visual artists. Including but not limited to wacky weird paintings by Brian Griffin , local Northside streetscapes by Rory Sheridan, beautiful outdoor interactive chalk art by local artists, and hand craft creations in Cincy Fringe’s Whisper Lounge. In the bathrooms, view art from the local comic book makers: MeSseD Comics.

Special EventS Know Theatre Mainstage

Silver Hammer NICK RYAN Troy, NY Solo Performance: 50 min/ PG-13 “Art is not a mirror, nor is it a hammer. Art is a silver hammer that reflects reality as it shapes reality.”

An autobiographical horror-fiction concerning disinformation, non-linear warfare, arson, troll-farms, fireworks, psychic attacks, tik tok, and our ever-eroding sense of what is true and what is false.

Horror, Science Fiction, Comedy

An Evening with Kevin James Thornton KEVIN JAMES THORNTON Nashville, TN Solo Performance: 75 min/R(17+) Kevin James Thornton tells stories about his religious upbringing and coming of age in the 90s with absurdity and a splash of autotune.

He has built a huge online following with 1.5 million followers and nearly a billion video views on TikTok. Stand up Comedy

SCHEDULE Friday June 10 Sunday June 12

SCHEDULE Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12

7:00pm 9:00pm

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival 30

CITYBEAT.COM

|

8:45pm 7:00pm

June 3-18, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Whiskey Flicks Live!

WHISKEY FLICKS LIVE! New York, NY Interdisciplinary:60 min/PG-13 At Whiskey Flicks Live!, Dan projects a series of surprise movie clips, and Mike provides impromptu commentary…with whiskey. Mike doesn’t know what Dan’s gonna play, Dan doesn’t know what Mike’s gonna say, and the audience is along for the ride! There may be dancing; there will be drinking!

Unscripted, Film Criticism, Interactive SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Tuesday June 7

9:00pm 7:00pm 9:00 pm

trueFRINGE 2022 TRUE THEATRE Cincinnati, OH Interdisciplinary: 60 min/ PG-13 True Theatre is back for our 11th appearance, providing a mic to artists involved in other shows, to share a story that will give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a working artist. Stories cover a range of topics and often range from tragic to hilarious.

Storytelling, True, Communitybuilding SCHEDULE Thursday June 16

9:00pm

Mushrooms of Western Kentucky & Further Meditations FLEX YOUR LOVE MUSCLES STUDIOS (SHELTON/BARTON/LA CHARITY) Dayton, KY Play: 59 min/R(17+) A multi-disciplinary meditation on nature, isolation and inspiration combining experimental films by Matthew Shelton, improvised cello/guitar/mbira soundscapes by Nora Barton and Stephen Patota. The performance travels through the forests of Kentucky into abstracted modern world imagery, evoking a restless but meditative response from viewers.

Experimental Film, Music, Cello SCHEDULE Wednesday June 8 7:00pm Friday June 10 9:00pm

Pg 4

After Hours

Enjoy FREE nightly themed events in our Beer Garden at 10pm!

Digital Fringe

These three shows stream right to the comfort of your home. You can purchase tickets to them at cincyfringe.com.

Fri, June 3rd Every production gets exactly 60-seconds on 60-Second Previews: the Outdoor Stage to pitch their shows!

Sat,June 4th With costumes, wigs, and back-up dancers Fringe-A-Oke: flocking to your every lyric, this is not your ordinary Karaoke - it’s Fringe-A-Oke! Sun, June 5th The acoustic stylings of local musicians light Fringe Unplugged: the flame of this sweet and easy evening.

Tues, June 7th Join us for Arts & Crafts and Artist-Priced Everyone’s An Artist Craft Cocktails… and a secret show!

Your Gorgeous Future: Night: Cincy Fringe Wed, June 8th Teams of artists, patrons, and volunteers go THE GORGEOUSITY Fringe Olympics: for the gold in various Feats of Fringe between Philadelphia, PA acts of alternative performance art: “Yay! Solo Performance: 50 min/All Ages SportsBall!” with local artist, Paul Strickland. Grab a crayon, some paper and your gorgeous imagination. Meet some Thurs,June 9th Artists rotate to meet Patrons and pitch their Ancient Greek Muses and a stoner Artist Speed Dating: shows over a series of very short “dates.” Fol- Demi-God. Engage in ancient ritulowed by a screening of “On the Fringe,” a new als. Experience epiphanies. Catch indie documentary film. the irreverent snark. Join the imFri, June 10th Mirrorballs, Makeup, Glitter & Gold. Dancing mersive, improvisational mission to Silent Disco at the Silent Disco, you can be the boldest create a utopian future Cincy, and expression of yourself. Bring your phone and SAVE THE WORLD! You don’t need an headphones and groove along with our DJ’s excuse to play!

Interactive, Comedy, Improv livestream.

Sat, June 11th Fringe Prom “It was the 90s” & Encore Announcements:

“Hit Me Baby One More Time” with that sweet 90s nostalgia. Bring your phone and headphones and groove along with our DJ’s livestream. We’ll dance and crown our June 18th Encore Performances at 11pm.

Sun, Celebrate FringeFandom with Creative Cosplay June 12th and Fringe D&D LIVE, a Table Top Roleplaying FringeCon: Adventure with an Audience!

Mon, June 13th 24-Hour Theatre Festival Commencement Tues, June 14th 24-Hour Theatre Festival Performance: Wed, June 15th Fringe-A-Oke 2: Thurs, June 16th Improv Jam: Fri, June 17th Flashlight Cabaret: Sat, June 18th Closing Night Party & Pick of the Fringe Awards

SCHEDULE Monday June 6 Wednesday June 8 Sunday June 12 Monday June 13 Thursday June 16

8:30pm 8:30pm 8:30pm 10:00pm 8:30pm

The Definition Association MAATOLOGY PRODUCTIONS Los Angeles, CA Video on Demand: 80 min/ R(17+) Things go awry when unknown secrets are revealed by two neighboring couples after an incident with a cell phone and a security system.

Dark Comedy, BIPOC, LGBT

Take a Chance With Toybox TOYBOX THEATRE Asheville, NC Livestream: 60 min/R (17+) Are you ready to TAKE A CHANCE WITH TOYBOX?! Join Toybox, America’s Favorite Cartoon Witch, in this hilarious online gameshow where Toybox makes all the rules. Toybox will select LIVE members of the audience to play for the highest stakes!

Gameshow, Comedy, Interactive

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE Sunday June 5 Monday June 6 Thursday June 9 Monday June 13 Wednesday June 15

Video on Demand, Watch anytime.

8:30pm 10:00pm 8:30pm 8:30pm 8:30pm

Fringe Development

Writers, dreamers, and makers of theatre begin crafting new work to be performed 24-hours later. We’ll meet at Know Theatre at Fringe Development shows are works-in-process developed during the Festival itself.

9pm and walk across the bridge to Falcon TheI Confess atre for a lock-in style, all-nighter in the name MARISOL VAN SCHOYCK of collaboration and live performance.

Cincinnati, OH Fringe Development: 60 min/R(17+) Experience the world premiere of brand new In this universal story of forgiveness, Father Benedict is coming unhinged work! Created in collaboration over the last by the haunting voices in his head—voices from confession. When he’s al24 hours. A co-production of Cincy Fringe & most lost it, two peculiar seminarians interrupt his mental breakdown. The Falcon Theatre. adversaries bicker and battle until one of them helps Father Benedict reach So much fun, we do it twice! Karaoke Fringea place of peace. style!

SCHEDULE With ASL Interpretation Thursday June 16 7:00pm Drama, Spiritual, ASL A late night, improvisational extravaganza of music and completely unscripted material.

Slanted Bring an instrument or just yourself and get Simon Tam ready to say “YES, AND…!”

Cincinati, OH Fringe Development: 60 min/PG-13 An evening of unforgettable entertainment lit Songs and Stories from Simon Tam and Joe X. Jiang of The Slants, one completely by audience flashlight. of the first and only all-Asian American dance rock bands in the world.

An intimate look at a gripping, funny and ultimately uplifting journey We’ll give the Cincy Fringe one last “Hurrah!” that spans from anime conventions to the Supreme Court, as The Slants and announce the 6 Pick of the Fringe Awards: compose music to bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice.

Audience Pick, Digital Audience Pick, Critics’ Asian American, Storytelling, Music Pick, All Access Pass Holders’ Pick, Artists’ Pick, and Producer’s Pick.

SCHEDULE Saturday June 18

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival

June 3-18, 2022

3:30pm

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

Pg 5 31

2022 Cincinnati Fringe Festival Schedule Time

3 Friday

4 Saturday

2:00 3:15

3:45 5:00 5:15 5:30 6:45 7:00 7:15 8:30 8:45 9:00 10:00 10:20

8 9 Wednesday Thursday

10 Friday

Location Key

Sally Salem...

Wuthering....

Sexy Sexy...

Know Theatre Mainstage

1120 Jackson St

Destiny, USA Jinkies!

Fire in the Me...

Father,Daugh...

Art Academy Room 103 Art Academy Room 204

1212 Jackson St

Art Academy Room 402 Art Academy Room 406 Art Academy Room 663 Outdoor Stage

1212 Jackson St

The Real Black...

Texas Annie...

A Morgue...

Junkmail Ora...

Wuthering...

Bent Compass Banned from...

Upline...

Father, Daugh...

HEDY! Jinkies!

Make A F*cki...

1212 Jackson St

1212 Jackson St 1212 Jackson St Looking Good Parking Lot

Make A F*cki...

Sadec 1965: A...

Make A F*cki...

Sadec 1965: A...

Sexy Sexy...

Bent Compass Banned from...

Junkmail Ora...

Whiskey Flicks...

The Sex Life..

meSSeS Bent Compass Junkmail Ora...

Mushroom...

Charlotte...

Help Me Help...

meSSeS Charlotte...

Help Me Help...

Silver Hammer Charlotte...

Help Me Help...

Out of Charact...

ExperiMENTAL

Changing My...

The Barn Ident...

Destiny, USA Father, Daugh...

HEDY! The Life...

ExperiMENTAL

HEDY! The Life...

Jinkies!

Destiny, USA Father, Daugh...

The Real Black...

Make A F*cki...

The Real Black...

Laertes Word

Sadec 1965: A...

Make A F*cki...

SOFT The Sex Life..

Sally Salem...

SOFT A Morgue..

Junkmail Orac...

Bent Compass

SOFT Bent Compass

SOFT A Morgue...

Rosegold Whiskey Flicks...

Changing My...

Texas Annie...

Out of Charact...

ExperiMENTAL

Whiskey Flicks...

HEDY! The Life...

Rosegold

Rosegold Sexy Sexy...

Upline!

Wuthering...

Fire in the Me...

The Barn Ident...

Mushroom...

Upline...

The Barn Ident...

Kick Off News!

News

News

News

News

News

News

60 Sec Previews

Fringe-A-Oke

Fringe Unplugged

Everyone’s An Artist

Fringe Olympics

Artist Speed Dates

Silent Disco

Digital Fringe Schedule Time

7 Tuesday

The Barn Ident...

Kick ofF Party outdoor Stage 60 sec previews Jackson st

3:30

5 Sunday

5 Sunday

6 Monday

8 9 Wednesday Thursday

12 Sunday

13 Monday

15 Wednesday

8:30 Take a Chance wi... Your Gorgeous Fu... Your Gorgeous Fu... Take a Chance wi... Your Gorgeous Fu... Take a Chance wi... Take a Chance...

Your Gorgeous Fu...

Take a Chance wi...

10:00 Video on Demand-Watch it anytime : The Definition Association Cincinnati Fringe FEstival 32

CITYBEAT.COM

|

June 3-18, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Find tickets to all Digital Fringe on cincyfringe.com Pg 6

11 Saturday

12 Sunday

14 Tuesday

15 16 Wednesday Thursday

17 Friday

18 Saturday

TIME

2:00 3:15

Father, Daugh...

