Issuu

Holy

CINCINNATI’S NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT SOURCE | SEPTEMBER 16 - 29, 2026 | FREE

OTR Inside the unconventional lives of the Carmelite sisters who pray, roast Starburst, cheer for the Bengals and help their neighbors. Meet the sisters redefining convent life in Cincinnati. By Nadya Ellerhorst

Get your CityBeat DELIVERED

CityBeat Subscriptions https://qr.link/WL8geb

SCAN ME

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

VOL. 29 | ISSUE 19 MOTHER MARIE-CÉCILE OF THE TRINIT Y IS THE SUPERIOR AND FOUNDRESS OF THE CARMELITE DAUGHTERS OF ELIAS. PHOTO BY JOE SIMON | CIT YBEAT

COMMUNITY EDITOR CHRISTIAN LEDUC ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER KANE MITTEN GRAPHIC DESIGNER ERIN SENDELBACH SALES TEAM BRAD CROSBY ENRICO DEL ROSARIO ANDY ELLIS KEN PIERCE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ETHAN BLOOMFIELD KENNEDY DUDLEY NADYA ELLERHORST SUSAN TEBBEN

CO NT EN T S

DISTRIBUTION TEAM BRIAN DEES LINK MEDIA

04 NEWS 10 ARTS & CULTURE 12 EATS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LACY STARLING SENIOR DIGITAL EDITOR MAGGY MCDONEL

14 MUSIC

CIT YBE AT | 523 MADISON AVE. | COVINGTON, K Y 41011 | CIT YBE AT.COM PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WITH SOY-BASED INKS. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER! THANKS. :)

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 are available at our offices for $1 each. Subscriptions: $75 for one year (delivered via first–class mail). CityBeat Subscriptions Scan QR code below to subscribe https://qr.link/WL8geb

Advertising Deadline: Display advertising, p.m. Wednesday before publication. SCAN12ME Warehousing Services: Harris Motor Express, 4261 Crawford Street, Cincinnati, OH 45223

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

Ohio Valley Goodwill opening massive new resource hub in Colerain Township By CityBeat Staff

or the first time, Ohio Valley Goodwill is opening a gigantic ‘resource hub’ outside of its main Woodlawn headquarters. The new resource hub — meaning a Goodwill location that features a retail store, a donation center, an outlet store and a walk-in ‘Opportunity Center’ — is located at 6401 Colerain Ave. in Colerain Township, and will be the largest store in the region outside of the corporation’s headquarters. It’s also only the second time the corporation has opened a Goodwill outlet in the Ohio Valley area. The new location opened on Sept. 2. To celebrate the grand opening, there were plenty of promotions outside the storefront. Festivities included appearances by Ben-Gals cheerleaders, a live broadcast from Jenn Jordan of Q102, free coffee, free Kona Ice, special coupons, $10 gift card giveaways every hour and a opportunities to win special coupons or a $100 gift card. The first shopper in line at both the retail store and the outlet received early access. The new Colerain store is part of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s broader $230 million, five-year regional investment strategy, with a goal of 30 stores across the Tri-State area by 2030. For more information on Ohio Valley Goodwill, visit the nonprofit’s official website.

OHIO VALLEY GOODWILL INDUSTRIES PRESIDENT AND CEO MARK HIEMSTRA (LEFT) POSES WITH VICE PRESIDENT OF GOOD COMMUNITIES GLADYS AHOVI (RIGHT). PHOTO BY NOAH JONES | CITYBEAT

Former educator opens new office for youth outreach nonprofit in OTR By CityBeat Staff

local nonprofit focused on youth outreach has opened a new office in Over-the-Rhine. LEAD Training — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and delivers career readiness, life skills and social-emotional learning programs for students in grades K-12, as well as young adults — recently relocated to a new office at 1432 Vine St., above Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge. The organization was founded in 2018 by former educator Riley O’Grady after a pivotal moment following a student’s suicide attempt. O’Grady’s experience revealed a critical gap: While many young people are academically prepared, they often lack the confidence, communication skills and career readiness needed to navigate life beyond the classroom. After leaving the education world, O’Grady worked as a psychology research coordinator before realizing that much of what research had already uncovered was not reaching the students who needed it most. She subsequently returned to education before ultimately launching LEAD Training to help young people build the character, confidence and skills to succeed. 4

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

RILEY O’GRADY OF LEAD TRAINING. PHOTO PROVIDED | 3CDC

“Founding LEAD was driven by what I saw firsthand as an educator and researcher: Young people need more support navigating life beyond the classroom,” O’Grady said. “As our work in Cincinnati’s urban core continues to grow, staying in OTR was important to us. Our new office strengthens our connection to the students, schools and communities we serve every day.” Currently, LEAD Training already

