CityBeat | February 8, 2023

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Evendale Police Release Bizarre Body-Cam Video of

Tokyo Foods Shooter

Evendale Police Release Bizarre Body-Cam Video of Tokyo Foods Shooter

In the footage, suspect Daniel Beckjord claims that he’s a secret agent who leads multiple nations and will be rescued by teleportation.

BY ALLISON BABKA

BY ALLISON BABKA

The Evendale Police Department recently released footage of the arrest of the man who shot into Tokyo Foods in January, with the suspect proclaiming a number of odd or troubling things.

The Evendale Police Department recently released footage of the arrest of the man who shot into Tokyo Foods in January, with the suspect proclaiming a number of odd or troubling things.

“We have conducted hundreds of hours of investigative time in this case and our investigation will continue,” Evendale police chief Tim Holloway said in a Jan. 31 press release.

“We have conducted hundreds of hours of investigative time in this case and our investigation will continue,” Evendale police chief Tim Holloway said in a Jan. 31 press release.

The shooting

as Beckjord shot through the Tokyo Foods windows, with some hiding in the restroom, court documents said. Beckjord, who is white, allegedly stood in front of Uncle Yip’s as he fired at Tokyo Foods.

as Beckjord shot through the Tokyo Foods windows, with some hiding in the restroom, court documents said. Beckjord, who is white, allegedly stood in front of Uncle Yip’s as he fired at Tokyo Foods.

The shooting

At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22, police responded to a report of a shooting near 10700 Reading Road. According to the police department, officers arrested 33-year-old Daniel Beckjord at Evendale Plaza for allegedly firing a handgun at the windows of Tokyo Foods, a longtime market that primarily sells Japanese products and Asian groceries. The business is next to Uncle Yip’s restaurant, which serves Asian cuisine.

At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22, police responded to a report of a shooting near 10700 Reading Road. According to the police department, officers arrested 33-year-old Daniel Beckjord at Evendale Plaza for allegedly firing a handgun at the windows of Tokyo Foods, a longtime market that primarily sells Japanese products and Asian groceries. The business is next to Uncle Yip’s restaurant, which serves Asian cuisine.

Jan. 22 was Lunar New Year. The event is celebrated by millions of people in different cultures but especially by those in Asian cultures.

Police arrested Beckjord, and the suspect was held at Hamilton County Justice Center. On Jan. 31, a Hamilton County grand jury indicted Beckjord on two counts of vandalism, one count of inducing panic, and three counts of having weapons while under disability, police said. The grand jury did not indict Beckjord on five counts of felonious assault.

Police arrested Beckjord, and the suspect was held at Hamilton County Justice Center. On Jan. 31, a Hamilton County grand jury indicted Beckjord on two counts of vandalism, one count of inducing panic, and three counts of having weapons while under disability, police said. The grand jury did not indict Beckjord on five counts of felonious assault.

Beckjord could get 20 years in prison for the Tokyo Foods shooting alone, police said, but Beckjord has run into trouble before.

Beckjord could get 20 years in prison for the Tokyo Foods shooting alone, police said, but Beckjord has run into trouble before.

the residence he burglarized. During all of these recent arrests the suspect either possessed or used a firearm during the incident. Search warrants in this investigation led to the seizure of 13 firearms, 2 bulletproof vests and numerous magazines and ammunition.”

the residence he burglarized. During all of these recent arrests the suspect either possessed or used a firearm during the incident. Search warrants in this investigation led to the seizure of 13 firearms, 2 bulletproof vests and numerous magazines and ammunition.”

Beckjord also had collected information about local police squads and equipment, Evendale police said.

Beckjord also had collected information about local police squads and equipment, Evendale police said.

behavior suggests he is dangerous and erratic with a bold willingness to use firearms in crimes. We will remain committed to seeing that he is held to full account for his crimes and that any sentences he receives be reflective of the seriousness of the charges against him and of the danger he poses to others.”

behavior suggests he is dangerous and erratic with a bold willingness to use firearms in crimes. We will remain committed to seeing that he is held to full account for his crimes and that any sentences he receives be reflective of the seriousness of the charges against him and of the danger he poses to others.”

Jan. 22 was Lunar New Year. The event is celebrated by millions of people in different cultures but especially by those in Asian cultures.

Nine people were inside Uncle Yip’s

Nine people were inside Uncle Yip’s

“In addition to these charges from the Grand Jury the suspect has outstanding cases in Hamilton County for an incident in July 2022. He also faces charges in Belmont County, Ohio where he was involved in a high- speed pursuit,” police said. “The suspect also has an outstanding Burglary case in Gallatin County, Kentucky. In the Gallatin County incident, the subject used a firearm to shoot out the lock of

“In addition to these charges from the Grand Jury the suspect has outstanding cases in Hamilton County for an incident in July 2022. He also faces charges in Belmont County, Ohio where he was involved in a high- speed pursuit,” police said. “The suspect also has an outstanding Burglary case in Gallatin County, Kentucky. In the Gallatin County incident, the subject used a firearm to shoot out the lock of

“In addition to the crimes he has been charged with, we also found information of numerous instances throughout the Greater Cincinnati area where Beckjord has intentionally tried to provoke police officers into confrontations. Additionally, his cell phones found photos of police departments including departmental vehicles and personal vehicles of police department employees,” Holloway said. “Mr. Beckjord’s recent

“In addition to the crimes he has been charged with, we also found information of numerous instances throughout the Greater Cincinnati area where Beckjord has intentionally tried to provoke police officers into confrontations. Additionally, his cell phones found photos of police departments including departmental vehicles and personal vehicles of police department employees,” Holloway said. “Mr. Beckjord’s recent

The Evendale Police Department said that thus far, its investigation does not show that Beckjord committed a hate crime.

The Evendale Police Department said that thus far, its investigation does not show that Beckjord committed a hate crime.

“The suspect never offered a motive for the offense and that remains under investigation,” the department said. “After searching two residences used by the suspect, two vehicles used by the suspect, as well as two cell phones belonging to the subject, no evidence was found that pointed towards an ethnic/cultural motivation or targeting in the Evendale incident.”

“The suspect never offered a motive for the offense and that remains under investigation,” the department said. “After searching two residences used by the suspect, two vehicles used by the suspect, as well as two cell phones belonging to the subject, no evidence was found that pointed towards an ethnic/cultural motivation or targeting in the Evendale incident.”

A man allegedly fired into Tokyo Foods on Jan. 22.

PHOTO: GOOGLE MAPS

Tozan (left) And Kimiko Matsuda have owned Tokyo Foods in Evendale for more than 30 years.

PHOTO: GOFUNDME

In the footage, suspect Daniel Beckjord claims that he’s a secret agent who leads multiple nations and will be rescued by teleportation.

A man allegedly fired into Tokyo Foods on Jan. 22.

PHOTO: GOOGLE MAPS

Tozan (left) And Kimiko Matsuda have owned Tokyo Foods in Evendale for more than 30 years.

PHOTO: GOFUNDME

Tokyo Foods is located in Evendale Plaza with other businesses.

The video footage

continuing on a different thread.

Organizations Support Tokyo Foods with Fundraiser

Organizations Support Tokyo Foods with Fundraiser

Community members are raising funds for Tozan and Kimiko Matsuda, who have run Tokyo Foods for more than three decades, after a suspect recently fired through their shop windows. According to a press release from Asianati, 31 local and state organizations have signed a statement of support for the Matsudas. The market primarily sells Japanese products and Asian groceries.

Community members are raising funds for Tozan and Kimiko Matsuda, who have run Tokyo Foods for more than three decades, after a suspect recently fired through their shop windows. According to a press release from Asianati, 31 local and state organizations have signed a statement of support for the Matsudas. The market primarily sells Japanese products and Asian groceries.

of violence, abuse, profiling, and discrimination targeting AAPI communities since COVID-19 was discovered are alarmingly high. Such hate crimes cannot be tolerated. Join us in condemning all race-based attacks and harassment,” the organizations wrote.

of violence, abuse, profiling, and discrimination targeting AAPI communities since COVID-19 was discovered are alarmingly high. Such hate crimes cannot be tolerated. Join us in condemning all race-based attacks and harassment,” the organizations wrote.