Jinkies!

Make A F*cki...

The Real Black...

meSSeS

Texas Annie...

ExperiMENTAL

Out of Charact...

The Barn Ident...

3:45

SADEC 1965: A...

Laertes Word

5:00

Wuthering...

The Sex Life..

Help Me Help...

meSSeS A Morgue...

Banned from...

Changing My...

Rosegold

Destiny, USA ExperiMENTAL

Laertes Word

SADEC 1965: A...

Banned from...

Sexy Sexy...

A Morgue...

Kevin James...

The Sex Life...

Help Me Help...

meSSeS Be My Thief Help Me Help...

Sexy Sexy...

Be My Thief Banned from...

I Confess Charlotte...

Junkmail Ora...

Wuthering...

Charlotte...

Banned from...

HEDY! The Barn Ident...

Changing My...

Father, Daugh...

Father, Daugh...

Upline!

Jinkies!

Out of Charact...

Rosegold

Upline!

ExperiMENTAL

7:15

The Real Black...

Make A F*cki...

Laertes Word

The Real Black...

Laertes Word

The Real Black...

8:30

SOFT Sally Salem...

Kevin James...

Junkmail Ora...

Sally Salem...

The Sex Life..

Help Me Help...

Sally Salem...

Banned from...

Be My Thief

Be My Thief Junkmail Ora...

Fire in the Me...

Jinkies!

Silver Hammer Fire in the Me...

Rosegold

Texas Annie...

Out of Charact...

Rosegold

Destiny, USA ExperiMENTAL

True Theatre Changing My...

Jinkies!

Fire in the Me...

Texas Annie...

The Barn Ident...

News

News

News

News

News

News

News

Fringe Prom

FringeCon

24-Hour Fest

Fringe-A-Oke 2

Improv Jam

Flashlight Cabaret

Awards

Slanted

3:30

Encore

5:15 5:30

See the Full map on Page 12!

Laertes Word

6:45

Laertes Word Encore

7:00

Encore

8:45 9:00 10:00 10:20

We are Cincinnati’s summer theatre party 16 Thursday Your Gorgeous Fu...

Know Theatre has something for everyone at the region’s largest and longest running arts festival - that’s kinda WEIRD, like YOU! Now celebrating our 19th year featuring hundreds of live performances from independent local, national, and international theatre artists. The Cincy Fringe returns live and in person! Featuring 175+ of indoor ticketed performances, a FREE Outdoor Stage, a Beer Garden, an eclectic variety of hour-long entertainment, community art events, and so much more, the Cincy Fringe Festival has something for all ages and walks of life. Come join us for two weeks of the unforgettable!

TICKETS TO THE FRINGE As low as $16 for individual tickets $275 to see all 35+ shows with our All-Access Pass $80 for a 6-ticket Flex Pass FREE After Hours Events start at 10pm every night at Fringe HQ: Know Theatre Cincinnati Fringe FEstival

June 3-18, 2022

Pg 7 JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

33

Primary Lineup

Know Theatre Mainstage - The Green Venue

Sexy Sexy Mattress Time KELLY MORTON Cincinnati, OH Play: 60 min/ R(17+) Disillusioned artist Annie takes a job at Mattress Time, where she is seduced by low expectations . . . and a sexy, sexy mattress. Will she leave to pursue her art, like her boyfriend wants?

Or will she be sucked forever into the world of Mattress Time?

Comedy, Seduction, Mattresses SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 7:00pm Sunday June 5 3:30pm Wednesday June 8 9:00pm Saturday June 11 (ASL Interpretation)7:00pm

Wednesday June 15

7:00pm

Wuthering: A Musical On the Moors GREGORY & MCWETHY Cincinnati, OH Musical: 60 min/PG-13

In this explosive folk musical, Cathy and Heathcliff live life like roman candles–– wild and uncontainable. Their kinship is born from a defiance against a world determined to extinguish their flame, and one is haunted by the memory.

Literature, Race/Class/Gender, Emotional Turmoil SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Thursday June 9 Saturday June 11 Friday June 17

3:30pm 5:15pm 9:00pm 5:15pm 7:00pm

WorkShops

Texas Annie: The Legend of the Moan Ranger JENNIFER HOWD & MAGGIE PERRINO Cincinnati, OH Musical:60 min/R(17+) Texas Annie is a campy, sex-positive musical comedy following the adventures of a renegade dildo runner in Texas when sex toys are declared illegal. Think Rocky Horror Picture Show meets John Waters.

Comedy, Sex-Positive, LGBTQ+ SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Sunday June 12 Tuesday June 14 Friday June 17

5:15pm 9:00pm 3:30pm 9:00pm 9:00pm

MeSSeS JANOAH…ANYGOODJOKES? Peaks Island, ME Dance/Physical Theatre: 60 min/All Ages janoah…anygoodjokes? juggles several tasks simultaneously: performing & teaching! Between acts, Janoah guides YOU through the essentials of juggling: throwing, catching and messy-ing up!

Precarious unicycling, shimmering puppetry, jaw-dropping juggling …

Janoah tosses together art forms to tell a tale of learning & labor, emerging from a haphazard pile of props.

Circus, Clown, Interactive SCHEDULE Tuesday June 7 7:00pm Thursday June 9 7:00pm Saturday June 11 3:30pm Sunday June 12 5:15pm Tuesday June 14 7:00pm

All Ages & Pay-WhatYou-Wish Workshops: Theatrical Clowning with Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy, Storytelling with Jon Bennett, Sensory Friendly Magic with Cody Clark, DIY Sword & Fight Choreography with Jonn Baca, plus so much more!

Go to cincyfringe.com for the full schedule.

Art Academy Room 402 - The Orange Venue

ExperiMENTAL STEVEN NICHOLAS Naples, FL Solo Performance: 60 min/ PG-13 ExperiMENTAL is an interactive mind reading experience that will twist your reality in the most delightful way. Steven knows what you’re thinking, and he’s happy to prove it to you. Audience involvement is integral to the show, and your individual thoughts and decisions will make every performance a unique event.

Mind Reading, Mentalism, Interactive

The Barn Identity ERIKA KATE MACDONALD Covington, KY Solo Performance: 58 min/ PG-13 Erika Kate MacDonald (WINNER: Cincy Critics Pick of the Fringe / WINNER: Orlando Best Female Performance) is a MULTI-AWARD-WINNING solo performer that became obsessed with falling-down barns after a movie put her in the Emergency Room. An entertaining, funny and moving spectacle!

Plus Paul Strickland LIVE on guitar.

Storytelling, Music, Paper Barns

JINKIES! QUEEN CITY FLASH Cincinnati, OH Play: 60 min/ PG-13 A follow-up to their 2019 hit, JINKIES! is the thrilling next adventure in the life of a very meddlesome duo. This hilarious escapade is perfect for both newcomers and returning fans alike and finally answers the question, “What if the Hardy Boys wanted to burn this shit down?”

Comedy, Interactive, Mystery

SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Wednesday June 8 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Wednesday June 15 Friday June 17

SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Thursday June 9 Friday June 10 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Friday June 17

SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Thursday June 9 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Wednesday June 15 Thursday June 16

7:15pm 9:00pm 7:15pm 3:45pm 5:30pm 9:00pm 7:15pm

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival 34

CITYBEAT.COM

|

2:00pm 7:15pm 9:00pm 9:00pm 7:15pm 3:45pm 9:00pm

June 3-18, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

3:45pm 5:30pm 7:15pm 9:00pm 2:00pm 7:15pm 9:00pm

Father, Daughter, & Holy Toast BARBARA BRADY Dixon, CA Solo Performance: 55 min/ PG-13 She is middle-aged, divorced and living in her childhood home with her elderly father, an eccentric retiree relying on scientific workarounds to keep it together. What must be sacrificed — father’s dignity or daughter’s independence? Barbara Brady takes a humorous view of family life in Father, Daughter & Holy Toast.

Wit, Humor, Family Under Pressure SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 5:30pm Sunday June 5 3:45pm Tuesday June 7 7:15pm Friday June 10 7:15pm Saturday June 11 2:00pm Sunday June 12 7:15pm Tuesday June 14 7:15pm

Rosegold DONNA KAY YARBOROUGH Portland, OR Solo Performance: 45 min/ PG-13 Jamie is an alcoholic, a survivor, and haunted by more than memories.

Tonight is her first share, and what starts in A.A. quickly descends to hell. “…fans of Stephen King, David Lynch and H.P. Lovecraft will find plenty to sink their canines into.” –Orlando Weekly; Horror/Storytelling Horror, Storytelling, Drama SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Tuesday June 7 Wednesday June 8 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Tuesday June 14 Thursday June 16

9:00pm 9:00pm 9:00pm 5:30pm 9:00pm 9:00pm 7:15pm

Pg 8

Primary Lineup

Art Academy Room 103 - The Purple Venue

A Morgue of the Forgotten PERFORMANCE GALLERY & SOLASTA THEATRE LAB Cincinnati, OH Interdisciplinary: 50 min/ PG-13 Where does the past live? Where do lost things go? Can you trade in an old memory for a fresh new one? Is memory even real? Somewhere between revisionist history and discovering your lost sock, lives this experimental, whimsical, theatrical journey into the cast-off, the lost and the forgotten.

Experimental, Physical, Offbeat

Bent Compass NEIL BROOKSHIRE Egg Harbor, WI Solo Performance: 53 min/R(17+) BENT COMPASS is a solo play based on transcribed interviews with an Army Medic about his deployment in Iraq in 2006-07.

War, PTSD, Recovery

SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Tuesday June 7 Friday June 10 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12

SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Tuesday June 7 Wednesday June 8 Thursday June 9

5:15pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 7:00pm 5:15pm

7:00pm 5:15pm 7:00pm 8:45pm 8:45pm

Sally Salem and the Spooktacular Birthday Extravaganza ZOË PETERSON Cincinnati, OH Play:60 min/PG-13 Sally Salem and the Spooktacular Birthday Extravaganza has Sally and her friends trying to throw a party for her niece and nephew, despite the protests of her conservative sister. They’ll meet ghosts, demons, and the devil himself! An interactive comedy, this play is wrought with themes of love, friendship…and necromancy.

Interactive, Dark Comedy, Puppetry SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 3:30pm Sunday June 5 8:45pm Saturday June 11 8:45pm Sunday June 12 8:45pm Wednesday June 15 8:45pm

Charlotte Van Helsing Befriends a Vampire, a Crow, and (Possibly) Her Father EMILY BORST Cincinnati, OH Play: 60 min/ PG-13 Managing family secrets and family expectations, Charlotte Van Helsing sets off to find herself by finding others like her. But when strange things start happening all around her, Charlotte realizes growing up might be a little more than she’d bargained for.

Comedy, LGBTQ, Coming of Age

Be My Thief GIDEON PRODUCTIONS Sunnyside, Queens, NY Play: 59 min/R(17+) From the company behind the Cincy award-winning shows GOD OF OBSIDIAN and MUSICAL CHAIRS. Mira just came home from her first day back at work in person… but her husband Sam doesn’t think she’s really Mira at all. A twisty thriller about identity, and the terror of going back outside.

Marriage, Science Fiction, Post-Covid

SCHEDULE Wednesday June 8 Thursday June 9 Friday June 10 Thursday June 16 Friday June 17

SCHEDULE Tuesday June 14 Wednesday June 15 Thursday June 16 Friday June 17

7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm

7:00pm 7:00pm 8:45pm 8:45pm

The Sex Life of Butterflies MARTIN DOCKERY New York, NY Solo Performance: 60 min/PG-13

Billed as “the best storyteller in the US” (Orlando Sentinel), Dockery’s comedic, ridiculous, and profound story dives headlong into the mysterious connection between love and death.