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

partners with 32 schools across Greater Cincinnati, including Cincinnati Public Schools, Norwood, Reading, Deer Park, St. Bernard and Princeton. In its present form, the organization primarily serves high school juniors and seniors, helping them explore career options, connect with apprenticeships and access meaningful pathways with leading local employers. O’Grady and her team work alongside students to overcome

barriers that can impact their success, including transportation challenges, financial constraints, limited family engagement and mental health concerns. Last year, the organization served over 3,000 students in the Cincinnati area. With the new space, a 2,222-square-foot office leased from Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., or 3CDC, LEAD can expand its reach across the city. “3CDC’s commitment to supporting local youth closely aligns with LEAD’s mission,” said 3CDC EVP of Civic & Commercial Space Activations Christy Samad in a statement. “Through initiatives like our swim team, summer camps, youth events and teen career fair, we share a common goal of creating opportunities for young people and helping them build successful futures. Having LEAD establish its office in OTR strengthens that shared commitment and creates new opportunities for collaboration. We look forward to seeing LEAD continue to grow its impact as it helps more students access the resources they need to succeed.” LEAD Training will be open at the new location Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the official website.

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

Ohio BMV removes gender change form, says it’s ‘not compatible’ with state law By Susan Tebben | Ohio Capital Journal

he Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has changed the way in which gender is noted on driver’s licenses and state identification cards, in a move transgender advocates say was made without notice, announcement or transition period. A certification form called a Declaration of Gender Change no longer qualifies as a method to update the gender marker on BMV documents, something advocates say transgender Ohioans have used for years. The form used documented proof of a gender transition attested by a physician, psychologist or therapist to allow the change. “Changing a policy this consequential overnight, without warning or transparency, is not an accident — it’s a choice,” said Dwayne Steward, CEO and executive director of LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Ohio. Steward also called the move a “deliberate attempt at voter suppression and an intentional decision to make life harder for transgender Ohioans.” The Ohio Secretary of State requires photo identification to vote, such as a passport, or a state driver’s license, ID card or interim ID issued by the BMV. A spokesperson for the Ohio BMV said the bureau determined that the form “is not compatible” with state law, particularly a law that defines gender identity and sex. “The BMV will record the sex that is stated on an individual’s birth certificate or passport as the sex that will be reflected on the Ohio drivers license or ID card,” a statement from the spokesperson said. The BMV did not respond to questions from the Capital Journal about whether public notice was required or provided to make the change. In the most recent state operating budget, the Ohio General Assembly implemented a “sex recognition policy” to apply to state laws. In the provision,

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

LGBTQ+ PRIDE FLAGS. PHOTO BY SUSAN J. DEMAS | MICHIGAN ADVANCE/STATES NEWSROOM

effective as of 2025, gender identity is defined as “an individual’s internal and subjective self, disconnected from biological reality and sex and existing on an infinite continuum, that does not provide a meaningful basis for identification and cannot be recognized as a replacement for sex.” “Sex” is defined as the “biological indication” of male and female, “without regard to an individual’s psychological, chosen or subjective experience of gender.” “It is the policy of the state of Ohio to recognize two sexes, male and female,” the code states. “These sexes

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.” The measure comes alongside Trump administration policies that compel the federal government not to recognize transgender, nonbinary and intersex identities, including in federal data collection. It also comes after a 2024 Ohio Supreme Court decision in which a transgender woman appealed a decision by the Clark County Probate Court. The court approved her 2021 application for a name change on her birth certificate, but denied her request to correct the sex marker. Supreme Court justices said they couldn’t

“reach a consensus on how this case should be resolved,” but said the General Assembly has final say on whether further changes can be made to birth certificates. As it stands now, the court said state laws do not allow transgender individuals to correct their birth certificate based on their gender identity. The Republican supermajority in the General Assembly has indicated they don’t plan to create more openings for transgender individuals, having passed laws banning gender-affirming care for minors, and barring transgender students from playing on sports teams based on their gender identity.

Ready Now YOUR NEXT HOME IS

Discover over 180 move-in ready homes across Greater Cincinnati today!

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

Holy

MOTHER MARIE-CÉCILE OF THE TRINITY IS THE SUPERIOR AND FOUNDRESS OF THE CARMELITE DAUGHTERS OF ELIAS. PHOTO BY JOE SIMON | CITYBEAT