The video footage

The Evendale Police Department released body-cam footage of Beckjord’s arrest on Jan. 31 shortly after the Hamilton County grand jury indicted the suspect.

The Evendale Police Department released body-cam footage of Beckjord’s arrest on Jan. 31 shortly after the Hamilton County grand jury indicted the suspect.

In the video, which is just over eight minutes long, two police officers draw their guns and confront Beckjord near a white vehicle outside Uncle Yip’s, telling him to keep his hands up and to get on his knees. They approach as Beckjord lies face down in the parking lot with his hands spread. Beckjord, who is wearing camouflage gear, black gloves and a light-colored beanie hat, does not resist as an officer handcuffs him. The officer holding Beckjord turns the suspect around and reads him his rights, to which Beckjord replies, “All right.”

In the video, which is just over eight minutes long, two police officers draw their guns and confront Beckjord near a white vehicle outside Uncle Yip’s, telling him to keep his hands up and to get on his knees. They approach as Beckjord lies face down in the parking lot with his hands spread. Beckjord, who is wearing camouflage gear, black gloves and a light-colored beanie hat, does not resist as an officer handcuffs him. The officer holding Beckjord turns the suspect around and reads him his rights, to which Beckjord replies, “All right.”

The officer asks Beckjord if he’d like to say anything. Beckjord is silent while the officer searches his pockets and a bystander says that the suspect had fired into Tokyo Foods. Eventually, Beckjord says that he does not have any weapons on his body but that “There’s a nine in the car,” meaning a 9mm handgun. That gun is in addition to the Glock .40-caliber pistol that officers found on the ground, he confirms

Then Beckjord begins rambling oddly.

The officer asks Beckjord if he’d like to say anything. Beckjord is silent while the officer searches his pockets and a bystander says that the suspect had fired into Tokyo Foods. Eventually, Beckjord says that he does not have any weapons on his body but that “There’s a nine in the car,” meaning a 9mm handgun. That gun is in addition to the Glock .40-caliber pistol that officers found on the ground, he confirms

“I’m a special agent and this is concluding an investigation to end child molestation and sexual slavery and the dosing of mass populations through drugs and drug-like substances and psychedelics and psychedelic-like substances, and this is to end it forever,” Beckjord tells the officers in the video.

Then Beckjord begins rambling oddly.

“I’m a special agent and this is concluding an investigation to end child molestation and sexual slavery and the dosing of mass populations through drugs and drug-like substances and psychedelics and psychedelic-like substances, and this is to end it forever,” Beckjord tells the officers in the video.

At that time, a bystander tells one officer about something “back in the car” as well as something about his wife. Beckjord notices this before continuing.

At that time, a bystander tells one officer about something “back in the car” as well as something about his wife. Beckjord notices this before continuing.

“And they want you to release me and back in the car...,” Beckjord says, mimicking part of the conversation. “And he did the right thing. He just wanted to make sure his kids were safe. And, uh, I run the mafia for every galactic...” Beckjord then trails off before

“And they want you to release me and back in the car...,” Beckjord says, mimicking part of the conversation. “And he did the right thing. He just wanted to make sure his kids were safe. And, uh, I run the mafia for every galactic...”

Beckjord then trails off before

“I’m chief of Cherokee Nation, chief of Navajo Nation, I’m chief of Iroquois Nation, I’m chief of Cherokee-Iroquois Nation, I’m chief of Cherokee-Navajo Nation, I’m chief of Africa Nation, I’m chief of Egyptian Nation, I’m chief of Ethiopian Nation, I’m chief of all the Nordic tribes, I am chief of Irish Nation,” Beckjord claimed.

continuing on a different thread.

“I’m chief of Cherokee Nation, chief of Navajo Nation, I’m chief of Iroquois Nation, I’m chief of Cherokee-Iroquois Nation, I’m chief of Cherokee-Navajo Nation, I’m chief of Africa Nation, I’m chief of Egyptian Nation, I’m chief of Ethiopian Nation, I’m chief of all the Nordic tribes, I am chief of Irish Nation,” Beckjord claimed.

At the 5:40 mark of the video, one officer asks Beckjord about his intent when firing shots at Tokyo Foods. Beckjord rambles about “dosing” again before getting to his reason.

At the 5:40 mark of the video, one officer asks Beckjord about his intent when firing shots at Tokyo Foods. Beckjord rambles about “dosing” again before getting to his reason.

“Tokyo is in non-compliance. I am chief of Tokyo,” Beckjord says. “Does Tokyo want this over? Then take him out [of] the cuffs.”

“Tokyo is in non-compliance. I am chief of Tokyo,” Beckjord says. “Does Tokyo want this over? Then take him out [of] the cuffs.”

As the officer walks Beckjord to the squad car, Beckjord says, “Well, this is just a training exercise to see if I’ll comply with law enforcement. You know who Daniel Beckjord is. Well, my payroll pays your salary. My relatives are five-star generals and five-star lieutenants and five-star admirals, and they don’t want me fucked with.

As the officer walks Beckjord to the squad car, Beckjord says, “Well, this is just a training exercise to see if I’ll comply with law enforcement. You know who Daniel Beckjord is. Well, my payroll pays your salary. My relatives are five-star generals and five-star lieutenants and five-star admirals, and they don’t want me fucked with.

At the car, an officer buckles Beckjord into the backseat, where the suspect says, “Law enforcement has to save me from situations in the future, and this is just a training exercise to show how this should work.”

At the car, an officer buckles Beckjord into the backseat, where the suspect says, “Law enforcement has to save me from situations in the future, and this is just a training exercise to show how this should work.”

An officer then asks Beckjord if he chose Tokyo Foods because it was an Asian market.

An officer then asks Beckjord if he chose Tokyo Foods because it was an Asian market.

“No, no,” Beckjord says before going into the “training exercise” spiel again. “MIB [men in black] is in my head and you can’t get ‘em out of my head. Secret Service is in my head; you can’t get ‘em out of my head. Every government agency is in my head.”

“No, no,” Beckjord says before going into the “training exercise” spiel again. “MIB [men in black] is in my head and you can’t get ‘em out of my head. Secret Service is in my head; you can’t get ‘em out of my head. Every government agency is in my head.”

“They’ll be here before you can get me out of this parking lot, through teleportation, if you go any further than this,” he adds.

“They’ll be here before you can get me out of this parking lot, through teleportation, if you go any further than this,” he adds.

The officer simply says, “All right” and begins to shut the door. But Beckjord has one final question.

“Thankfully, the store was closed and the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Matsuda, were unharmed. However, their business was destroyed, and patrons and staff at neighboring Uncle Yips who witnessed the incident were traumatized,” the statement said.

“Thankfully, the store was closed and the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Matsuda, were unharmed. However, their business was destroyed, and patrons and staff at neighboring Uncle Yips who witnessed the incident were traumatized,” the statement said.

The organizations and nonprofits – which largely include Asian and Pacific Islander groups such as the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati and the Japanese American Citizens League as well as faith and reproductive justice organizations – say that in addition to the Jan. 22 shooting, the Matsudas have endured home robberies, COVID-19 bouts and store supply shortages in recent years.

The organizations and nonprofits – which largely include Asian and Pacific Islander groups such as the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati and the Japanese American Citizens League as well as faith and reproductive justice organizations – say that in addition to the Jan. 22 shooting, the Matsudas have endured home robberies, COVID-19 bouts and store supply shortages in recent years.

According to the GoFundMe page for the effort, which is being organized by Asianati co-founder Koji Sado, Tokyo Foods is the last Japanese grocery store in Greater Cincinnati.

According to the GoFundMe page for the effort, which is being organized by Asianati co-founder Koji Sado, Tokyo Foods is the last Japanese grocery store in Greater Cincinnati.