Funny, true, & heartbreaking – sometimes all at once. Not to be missed!

“5 STARS… A verbal magician.” -NOW Magazine, Toronto. “Deliriously entertaining.” –Orlando Weekly.

& Gallery

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival

June 3-18, 2022

Comedy, Drama, True SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Tuesday June 14

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

8:45pm 7:00pm 5:15pm 7:00pm 8:45pm

CITYBEAT.COM

Pg 9 35

Primary Lineup

Art Academy Room 204 - The Pink Venue

Out of Character HONOUR HOOK Cincinnati, OH Solo Performance: 50 min/ PG-13 A former Las Vegas Stand-up comic and New York model takes a deep dive into exploring themes of 2020 and beyond in this one woman sketch comedy show. Through hilarious characters and daring material, Honour challenges the narratives of social norms and political correctness.

Original, Hysterical, Smart SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Sunday June 12 Tuesday June 14 Thursday June 16

7:15pm 9:00pm 3:45pm 9:00pm 7:15pm

UPLINE – It’s Not a Show, It’s an Opportunity MEGAN STERN New York, NY Solo Performance: 60 min/ (R-17+) Hey gurl hey! It’s been forevs! Do you know about Varmon?? Varmon has THE BEST products. It’ll change your skin and change your life!! We’re having a little thing at Monica’s … you should totally come and I’ll tell you allllll about it! #flawlessskin #girlboss #femaleempowerment #varmonista #financialfreedom #notapyramidscheme Comedy, Satire, Clown SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 5:30pm Wednesday June 8 9:00pm Friday June 10 9:00pm Wednesday June 15 7:15pm Friday June 17 7:15pm

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival 36

CITYBEAT.COM

|

Media support comes from our Festival partner, WVXU.

Changing my major to joan BORIS DANSBERRY Philadelphia, PA Solo Performance: 55 min/R (17+) Join Boris and the spirit Joan of Arc in the trans medieval powerpoint concert you never knew you needed.

With humor, Nirvana, masks, George Bernard Shaw, beans, and Friedrich Schiller, Boris explores the trials and tribulations of the queer experience.

Featuring music by local powerhouse Jess Lamb and the Factory.

Live Band, Historical, LGBT SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 9:00pm Sunday June 5 7:15pm Saturday June 11 5:30pm Sunday June 12 7:15pm Thursday June 16 9:00pm

Jon Bennett – Fire in the Meth Lab 2 HOOTS PRODUCTIONS/JON BENNETT Adelaide, Australia Solo Performance:60 min/R(17+) JON BENNETT: FIRE IN THE METH LAB Dear Brother, How’s jail? I’ve written a show about you, is that ok? You’re in jail so you can’t really say no. Love from your little brother, Jon. “Hilarious” 5 Stars – Edmonton Sun |5 Stars – National Post | 5 Stars – The Star Phoenix | 5 Stars – Vue Weekly Comedy, Storytelling, International

Destiny, USA CONVECTION PRODUCTIONS Vancouver, WA Solo Performance: 60 min/ PG-13 In November 2016 Laura moves from Toronto to Syracuse, New York. She wasn’t expecting to be residing in Trump’s America. Gaining her first job as a Relay operator for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing causes her to question whether she can discover the hidden humanity of the American people. This production integrates ASL video performance featuring three Deaf actors, and closed captioning.

Comedy, Drama, Storytelling SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 3:45pm Tuesday June 7 7:15pm Friday June 10 7:15pm

HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr HEATHER MASSIE New York, NY Play: 60 min/ PG-13 Hedy Lamarr, glamorous siren of the silver screen and ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World’, also invented Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology that makes the world of wireless communication tick. From Austria to Hollywood, WWII, torpedoes, ecstasy, and intrigue, to the very cell phone in your pocket, she was there!

Science, Comedy, Drama SCHEDULE Sunday June 5 5:30pm Tuesday June 7 9:00pm Wednesday June 8 7:15pm Thursday June 9 7:15pm Saturday June 11 7:15pm

Sunday June 12 (ASL Interpretation) 5:30pm

Thursday June 16

9:00pm

June 3-18, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

SCHEDULE Sunday June 5 Thursday June 9 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Friday June 17

3:45pm 9:00pm 9:00pm 9:00pm 9:00pm

Pg 10

Primary Lineup

Encore Performances

Art Academy 406 - The Yellow Venue

Sat, June 18 On the final Saturday of the Festival we will hold 3 Encore Performances in Know Theatre.

These productions will be chosen in a round of voting in the first week of the festival by Producers, Critics, and Artists.

SOFT PAPER SOUL Minneapolis, MN Solo Performance: 60 min/ R (17+) The dating app said it was looking for “nice guys” and “hopeless romantics” for a new experiment…so here he waits, ready for anything. He is desperate. He is soft. He will bleed.

Horror, Science Fiction, Experimental

SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Tuesday June 7 Thursday June 9 Friday June 10 Saturday June 11

8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm

Help Me Help You Help Yourself YOUR SILENT PARTNER Chicago, IL Solo Performance: 50 min/All Ages

Help Me Help You Help Yourself is the most nonsensical show you will have the fortune of attending. Run by the clown Your Silent Partner, this interactive experience offers audiences a well-deserved break from reality. Watch and participate in the most preposterous performance that promises nothing, but gives you everything.

Clown, Comedy, Absurd SCHEDULE Wednesday June 8 Thursday June 9 Friday June 10 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Tuesday June 14 Wednesday June 15

7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 5:15pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 8:45pm

Art Academy 663 - The Blue Venue

Junkmail Oracle The Fallen Players Cincinnati, OH Play:45 min/R (17+) 1960s Cleveland Poet d.a Levy battles obscenity charges while printing his own underground newspaper.

Between his activism, deteriorating marriage, and growing cult celebrity, more than the word itself is liable to be destroyed.

Historical, Poetry, Drama SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 Sunday June 5 Tuesday June 7 Wednesday June 8 Sunday June 12 Thursday June 16 Friday June 17

5:15pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 7:00pm 8:45pm

Banned from Heaven, Barred from Hell AUTUMN KALEIDOSCOPE Cincinnati, OH Play: 55 min/ PG-13 When four immortals are gathered aboard the famed ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, they are presented by Death incarnate with the opportunity of their lifetimes. Of course, any offer from Death comes with its own unique form of terms and conditions.

Dramedy, Folklore, Immortality SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 7:00pm Sunday June 5 5:15pm Saturday June 11 7:00pm Sunday June 12 5:15pm Wednesday June 15 7:00pm Thursday June 16 8:45pm Friday June 17 7:00pm

5:15PM

7:00PM

8:45PM

PICK OF THE FRINGE The Audience Pick Celebrate the outstanding performances you’ve seen during the Festival by voting for your favorite. You will be able to find the voting google form on our website starting Sat, 6/12 and ends Fri 6/18 at 8:00pm.

The Critics’ Pick The official Fringe Festival reviewers vote to decide the critical darling of this year’s Festival.

The Dr. Robert J. Thierauf Producer’s Pick

Make a F*ckin’ Show You P.O.S. BRADLEY WRENN AND SARAH KNITTEL Philadelphia, PA Interdisciplinary: 55 min/R(17+) Bradley Wrenn and Sarah Knittel are a performer/director duo that have been working together for the last five years. Part fractured workshop, part hastily created masterpiece. Their process oozes onto stage, to create live in front of the audience and to risk failure. If you like danger and dumb fun, this is for you.

Comedy, Clown, Improv SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 6:45pm Sunday June 5 8:30pm Tuesday June 7 6:45pm Thursday June 9 6:45pm Friday June 10 8:30pm Saturday June 11 3:15pm Sunday June 12 8:30pm

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival

The Real Black Swann Confessions of America‘s First Black Drag Queen KURKENDAAL-BARRETT PRESENTATIONS Los Angeles, CA Solo Performance: 55 min/PG-13 The Real Black Swann Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen is the true story of William Dorsey Swann. He was a former slave who became the Queen of Drag in the 1800s. He fought racism, homophobia and became the first gay activist.

Storytelling, History, LGBT SCHEDULE Saturday June 4 8:30pm Sunday June 5 5:00pm Tuesday June 7 8:30pm Saturday June 11 8:30pm Sunday June 12 3:15pm Wednesday June 15 8:30pm Friday June 17 8:30pm

June 3-18, 2022

SADEC 1965: A Love Story FLORA LE Washington, D.C. Solo Performance: 60 min/PG-13 After finding out that her estranged father has cancer, Flora goes on a 6-week solo motorcycle trip through Vietnam to make sense of her difficult relationship with him. Her search for answers will take her on an incredible journey, allowing her memories to take on a new meaning.

Vietnam Travel, Motorcycle Girl, Drama SCHEDULE Wednesday June 8 6:45pm Thursday June 9 8:30pm Friday June 10 6:45pm Saturday June 11 5:00pm Sunday June 12 6:45pm

Laertes Word JAMES WORD & PRISON PERFORMING ARTS St. Louis, MO Solo Performance: 50 min/PG-13 James Word has been acting all his life; he just didn’t know it – that is, until he’s cast in his first play – while serving a 30-year sentence at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center. This is the story of how Hamlet changed his life.

Comedy, Drama, Criminal Justice SCHEDULE Wednesday June 8 Saturday June 11 Sunday June 12 Tuesday June 14 Wednesday June 15 Thursday June 16 Friday June 17

8:30pm 6:45pm 5:00pm 8:30pm 6:45pm 8:30pm 6:45pm

The Staff of Cincy Fringe gets a chance to pick their favorite show for this award named in memory of a dedicated and beloved Fringe supporter.

The Linda Bowen All Access Pass Pick The biggest diehards of the Fringe audience, All Access pass holders get to choose their favorite show with this award named in honor of one of Cincy Fringe’s most devoted patrons.

The David C. Herriman Artists’ Pick This pick, named after an incomparable Know supporter, gives every artist in the Festival a vote for the show they found most extraordinary.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

Pg 11 37

Land acknowledgement

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival takes place on the unceded and stolen territories of the Kaskaskia, the Osage, the Shawandasse Tula, and the Myaamia People. We offer gratitude to this land and to the people who care for it and protect it, nourishing the Mother, fighting for her, and listening to her, since times before memory.

We acknowledge and offer respect to those who fight to protect their cultures, their peoples, and this land.

We acknowledge the great force of will the Indigenous Peoples of this land exert to maintain their survival.

We are not the traditional storytellers of this land, and we are deeply grateful to be sharing stories here, and hope to continue sharing stories on Turtle Island for as long as we might.

Special Thanks The Art Academy of Cincinnati The City of Cincinnati The Hale Justis Building ArtsWave Mikki Schaffner Paul Wilson Kelsey Trusty Jeff Burkle Cathy Cody Smoke & Queers Burlesque & Drag

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival is a production of:

Cincinnati Fringe FEstival 38

CITYBEAT.COM

|

Joe & Norah Mock Buddy Goose & Mary Rita Dominic Karen Rouda Karen Brinkman Nicole Hershey & Joshua Wallace Paul Strickland Jonn Baca Comedy Sportz Improv Cincinnati Carolyn Fast

Know Board of Directors Thomas McLaughlin Chair Michael Meyer Vice Chair Ryan Boggs Treasurer Melanie Lazor Secretary Tamara (TJ) Avery Mark Bendure Laura Berkemeier Kathryn Hoffman Jay Kalagayan Brandon Robert Martin Christopher Owens Hannah Taphorn

Cincinnati Ballet Taft, Stettinius & Hollister Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. Thompson Hine Clark Schaefer Hackett Great American Insurance Life Learning Center Merrill Lynch MeSseD Comics Martin Communities, LLC Taylor Oswald P&G

For more information about the Know, visit knowtheatre.com Get Cincy Fringe tickets and info 24 hours a day at cincyfringe.com Call the box office at 513.300.5669 Know Theatre is located at 1120 Jackson Street in Over-the-Rhine June 3-18, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Pg 12

ARTS & CULTURE

Erika Kate MacDonald’s obsession with collapsing barns led her to create The Barn Identity.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY C I N C I N N AT I F R I N G E F E S T I VA L

All Weirdos Welcome Producer Katie Hartman is finding ways to entice even more people to the 19th-annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

BY R I C K P E N D E R

A

fter two years of sustaining its offbeat “Kinda Weird.