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

n Italy, superstition holds that encountering a nun is a sign of bad luck. But should you cross paths with a woman in a habit in Over-theRhine, you’d best thank your lucky stars — the Carmelite Daughters of Elias have nothing but good intentions. If you’re sipping a Shiso Painkiller at Longfellow, don’t be surprised to glimpse one or more of the sisters walk by — their convent is just a few doors down. Perhaps you’ve caught their Bengals chant on TV, or seen photos of them on Reddit plowing snow. In colder months, you may even spot them in a #Carmelite beanie. Mother Marie-Cécile of the Trinity (the sisters use titles instead of last names) is the superior and foundress of the order, which began in 2018. Before she started the order, she was part of a cloistered Byzantine monastery (as hinted by the icons that decorate the walls of the OTR convent). There, she lived a “contemplative life,” making cheese, delivering horses and tending gardens, among other responsibilities. “It was very quiet, and there was a rhythm of life between your praying and your work and your community,” she explained While in the monastery, she began to hear of “young people’s struggles in the world” and started to ponder how she could act on this “call within a call.” “You do need sisters in the monastery to pray, but you also need sisters outside to work with families, with kids, to help them go through life and struggles,” Mother Marie-Cécile said. After obtaining permission to leave — a process that required contacting the archbishop and writing to the pope — Mother Marie-Cécile eventually made her way to Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church. One day, as she walked to catch the bus, two decrepit, boarded-up, hot pink buildings caught her eye. They were pretty much shells of themselves, waisthigh with debris and lacking plumbing or wiring. But, according to Mother MarieCécile, through prayer, the help of a friend and a small army of volunteers, these two buildings were ultimately acquired and restored. Today, they play home to eight sisters, three order candidates and a flock of pets. Sister Philomena Marie of the Sacred Heart was the first to join the order. She previously worked as a registered nurse in the Children’s Hospital ICU. While she always felt a calling to be a sister, she prioritized career and travel. It was a walking pilgrimage she took in France in 2016, and the friendships she made across three days and 76 miles, that was the final push towards becoming a sister. “It was a struggle for me, because I didn’t really wanna give up my nursing career,” she explained. “But also, you could see the spiritual poverty and the spiritual illnesses were worse than what you had in people’s bodies. You can fix people’s bodies all day, but you’re just fixing them for the next time they break.” The “contemplative-active community” spends two hours a day in mental prayer. The order is “mendicant,” meaning they don’t receive an income, although the sisters do sew, restore statues and teach catechism at various Catholic

schools in the area. They’ve likewise trained animals for therapy work. For fun, they’ll play instruments, visit Washington Park and have fires (Sister Philomena Marie is partial to roasted Starburst). Mother Marie-Cécile describes the order as “ trying to respond to the needs of the times and the place that we live in.” As such, the sisters also try to help the community where they can, usually working “one-on-one” with individuals experiencing homelessness, or people in crisis. They’ll pray for the folks who ask them to. They’ll try to assist youth who’ve run away from home, or find spaces at shelters for people who need them. “Life is not static,” Mother Marie-Cécile explained. “You have people coming to your door.” “ Living the life of a sister, you’re called to prayer and sacrifice,” Sister Philomena Marie added. “And I think there’s just such a value in that that the culture doesn’t get.” Connection, and taking time to listen, are core to these actions. They concede that it can be “taxing emotionally” and a gradual effort. “It doesn’t work all the time, but you have to keep trying to know people by name, make sure they feel loved, they feel seen, even if you have nothing to give them,” Mother Marie-Cécile said. In addition to their lives downtown, the sisters also run a farm in Bethel, where they welcome school groups to spend time outdoors and interact with animals (including Dominick the Christmas Donkey). Plenty of farm antics, such as feeding baby sheep and canoeing, are regularly posted to their Facebook page. Alongside the assistance and prayer they strive to offer, the sisters also find joy in simply meeting people downtown. “Often it’s through dogs,” Mother Marie-Cécile said. “ I was walking with somebody recently, and I realized how different it is walking as a sister versus just an ordinary person,” Sister Philmena Marie said. “People just ignore each other on the sidewalk. They just walk past. There’s no recognition. But when you engage them, just to say hi, to smile at them, it changes everything.” The duo acknowledge that people may be surprised to see the habit-donning sisters about town, or anywhere, for that matter. “They think we’re all gone,” Mother Marie-Cécile said. And that stereotype of a ruler-wielding, stern nun? Total bologna. Both sisters crack jokes about “The Sound of Music” and evangelizing at Paddlefest. They’re open about their own respective journeys to sisterhood, and they speak frankly about the realities of substance abuse and mental health — facts they encounter regularly in their dayto-day lives. “Another thing that people have a misconception about is when you become a sister, that you suddenly cease to become a normal person,” Sister Philomena Marie said. “And so they’re just pleasantly surprised that all the sisters can talk to them about anything.” “We’re here to be a source of hope, of love and help for others, especially in the heart of the city,” Mother Marie-Cécile said. “That’s why we chose to be here.”

THE CARMELITE DAUGHTERS OF ELIAS IS CURRENTLY MADE UP OF EIGHT SISTERS AND THREE ORDER CANDIDATES. PHOTO BY JOE SIMON | CITYBEAT

SISTER PHILOMENA MARIE OF THE SACRED HEART PLAYS THE PIANO IN THE CONVENT. PHOTO BY JOE SIMON | CITY BEAT

A MEMBER OF THE ORDER WORKS ON RESTORING A STATUE. PHOTO BY JOE SIMON | CITYBEAT

MOTHER MARIE-CÉCILE WITH ONE OF THE ORDER’S MANY FUZZY COMPANIONS. PHOTO BY JOE SIMON | CITYBEAT

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

ARTS & CULTURE

Music, lemons and legacy: Inside Kick Lee’s latest act

KICK LEE. PHOTO BY KENNEDY DUDLEY | CITYBEAT

By Kennedy Dudley

hen Kick Lee launched his lemonade company two years ago, it wasn’t just about adding another entrepreneurial venture to his (long) resume. For Lee, a music producer, DJ, founder of the Cincinnati Music Accelerator and much more, it was about legacy. After years of working in nonprofit music education and building his brand, Lee realized he wanted something of his own to pass down to his kids. “I just realized I don’t really have anything I can really use, so to speak,” said Lee. “So it was just like, well, what could I do?” The story of LemiLee starts and ends with family, with Lee getting the original idea for the business from his cousin. “My cousin just said, ‘Hey, you always talk about lemonade. Maybe try that out as a business and see where that goes.’” This gave him the push he needed, not only because he can pass the business on to his children, but because lemonade also has a deeper meaning tied to his own childhood. “I grew up in foster care my 10