“Even after everything they have gone through, the 93-year-old Mr. Matsuda still talks about the goodness in people, the community, and how he does not want to trouble others,” Sado said on the page. “My hope is to raise enough funds for Mr. & Mrs. Matsuda to recover from these tragedies and to live the rest of their lives in peace. They’ve supported the community for 35 years, now it’s our turn to support them.”

“Even after everything they have gone through, the 93-year-old Mr. Matsuda still talks about the goodness in people, the community, and how he does not want to trouble others,” Sado said on the page. “My hope is to raise enough funds for Mr. & Mrs. Matsuda to recover from these tragedies and to live the rest of their lives in peace. They’ve supported the community for 35 years, now it’s our turn to support them.”

Funds raised will go toward repairing damages and helping to pay rent and insurance costs at Tokyo Foods and will provide the Matsudas with assistance for basic living expenses, Sado said.

Funds raised will go toward repairing damages and helping to pay rent and insurance costs at Tokyo Foods and will provide the Matsudas with assistance for basic living expenses, Sado said.

The 31 organizations that signed the statement of support also called for more awareness of the violence towards Asian community members, which has been rising since the start of the pandemic.

Violence toward people of Asian descent has increased since 2020, on top of the legacy of racism the United States has perpetuated for centuries. Many attribute the spike in anti-Asian violence to racist rhetoric like that which former U.S. President Donald Trump used during his tenure. Trump frequently referred to the coronavirus as “the China virus,” “the Chinese virus” and even the “Kung Flu” because it reportedly had originated in Wuhan, China. Trump and many of his supporters – including sitting politicians – have continued to use such language.

Violence toward people of Asian descent has increased since 2020, on top of the legacy of racism the United States has perpetuated for centuries. Many attribute the spike in anti-Asian violence to racist rhetoric like that which former U.S. President Donald Trump used during his tenure. Trump frequently referred to the coronavirus as “the China virus,” “the Chinese virus” and even the “Kung Flu” because it reportedly had originated in Wuhan, China. Trump and many of his supporters – including sitting politicians – have continued to use such language.

Sincee the pandemic's start, a number of Asian-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati have endured threats and vandalism.

Sincee the pandemic's start, a number of Asian-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati have endured threats and vandalism.

On Jan. 31, the Evendale Police Department said that thus far, its investigation did not show that Tokyo Foods shooter Daniel Beckjord committed a hate crime.

On Jan. 31, the Evendale Police Department said that thus far, its investigation did not show that Tokyo Foods shooter Daniel Beckjord committed a hate crime.

“The suspect never offered a motive for the offense and that remains under investigation,” the department said. “After searching two residences used by the suspect, two vehicles used by the suspect, as well as two cell phones belonging to the subject, no evidence was found that pointed towards an ethnic/cultural motivation or targeting in the Evendale incident.”

“The suspect never offered a motive for the offense and that remains under investigation,” the department said. “After searching two residences used by the suspect, two vehicles used by the suspect, as well as two cell phones belonging to the subject, no evidence was found that pointed towards an ethnic/cultural motivation or targeting in the Evendale incident.”

But for the organizations that have signed the statement of support for the Matsudas, that doesn’t matter. Helping a longtime community member does.

But for the organizations that have signed the statement of support for the Matsudas, that doesn’t matter. Helping a longtime community member does.

“Tokyo Foods and the Matsuda family cannot be made whole again. The trauma of such attacks will inevitably leave scars. We also know the burden of such ignorance and hate cannot be shouldered by only those who are subjected to it. We ask Cincinnati to stand united to show its support of Tokyo Foods and send a message that we do not tolerate hate,” they said.

“Are you alive or are you a spirit, sir?”

The officer simply says, “All right” and begins to shut the door. But Beckjord has one final question.

“Are you alive or are you a spirit, sir?”

“Stand with AAPI’s. Incidents

The 31 organizations that signed the statement of support also called for more awareness of the violence towards Asian community members, which has been rising since the start of the pandemic.

“Stand with AAPI’s. Incidents

“Tokyo Foods and the Matsuda family cannot be made whole again. The trauma of such attacks will inevitably leave scars. We also know the burden of such ignorance and hate cannot be shouldered by only those who are subjected to it. We ask Cincinnati to stand united to show its support of Tokyo Foods and send a message that we do not tolerate hate,” they said.

Donate to the Tokyo Foods effort on GoFundMe at bit.ly/3wZjb2J.

Donate to the Tokyo Foods effort on GoFundMe at bit.ly/3wZjb2J.

PHOTO: GOOGLE MAPS

Tokyo Foods is located in Evendale Plaza with other businesses.

PHOTO: GOOGLE MAPS

Amazon Air Hub Employee Says He Was Fired for Union Organizing

BY MADELINE FENING

union organizer.

Social media pages associated with the union campaign for Amazon’s largest Air Hub in the country recently posted “No more retaliation or favoritism - rehire Edward Clarke now!”

The union effort

The massive $1.5 billion dollar Amazon Air Hub located just outside of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (the Air Hub is often referred to as KCVG) first opened in August of 2021. KCVG employees started unionizing in November after upper management announced that there would be no peak pay for the 2022 holiday rush. Amazon told CityBeat in November that it “[doesn’t] think unions are the best answer for [its] employees.”

KCVG workers who are unionizing are calling on Amazon to pay its KCVG employees $30 per hour, saying the highly skilled and dangerous jobs associated with working with aircraft are not compensated fairly. In November, Amazon told CityBeat that workers currently make an average of $19 per hour, but some make between $16 and

Amazon.jobs.com, employees would need to work at the company for six years or more to receive 120 hours of annual paid vacation time, or 15 days. First-year employees receive 40 hours of paid vacation time, or five days. The website also says employees get seven paid holidays and that sick time varies by state.

The third and final demand is union representation at disciplinary meetings. Organizers said the need for disciplinary representation was on full display with the firing of 58-year-old Edward Clarke.

“We’re fed up with the toxic work environment at KCVG that management maintains by dividing us, bullying us, and intimidating us, which is why we’re calling for union representation at every disciplinary meeting,” KCVG union organizers said in a news release.

The firing of Edward Clarke

Clarke, a U.S. Army veteran, was hired at Amazon’s KCVG Air Hub as an associate in 2021, one month after the facility opened its doors. He was later promoted to a load planner, responsible for the weights and balances of

properly on the plane so we don’t have any catastrophes, like a nose-tip or a tail-tip, pilots losing their lives because of neglect or dereliction of duty,” Clarke told CityBeat. “I have very heavy responsibilities as a load planner, we have a lot of certifications we need.”

Clarke said that on Jan. 17, he was informed via email that he was being fired from Amazon, effective immediately. In that email, Clarke was directed to his employee portal, which contained more documents that outlined the reasons for his firing. He told CityBeat that he no longer had access to the employee portal but verbalized Amazon’s reasons for his firing to union organizers on Jan. 17, which they then listed on their website.

“The bogus reasons given by site leadership for Edward’s termination are: leaving his workstation computer unlocked while periodically stepping away to perform job duties. [And] allowing a Tier 1 associate — who Edward worked with regularly — to scan freight cans into the load planning software,” the website said.

Amazon responded to CityBeat’s request for comment on the firing via email, saying Clarke violated the

“The decision to terminate Mr. Clarke

Clarke was terminated for directing an unauthorized and untrained employee to complete Mr. Clarke’s duties, which included allowing the employee to use Mr. Clarke’s personal account and workstation,” said Mary Kate Paradis, a public relations manager for Amazon.

Clarke disputed this, saying the employee who used his computer was trained and that the conduct outlined by Amazon is common practice among its Air Hub employees, including managers.

“This employee was a tenured associate with Amazon for 12 years. He was assisting me as he was being directed by me. He did not have access to my personal account. Scanners are used on a daily basis by Tier 1 associates,” Clarke said. “We have to step away from our laptops up to 50-70 times a day. All the load planning managers walk away from their laptops without locking them. This is not something that happens on occasion – it happens on a daily basis.”