Like You” Cincinnati Fringe Festival traditions with mostly virtual presentations, the 19th-annual Cincy Fringe returns June 3-18 with live, in-person, indoor productions. Artists from 15 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Australia will be performing for two weeks on Know Theatre’s Jackson

Street stage in Over-the-Rhine, as well as on classroom stages in the nearby Art Academy of Cincinnati.

To give the festival a jolt of new energy, Know Theatre hired Katie Hartman as its Fringe producer. Along with Nick Ryan, the Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, actor and improviser is known to Cincinnati audiences as one of the Coldharts. Starting in 2014, they

entertained rabid Cincy Fringe fans with a series of fearlessly dark shows: The Legend of White Woman Creek, Edgar Allan, Eddie Poe, and The Unrepentant Necrophile. They characterized their works as “devised music theatre inspired by the American Gothic.”

How did Hartman evolve from performer to producer? She tells CityBeat that when the pandemic halted performances in early 2020, she was initially grateful for a break from the Coldharts’ arduous touring schedule.

“When everything stopped and we were forced to quarantine, I didn’t feel the need to create anything new. I had an opportunity to reorient myself with my body, my practice, my life as a theater artist,” Hartman says. “I really got to prioritize what were the most important things. It became important to figure

out how to help other people, to make it easier for other artists.”

Like many, Hartman found herself at a crossroads during the COVID-19 pandemic and talked through options with a friend.

“I said, ‘If I had the chance, I’d really like to do something like produce the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. I don’t want to make my own festival. I really want to build something great in a place where it’s already established, where I can see how improvements could be made,’” she remembers.

Four days later, Hartman received an email survey from Cincy Fringe organizers that mentioned a search for a new producer. Believing she wrote the fastest application letter ever, Hartman immediately responded, “Have you

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

27

JOIN the

CHALLENGE

THIS IS A MOVEMENT MOMENT.

Because together, we are UNSTOPPABLE.

JOIN US IN JUNE for the 2nd annual move-a-thon to benefit Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio.

Here’s how it works: You choose your activity and collect pledges for each minute you walk, bike, swim, meditate, dance or participate in any activity that inspires you. The money raised will go directly to caring for our patients and advancing our education programs in southwest Ohio. It’s that simple.

REGISTER NOW Register at bit.ly/PPSWOUnstoppable2022 (case sensitive)

Follow us for updates.

513.824.7824 | 937.528.4678 | giving@ppswo.org

Indiana’s Largest “Antiques & Vintage-Only” Market

Next Show – Sunday, June 5 Every First Sunday May - October

Lawrenceburg, Indiana Fairgrounds

US 50, 1 mile west of Exit 16,I-275 (Cincinnati Beltway) 7am - 3pm ET Rain or Shine (Earlybirds at 6am)

Admission: $4.00 General and Dealer Inquiry: 513-702-2680

LawrenceburgAntiqueShow.com 28

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

found this person yet? Because I want to apply.”

“It’s my dream job!” she says. “I feel so privileged to be working for an organization that so many people are so excited about and so ready to put in the time and energy. The team that I work with is so passionate, just a joy to work with.”

Hartman doesn’t live in Cincinnati.

“I am an artist, and I come from that perspective. One of the elements I’m hoping to bring to the festival is a more inclusive atmosphere.”

To make the festival’s legendary after-parties more inviting, she’s moving them from Know Theatre’s underground bar to the outdoor parking lot just north of the theater with its vibrant “Looking Good” mural. It will become a beer garden with daily free programming on an outdoor stage. On weekends, parents and kids can be part of a workshop, or adults can let the children play while they go into the theater to see a grown-up show.

“We’re going to have lots of all-age friendly things,” Hartman says.

“It’s important to me that everybody feels welcome at the Cincinnati Fringe, regardless of your background, your ability, what you can bring to the table.

Everybody has something to offer,” she continues. “I want everyone to be able to enjoy the festival whether they can pay to see a show in an indoor venue or if they would just like to enjoy our outdoor stage. All are welcome!”

During the two-week festival, there are 38 ticketed events, delivering 177 performances in total. See all listings at CincyFringe.com.

In alphabetical order below, find 12 Cincy Fringe shows to consider.

The Barn Identity is by storyteller and Cincy Fringe veteran Erika Kate MacDonald, who created this entertaining solo show based on her obsession with collapsing barns. She’ll be joined by another Fringe favorite, guitarist and singer Paul Strickland. MacDonald is a touring theater-maker whose original works have been featured Off-Broadway and honored repeatedly at fringe festivals across the United States and Canada.

Be My Thief by Mac Rogers from Queens is a twisty solo thriller about a man who believes a duplicate has replaced his wife. The tale explores themes of post-pandemic anxiety, predatory capitalism and the debate over returning to the workplace in person. Rogers is a past Cincy Fringe award winner, and his Gideon Media has produced popular podcast thrillers.

Bent Compass by Neil Brookshire from Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, is a oneman show based on interviews with a

friend who became an Army medic. It details deployment and combat experiences in Iraq and how war can shape a person’s concept of what’s normal. It also deals with trauma, mental health, recovery and relationships.

Changing My Major to Joan by Boris Dansberry from Philadelphia (originally from Newport, Kentucky) is inspired by the spirit of Joan of Arc. This eclectic presentation — described as a “trans medieval PPT concert” — explores the trials and tribulations of queer experience using humor, Nirvana, masks, George Bernard Shaw, beans and Friedrich Schiller with live music by local powerhouse Jess Lamb and The Factory.

Charlotte Van Helsing Befriends a Vampire, a Crow, and (Possibly) Her Father by Emily Borst (a graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s musical theater program) is about a young woman who discovers that growing up might be a little more than she bargained for as she navigates family secrets and expectations.

Destiny, USA by Laura Anne Harris from Vancouver, Washington is a solo show based on Harris’s 2016 experience as a relay operator for deaf or hard-ofhearing people after the presidential election. Residing in Donald Trump’s America, she explores the hidden humanity of the American people. The show uses closed-captioned video performances by three deaf actors.

Father, Daughter & Holy Toast is

by Barbara Brady from San Francisco (after more than 20 years in Cincinnati).

This is a humorous solo show about being middle-aged, divorced and living in her childhood home with her eccentric elderly father, who uses scientific workarounds to keep it together. What must be sacrificed — father’s dignity or daughter’s independence? Brady has performed at Fringes in Orlando and Great Salt Lake.

Jinkies! by Queen City Flash from Cincinnati is a follow-up to a 2019 hit.

This is the thrilling next adventure in the life of a meddlesome teen detective and her dog. Director Bridget Leak and playwright Trey Tatum specialize in bold stories, irreverently told. This one answers the question, “What if the Hardy Boys wanted to burn this shit down?”

Laertes Word by James Word from St. Louis is a premiere. Fans of podcast This American Life might recall “Act V,” about a production of an act of Hamlet in a Missouri prison. Word played Laertes, and it changed his trajectory.

He learned he’d been acting all his life;

Brooklyn-based performer Katie Hartman is Cincinnati Fringe Festival’s new producer.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY C I N C I N N AT I F R I N G E F E S T I VA L

he just didn’t know it. Today Word is a storyteller helping people understand that it’s never too late to change. “Crime is easy,” he says. “Hamlet is hard.” This is his show’s premiere.

Sadec 1965: A Love Story is by Flora Le from Washington, D.C.. Learning that her estranged father has cancer, Le goes on a six-week motorcycle trip through Vietnam to seek answers. It’s characterized as Motorcycle Diaries meets Eat, Pray, Love. Le’s painful life experiences enable her to create beautiful stories of resilience, forgiveness, personal transcendence, and love.

Texas Annie: The Legend of the Moan Ranger by Cincinnatians Jennifer Howd and Maggie Perrino is a campy musical is based on an actual Texas law banning the sale of sex toys.

Overturned by a court of appeals, the law still exists: you can legally own more guns than sex toys in the Lone Star State. The show imagines the adventures of a renegade dildo runner.

Think Rocky Horror meets John Waters.

which Cathy and Heathcliff live life like wild, uncontainable Roman candles.

Gregory and McWethy’s previous Fringe endeavors were award-winners Descent: a Murder Ballad and The Belle and Boone Helm.

Fringe fans also should keep an eye out for special one-time events, including True Theatre (June 16), an evening of behind-the-scenes monologues sharing what it’s like to be a Fringe performer. Additionally, Kevin James Thornton, a storyteller and a past Cincy Fringe favorite, will deliver a pair of evening performances (June 11-12) with material drawn from his immense TikTok following that’s earned him more than a billion views.

The Cincy Fringe Festival is June 3-18 at Know Theatre (1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine) and in the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Single tickets start at $16, with options to further support artists. Passes are available.

Information: cincyfringe.com.

Wuthering: A Musical on the Moors

by Cincinnatians Hannah Gregory and Caitlin McWethy is a folk musical adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel in

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

29

30

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

ONSTAGE

Cincinnati Opera Returns to Music Hall for 2022 Season

BY A N N E A R E N ST E I N

The Pirates of Penzance will debut at Music Hall on July 7.

P H O T O : J E F F R O F F M A N , AT L A N TA O P E R A

Like many other events, Cincinnati Opera’s 2020 centennial celebration was a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But for the 2022 season, the opera will finally return to Music Hall after two years away. Even better: much of the original 2020 program remains intact.

There’s plenty to celebrate. Five operas range from classic grand opera to chamber works and slapstick comedy. Three operas from the 2020 season are on the roster, including two world premieres. The casts feature internationally renowned artists and some of today’s hottest young singers accompanied by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the direction of acclaimed conductors. And the production teams bring together local creatives

and designers joined by colleagues from around the world.

The season opener, Puccini’s La Bohème, “makes it official that we’re back,” Cincinnati Opera artistic director Evans Mirageas tells CityBeat via a Zoom interview. “It’s familiar and it’s a favorite.”

Bohème’s romantic and poignant story of love found and lost in Paris contrasts intimate emotional moments with rowdy comedy in Puccini’s exquisite score. The cast features soprano Talise Travigne, tenor Ji-Min Park and Raven McMillon, a Metropolitan Opera audition winner and alum of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Comic relief arrives when The Pirates

of Penzance sails into Music Hall.

William S. Gilbert’s lyrics and Arthur Sullivan’s brilliant score slyly deflate respectability, rectitude and grand opera with dazzling coloratura arias and rousing choruses.

Gilbert and Sullivan were the Victorian era’s hottest theatrical team with a string of hits over two decades. Pirates’ dialogue is loaded with outdated barbs at British social and political targets, so Mirageas and production director Sean Curran are creating more Cincinnaticentric lines.

“There are no sacred cows,” Mirageas says.

Tenor David Walton, who sang roles in the 2019 production of Ariadne auf Naxos, returns as Frederick, the dutiful

pirate apprentice. Zachary James, featured in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten, is the swashbuckling Pirate King, and in a feat of luxury casting, renowned Wagnerian mezzo Amber Wagner sings the role of Ruth, the older woman infatuated with Frederick.