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

whole life,” he said. “Unbeknownst to me, lemonade was my go-to comfort beverage. It was subconscious for the longest.” And just two years in, LemiLee has found its way into coffee shops, delis and even businesses far beyond Cincinnati, offering a multitude of flavors and ways to enjoy the beverage. LemiLee has eight flavors, from a classic and half-and-half to pineapple, mango, peach, watermelon, lavender and strawberry. Its list of local partners is growing, including Deeper Roots Coffee, which was one of the first to carry the brand. The coffee shop even features it on its menu, with a seasonal Summer Breeze drink that combines LemiLee’s watermelon lemonade with Rishi matcha available through the summer. LemiLee was also featured this summer in Cream + Sugar Coffee House’s six-year anniversary latte flight with a Beez Kneez shaken lemonade that used LemiLee’s classic lemonade, honey, lavender and butterfly pea flower. In addition to these shops, the lemonade can also be found at Carl’s Deli, The Pickled Pig in Walnut Hills, all ETC Produce & Provisions locations and at 513 Coffee in Covington, as well as Columbus’

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

David & Mary’s and Cora’s All Day Café, the new Fidelity Hotel’s coffee shop. While Lee said that his cousin was behind the initial push to get LemiLee in motion, he adds community is what keeps the business moving forward. “Again, the success of the lemonade is due to the people around me. People recommend these things,” he said. “We all say we can do it on our own. And to some extent, you can. But when you get to the big side of things, you can’t do it all by yourself. And I don’t want to.” Lee’s approach to LemiLee is rooted in the same community-focused mindset that led him to launch the Cincinnati Music Accelerator. “Everything I do, like I tell people, take a deep dive and realize everything I do does not differ from what I do. It’s all music-focused, even in lemonade, it’s not necessarily musicfocused (but) it’s brand-focused. I’m a brand person. I have a marketing degree. It’s not far from what I’m already in.” This thought process has helped expand the LemiLee company, which has already grown into Dayton, Columbus and even Wisconsin and North Carolina. Packaging has also been upgraded to

industry-standard labels after some trial and error. The expansion even extends all the way to buying a lemon orchard and land in Florida. Lee hopes that one day the lemons he’s growing will independently provide the juice for all of the lemonade that they’re manufacturing. For now, they have six lemon trees, being closely watched by friends, as Lee learns more about citrus farming. Beyond the business, Lee is focused on giving back, fundraising and partnering with local groups for lemonade stands and events. “I want to help others too. And I’m all about alignment. For example, say you have a goal that meets something we do. How can we help you further that goal?” Overall, Lee is hoping to bring his community along with him on this journey. His goal? To ‘win’ Ohio and become the official lemonade of the state. But of course, Cincinnati is first in line. “I love Cincinnati. It’s my home; I want to make sure Cincinnati is highlighted in the work that we do. Right now we’re working to be able to meet the demand because it’s growing. It’s all organic. It’s all steady growth.”

ARTS & CULTURE

NKU School of the Arts announces 2026-27 theater, dance season By CityBeat Staff

orthern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts will celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with “American Snapshots,” its 2026-27 theater and dance program season. Featuring six productions, the season explores the American experience through period works, contemporary adaptations, classic musicals and original choreography. From the ambitions of the March sisters and the eccentricities of a 1930s American family to the music of Irving Berlin and the rock anthems of the 1980s, “American Snapshots.” The season includes: “Little Women: The Musical,” Sept. 25-Oct. 4 at the Stauss Theatre. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, “Little Women: The Musical” follows the March sisters as they navigate heartache, ambition and hope. Featuring music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and a book by Allan Knee, the comingof-age story celebrates sisterhood, selfdiscovery and the courage to pursue big dreams. Katharine Moser-Priddy directs, with music direction by Jamey Strawn and choreography by Jeri Gatch. “Titus Andronicus: A Revenge Tragedy,” Oct. 23-Nov. 1 at the Stauss

STUDENTS PERFORM ON STAGE: PHOTO PROVIDED | KYLE HEAD VIA UNSPLASH

Theatre. William Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy is reimagined in a fractured, postWorld War III America in the year 2100. Set in Rome, Kansas, the production examines what happens when revenge becomes the rule and power and vengeance collide in a brutal struggle for control. Darnell Bengamin directs. “White Christmas,” Dec. 3-13 at the Corbett Theatre. Based on the film, “White Christmas” follows veterans Bob Wallace

and Phil Davis, whose successful songand-dance act leads them to a Vermont lodge owned by their former Army commander. The musical features 17 Irving Berlin songs including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep is the Ocean” and the title song. Genevieve Perrino directs and choreographs, with music direction by Jacob Priddy. “You Can’t Take It With You,” Feb. 1928, 2027, at the Stauss Theatre. George S.