Category 1 firing

Clarke said his firing fell under a Category 1 offense, which he said is

normally reserved for violent offenses, like threats or acts of physical violence in the workplace and dangerous behavior that puts the safety of others at risk, though this policy is not outlined publicly. Amazon did not respond to CityBeat’s questions about what constitutes a Category 1 offense or about Clarke’s firing being classified as a Category 1 offense.

Clarke said the Category 1 designation, which offers no opportunity for appeal, is part of the reason he believes his firing was targeted.

“I knew that this was not just a wrongful termination. This was more of a target because I’ve been more upfront about unionizing KCVG. This was a personal attack,” Clarke said. “I’ve been out front educating people about their right to unionize. I am a voice that knows how to professionally challenge leadership and what their roles and responsibilities are and encourage them to follow their own rules and responsibilities without bullying tactics.”

Griffin Ritze, an Air Hub employee and union organizer, told CityBeat that even before employees announced their intention to unionize KCVG last fall, Clarke was known for pushing back against management to stand up for his fellow employees. He said many employees feel pressured by management to skip their breaks, with some being told outright to work through break time.

“Management at Amazon want ‘yes men,’ which is why a majority of their managers are fresh out of college with no experience. They don’t want someone who comes out like [Clarke] with lots of life experience who isn’t afraid to push back when they try to cut corners or force people to work without their breaks,” Ritze said.

The Clarke campaign

Union organizers encouraged employees to wear red during the week of Jan. 23 to send a message to Amazon to rehire Clarke, and organizers passed out “Ed” buttons for employees. Clarke’s weekly salary is being paid by union organizers while he seeks to fight the termination in court. Clarke said he’s filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board, an independent federal agency, though union organizers have said “[the institution is] far from reliable allies to Amazon workers.”

“What happened to Edward is part of Amazon’s overall strategy for busting any attempt by Amazon’s employees to form a union,” KCVG union organizers said in a news release. “They won’t play nice, and they won’t play fair.”

Cincinnati Bengals Lose AFC Championship to Kansas City but Social Media Loves 'Jabroni-Gate'

BY ALLISON BABKA

It wasn’t the outcome that Cincinnati wanted. But it was the outcome that capped off another season of improvement, pride and hope.

The Cincinnati Bengals lost the AFC championship to the Kansas City Chiefs 23-20 on Jan. 29 at KC’s Arrowhead Stadium. As they did during the championship game in 2022 – also against the Chiefs – the Bengals rallied from behind to tie things up in the second half. But unlike last season, there was no overtime magic or last-second field goal that would lead Cincinnati to a second Super Bowl appearance in as many years.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company had both the offense and defense going against the Bengals, capitalizing on a series of mistakes made by Cincinnati. Over the course of the game, quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked five times and the team committed nine penalties worth 71 yards.

The team is proud of the season, though, and already is looking ahead.

“I feel very good about the direction that we’re headed in,” Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters after the game. “We’ve been in this game for two straight years. We have won one and lost one. Obviously, this one hurts but we will come back stronger.”

Head coach Zac Taylor also praised his scrappy team.

“I am just proud of this team. I am proud of the character of these men, and this is where character is going to be tested the most in moments

like this when it is fresh,” Taylor told reporters. “You were so close to winning an AFC championship backto-back and going to the Super Bowl on the road. There have been a lot of obstacles thrown at this team, and they knocked them all down. We just couldn’t get past this last one here.”

Despite being dismissed at the beginning of the season even after 2022’s Super Bowl journey, the Bengals continued to prove that they belong in the same conversations as the perpetual top teams. How could they not, with a 12-4 regular-season record and a 10-game winning streak that until Jan. 29 dated back to the beginning of November?

“We’re building a legacy,” wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said.

Social media sizzle

Cincinnati’s pro football team already has a devoted fanbase in the Queen City, but the rest of the world apparently is catching on, too.

According to a recent study from Gambling.com, the Cincinnati Bengals are the fourth-most popular NFL team on TikTok, with an average of 111,790 follower likes for each video posted. At the time of the study, the Bengals had 1,600,000 followers and 25,600,000 likes across 229 videos. The team earns about $1,497 per video, the study showed.

The Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs took the top three spots in average likes per TikTok video. The Chiefs had the

most followers of any NFL team with 2,500,000, the study said. KC also led in total likes (43,500,000) and earnings per video ($2,401).

But social media isn’t always pretty for sports teams. A post-AFC interview sent all social media platforms – particularly Twitter – aflame and pushed people to Google “What’s a ‘jabroni?’”

Holding up the AFC championship trophy during an on-field interview after the game, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce shared some thoughts about Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval’s recent jabs at Kelce’s team and city.

“Hey, I’ve got some wise words for that Cincinnati mayor: Know your role and shut your mouth, you jabroni,” Kelce shouted on the NFL’s national CBS broadcast before invoking the Beastie Boys. “You gotta fight... for your right... to PARRRRRRRRRTYYYYYYY!

Kelce was referring to Pureval hyping Cincinnati during the week prior by calling Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium “Burrowhead Stadium” (Burrow had won his previous three contests against the Chiefs) and tossing some friendly digs at KC mayor Quinton Lucas (“The mayor could use some Cincinnati swagger because the clothing he bet me was really quite tired,” Pureval said during a Bengals flag-raising ceremony). Pureval also essentially said “Joe Burrow is Kansas City’s daddy” in a video proclamation.

“Jabroni” largely is viewed as a variation of Italian-American slang that has been around since the start of the 20th century but had decreased in use since mid-century. According to dictionary.com, a jabroni is a “stupid, foolish, or contemptible person” or a “loser” and could be a derivative of the Milanese word for ham, giambone But it was professional wrestling that pushed the term back into the spotlight. Wrestler Iron Sheik (born Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) frequently called his opponents “jabroni” in the 1980s. In the 2000s, The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) popularized the term even more. Dictionary.com added the word to its archives in 2020.

After “jabroni” began trending on Twitter, Pureval shared a response.

“Yeah. Deserved that,” Pureval wrote around midnight after the game. “Congrats to KC on a well-fought win, and good luck in Arizona. Proud of our fans and our @bengals for all the energy this year. Who Dey!”

Cincinnati Bengals fans console each other during an AFC championship watch party at The Banks on Jan. 29.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Former Cincinnati Reds Third Baseman Scott Rolen Gets Cooperstown Nod

BY ALLISON BABKA

In his sixth year of eligibility, former Cincinnati Reds third baseman and eight-time Gold Glover Scott Rolen finally made it into the National Baseball Hall of Fame – and he’s nearly peerless.

Rolen punched his Cooperstown ticket on Jan. 24 with 297 votes, or 76.3% of the vote, from eligible members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). For induction, players must receive at least 75% of that year’s vote .

In 2022, Rolen received 63.2%.

The 47-year-old Rolen was the only former player that BBWAA members elected into the 2023 class. He’ll be inducted into the hall during a July 23 ceremony alongside Fred McGriff, who played 19 seasons during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s and was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee in December.

Rolen may elect to enter the hall wearing the uniform of any team he’s played for: Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays or Cincinnati Reds. He also may enter with a teamless cap. Experts expect Rolen to choose enshrinement as a Cardinal or Phillie, though he finished his career in Cincinnati.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto posted a story to Instagram congratulating Rolen.

“Scott would think this is so lame, me doing this on video and sharing it with the public, but I have to say a big congratulations to my former teammate Scott Rolen, AKA ‘Ro-Dog,’” Votto said, yipping like a pooch. “I loved playing with him. I learned so much. If any player’s lucky enough to have a role model and teammate like him, they’re

as lucky as it gets. I shaped my career, my effort, my work in his mold. He’s a Hall of Famer today, deserving, and I have nothing but respect for him and his achievements.”

Former Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo was on the 2023 ballot but earned just one vote and will not be considered in the future. To remain on the ballot, candidates must earn at least 5% of the vote.