Two world premieres originally scheduled for the 2020 season finally make their debuts, with both slated for the School for Creative and Performing Arts’ Corbett Auditorium and both addressing issues facing contemporary audiences.

Fierce presents four teen-aged girls challenged by sexuality, love, parental expectations and the devastation wrought by cyber trolls.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

31

Voted #1 Wax Salon and #1 Tanning Salon in Cincinnati

FULL BODY WAXING

$39 AIRBRUSH TANNING LGBTQ+ Friendly

WWW.CITYBEAT.COM

www.WaxCincinnati.com

32

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Cincinnati Opera’s season kicks off with Puccini’s La Bohème.

P H O T O : Y V E S R E N AU D, O P É R A D E M O N T R É A L

Northern Kentucky novelist Sheila Williams based her libretto on conversations with ten girls 13-18 years old.

“We talked about everything from our favorite tv shows to our favorite makeup and then how we defined ourselves as artists,” Williams tells CityBeat. “They blew me away with their honesty and insights.”

Acclaimed pianist, conductor and educator William Menefield was tapped to compose Fierce after dazzling audiences at Cincinnati Opera’s popular “Opera Goes to Church” series.

Menefield is an alumnus of CCM and the School for Creative and Performing Arts, where Fierce will be performed.

Ensemble Theater’s Lynn Meyers directs the production, her first for the company.

Castor and Patience takes on family, the festering wounds of racism and the impact of the 2008 recession. Tracy K. Smith, the 2017-2019 U.S. Poet Laureate, based her libretto on her story about two members of a Black family confronting poverty and legacy.

Gregory Spears is the composer, following Cincinnati Opera’s successful 2016 premiere of his opera Fellow Travelers.

The season concludes with Giuseppe Verdi’s Aïda. Verdi’s story of love, loyalty and vengeance set in ancient Egypt contrasts the Triumphal March’s grand choruses with passionate, intimate duets. For Mirageas, the production pays tribute to Cincinnati Opera’s resources enabling the company to stage grand opera on a scale

unmatched by other American summer opera companies.

Soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams is the enslaved Ethiopian princess Aïda and internationally acclaimed tenor Gregory Kunde is her lover Radames.

Mezzo Tichina Vaughn makes her company debut as the vengeful Egyptian princess Amneris. Cincinnati Opera artistic advisor Morris Robinson is the high priest, and Gordon Hawkins returns to sing Aïda’s father Amonasro.

Cincinnati Opera will kick off its 2022 season with a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. June 12 in Washington Park. It will feature cast members from La Bohème and Pirates.

And at 7:30 p.m. July 27, at Music Hall, Robinson will host an evening of opera, gospel and musical theater with friends and colleagues. The event will feature soprano Talise Trevigne, tenors Larry Brownlee and Russell Thomas and baritone Will Liverman, who tore it up in Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. They will be joined by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and a chorus of singers from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

“Expect the unexpected,” Mirageas says.

The 2022 Cincinnati Opera season runs June 18-July 31.

Info: cincinnatiopera.org.

June 11–September 4, 2022

GET TICKETS NOW

SUPPORT PROVIDED BY: The H.B., E.W., and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees | The John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust | The Sutphin Family Foundation | The John Hauck Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, John W. Hauck and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees | Fifth Third Bank | The Frank J. Kloenne and Jacqueline Dawson Kloenne Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees SEASON FUNDERS

OPERATING SUPPORT

ADMISSION SPONSOR

Presented by Exhibits Development Group, USA, in cooperation with Cosprop Ltd., London, England.

Image: Wedding Dress, Sense and Sensibility, 1995, Ang Lee, director. Worn by Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood. Jenny Beavan and John Bright, costume designers

WWW.CINCYWINGWEEK.COM JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

33

Poet, Civil Rights Activist Nikki Giovanni to Return to Cincinnati for Juneteenth Event

CULTURE

BY S E A N M . P E T E RS

On June 13, the Mercantile Library will host “A Nanofestival of Black Joy, Liberation & Expression,” featuring author, poet and activist Nikki Giovanni. This event, coordinated by Urban Consulate, aims to spark dialogue around the many facets of Black life in the United States.

Alongside Giovanni, expect to see Cincinnati’s Poet Laureate Yalie Saweda Kamara, a screening of filmmakers Gee Horton and Shay Narkter’s work followed by discussion, and music provided by DJ Arie.

“I was fortunate to join Urban Consulate Cincinnati as co-host in 2019 alongside artist Gee Horton and spiritual director and designer Megan Trischler,” Naimah Bilal – a co-host of the event and the chief development officer at the Children’s Literacy Initiative – tells CityBeat.

“With generous support from the Haile Foundation, we kicked off our Consulate journey with a cross-city exchange that paired 20 local and national Black thought leaders — each pair offering a far-reaching conversation aimed at advancing equitycentered ideas, dreams, practices and social justice action,” Bilal continues.

“Since that time, we’ve hosted over 40 salons that span a wide spectrum of topics but are all anchored in some manner by equity, anti-racism, racial healing and community care. We are well-rooted as a space in Cincinnati to participate in and hear honest and transformative dialogue.”

Urban Consulate is a collective of artists and activists who organize “salons,” or public forums, that address ways to strengthen the communities in which these conversations occur. The nanofestival is intended to amplify Black voices around Juneteenth, the recently recognized federal holiday that commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that enslaved African-Americans were free and that the Civil War had ended. In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill designating Juneteenth a federal holiday.

“In the epic words of Black filmmaker and activist Toni Cade Bambara, ‘The role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible,’” Bilal says. “Juneteenth is a call to action as much as it is an invitation to remember freedom deferred and celebrate liberation. It’s with this spirit in mind that, in addition to having had

34

CITYBEAT.COM

|

Poet Nikki Giovanni spent her early years in Cincinnati.

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

a joyful and immersive experience, we hope folks also walk away recommitted to amplifying, leading, and participating in social justice and anti-racist oriented work that will advance equity.”

As the honored guest, Giovanni is “the embodiment of liberatory expression,” Bilal says. During her early years, Giovanni lived in Cincinnati.

According to The Poetry Foundation’s biography on Giovanni, “Giovanni’s first published volumes of poetry grew out of her response to the assassinations of such figures as Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, and Robert Kennedy, and the pressing need she saw to raise awareness of the plight and the rights of Black people.”

Giovanni often is cited among other highly influential authors and poets such as Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin and Sonia Sanchez, and her

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

works are considered essential reading for civil rights activists.

“Nikki Giovanni’s writing — from her poetry collections to her essays, to her children’s books – really are the defining works of the Black literary canon,” Bilal says. “Her work reflects both the everyday and quotidian aspects of the human experience while also exploring big expansive ideas – both in her early work during the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and still true today.”

Bilal recommends diving into Giovanni’s work through “Love Is,” “Mercy” and “Ego Tripping.” She also says that Giovanni’s children’s literature like Rosa and Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat are informative.

During the nanofestival, Cincinnati Poet Laureate Yalie Saweda Kamara will read works from her collections. Her

piece “Mother’s Rules” brought forth a transformative experience for Bilal, who was on the poet laureate selection committee.

“It’s a stunning depiction of a child/ mother dynamic that masterfully layers the complexity of culture, authority, faith, identity and love,” Bilal says.

Admission to the nanofestival is free, but space is limited.

“A Nanofestival of Black Joy, Liberation & Expression” will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 13, at the Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., Downtown.

Info: urbanconsulate.com.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

35

FOOD & DRINK

Blue creamy whip is a staple in Cincinnati.

P H O T O : J E S S E F OX

True-Blue Roots Since debuting at Kings Island in 1984, blue creamy whip has become one of Cincinnati’s delicious emblems.

BY SA M I ST E WA RT

“

I’ll have a small Smurf cone with jimmies, please.”

A non-native Cincinnatian may be hard-pressed to decode that sentence, but it makes sense at Kings Island.

The Smurf cone, blueberry ice cream, blue soft serve – whatever you call it – is an essential piece of Cincinnati’s food canon, and we have Kings Island

36

CITYBEAT.COM

|

to thank for it. It’s impossible to chronicle the history of blue ice cream in Cincinnati without first delving into the history of Kings Island, the brains behind the blueberry soft serve that has taken up residence in ice cream machines all over the Greater Cincinnati area.

Enchanted Voyage debuted in 1972

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

along with the park itself and was the classic family-friendly boat ride that echoed Magic Kingdom’s “It’s a Small World” in form, but with HannaBarbera characters instead of Disney ones. The whole cast of animatronic characters serenaded you in a chorus of cartoonish falsettos as you bobbed along. Enchanted Voyage was a muststop for most visitors – by the end of its run, it had amassed 47 million rides, Don Helbig, digital marketing manager at Kings Island, said in a blog post.

In 1984, Enchanted Voyage was revamped into Smurf’s Enchanted Voyage, the post said, which required significantly more oversized plastic mushrooms and gallons of azure paint than the previous rendition thanks to the titular blue creatures. To garner excitement for the ride’s refresh, Kings

Island debuted a blueberry-flavored (and Smurf-colored) soft serve ice cream that became more integral to the Kings Island experience than anyone had planned for.

The ice cream’s legacy outlived that of the ride by a significant margin. It was an instant hit among Kings Island fans.

Getting a “Smurf cone,” as it came to be known colloquially, was just as important as riding The Beast in a day’s-worth of amusement – and it still is. But these days, many Cincinnatians simply refer to it as blue ice cream.

Perhaps it wasn’t clear to Kings Island officials at the time just how important the Smurf cone had become to the visitor experience until they took it away. In 1992, Smurf’s Enchanted Voyage was converted into Phantom Theater, a haunted theater ride. Since

Many Cincinnati ice cream stands now carry blue creamy whip, including Putz’s Creamy Whip, Loveland Dairy Whip and Gold Top Dairy Bar (pictured).

P H O T O : S A M I S T E WA R T

the blue ice cream was so popular for Smurf’s Enchanted Voyage, Kings Island assumed that a new flavor should accompany the new version of the ride, too. Ahead of Phantom Theater’s opening, a pastel red, cherryflavored soft serve filled the park’s ice cream machines where blueberry once was.

It did not go over well. Helbig called it “uproar” and “chaos” in an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer.

For Kings Island fans, blue soft serve had become integral to the Kings Island experience, and its abrupt replacement had caused an outcry among park regulars. Park officials eventually brought back the fan favorite, and the blue treat still is available in the park today.

The upheaval caught the attention of long-standing creamy whips throughout Cincinnati, and the little shops hopped aboard the blue ice cream train.

Putz’s Creamy Whip started carrying blueberry soft serve as a rotating flavor in the 1990s but soon added it to the permanent menu due to its popularity.

“We actually added a new (ice cream) machine just to keep up with demand,” says Mindy Borgman, owner of Putz’s

Creamy Whip. She started serving ice cream at Putz’s more than twenty years ago and eventually married into the family. Around 2020, she became an owner.

After over two decades of loyal ice cream service, Borgman has an opinion on this Cincinnatian delicacy.

“I don’t like it,” Borgman tells CityBeat. “My kids love it! But it’s not for me.”

Borgman says that Putz’s sells more blue ice cream than twist cones on average, churning through nearly 50 gallons each week. The company adds blueberry flavoring to the classic ultracreamy vanilla base, setting it apart from Kings Island’s blue cone.

Many other mainstay creamy whips and soft-serve spots in Cincinnati have integrated blue ice cream into their menus now. Some serve a true-to-form blueberry flavor, while others opt for blue raspberry instead.

So what makes blue soft serve a Cincinnati thing? After all, Blue Moon hard-serve ice cream – the kind you scoop – has been in the freezers of Midwesterners for nearly 70 years, and soft serve isn’t native to Ohio.