Kaufman and Moss Hart’s Pulitzer Prizewinning comedy invites audiences into the unconventional world of the Sycamore family. Set in 1930’s America, the play celebrates individuality, optimism and the freedom to pursue happiness on one’s own terms. Corrie Danieley directs. “Rock of Ages,” April 9-18, 2027, at the Corbett Theatre. The season turns up the volume with “Rock of Ages,” a high-energy musical packed with iconic 1980s hits, outrageous fun and a love story set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. Featuring big hair, big dreams and even bigger guitar riffs, the show celebrates the sound and spirit of America’s rock revolution. Michael Hatton directs, with music direction by Jacob Priddy and choreography by Ellie Chancellor. Dance ’27: “Dream,” April 30-May 2, 2027, at the Corbett Theatre. The season concludes with “Dream,” a dance concert celebrating American innovation through movement, choreography and dynamic performances. Jeri Gatch serves as artistic director. Tickets for all productions went on sale Sept. 8.

THE WORLD'S # 1 GROCERY STORE

JUST MILES AWAY... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? FOR?

OVER 6 FOOTBALL FIELDS

OVER 180,000

PRODUCTS

OVER 70

OF FOOD

COUNTRIES

FIND WHAT YOU NEED

DISCOVER WHAT YOU'RE MISSING

JUNGLEJIMS.COM | 513-674-6000 SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

EATS

Mysterious new ‘third space’ The Gardens takes over former Woodburn building with food, drink, retail By Kane Mitten

he former Woodburn Brewing space in Walnut Hills will soon have a new tenant that isn’t just a bar, a restaurant, a retail space or a botanical garden, but all of the above when it opens in December. The Gardens, a new ‘experiential third space’ from Walnut Hills resident Jen Ciolino at 2800 Woodburn Ave., is trying to be all things for all people — but she’s keeping her cards close to her chest on how, exactly, it’ll all work. “We want to create something unique and special that is alive. The reason for the name ‘The Gardens’ is because gardens are always changing,” she said. “Things grow, things die, new things grow. And so what we’re building is an experience not only where everyone feels like it was made for them, but where it’s different every time you come in … I’m being cautious about revealing what it is because it’s so hard to explain. But I want people to be proud that it’s here, and I want people to feel like this place is part of the neighborhood’s identity.” Ciolino has worked as an IT professional for decades, but decided to take a leap of faith, leave the corporate world and embrace her creative side after a heart issue in February that sent her to the emergency room. While hospitalized and “surrounded by love,” she decided she wanted to spread that love throughout her local community. “The doctors were working on me for hours, and we thought I might die. And I really grabbed onto all that love and

THE EXTERIOR OF THE GARDENS IN WALNUT HILLS. PHOTO PROVIDED | JEN CIOLITO

thought, ‘Wow, if I die, it’s OK, because there’s so much love around me,’” she said. “It was something that made me reflect on what’s the most important thing for me to do, and what I want my impact to be … And, so, I want to give a lot of love to the community.” Ciolino worked with 3CRE’s Olivia Page and Pesola Advisors Group’s Nick Pesola to lease the space. As a teaser, she’s been putting up different objects in the windows of the space to clue people

in on what to expect. A lot of the space’s future fixtures — whether it’s a “raucous” space to watch Bengals games or a hidden library full of free books — have come from walking around and asking local community members what they’d like to see. Some of the teasers have even come from online feedback, such as when a Reddit commenter said there was “no way they’ll serve drinks,” so Ciolino “stole my husband’s best bottle of tequila and cognac and put it in the window so people

will know we’ll have liquor.” Of course, a place called ‘The Gardens’ is nothing without a garden, so there’ll be plenty of plants to go around. The inside will host a year-round botanical garden, while the outdoor space will come alive in the warmer months with greenery of all sorts. The menu will change seasonally, as well, with frequent changes to the venue’s food and drink options — including popups from local chefs. Ciolino described the space as a “choose your own adventure.” “There’s so much different stuff that goes on there in a garden. There’s never just one thing, whether it’s flowers or vegetables. But yet, when you look at a garden, you know it’s a garden, right?” she said. “You can walk into a garden and go, ‘Oh, that flower wasn’t there yesterday.’ That’s really why it’s called ‘The Gardens.’ We have things to make, to eat, to drink, to do, to read, to sit, to get loud, to be quiet, but it’s never the same experience.” For Ciolino, she hopes the space reflects the diversity of the neighborhood, which she says is what she “really loves” about Walnut Hills. “All of it. The socioeconomic diversity, the racial diversity, the religious diversity, everything … I really want the neighborhood to understand that we all belong here, and that we’re all cared for,” she said. “And I want this to be a place where people tell their friends ‘We have to go to The Gardens.’” The Gardens is slated to open in December at 2800 Woodburn Ave. in Walnut Hills.