Rolen joined the Reds in 2009, playing through 2012 at the corner before retiring. While in Cincinnati, Rolen hit his 300th career home run and helped the team win the Central Division –something that Cincinnati hadn’t seen in 15 seasons prior. He also earned one of his eight National League Gold Gloves and was an MLB All Star in 2010 and 2011 (he’d earned the honor five additional times elsewhere) during his time in the Queen City.

Known for his hustle and leadership, Rolen compares favorably with third basemen already enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Over his career, he tallied a .490 slugging percentage (fourth-best of third basemen), 517 doubles (fifth), 2023 games (sixth), 316 homers (sixth) and .855 slugging (sixth). Rolen is one of just four third basemen ever to compile at least 2,000 hits, 500 doubles, 300 home runs and 1,200 RBI, and he’s one of just three players at any position to post those stats.

Rolen played a total of 17 years in the majors, nabbing the National League Rookie of the Year award when he came up with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1997. His most celebrated era came during his years with the St. Louis Cardinals, with whom he won a World Series in 2006.

Will Scott Rolen go into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a Red?

PHOTO: MLB FILE PHOTO

The 2023 Pet issue

New ways for Cincinnatians to truly connect with their animal friends

For many people in Cincinnati and beyond, pets are an integral part of life. According to a 2021-2022 report from the American Pet Products Association, pets live in 90.5 million homes in the United States. That means a whopping 70% of U.S. households have a Fido, Garfield or Goldie keeping them company.

And it seems that a good chunk of those pet-friendly homes are right here in Cincinnati. In 2022, a Lending Tree study said that Cincy was the most pet-obsessed metropolitan area in the country, with 1.93 pet stores per 1,000 businesses. With all of these furry, feathered and scaled friends around, Queen City residents can’t help but want to pamper them. Read on for some innovative ways to show your love to your best friend.

same five senses.”

Noftsger and her partner Cindy Huff have been working as animal communicators for two decades. They do the work mostly by phone from their home in Maineville, since their services aren’t performed in the physical realm, Noftsger says.

“Animals talk to each other telepathically all the time,” Noftsger says. “In that realm, there’s no time or space, so I can talk to a dog in Singapore right now as if I was in the room with the dog.”

Although the concept of telepathy is a little out there for some, Noftsger has a way of explaining it in more approachable terms. According to her, animals pick up on emotions without the use of words, just like humans do. For example, if someone enters a room in which an argument has just ended, they may pick up on that, even if no one is saying or doing anything to give it away.

“You feel that and you’ve gotten that information somehow, right?” Noftsger asks. “With animals, it keeps them safe. They can catch the intention of something.”

Noftsger’s and Huff’s home is filled with animal photos and painted pet portraits. Right now, their family includes two dogs – one greyhound, one podengo – plus two horses. Like Noftsger, Huff has a background in science, working as a biology teacher and in information technology before retiring.

Soulful Connections: Pet Communicators Bridge the Gap Between Animals and Guardians

BY KATRINA ERESMAN

HAVE YOU EVER wanted to know whether your fish likes its tank? Or dreamt of speaking to a pet who has passed? Or been desperate to understand once and for all what your cat is thinking about you?

There’s a specialist for that – a pet communicator, and there are several serving the Greater Cincinnati area. They speak to every type of creature, including

dogs, cats, chickens, horses, reptiles and even insects.

Helping animals and their people is the primary goal, communicators tell CityBeat. Clients come to them for various reasons, whether it’s helping a new pet adjust or encouraging a dying pet to cross the rainbow bridge. Some people turn to pet communicators to help find their lost friends, and sometimes they’re interested

in speaking with a pet that has passed. And communicators say they can address questions about behavior or health concerns that vets may not be able answer.

“Animal communication is basically telepathy with animals,” Terri Noftsger tells CityBeat. Noftsger works full-time as a registered nurse and as an animal communicator on the side. “Through telepathy, you get information in the

So how did two people with STEM backgrounds come to believe in the power of animal communication? First came curiosity, followed by what they say is apparent evidence. When Huff met an animal communicator at a psychic festival more than two decades ago – which she says attended mostly for the crystals – she decided to hire them to speak with her dog just to see what the process was like. During the remote phone session, Huff’s dog went from restless movements to lying down on cue from the communicator. Huff was sold, she says.

“She’s not interacting directly with this dog, [and] I’m not cuing the dog,” Huff says. “She’s talking to him in some way that I don’t understand.”

People are more inclined to try something unconventional when it’s for their animals, Heather Anderson, another communicator, says. Anderson practices from her home in Mt. Washington, taking clients over Zoom or phone.The high school French teacher says she began researching animal communication eight years ago after the passing of her cat.

“When people have a struggle, they don’t often do anything to help themselves, but when their animals are struggling, they will stop and take care of themselves,” Anderson says. “They’ll kind of take my ‘woo-woo’ suggestions and say, ‘Well you know, if it’s going to help my dog, I’ll give it a try.’ They’re more open to it on that level.”

Pet mediums Cindy Huff and Terri Noftsger work from their Maineville home. | PHOTO: KATRINA ERESMAN

OPPOSITE: PHOTO BY AIDAN MAHONEY

The pet communicators CityBeat talked to say they typically start a session by directing medical questions to vets and behavioral questions to trainers. They consider themselves a part of an animal’s wellness team, stepping in when trainers and vets can’t help. Their job is to give the animals a say in things, they say.

“We help the person have the voice of the animal so that they can make the right decision for the animal,” Huff says.

“We help the animal understand the human better, and we help the human understand the animal better,” Noftsger adds.

A session starts with setting an intention that it be “for the greatest and highest good for the animal [and] for the human,” Anderson explains. The communicator may do some grounding work, like mindful breathing, before asking the animal to enter their space.

From there, the key is to listen, not interpret. Huff emphasizes the importance of turning off the analytical left brain, which she says doesn’t come naturally to a scientist like herself.

“It does not have to make sense,” Huff says. “We’re using the right part of the brain to do the work. I’m listening, I’m getting information. It does not have to process into logic for me.”

Huff says that throughout a session, they report on the information they’re receiving. If they let the left brain take over, they might interpret things incorrectly, like the time Noftsger was trying to visualize a dog’s favorite toy and read it wrong. What she saw in her vision looked like a lambswool toy, but the dog’s favorite toy was actually a stuffed sock with a similar shape and color. Instead of just describing what she saw, which might have led to the correct interpretation, Noftsger called it a lambswool toy, so the client called her a fraud.

But for every story of skepticism, there are multiple stories of success that stoke their passion for supporting animals in unorthodox ways, Huff says. Noftsger estimates that she and Huff have a 50% success rate in their missing-animal work, and Anderson says she sees her work’s impact in her repeat clients and referrals.

“I get more people sending me information about how it’s been very helpful,” Anderson says. “Every reading that I go into, I’m just hoping that I’m going to help in the way they need to be helped.”

All three communicators agree that skeptics are best ignored and that the reward comes from making a difference for animals and humans.

“I don’t need to go and prove anything to people,” Anderson says. “I feel like the people that find me are the people that are supposed to find me.”

Animal Communication and Wellness services, acwservices.net; Heather Anderson Intuitive, heatherandersonintuitive.com

Cincy Businesses Create Paws-itively Delicious Pet Treats

BY KELSEY GRAHAM

PET OWNERS DON’T need much convincing when it comes to splurging on their animals, but finding treats with quality ingredients isn’t always easy. Luckily, the Queen City is home to locally-owned pet businesses baking up wholesome and tasty treats that keep both dog and cat tails wagging for more.

Drool-Worthy Treats at Pet Wants

It’s likely that many Cincinnatians take their pets to Pet Wants for the aromas as well as for the treats. Treats at Pet Wants are made on-site in Over-the-Rhine, and visitors can smell just how homemade everything is upon walking in.

“The smells in this store are awful for people who stand here, but for dogs, this is where they want to be,” owner Michele Hobbs tells CityBeat. “We are ultimately a nutrition store. Everything that we make, we have what we a call a ‘hint of health.’”