But blueberry soft serve lies at the

critical intersection of nostalgia and nuance. It was a Kings Island marketing ploy that turned into a fond memory for many, capping a long day of riding roller coasters in the summer sun with a sweet treat you couldn’t find anywhere else at the time.

And the ensuing years have shown that the ice cream being blueberry-flavored may have been less integral than it being Smurf-colored. Being tied to Kings Island has been a critical selling point. After all, Cedar Point tried selling blueberry soft serve, and it was a flop with the Sandusky crowd.

Blue creamy whip now belongs in the Cincinnati food hall of fame next to the goetta and Grippo’s, imprinting core memories into the minds of Kings Island fans who eagerly order their blue cones with rainbow jimmies.

See CityBeat’s extensive guide to local creamy whip establishments at bit.ly/3NBbKFm.

Putz’s Creamy Whip 2673 Putz Place East Westwood/Northside

Norwood Delite Creamy Whip 4490 Forest Ave. Norwood.

Gold Top Dairy Bar 2810 Blue Rock Road Mt. Airy

Whipty-Do! 2529 Montgomery Road Maineville

Loveland Dairy Whip 611 W Loveland Ave. Loveland

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

37

Hart & Cru Brings European Charm to Pendleton

EATS

BY S E A N M . P E T E RS

Hart & Cru staff (left-right): Peter Wilke, Brittany Marsh, Sarah Tanner and Kevin Hart P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY H A R T & C R U

Local sommelier Kevin Hart, proprietor of the boutique wine shop Hart & Cru in Pendleton, has built a solid reputation for himself in the city as a friendly, inviting authority on old world wines.

Before opening the shop in November, Hart’s career in the industry yielded wineCRAFT, a local wine importer and distributor which provides some of the most highly allocated wines in the city.

Local celebrity chefs Jean-Robert de Cavel (The Maisonette, Jean-Robert’s Table, Le Bar a Boeuf and French Crust Café and Bistro) and David Falk (Sotto, Boca, Nada and Domo) have called upon Hart to find the perfect pairings for their refined cuisine, and Hart’s list of clients whose cellars he stocks is longer than any saber used to lop champagne corks off the bottle.

The most recent culmination of Hart’s journey with wine, Hart & Cru is a welcoming room for patrons to not only peruse the shelves, but also to sample

38

CITYBEAT.COM

|

light bites and different vintages and varieties while enjoying the full range of sensory pleasures afforded by good wine and conversation in a beautiful space.

When posed with the fact that he’s made such a good impression on Cincinnati’s wine industry, Hart doesn’t miss a beat.

“Alcohol does that,” he says. “I make friends quickly.”

Hart’s appreciation for wine comes in part from a deeply personal space he discovered during childhood, where his grandparents grew fruit and vegetables among larger fields of corn and soy outside rural Bluffton in northwest Ohio.

There, he began to learn the importance of soil composition, its minerality and other components essential to understanding what exactly makes good wine.

“When I was younger I couldn’t wait to get away from it, get into the city life and so forth,” Hart says. “But the older I become, I think a major part of where

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Kevin Hart, sommelier and owner of Hart & Cru P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY H A R T & C R U

my palate is and where it’s developed is due to my grandma teaching me when a plum is right to pick off of a tree, what’s an underripe raspberry, what corn on the cob is actually supposed to taste like.”

This earthy knowledge helps someone like Hart form their own opinion on wines, leading to Hart & Cru’s stellar selection of offerings. When you buy a bottle or sip something new, know that they’re offering wines based on the quality of the bottle’s contents and not the prestige of the name on the label.

Hart describes his brand – his mission – as discovering and curating passionate farmers who make world-class wine.

“I’ve made a massive focus to make wine accessible without downgrading it,” Hart says. “Sometimes people want to talk about wine and, you know, taking the pretentiousness away — which I definitely want to do as well and I really make that a major focus — but I think sometimes when you do that without understanding the back end of the wine, actually, you discredit the wine of what it is. I mean, it’s an incredible, beautiful agricultural product, and I don’t ever want to lose that.”

There’s a prevailing philosophy that wine is a cultural asset and is not supposed to be a luxury beverage enjoyed only by affluent aficionados.

Hart agrees that the finer things in life belong to everyone, which is why Hart & Cru’s selection of wines are priced to fit any budget without threat of the lower ticket bottles being of poor quality. What seems to stop a lot of people from entering the world of wine in a serious way is not money, but fear, Hart believes; there’s so much to learn about wine that people feel overwhelmed with information. While the benefits of amassing a worldly knowledge base around wine is one excellent way to learn geography, history, culture, biology and the nuances of the palate, there’s nothing wrong with simply enjoying what you drink because it suits the moment.

“If people walk in and start asking questions about wine or they’re intimidated, to me, the question is ‘What are you in the mood for?’” Hart says. “I love asking a lot of food questions.”

“It’s really funny – people are not intimidated to tell me their really random preferences in food, but they’re terrified to talk about beverages,” Hart continues. “In the second that conversation is started, you build a relationship, and once the relationship is started, you can kind of take them on a journey. But to me you have to break down those barriers somehow.”

The selection at Hart & Cru encompasses the full spectrum of different styles of wine, with a favor toward western European and United States producers. Whether you have a preference

Hart & Cru provides seating for those looking to enjoy light bites and wine at the store.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY H A R T & C R U

Hart & Cru offers the full spectrum of different styles of wine.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY H A R T & C R U

for red, white, rosé, orange, sparkling or any other conceivable expression grapes are capable of, something on their shelves is certain to satisfy (but don’t come in expecting draft beer or a cocktail, this is all about wine and light bites). If you want to browse their retail options before heading in, visit hartandcru.com for a glimpse at what they have in stock. Price points on bottles are as low as $15 and can easily exceed $150 if you’re looking for something truly impressive.

Hart believes some food tastes better with wine and vice versa, which is why

Hart & Cru offers “European comfort food light bites.” Think nuts, olives, bread from Allez Bakery with oil, and tabbouleh. French cheese puffs known as gougères, are prepared by Megan Ketover, former Boca pastry chef (Hart’s entire team comes from Boca). These dishes are inspired by Hart’s European travels.

Hart & Cru also offers seating to those indulging in item’s from the establishment’s food menu. The entire setup at Hart & Cru is chic, with modernity peeking over old world tradition in every detail. Hart aims to capture the

charm of his favorite European cities by housing his shop in Pendleton shop as opposed to more trafficked areas.

“I wanted to be on some back street that just felt like a quaint little neighborhood and you stumbled upon a little place and you fall in love with it,” Hart says. “Pendleton really captures some of that for me.”

Hart & Cru, 1206 Broadway St., Pendleton, hartandcru.com.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

39

40

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Don't forget to add on our winter family-friendly production

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE This summer at The Carnegie Otto M. Budig Theatre

into the woods

GEOR GE REM US A New Music al

Check our dates & purchase tickets

T he C a r neg ie. c o m JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

41

MUSIC

Billy Bob Thornton (left) and J.D. Andrew (right) of The Boxmasters P H OTO : C O N N I E T H O R N TO N

They’re ‘Alive’ With new albums to celebrate, Billy Bob Thornton and J.D. Andrew of The Boxmasters want to give Cincinnati better show memories this time around.

BY B R I A N BA K E R

E

arly pandemic life for the Boxmasters was pretty much business as usual, other than songwriting sessions conducted over Zoom and social distancing observed in the recording studio – and maybe the fact that the studio was equal parts workspace and refuge.

42

CITYBEAT.COM

|

“It was definitely less stress for me in the studio than at my house with my three boys trying to Zoom school,” renowned recording engineer and multi-instrumentalist J.D. Andrew tells CityBeat. “That would drive anyone to insanity.”

And in some ways, the Boxmasters’

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

quarantine may have resulted in slightly too much extra home time.

“It didn’t change our lives that much because we have kids and we pretty much stay home all the time anyway.

Unless we’re on tour or in the recording studio, we’re home with the family,” says Billy Bob Thornton, the Boxmasters’ studio drummer and live frontman. “The day we left L.A. for tour, my wife was actually wearing a party hat.”

The incredible thing about this period for the Boxmasters’ is that it resulted in the creation of three distinct albums: a set of nearly all holiday originals, Christmas in California, which dropped late last year; the just-released Help...I’m Alive; and the still-in-the-can Nothing Personal, a moody, prog-tinged work with Pink Floyd and King Crimson

reflections. Nothing Personal was the first of the albums to be completed, and there’s a simple explanation for the order of releases.

“When the lockdown started loosening up, we figured we’d better put out the more upbeat-sounding record because people aren’t going to want to hear what we were feeling during the pandemic. They’re going to want to see some sunshine,” says Thornton.

“We’ll put out Nothing Personal when everyone’s wounds have healed so they can reflect on that time as opposed to still being in it.”

Just as the title of Nothing Personal drips with irony – it is, according to Thornton and Andrew, completely personal – so too does Help...I’m Alive.

“That was the idea behind the title,”

The Boxmasters created three distinct albums over the course of their COVID-19 quarantine.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY T H E B OX M A S T E R S

Thornton says. “Instead of saying, ‘Help, I’m dying,’ or ‘Help, I’m drowning,’ it was ‘Help, I’m alive.’

“In fact, I think that was the song that kind of sparked the whole album,” he continues. “It just seemed like a great theme for the record. There are some regular boy/girl songs on there but they all have to do with things we were thinking at the time.”

Help...I’m Alive is a brilliantly Pollackspattered sonic palette of the Boxmasters’ diverse influences, from ‘60s British Invasion pop and its Stateside counterparts to twangy homegrown country, rockabilly and Americana (a musical gumbo that Thornton and Andrew have christened modbilly). But there is darkness in the album’s light.

Andrew was mourning the suicide of a childhood friend during the album’s recording, and Thornton channeled a longstanding fear into the album’s closing track, “You’ll Never Be Mine.”

“It sounds like it would be about a girl, right? But what it’s actually about is that, for a long time, I suffered from agoraphobia (a fear of crowded places and leaving one’s home). My mother had agoraphobia, and I still have a touch of it,” Thornton says. “So the ‘you’ in ‘You’ll Never Be Mine’ is actually life.

It’s this guy singing about these houses where parties are going on and wondering what it’s like in there. Or he sees smoke from a chimney and he’s like, ‘I wonder who built that fire?’ but he’s afraid to go in there. Unless you buy the record and read the lyrics, you won’t ever know what that’s about.”

Sonically, the Boxmasters’ foundation has not shifted substantially from

the band’s formation in 2007. Before that, actor/director/writer Thornton had recorded a handful of albums under his own name (the Arkansas native had moved to California to pursue music and stumbled into acting), and Andrew was an in-demand engineer. Since the Boxmasters’ first album, the band’s founders have been the primary creative movers in the studio and hire friends to present their music on the road. The current circuit features lead guitarist Raymond Hardy, bassist Kirk McKim and drummer Nick Davidson.

“Help...I’m Alive sounds like a Boxmasters record, but we progress a little more each time,” says Thornton. “We add things to what we’re doing. The last two or three albums have steadily gotten more sophisticated.”

“We’re not going to stick with the same thing,” Andrew adds. “Sometime during the pandemic, we added a Mellotron, so we’re playing with that a lot.

Somewhere along the line I bought a fuzz pedal and started using that for the first time. We used to rely on having another keyboard player or guitar player to put down solos, but now we’re confident enough that we don’t have to do that.”

“We play all the parts ourselves; it’s just me and Billy, making a record how we want it to sound and how we want it to be. It’s all our ideas, start to end, and we don’t convey them to anybody else.

From writing the songs to mixing them, we do everything ourselves,” Andrew continues. “The only other person who puts a finger on it is our mastering guy, Eric Boulanger, who makes it ready for

the masses. It’s about as DIY as you can get things.”