Popular empanada stand opens permanent location at Findlay Market By Kane Mitten

popular empanada stand at Findlay Market is opening a permanent location just steps from where it began. The Empanada’s Box, which got its start at Findlay Kitchen in 2020 before eventually setting up shop on Elm Street in one of the market’s temporary Findlay Launch spaces, will be moving into a full-time storefront on 1819 Elm St. — just a few doors down from its current location. “(It) allows us to take everything our guests love about The Empanada’s Box and build on it. From hand-crafted cocktails to traditional entrees, we’re thrilled to bring a new layer of South American and international flavors to the Findlay Market community,” said coowners Diego, Fabiana and Lucas Nuñez in a statement. “We love serving our community, and we’re over the moon to

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

be able to continue this at a larger scale.” The success of The Empanada’s Box is especially notable for Findlay Market, as the business was the very first resident in the market’s aforementioned Findlay Launch Storefront Accelerator Program. The restaurant opened its first brick-andmortar in 2022 in Covington on West Pike Street, then rejoined Findlay Market and moved into its second location on Elm Street in 2025. “Transitioning into a larger space gives The Empanada’s Box an opportunity to share more of their food and culture with the community through an expanded menu, a new bar program, and space for events and gatherings,” Findlay Launch Program Manager Jordon Kuhn said in a statement. “This move represents both the next stage of growth for The Empanada’s Box and a full-circle moment for a business that has grown alongside Findlay Market for more than six years.”

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

EMPANADAS FROM THE EMPANADA’S BOX AT FINDLAY MARKET. PHOTO PROVIDED | FINDLAY MARKET

EATS

Danny’s Dawgs serves up late-night wieners to OTR and New Richmond By Kane Mitten

ne local bartender is taking matters into his own hands after noticing a lack of latenight food options in the city. Danny’s Dawgs, a new concept from Danny Ingram, is a mobile cart serving up high-quality, inexpensive takes on American staples (like hot dogs and nachos) all across the city. Ingram came up with the idea when comparing Cincinnati’s nightlife scene to that of Denver’s, where he formerly resided. “Living here the past couple years, I’ve noticed that everything absolutely dies off at 11 o’clock.” Ingram said. “And you’ve got some late night bars, sure, like Longfellow, Liberty’s or Alice, but it’s not really conducive of somewhere that feels like you’re going to a meeting place or a third space where you kind of know everybody.” Enter Danny’s Dawgs, where Ingram is bringing back “the late night diner, but we’re bringing it to you.” Wherever Ingram sets up shop, he promises plenty of seating, plenty of good vibes and plenty of great food. “We’ve got chairs and Christmas lights and little seats out, places for people to be able to chill and hang out and decompress. Bartenders will get off work and feel like, ‘man, I have to go home by myself.’ There’s a real mental health aspect to that. Now they can go, ‘Oh, there’s a place I can actually go hang out and I’m still going to get to have that social aspect of my life, even if I have the weirdest schedule in the world,’” he said. The menu at Danny’s isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it sure features more interesting fare than your usual late-night spots. Sure, you can get a plain all-beef hot dog on a potato roll for $5 with toppings of your choice like onions, sauerkraut or pickles — but why would you do that when you can try The Hot Box, a hot dog with nacho cheese, jalapeños and crushedup Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, or The K-Hole, which features kimchi, kewpie mayo and

DANNY INGRAM AND LINDSAY ROHAN AT THE DANNY’S DAWGS RESIDENCY AT NEW RICHMOND TAVERN. PHOTO PROVIDED | DANNY INGRAM

sesame seeds, for just $7 each? You can upgrade each dog to a Queen City smoked hot mett for a dollar extra, if you so choose. And if you’re really feeling hungry, order ‘The Big Dawg,’ which features 12 inches of thick all-beef on a footlong bun for less than $10. Plenty of bottled sodas — like Mexican Coca-Cola, IBC Root Beer and Squirt — are on hand, alongside side items like Zapp’s Voodoo chips, all of which can be had for just $2 a pop. Other classic staples (like nachos) are on the menu, too. “We’re not trying to be anything flashy. We’re just trying to focus on quality. You know, we have a larger size hot dog than most. We chose a larger bun length. We chose a little bit thicker meat. We don’t want anybody to feel like they’re skimped in any way, and if anything, we’d rather take a small cut in order to build

KYLE TIDMORE SERVES UP HOT DOGS AT THE NEW RICHMOND TAVERN RESIDENCY FOR DANNY’S DAWGS. PHOTO BY LOGAN OLESON | PROVIDED BY DANNY INGRAM