Pet Wants’ housemade cut-out cookies may look like standard adorably shaped dog treats, but they’re filled with ingredients that Hobbs says help keep canines healthy. For example, the pHantastic

Mint Cookie is a solution for stinky dog breath, but it also may be a treat for a pup with an upset stomach, thanks to the charcoal inside that helps rebalance the pH in the gut. Another nutritious treat is the SKINny Pig Cookie, which is filled with salmon oil and krill; both ingredients are high in omegas and can help dogs with dry skin, Hobbs says.

The shop also uses human-grade foods in treats for canines and felines. The meat and seafood Pet Wants uses in jerky and freeze-dried “pawfaits” are sourced

from both Luken’s Poultry Fish and Seafood and Northside Meats. Even the liver frites, which can help keep a dog’s coat shiny and healthy, are made with only beef liver and restaurant-quality yams for a wholesome and low-calorie treat.

Pet Wants, 1409 Vine St., and 1813 Pleasant St., Over-the-Rhine. Info: petwants.com.

Treats with Purpose at Brewhaus Bakery and Dog Bones

Brewhaus Bakery and Dog Bones is more than just a dog treat business. At its core, it’s a non-profit with a mission to support students with disabilities and teach them work and life skills through the company’s business model program.

“All revenue supports our employment and training programs for our bakers in our inclusive commercial kitchen space,” Lisa Graham, who founded the nonprofit in 2014, tells CityBeat Brewhaus makes dog treats using spent brewing grains provided by Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky breweries, including Rhinegeist, Taft’s Ale House, Fifty West, and Mt. Carmel Brewing Co. Patrons also can order customized cakes and “pupcakes” for a dog’s birthday, gotcha day or other special occasion. Brewhaus bakers – including students –work with each customer to create the perfect design, with a tennis ball cake being a fan favorite for both humans and canines, Graham says.

Brewhaus recently moved from their

Bakers gather with Barley at Brewhaus Bakery and Dog Bones | PHOTO: PROVIDED BY BREWHAUS BAKERY AND DOG BONES

Treats at Pet Wants | PHOTO: KELSEY GRAHAM

longtime space in Madeira into a larger building in Mt. Washington, which Graham says has been a “game-changer” in expanding the small business.

“It’s such a collaborative effort, and that might be the thing I’m actually the most proud of – just how many people come together for a great cause!” Graham says.

Brewhaus Dog Bakery and Dog Bones, 1623 Burney Lane, Mt. Washington. Info: brewhausdogbones.com.

Dog and Cat Treats at Pugalicious Pet Treats

Pugalicious Pet Treats started as a solution for owners Michelle and Patrick Burns’ pug, Ace, who suffered from food allergies. It was difficult to find safe treats to feed him, they say, so they began making their own.

“All of our products contain novel proteins like duck and bison to give pets with allergies a healthy option that all dogs will crave,” Patrick Burns tells CityBeat.

Among the selection is a variety of freeze-dried duck, bison and sweet potato toppers and treats, all made without preservatives. And they’re not just for canines; felines go crazy for the duck and sweet potato treats too, Burns says.

“Since we have limited ingredients in our products, they are suitable for cats and dogs,” Burns says. “We initially targeted dogs for the treats, but customers started giving the duck treats to cats, and their cats loved it!”

Burns says that the simple ingredients mean Pugalicious treats are healthy options for dogs with allergies and even for pets who struggle with eating.

“We’ve had many comments from customers about our duck toppers, saying it was the only thing that worked to get their elderly pet to eat,” Burns says. “That makes us feel very proud to provide that solution for our customers.”

Pugalicious Pet Treats can be found at local businesses such as Red Dog Pet Resorts, Pet Wants, Earthwise Pets, Westside Brewery and Wüf Pet Spa. Info: pugaliciouspettreats.com.

The Insta-Famous Dogs of Cincinnati Are Stepping out in Big Ways

BY BRYN DIPPOLD

MANY PEOPLE HAVE a special dog in their life. It could be a hairdresser’s chihuahua, or a neighbor’s German shepherd. But for those not lucky enough to have a dog of their own, there are always dogs on the endless scroll of Instagram and TikTok.

Cincinnati has a few doggie celebrities that stand out, including the wash of King Charles spaniels who frequent Queen City Radio and the fanciful fluffy dogs at Wüf Pet Spa. While Wüf has almost 3,000 Instagram followers that hound posts with likes, comments and reshares, Casey Coston at Queen City Radio enjoys the spoils of the canine limelight in person.

“People light up when they see the dogs’ faces, that is, until they start misbehaving,” Coston says. “But generally, the dogs are pretty good. It’s all ‘Just pet me, just give me treats!’”

Casey Coston, who works at QCR and with Urban Expansion, the company that redeveloped the QCR property in 2015, got his first cavalier King Charles spaniel, Zelda, around 15 years ago.

“I was highly skeptical of this breed at the time, having grown up with larger dogs,” Coston tells CityBeat. “My

only experience was in grad school at Georgetown when my Park Avenue housemate had an aging Cavalier, Taffy, who promptly piddled on my floor the first day I moved in. But, well…you know, a Cavalier’s face can melt your heart within seconds, even faster than it can piddle, so there’s that.”

Coston says Zelda became a canine celebrity in Over-the-Rhine by meeting passersby on the street, guarding the bar at QCR and getting likes and love on Instagram.

“Zelda eventually became a regular at Neon’s (now Rosedale) when it reopened in 2010,” Cston says. “That really started the whole ‘bring your dog to the bar’ shtick in OTR. Neon’s was a hub, and Zelda usually sat in a chair on the patio or on a bar stool inside, oftentimes judging people.”

“She was a diva and my full time companion in OTR. She lit the Christmas tree in Washington Park in 2014, as I recall,” Coston says.

Zelda’s frequent appearances and local acclaim back in 2010 apparently set a platform for Cincinnati dog-fluencers to come. Jonny and Jessie Casey, husband and wife and co-owners of Wüf Pet

Spa, started their dog-grooming business in 2018.

The couple says they developed their deep shared love of animals when they met while working at a PetSmart around seven years ago. At Wüf Pet Spa, the Caseys take the inherent adorableness of dogs to another level with pet fur dyeing, a practice that has increased engagement on their Instagram account, especially when they post dogs dyed with Bengals-esque orange and black stripes and team designs.

“The typical beginner look is tails and ears getting colored, which is cute, but at Wüf we can turn it up a notch and turn your pets into other animals or creatures,” Jessie Casey tells CityBeat. “Recently, we’ve enjoyed the hype around the huge success the Bengals have, so we’ve been getting requests to turn their pets into Bengal tigers. We’ve really enjoyed that.”

The Caseys say they opened Wüf because of their shared experience of growing up with multiple dogs.

“We had always felt their uninterrupted love, how unconditional it was,” Jonny Casey says. “We love to pamper these pets as if they were our own.”

The Caseys currently have two children and seven dogs, their very own dog pack.

Coston also knows the value of a dog pack, having adopted four King Charles spaniels – Merlin, Remington, Pleakley and Bentley – since Zelda. Each dog has made an impact at Queen City Radio and in Cincinnati through social media and local events, Coston says.

In 2022, Coston helped launch the first Bengaldog Parade to celebrate the team going to the Super Bowl. His two remaining dogs, Pleakley and Bentley, walked in the 2022 parade last year to much acclaim and will do so again on Feb. 11.

“While the Bengals did not make the Super Bowl this year, they certainly came close. And as the old saying goes, ‘Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and dog parades,” Coston writes in a press release for this year’s event.

Coston, who says he brings Bentley and Pleakley to work most of the time, enjoys the reactions his beloved pups receive at events, at work and on social media.

When asked why he thinks dogs are lapping up all of the attention on social media, Coston said, “I mean, they’re better than narcissistic selfies!”

Jonny Casey at Wüf has a different thought.

“Dogs capture our hearts, from Lassie to Wishbone,” Jonny Casey says. “They make us laugh and smile when the news or social media is negative.”