All of the Boxmasters’ hard work over the past decade and a half is clearly paying dividends. The band’s fanbase has been expanding incrementally from what Thornton describes as a cult following to a solid audience, and the band is playing at venues and in areas that, in many instances, they’re visiting for the first time.

It’s tempting to credit the internet for the Boxmasters’ growth but the band isn’t so sure.

“We’re doing the social media ourselves so that can’t be it,” says Andrew.

“We’re horrible at it,” seconds Thornton. “At least J.D. can turn on a computer. I can barely turn on my cell phone.”

The next best explanations for their popularity are old-fashioned word of mouth publicity and the Boxmasters’ tenacity on the road. Their upcoming show at the Ludlow Garage on June 8 is a case in point.

The last Boxmasters show in Cincinnati was a disaster. Thornton and Andrew say they were double-booked at a venue the same weekend as an EDM festival, shunted off to a basement space that was intended to be a music venue but had not yet opened for that purpose (the band gracefully did not share the date or location with CityBeat). A few dozen people showed up for the performance, but it was the kind of experience that could sour a band’s opinion of a market for a long time.

But not the Boxmasters.

“I still get messages from fans that were at that show, and they say how

much they loved it but were disappointed there wasn’t a bigger turnout and hope we’ll come back,” says Andrew. “So hopefully they’ll see we’re coming and tell some friends.”

Of course, there is the distinct possibility that a percentage of Boxmasters attendees are curious due to Thornton’s celebrity and notoriety, of which he is well aware. Thornton has a way of handling a crowd if he senses they might not actually be fans of the music, which ties into an odd press release notation that the Boxmasters are at least partially steered by the spirit of Frank Zappa.

“It’s not on the surface of the music, except for sometimes lyrically when we write a more humorous song,” Thornton says. “If we have an audience that doesn’t get stuff, I’ll talk about something insane that they won’t know what it means, just to entertain me and the band, and sometimes I’ll go into Zappa’s voice to do it. Like when we played Dallas, I said, ‘We have a lot of fans around Dallas and we know a lot of you here have seen us many times and you know our music. For anybody who’s new and doesn’t have our records and never seen us live, we don’t do ‘Stairway to Heaven’ or ‘Color My World’ or ‘House of the Rising Sun.’ This is all original music So if you don’t have our albums or know our music.’ And then I went into Zappa’s voice, ‘Get ready for the worst two hours of your life!’”

The Boxmasters play Ludlow Garage (342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton) at 8:30 p.m. June 8.

Info:ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

43

Motion City Soundtrack’s Justin Pierre Is Committing His Band’s Last 17 Years to Memory

MUSIC

BY J E F F N I E S E L

When Motion City Soundtrack singer-guitarist Justin Pierre first met guitarist Josh Cain, the two were in high school and liked very different types of music. Cain had an older brother who was the conduit for “really cool music” and introduced him to acts such as Big Black and the Pixies. Pierre had much more conventional inclinations.

“I was listening to whatever my parents listened to and then went to pop music,” says Pierre via phone from his Minneapolis home. Motion City Soundtrack will bring its tour celebrating the 17th anniversary of sophomore album Commit This to Memory to Bogart’s on June 10 (the band originally was supposed to visit Cincinnati in January but postponed the tour due to spiking COVID-19 numbers locally and throughout the country; previous tickets will be honored).

“I listened to whatever was on the radio and then saw my way to hip hop.

I was into the Beastie Boys. My dad got me Licensed to Ill, and it was them and Run DMC and the Fat Boys. I liked a Public Enemy song or two,” Pierre says.

“Then I got into metal. This is all in the course of two or three years. Eventually, I had a friend in high school who introduced me to Sonic Youth, Pixies, Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins.”

Motion City Soundtrack distills those various influences on 2005’s Commit This to Memory, a terrific pop punk album that brought the band into the mainstream thanks to the jittery emo-pop single “Everything Is Alright,” a song with a nervous energy that references a need for “self-medication” (Pierre reportedly struggled with depression, anxiety and substance abuse at the time). The album represented a big improvement from the band’s 2003 debut, I Am the Movie, Pierre says. “(I Am the Movie) to me is an amalgamation of trying out different things,” Pierre says. “What happened for (Commit This to Memory) was getting (bassist) Matt (Taylor) and (drummer) Tony (Thaxton) and (keyboardist) Jesse (Johnson) together and writing as a full team instead of Josh and I with many different bass players and drummers. It was the five of us writing the record as a whole. In a way, that is both our sophomore album and our freshman album.”

Notably, the group hooked up with Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, who produced the effort. Motion City Soundtrack had toured with Blink-182 prior to making the album, and Cain casually approached Hoppus after he

44

CITYBEAT.COM

|

Motion City Soundtrack is celebrating the 17th anniversary of its 2005 album Commit This to Memory.

P H O T O : P R O V I D E D BY M O T I O N C I T Y S O U N D T R A C K

realized that Hoppus had the same musical inspirations. Cain simply asked Hoppus if he wanted to “produce something,” and Hoppus agreed.

“What makes (Hoppus) super special is that he knows how to bring out whatever it is that the band does that makes them special,” says Pierre. “He didn’t tinker too much with the songwriting.

The dude is, like, super smart. I don’t know if people know that about him.

He can walk into a room and pick up on what note is flat. He’s crazy smart.

From a technical aspect, he can get the sounds he wants. He’s really good at the juxtaposition of elements. He said we sing too much. He told us to let the songs breathe every once in a while.”

For the tour, the band will likely play Commit This to Memory in its entirety.

The group originally had scheduled a

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

15-year anniversary tour in 2020 that it then pushed to 2021. After that tour was postponed, it rescheduled the trek for 2022, so it’s now a 17-year anniversary tour.

“I don’t know 100% what we’ll play, but my guess is we’ll play the album front to back, and then play another free-for-all set, almost like two sets,” Pierre says during a January interview before the tour launched.

While he says it would be fun to pull out some deep cuts from the era, Pierre also realizes that not everyone would want to hear the band’s greatest misses.

“It’s kind of tough,” he says. “There’s these guys in the Philly and Jersey area who always request one of our oldest songs, ‘Throw Down.’ We’ve played it a couple of times, and it’s like five people in the audience who are very excited,

.and the rest of the people are very confused. It’s like, ‘How much do you do the weird deep cuts for the super nerds?’ As a super nerd myself, I do appreciate playing those songs now and then. But honestly, at my age, I stopped caring about things that don’t matter.

(With this tour), I just want to bring some joy into the world where I can.

That’s about it.”

Motion City Soundtrack plays Bogart’s on June 10. Show is at 6:30 p.m. Info: motioncitysoundtrack.com.

This story was originally published by CityBeat sister paper Cleveland Scene.

2022 EVENTS

JULY 11-17

WWW.CINCINNATIBURGERWEEK.COM

AUGUST 22-28 WWW.CINCYWINGWEEK.COM

SEPTEMBER 19-25 WWW.GCRWEEK.COM

OCTOBER 17-23

WWW.CINCYTACOWEEK.COM

NOVEMBER 7-13 WWW.CINCINNATIPIZZAWEEK.COM

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

45

SOUND ADVICE

PUP P H O T O : VA N E S S A H E I N S

PUP

June 5 • Bogart’s PUP frontman Stefan Babcock has the voice of a man desperate to get across his point of view – snotty emissions tinged with emotion even when conveying the most mundane of sentiments. Shades of Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle and Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum are obvious, as are numerous predecessors of a punkier persuasion.

The Toronto quartet’s recently minted fourth full-length, The Unraveling of PUPtheband, is a concept album about, yes, the demise of PUP (which supposedly stands for Pathetic Use of Potential). Babcock’s ragged vocals complement music that is end-of-world bombastic one minute, less so the next as shards of melody emerge through the din.

It remains clear Babcock and his

46

CITYBEAT.COM

|

band mates — bassist Nestor Chumak, drummer Zack Mykula and guitarist Steve Sladkowski — are not happy with the state of the world today, but, as ever, jubilant music cuts through Babcock’s bummedout lyrical concerns.

Jagged guitar lines weave between fizzy sing-along choruses, while the sneakily subtle rhythm section anchors songs in line with

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

the punky approach that drove PUP’s first three efforts: 2013’s self-titled debut, 2016’s breakthrough follow-up The Dream Is Over and 2019’s stellar Morbid Stuff.

“I could talk about the lyrics and how I’m trying to make this big statement and it wouldn’t be completely false,” Babcock said in a recent interview with Consequence of Sound.

“But I think the point that I would more

Babcock’s ragged vocals complement music that is endof-world bombastic one minute, less so the next as shards of melody emerge through the din.

like to focus on here is that this album is called The Unraveling of PUPtheband, and it is literally the sound of the four of us unraveling. Like, losing our collective minds thinking that saxophone freakout solos would be a good idea. It’s some of the goofiest parts on the whole record and it’s some of the dumbest lyrics of the whole record, and a part of that is, yeah, we were losing our minds by the end of the process, but that shit’s funny.

Music is supposed to be fun.”

Which begs the question: What would an angry PUP record sound like?

PUP plays at 7 p.m. June 5 at Bogart’s.

Health checks may be required. Info: bogarts.com. (Jason Gargano)

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets P H OTO : S H O R E F I R E M E D I A

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

June 8 • Memorial Hall Songwriter and producer Nick Lowe has been around long enough to have witnessed bell-bottomed pants come in and out of style at least three times.

His work from the late-1960s forward helped prop up some of music’s most prolific new wave and postpunk stalwarts, including Elvis Costello, who turned Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” into one of his own signature songs.

In the ensuing decades, Lowe has moved through pop, country, and everything in between.

But now Lowe has entered a new phase of his career, and the “Cruel to Be Kind” singer is enjoying the hell out of it. Now touring with Nashville surfrock band Los Straitjackets, Lowe has returned to unabashed rock-and-roll.

The pairing – Lowe with his shock of white hair and zaddy glasses, and Los Straitjackets with their suits and Mexican wrestling masks – might seem odd at first glance, but the touring show brings out the best in both, bowling over concertgoers with a dose of nostalgia and a freight train worth of fun.

Speaking of Lowe’s buddy Costello, Napoleon Dynamite will kick off a tour in Huber Heights on Aug. 6. Lowe and Los Straitjackets are opening for Costello for most of the schedule, but not here – local fans instead will see indie crooner Nicole Atkins.

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets play Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. June 8.

Tommy McLain will open the show.

Masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination are optional.