KYLE TIDMORE SERVES UP A HOT DOG AT DANNY’S DAWGS. PHOTO BY LOGAN OLESON | PROVIDED BY DANNY INGRAM

community,” Ingram said. “I really don’t care about hot dogs, but I care a lot about people, and we think that makes a better hot dog.” The mobile diner concept also has its roots in Denver, where Ingram was active in both the art and stand-up comedy scenes. Almost daily, he’d visit a hot dog cart in the park where he could get a full meal with a great hot dog for under $10. “I’d always tell the guy there, ‘man, you’re a genius. Like you’re living the life.’ And he was like, ‘Dude, this is the best decision I ever made.’ And it stuck in my head,” he said. “And in Denver, late night is kinda the main thing. You get out of the comedy show at 1 a.m. and go to a 24-hour diner and hang out with other comics and artists. Here, it feels like the artists almost get stifled because everything shuts down too early. So we’re just trying to mix the two.” On the surface, Danny’s Dawgs is already a roaring success. Before he even served a single hot dog, Ingram sold out of his merch line. Already, he’s linked up with his friends at New Richmond Tavern for a residency in the early afternoon and evenings, which launched Aug. 27 to much fanfare. He’s also started up a weekly latenight food program behind Bar Saeso in Over-the-Rhine. Currently, the city of Cincinnati restricts food vendors to closing down at 1 a.m. if they aren’t set up on private property, but he hopes that the cart gets enough recognition for the city to “hopefully start to allow street food to be a little bit easier.” In the future, he plans to expand the concept even farther. His next immediate goals are to expand the number of carts he has, in hopes of capitalizing on events like Opening Day, and to expand the menu to

feature different items at different times of the day, like breakfast burritos. But mostly, he wants to provide a place for the community to gather at all hours — bartenders or otherwise. “Even outside of the industry, we hope plenty of other people show up too. We hope that we’re people’s first date. We’re creating a nostalgic, fun, different experience. But, at the same time, you’re not spending 50 bucks or doing anything crazy,” he said. “We’re more interested in creating the space to have the memory than creating the memory itself.”

A LOOK AT THE MERCHANDISE FOR DANNY’S DOGS. PHOTO BY LOGAN OLESON | PROVIDED BY DANNY INGRAM

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

MUSIC

Local Emmy-nominated jazz performer releases new album By Kane Mitten

ocal Emmy-nominated vocalist, percussionist and songwriter Patsy Meyer recently released her latest album “Changes.” The largely instrumental album, which blends smooth jazz with Latininspired grooves, comes from incomplete compositions that Meyer produced with her late husband over a decade ago. Meyer’s husband, John Henry Kreitler, was a 10-time Emmy-winning composer and worked on notable series like “Law & Order” and “Melrose Place.” He died in January 2024. “I have so much music that was just sitting there in a treasure box. I’ve found, in my grief, that I needed to move forward, complete this and share it with the world. I don’t know what inspired me to put it out now. I guess it was just being able to finally get back to it, and to be coming out of the dark, as Gloria Estefan wrote,” Meyer said. “I miss his creativity, his intelligence and musicality, and I miss him as my partner. I just felt like there was an opening in my life to let all the music out, and it all still sounds relevant today.” Meyer got her start as a vocalist in the eighth grade after participating in choirs, variety shows and the like. She contemplated going to school for music, but ended up majoring in fashion and interior design. The Cincinnati native ended up falling back into the musical realm anyway when she moved to Los Angeles in 2001 and ended up going on tour with Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Norman Brown. Over time, she worked her way up to playing at some of the world’s biggest venues — like the Hollywood Bowl — with famous acts like Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, War and Cheap Trick. In addition, she and her husband took up residence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, every winter

for more than a decade to perform internationally. Eventually, Meyer returned to the Queen City permanently in 2018. She now teaches at schools across the city, facilitates drum circles for the Cincinnati Arts Association, is heavily involved with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and was inducted into the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame last year. She still performs, too, as the leader of the Patsy Meyer Band. “When you’re on tour, you’re living in a hotel, so it’s a little different. I would be in Dallas performing for three weeks, and then we would go to Boston and then Montreal, and so on. It wasn’t a permanent thing, but it was enjoyable,” she said. “But I just love being back here. Even while I lived in LA for 18 years, I’d come back all the time. Cincinnati feels like home. My daughter is also a musician who works for The Children’s Theatre, and I get to see my little 2-year-old grandson a lot, which makes me happy. Plus, we have great musicians here in Cincinnati that could rival any LA musicians most of the time. Just saying.” Meyer performed at Fountain Square on Sept. 15 to celebrate the album’s release, and plans to have a more formal album release party at Caffè Vivace on Oct. 8. In her free time, she’s also putting together another album she wrote with her late husband that is “100% vocal.” “I’m trying to continue on with our vision. You know, it took a while to get the courage to do that, and to have the growth mindset to try to pursue a lot of the things we wanted to do together. I don’t know. I just hope that everyone enjoys the album and it takes them on a really nice, smooth journey. Have a glass of wine and put it on,” she said. “I don’t plan to stop anytime soon … I just can’t imagine doing anything else. I love playing. I love singing. I love creating music. It’s my life.”

FOR CINCINNATI, BY CINCINNATI.

SHOW US CINCINNATI.