Casey Coston and his King Charles spaniels, Over-the-Rhine. Info: instagram. com/caseycoston64; Wüf Pet Spa, 1812 Race St., Over-The-Rhine, and 18 N. Fort Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas. Info: wufpetspa.com and instagram.com/ wufpetspa.

A “pupcake” at Brewhaus Bakery | PHOTO: PROVIDED BY BREWHAUS BAKERY

Pleakley, Casey Coston and Bentley | PHOTO: PROVIDED BY CASEY COSTON

ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS & CULTURE

[FIRST PERSON]

[FIRST PERSON]

The Art of Less

The Art of Less

Now on display, the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Collection features 18 works by post-modern and contemporary artists.

BY STEVEN ROSEN

BY STEVEN ROSEN

For those looking for an artwork of exquisite minimalism, Sol LeWitt’s Atlantic City Piece (1971), now at Cincinnati Art Museum, is the visual equivalent of one hand clapping. It’s kind of only partly there, but the allure of it — the idea of it — brings it to full, vivid life.

For those looking for an artwork of exquisite minimalism, Sol LeWitt’s Atlantic City Piece (1971), now at Cincinnati Art Museum, is the visual equivalent of one hand clapping. It’s kind of only partly there, but the allure of it — the idea of it — brings it to full, vivid life.

The piece only exists as a drawing on a gallery wall. After being physically created, it went on view at the museum in August. In contemporary art, anything is potentially a material and can be drawn or painted upon, and an artwork can be site-specific and durational.

The piece only exists as a drawing on a gallery wall. After being physically created, it went on view at the museum in August. In contemporary art, anything is potentially a material and can be drawn or painted upon, and an artwork can be site-specific and durational.

But one strange thing in this case is that the artist, LeWitt, died in 2007 at age 78, so he wasn’t there to actually draw the work on the wall, nor even to supervise apprentices. A museum art handler, Bobby Burke, did the actual hands-on work, using a framed set of instructions provided by LeWitt.

But one strange thing in this case is that the artist, LeWitt, died in 2007 at age 78, so he wasn’t there to actually draw the work on the wall, nor even to supervise apprentices. A museum art handler, Bobby Burke, did the actual hands-on work, using a framed set of instructions provided by LeWitt.

Another stumper: the artwork at first looks like a blank space on a white gallery wall. The area where it’s located has a notably lighter whiteness from the rest of the wall, as if something that once

Another stumper: the artwork at first looks like a blank space on a white gallery wall. The area where it’s located has a notably lighter whiteness from the rest of the wall, as if something that once

had been there for years was removed and the area revealed is free of any grit or grime that comes with exposure. Visitors have to get close to see the actual art, and even then keep an open mind and laser-focused eye to see the faint, somewhat unsteady, pale-yellow pencil lines that form a somewhat shaky grid within a five-square-foot space.

had been there for years was removed and the area revealed is free of any grit or grime that comes with exposure. Visitors have to get close to see the actual art, and even then keep an open mind and laser-focused eye to see the faint, somewhat unsteady, pale-yellow pencil lines that form a somewhat shaky grid within a five-square-foot space.

If it were a three-dimensional sculpture, it’d be roped-off so people can’t get too close.

If it were a three-dimensional sculpture, it’d be roped-off so people can’t get too close.

It’s mesmerizing; humbling, even. Ghostly and seemingly ephemeral, like a fading rainbow, it’s all the more beautiful and emotionally charged because of it. It persists in existing despite our inclination to overlook it — a metaphor for art itself. And, really, for us.

It’s mesmerizing; humbling, even. Ghostly and seemingly ephemeral, like a fading rainbow, it’s all the more beautiful and emotionally charged because of it. It persists in existing despite our inclination to overlook it — a metaphor for art itself. And, really, for us.

Atlantic City Piece (1971) debuted at the museum as part of a show offering highlights from a 2019 bequest from Alice and Harris Weston. They were longtime visual arts supporters and collectors in Cincinnati, especially receptive to contemporary art. Harris died in 2009, followed by Alice in 2019. This exhibit will be on view in a first-floor

Atlantic City Piece (1971) debuted at the museum as part of a show offering highlights from a 2019 bequest from Alice and Harris Weston. They were longtime visual arts supporters and collectors in Cincinnati, especially receptive to contemporary art. Harris died in 2009, followed by Alice in 2019. This exhibit will be on view in a first-floor

gallery — The Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Collection of Post-World War II Modern and Contemporary Art — at least through Jan. 2024, so Atlantic City Piece (1971) will be there for quite a while and is worth a special trip.

gallery — The Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Collection of Post-World War II Modern and Contemporary Art — at least through Jan. 2024, so Atlantic City Piece (1971) will be there for quite a while and is worth a special trip.

But what happens when LeWitt’s artwork must come down? Do they have to tear out and preserve the chunk of wall upon which it’s drawn? According to an email from Cynthia Amnéus, the museum’s chief curator, it just disappears until the next time it’s displayed, though the museum still technically has access to the set of instructions LeWitt provides to recreate it in the future.

But what happens when LeWitt’s artwork must come down? Do they have to tear out and preserve the chunk of wall upon which it’s drawn? According to an email from Cynthia Amnéus, the museum’s chief curator, it just disappears until the next time it’s displayed, though the museum still technically has access to the set of instructions LeWitt provides to recreate it in the future.

“What we have in the collection is a framed set of instructions,” she tells CityBeat. “LeWitt wanted these pieces to live on and notes that, ‘each person

“What we have in the collection is a framed set of instructions,” she tells CityBeat. “LeWitt wanted these pieces to live on and notes that, ‘each person

draws a line differently and each person understands words differently,’ so the execution is different each time.”

draws a line differently and each person understands words differently,’ so the execution is different each time.”

The museum does have plenty of LeWitt artwork in its collection, mostly light sensitive prints, but Amnéus believes this to be its first wall drawing by him.

The museum does have plenty of LeWitt artwork in its collection, mostly light sensitive prints, but Amnéus believes this to be its first wall drawing by him.

Really, the whole show is rewarding for some unusual reasons. Many of the 18 works available for viewing are relatively small and leave a lot of open space in the gallery. Since the Westons collected minimalist art as well as examples of Pop art and earlier movements, the gallery underscores the subtle sublimity of the best pieces — visitors have to look closer, try harder, to fully appreciate the work. In doing that, they form a closer connection.

Really, the whole show is rewarding for some unusual reasons. Many of the 18 works available for viewing are relatively small and leave a lot of open space in the gallery. Since the Westons collected minimalist art as well as examples of Pop art and earlier movements, the gallery underscores the subtle sublimity of the best pieces — visitors have to look closer, try harder, to fully appreciate the work. In doing that, they form a closer connection.

The Cincinnati Art Museum provides a suitably stark backdrop for The Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Collection.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Dan Flavin’s “Untitled (Fondly, to Helen)” is a bright spot among the gallery’s minimalist art pieces.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Now on display, the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Collection features 18 works by post-modern and contemporary artists.

The Cincinnati Art Museum provides a suitably stark backdrop for The Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Collection.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Dan Flavin’s “Untitled (Fondly, to Helen)” is a bright spot among the gallery’s minimalist art pieces.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Among the other artists with fine, rewarding pieces are Andy Warhol, Josef Albers, Joseph Cornell, Tom Wesselmann, Carl Andre, Alan Sonfist and more.

Besides the LeWitt piece, several others especially stand out. To the right of the LeWitt, if you’re facing it straight-on, is a Dan Flavin fluorescent tube tucked into a corner where two walls meet the floor. This 1976 artwork, titled Untitled (Fondly, to Helen), is much easier to see than the LeWitt — the white, green and yellow lighting glow brilliantly. It’s a beacon; a virtual lighthouse amid the other work in the gallery.