Info: memorialhallotr.com. (Allison Babka)

The pairing – Lowe with his shock of white hair and zaddy glasses, and Los Straitjackets with their suits and Mexican wrestling masks – might seem odd at first glance, but the touring show brings out the best in both, bowling over concertgoers with a dose of nostalgia and a freight train worth of fun.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

47

WWW.CITYBEAT.COM

48

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

49

Thank you to our

Press Club members for keeping independent local journalism alive!

publisher

$ 50/ M O . O R $500 O N E - T I M E D O N AT I O N Aaron Metzger Adrian Smith Amy Alig Amy Hunter Becky Regenold Beth Palm Brad Turner Brandon Gross Carol Heideman

Carole Winters Catherine Cook Christine Mayhew Craig Gentry David Purcell David Tashjian David Wallace Destinee Thomas Don Griffith

Eric Lewis Greg Terhune Heather Britt Heidi Jost Helen Morehouse Ian Rexroad Jackie Reau Jennifer Schmitz Jeremy Boerger

John Heekin John Lasley Jon Stiles Joseph Link Josh Roth Justin Jeffre Kenneth Jordan Kohnen & Patton Laura Overton

Linda Averbeck Lisa Haglund M.E. Steele-Pierce Marilyn Wall Mark Painter Maureen Boeing Michael Solway Michelle Curley Mike Donohue

Mike Fleisch Mike Sorelle Molly Fitzmaurice Oliver Kroner Pam Kravetz Pama Mitchell Patricia Doyle Patrick Cusick Paul Allaer

Regina Russo Robert Rourke Rod Denison Roger Grodsky Sara Marschall Scott Knox Scott Rose Sean And Anne Murphy Sean Conlon

Sean Dana Shannan Boyer Sharon Petit Steve Hatch Steve Schmidt Steven Rosen Sue Ann Painter Suzana Waterhous Tom Zeug

Editor

$ 20/ M O . O R $200 O N E - T I M E D O N AT I O N Amanda Parker-Wolery Anne Arenstein Anne Mitchell Anthony Johnson Anthony Verticchio Barrett Smith Bavi Rivera Bethe Goldenfield Bill Rinehart Brandon Harris Brent Patterson Casey Titschinger Charles Green Connie Hinitz Cynthia Duval

D. S. Uhlhorn Deirdre Kaye Diane Stemper Donna Dee Snyder Earl Apel Elissa Yancey Ellen Boyne Emily Jobe Emma Tillman Eric Urbas Evan Millward Fred Yaeger Fritz Holznagel Garry Binegar Gerald Sullivan

Gregory Kornbluh Heather Barber Jane Simon Jason Martin Jennifer Hester Jennifer Schneider Jenny Watters Jess Linz Jim Caskey John Fox Jonathan Neal Joseph Schwering Karen Lane Karen Luken

Kate Harrow Kathryn Wallace Kathy Cunningham Ken Laube Kendra Krietsch Kristina Kew Lauaren Worley Laura Jenkins Leif Fairfield Linda Phillips Lisa Olson Lisa Witte Margie Breen Maria Seda-Reeder

Mark Samaan Mason Cook Micah Paldino Michael Howard Michael Mclarty Michelemarie Merritt Morgan Rigaud Nancy Sullivan Pa Bosley Pam Farrish Pat Shaw Patricia Newberry Paul Ingram Paul Whitlatch

Peg Moertl Peter Rother Rachael Katz Rachel Colyer Randall Reese Richard Sarason Richard Wills Robert Coats Robin Igney Russell Hausfeld S. Bradley Gillaugh Sandra Stratton Sarah Lautar Sarah Thomas Saundra Regan

Stacey Bie Stephanie Barnard Suzana Waterhlus Suzanne Sifri Tana Weingartner Tim Breen Tim Spence Tim Strom Tricia Bath Valerie Zummo Vicky Mary William Hoppenjans

Beat Reporter

$5/ M O O R $50 O N E - T I M E D O N AT I O N Aaron Sharpe Aaron Slovin Adam Doty Adrick Hawley Aine Baldwin Alan Sunderman Alana Jenkins Alex Parks Alexander Wolf Alison Hayfer Aly Gomez Amanda Lee Anderson Amy Elder Amy Purcell Amy Raghuraman Amy Stiefel Andrew Hemmelgarn Andrew Price Andy Brownfield Angelique Wilson Anjali Nelson Anna Boegehold Anna Parnigoni Anne Flottman Anne Stocker Annette Wick Athanasia Nikolaou Athie Livas Bentley Davis Beth Ewing Beth Warmuth Betsy Shank

Bob Driehaus Bob Schute Bobby Straka Brad Gibson Brandi Ballou Brent Stroud Brian Boyer Brian Boyer Carol Horn Charles Curran Chas Wiederhold Chet Closson Chris And Emily Dobbs Chris Bennington Chrissie Carli Christine Jansen Christopher Dalton Christopher Hachfeld Christopher Kelsen Christyl Johnson Chuck Davis Chuck Lohre Clarity Amrein Colleen Mccroskey Craig Marshall Smith Crystal Dandridge Cynthia Rose Dan Bockrath Dan Klco Dan Lee Daniel Browne David Askam

Dennis Pattinson Denny Gibson Dorcas Washington Dot Crane Eira Tansey Elizabeth Brown Elizabeth Stockton Ella Mulford Ellen Schmidt Elliott Liddle Eric Palmer Erin Duffy Evangeline Bauerle Frederick Warren Gary Mcintosh Gauri Wadhwa Grace Hill Graham Stewart Gregory Hoodin Hannah Lowen Hannah Mccartney Hannah Purnell Hannah Sparks Heather Stamm Hillary Kenkel Holden Mathis Jacqueline Good

Jacqueline Greene Brian Howe

James Spurrier Jamie Ciolino Jan Evans

Jared Newman Jason Gargano Jeanne Fisher Jeff Brinkman Jeff Mellott Jennifer Mastrorocco Jill Dunne Jill Dunne Jill Morenz Jim Nolan Joan Smith Joe Rosemeyer John Alberti John Bealle John Funk John Gillespie John Yung Jon Berger Jonathan Goolsby Joseph Gastenveld Joseph Groh Joseph Metz Jude Noel Judy Breetz Jules Rosen Julie Coppens Julie Doepke Justin Levy Karen Dews Kathleen Kern Kathryn Grever Kathy Lutz

Katie Barrier Katie Brown Katie Niemeyer Keith Pandolfi Ken Katkin Kenzie Borgmann Kevin Clarisey Kevin Cole Kevin Necessary Kevin Reynolds Kevin Shaw Kiersten Wones Kristi Jones Kristin Wilson Kristin Wilson Kristin Woeste Krystan Krailler Kyle Ley Laura Simkow Lauren Spadafore Laurie Althaus Lewis Riley Leyla Shokoohe Linda Harris Lindsay King Lindy Kroell Lisa Mauch Lisa Slutsky Logan Lautzenheiser Louis Kerr Louisa Passano Madison Landon

Manos Semertzides Margaret Mcgurk Margy Waller Mariann Quinn Mark Jeffreys Mark Mahoney Mary Burton Mary Manera Mary Uetrecht Mary Woodconstable Mary-Elizabeth Keefe Matthew Jent Matthew Long Matthew Regnold Matthew Swaidan Melissa Werner Melvin Grier Michael Dillon Michael James Michele Hobbs Michelle Jones Mike Obrian Molly Scruta Monica Betomakita Monica Lira Morgan Wolf Natalie Coyle Natalie Krebs Nathan Kemphues Nick Barrows Nick Moscato Noah Goertemiller

Pam Collins Parker Cohen Patricia Wegman Paul Slater Penny Rose Phil Carver Phil Clark Rachel Szeles Randall Smith Rhonda Dossenbach Rich Richmond Richard Emery Rick Baker Rigel Behrens Robert Brumberg Robert Drake Robert Kuhn Russell Storm Ryan Brown Sabrina Baxter Samantha Grier Samantha Tansino Samuel Easter Samuel Huntington Santoshi Mahendra Sarah Estes Scott Lincoln Sean Hughes Sean Hughes Sean Owens Seth Robinson Shannon Drake

Join the Cincinnati Press Club at citybeat.com/support-local-journalism today.

50

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

Shari Kelly-Burrows Shelly Woodward Sherrie Kinderdine Sophie Wean Stephen Kuntz Stephen Sauer Steven Magas Stu Mcculloch Tammy Richardson Tara Keesling Teresa Brolley Thomas Hastings Thomas Scanlon Tiffany Vitagliano Tim Shumrick Timmy Broderick Timothy Dewald Timothy Reeder Tom Allen Tom Woodall Travis Gysegem Troy Brumley Tyler Waddell Vasilios Antoniadis Victoria Brink Vyronika Raevyn Wanda Nichols Zane Lesko

LABOR LEADERS 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 1. Expensive ride 4. Corporate measurement of asset value versus its replacement 10. Bus. types who care about 4-Across 14. “That’s interesting!”

15. Haughty 16. Search party?

17. It broke out worldwide in 2008 19. Bruins’s sch.

20. Measurements of ASCII characters 21. Three in the front 23. “Squid Game” actress ___ Joo-Ryoung 24. Device cracked by Alan Turing 29. Didn’t let go off 31. Green garnish 32. Swallowed a wiener 33. “___ about time” 34. Fish stick?

35. Person to speak to after months of French Duolingo, maybe 36. 1991 Bette Middler comedy

42. They may be special in the military 43. “Terrible” leader?

44. Bashful 45. Creamery purchase 48. Small bra spec 49. Get along (with) 50. Paul McCartney hit with the lyric “You love me all the time” 53. Facepalm-inducing bud 54. Strand at a crime scene 55. Beauty queen Lauder 58. A lot of people live there 60. Homecoming hosts 64. Skinned body part 65. Water ___ (summer toy) 66. Tiny taste 67. Put into piles 68. Green sauces 69. Number of Canadian provinces DOWN 1. Buffoon

6 $ 9 , 2 5 6

6 7 ( $ / 7 +

, & $ 1 6 ( (

7 8 % ( 7 2 3

' ( + 2 5 1 6

( 7 6 , 2 1 1 6 2 & 5 ' $ 7 ( 2 : 0 5 2 ( 2 1 7 + 2 5 & 2 1 $ 7 & + $ 6 $

$ % % (

$ 7 + : $ 5 7

& 2 2 3 ' , $ $ 7 = ( 7 6

1 7 6 5 , 2 $ 7 ) ( 6 7 0 & 8 7 $ & + ( 0 2 ' 2 1 0 ( ( $ ( , & . 7 5 + $ % 7 2 1 ( 1 6 < ( $

6 $ 9 $ 5 , 1

2 9 ( 5 / , (

3 $ 5 .

6 , 7

6 : $ * * ( 5

7 $ & 7 8 $ /

6 7 ( ( / <

attorney at law

$ 5 ( 7 + $

Bertha G. Helmick

LAST PUZZLE’S ANSWERS:

zon rainforest 37. Fresh face on Twitch streams, e.g.

38. Fallopian tube traveler 39. Conclusive assessor of value 40. Softball pitch 41. Caustic cleaner 45. Hits on the side of the head 46. House of cards?

47. Bar snack?

48. Charlotte ___ 49. Mirth 51. Like game purchases that help you level up 52. Ardent fires 56. Lake seen from the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame 57. “First Take” channel 59. “Nevertheless ...”

61. Things in an agt.’s slush pile 62. USFL stat 63. Jersey “hello”

2. Big Dick in literature 3. “Let me see if we’re missing something” 4. Kinda sorta 5. No. for DJs 6. Shrink’s org.

7. Tuna fish container 8. Question of self-doubt?

9. Catherine of “Schitt’s Creek” 10. “In The Heights” director Jon 11. Profane “YOLO” 12. Connected, so to speak 13. Flower part 18. Heal 22. George Gervin’s nickname, with “The” 25. Lip covering 26. Hot cougar 27. “This Land Is Your Land” topic 28. Actress Alana of “Licorice Pizza” 29. Belonging to dad 30. Abbr. after a few examples 34. Curry ingredient 35. Brazilian state that is nearly 90% Ama-

DISSOLVE YOUR DISSOLVE YOUR DISSOLVE YOUR MARRIAGE MARRIAGE MARRIAGE Dissolution: An amicable end to

Dissolution: An amicable end to marriage. Easier on your heart.

Dissolution: An amicable end to Easier on your wallet. marriage. onyour yourheart. heart. marriage.Easier Easier on Easier on your wallet.

Starting at $500 plus court costs.

Easier on your wallet.

Starting at $500Turnaround. plus court costs.

12 Hour 12 Hour Turnaround.

810 Sycamore St. 4th Fl., at Cincinnati, 45202 $500 OH 810 SycamoreStarting St. 4th Fl, Cincinnati, OH 45202

plus court costs.

513.651.9666 513.651.9666

12 Hour Turnaround.

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022

|

CITYBEAT.COM

51

52

CITYBEAT.COM

|

JUNE 1, 2022 - JUNE 14, 2022