PATSY MEYER PERFORMING AT THE 2025 INDUCTION CEREMONY FOR THE CINCINNATI JAZZ HALL OF FAME. PHOTO PROVIDED | PEPPER PEALE

THE ALBUM COVER FOR PATSY MEYER’S “CHANGES.” GRAPHIC PROVIDED | PEPPER PEALE

$200

PLUS A F EAT URE I NSI DE T HE I SSUE

CityBeat wants a local artist or illustrator to create the cover of the 2026 Annual Manual. 14

C I T Y B E AT. C O M

SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

+ YOUR ART ON THE COVER

SCAN CODE FOR MORE DETAILS

MUSIC

City Beats local band highlights By Ethan Bloomfield

elcome back to our new local music highlight section! CityBeat recently launched a weekly video series on social media to show off some of Cincinnati’s music scene in a fun and unique way, and get you, our audience, involved. Below are the most recent features. If you’ve got suggestions for a band you think I should cover, leave a comment on my band highlight video (posted every Wednesday on CityBeat’s Facebook and Instagram pages) or email me at ebloomfield@linknky.com

Mall Witch

MALL WITCH PLAYING A SHOW. PHOTO PROVIDED | MALL WITCH

Have A Nice Life’s “Deathconsciousness” (2008) is a distinctly internet age album. It’s devastating and vast and empty; the mood and texture of the music matter as much, if not more than, the words that are being said on the songs. The blownout, droning drums on “Bloodhail” completely contradict the calm opener

“A Quick One Before the…” and swallow up the ephemeral guitars and vocals. It’s more than post-punk; it’s shoegaze and doom metal and tone poetry and drone wrapped in a particular perspective your parents could just never understand. It’s now almost 20 years later. Enter the subject of today’s local band highlight: Mall Witch. The comparisons to bands like Have A Nice Life aren’t hard to make. “Sunk Cost Fallacy,” Mall Witch’s newest single, might share an anxious, growling guitar tone or a DIY production style, but two decades of internet brainrot has done a number on things. “Not Gone Yet,” another single from this year, switches gears a bit to a decayed and deliberately-paced sound more akin to Wednesday or Ethel Cain — and vocalist Levi Antoine really soars. The band’s demo tape features stripped production with much more room for vocals (tracks like “Collateral Damage” are super accessible), so for the chiller Mall Witch experience, I’d recommend staying on that side of things. But the band, the production, and the scrap bits of audio laid into their other tracks tell an interesting story. Echoes of echoes ring throughout the Mall Witch discography, from commercials (“Count Chocula is Buying Real…”) to the screech of a dial-up modem that brings me back to places in my own childhood. The anxiety of a severe weather alert, the comforting synth of the early internet, the pitcheddown voice of the devil. These pieces of ephemera, at least to me, evoke a kind of memory that seems to reach through the music at me. In short, I can’t recommend it enough. I, for one, will be watching this band closely for a full-length release. It is exactly my kind of jam, and if you’re anything like me, it’s probably yours too.

Oh! the Manatee

OH! THE MANATEE. PHOTO PROVIDED | OH! THE MANATEE

First things first: no, I don’t know if you’re supposed to pronounce the “!” with a little pause. Oh! the Manatee, according to the band, crystallized (or should I say, catalyzed) in a little cabin in Kentucky late last year. The Clifton quartet ran to the woods to write what would become “Catalyze,” their debut EP they claim represents many “sleepless nights crammed into a room full of instruments.” The band’s first single, “Tailgate,” dropped in September of last year, setting a precedent for an indie aesthetic akin to the soft parts of Hop Along or Wednesday, albeit with a distinctly DIY edge. That notion falls away with the EP’s opener, “Halfway,” a lively rocker that crashes into the slower, doom-y distortion of “Crown.” For five tracks and just seventeen minutes, “Catalyze” packs a surprising amount of variance. Annabel Taylor’s vocals flitter between ethereal runs and barely-contained yells, and the aforementioned guitar work from Stephen Nagamalla makes every track feel fresh. Dylan Lopes’ percussion feels perfectly suited for each track, and

coupled with chunky front-and-center bass riffs from Isaiah Poe interplaying with the melodies, the band comes together like a well-oiled machine for their debut project. The standout track, undoubtedly, is “Ladybug Lady”, but not for the reason you think. Forest sounds accent thoughtful acoustic guitar and naked vocals in a sugary-sweet, Cavetown kinda way on this song — it will stick with you for its novelty even if it’s not explicitly *your* thing. For a collection of music featuring something resembling doom metal just two tracks ago, I’m surprised too. In short, Oh! the Manatee has a lot of promise in this scene. “Catalyze” shows more than raw strength, but versatility, restraint, and a solidified artistic direction carrying them toward a full-length project. I’m excited for the first big release from this band, and I hope you are too. …Also, manatees are mammals, right? You can listen to their music wherever you stream, and catch them around town at your favorite indie haunt.

THE COVER OF OH! THE MANATEE’S NEW EP, “CATALYZE.” PHOTO PROVIDED | OH! THE MANATEE

2027 Early Bird Pricing

NOW AVAILABLE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

Get your tickets early! SEPTEMBER 16 - 29

C I T Y B E AT. C O M