Flavin, who died in 1996, is a very familiar name in the art world, but this is Cincinnati Art Museum’s first sculpture by him. Many people over the years have wondered what the heck a fluorescent light is doing in a museum instead of an office. They can’t get past its common function to see it as a sculpture. Flavin is teaching us that no object is inherently mundane and boring. It just waits for a visionary person to see it in a new way and then share it.

Claes Oldenburg, who died in 2022, also liked to mess with our heads, and Box of Shirts — his first sculpture to enter the art museum’s collection, although the museum has seven of his prints — has that kind of impact.

It’s an early piece for him, from 1964 when he was just 34 and still an

emerging name in Pop art (This was the Westons’ first purchase of a Pop artwork).

On display in a vitrine that reminds one of a clothing store’s glass display case, it really seems to be a box of shirts. They look carefully folded and placed by each other — a gray, a powder blue, a white one with patterns. But in fact, these are oil-painted on canvas and in a wood bin. Oldenburg once did a whole store of this kind of art, and his sculptures are as much a weird and memorable product of Pop art as Warhol’s soup cans, one of which is also in the Weston collection.

One perhaps shouldn’t suggest that, with contemporary art, small is better than big. The Westons’ collection was chosen to fit comfortably in their East Walnut Hills home. The art museum has some excellent large contemporary pieces in its collection and should pursue more, including more by those who are underrepresented (There is a new Weston endowment for the purchase and preservation of contemporary art). But when relatively small pieces are as rewarding as these, it’s a big treat.

The Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Collection of Post-World War II Modern and Contemporary Art will be on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum through at least January 2024. Info: cincyartmuseum.org.

,

Cincinnatians Alice F. And Harris K. Weston were avid collectors of modern and contemporary art.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Claes Oldenburg’s “Box of Shirts” does not actually contain shirts, but oil painted on canvas in a wood bin.

PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

Outdoor Ceramics Meet Lush Plant Life in Krohn Conservatory’s New Exhibit

BY MACKENZIE MANLEY

Outdoor Ceramics Meet Lush Plant Life in Krohn Conservatory’s New Exhibit

BY MACKENZIE MANLEY

More than 70 ceramic sculptures are now nestled carefully throughout Krohn Conservatory’s lush plant houses.

Msculptures are now nestled carefully throughout Krohn Conservatory’s lush plant houses.

Featuring the work of regional artists Roy Cartwright, Lisa Merida-Paytes and Robert Pulley, the Ceramics in a Garden exhibit aims to expand the public’s perception of outdoor ceramics and what they can add to garden spaces.

Featuring the work of regional artists Roy Cartwright, Lisa Merida-Paytes and Robert Pulley, the Ceramics in a Garden exhibit aims to expand the public’s perception of outdoor ceramics and what they can add to garden spaces.

Walk into Krohn’s atrium and look up: leaf-like sculptures dangle from the ceiling and appear a shimmery reddishbrown hue when light filters into the space. Titled Red Helix, the work by Merida-Paytes is made from steel, copper and paperclay.

Walk into Krohn’s atrium and look up: leaf-like sculptures dangle from the ceiling and appear a shimmery reddishbrown hue when light filters into the space. Titled Red Helix, the work by Merida-Paytes is made from steel, copper and paperclay.

Every piece for Ceramics in a Garden was designed and placed with a natural setting in mind, curators say.

Every piece for Ceramics in a Garden was designed and placed with a natural setting in mind, curators say.

“I really liked the notion that you go on a journey and you discover art. In doing that, you think about the plants,” says Mary Heider, an assistant dean emerita of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine and curator for the exhibit. “You think about the shapes, the textures, the colors, and ‘Where does this art really look wonderful or accentuate some commonality with the plant material?’ That’s one of the things I’m trying to do in this

“I really liked the notion that you go on a journey and you discover art. In doing that, you think about the plants,” says Mary Heider, an assistant dean emerita of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine and curator for the exhibit. “You think about the shapes, the textures, the colors, and ‘Where does this art really look wonderful or accentuate some commonality with the plant material?’ That’s one of the things I’m trying to do in this

exhibit at the Krohn.”

Strolling through the plant houses (palm, fern, bonsai, desert and orchid), one will find ceramic fish, basins, spirit markers, skeletal creatures and abstract forms that range from bulbous to geometric. The ceramics are placed with intention in and around Krohn’s plant beds. All work featured is available for purchase. QR codes that link to buying information are on each placard along with the price, title and artist.

Strolling through the plant houses (palm, fern, bonsai, desert and orchid), one will find ceramic fish, basins, spirit markers, skeletal creatures and abstract forms that range from bulbous to geometric. The ceramics are placed with intention in and around Krohn’s plant beds. All work featured is available for purchase. QR codes that link to buying information are on each placard along with the price, title and artist.

The three artists shown in Ceramics in a Garden have history with Heider, including in her personal art collection and garden.

The three artists shown in Ceramics in a Garden have history with Heider, including in her personal art collection and garden.

But the idea for the exhibition formed when Merida-Paytes asked Heider to create a video tour of her garden for 2020’s NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) conference, which was postponed due to COVID-19 (The NCECA conference will be held March 15-18 in Cincinnati). During the pandemic, Heider says she began thinking of other ways to showcase the work of Merida-Paytes, Cartwright and Pulley.

But the idea for the exhibition formed when Merida-Paytes asked Heider to create a video tour of her garden for 2020’s NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) conference, which was postponed due to COVID-19 (The NCECA conference will be held March 15-18 in Cincinnati). During the pandemic, Heider says she began thinking of other ways to showcase the work of Merida-Paytes, Cartwright and Pulley.

That’s where the Krohn came in. Ceramics in a Garden will run through June 18 alongside other Krohn events like the current Bunnies and Blooms

That’s where the Krohn came in. Ceramics in a Garden will run through June 18 alongside other Krohn events like the current Bunnies and Blooms

program and the annual Butterfly show, which kicks off March 25. As the seasons pass, plant life in the Krohn will go through different stages, affecting the art. Sometimes there will be tendrils of vines or blooms and other times, not.

program and the annual Butterfly show, which kicks off March 25. As the seasons pass, plant life in the Krohn will go through different stages, affecting the art. Sometimes there will be tendrils of vines or blooms and other times, not.

“The change is so rapid (in the Krohn) that people could go back many times through the six months it’ll be there and the work will look different,” Heider says. “That’s one of the really neat things about having outdoor sculpture – the sculpture changes all the time with the seasons.”

“The change is so rapid (in the Krohn) that people could go back many times through the six months it’ll be there and the work will look different,” Heider says. “That’s one of the really neat things about having outdoor sculpture – the sculpture changes all the time with the seasons.”

One of the first pieces visitors will stumble upon is also the largest. Cascade, by Columbus, Indianabased artist Pulley, weighs in at 1,445 pounds, is 9 feet tall and sits outside on the Krohn’s entry plaza. Made up of multiple blocks, the sculpture was put up in segments. Heider says that as the piece was set up at the Krohn, curious onlookers gathered.

One of the first pieces visitors will stumble upon is also the largest. Cascade, by Columbus, Indianabased artist Pulley, weighs in at 1,445 pounds, is 9 feet tall and sits outside on the Krohn’s entry plaza. Made up of multiple blocks, the sculpture was put up in segments. Heider says that as the piece was set up at the Krohn, curious onlookers gathered.

While much of Pulley’s work is smaller, he says he became interested in building human-scale work after seeing friends make larger pieces.

apprehended differently,” Pulley says. “You feel it in your stomach and your guts instead of through your eyes and so you feel it in your body.”

apprehended differently,” Pulley says. “You feel it in your stomach and your guts instead of through your eyes and so you feel it in your body.”

Pulley notes that he works primarily in clay fired at a high temperature and is drawn to organic, stone-like surfaces and textures. Though his work looks like rock, his artist bio notes that the pieces are often hollow and lighter than they appear.

Pulley notes that he works primarily in clay fired at a high temperature and is drawn to organic, stone-like surfaces and textures. Though his work looks like rock, his artist bio notes that the pieces are often hollow and lighter than they appear.

Pulley calls nature his muse, recalling time spent hiking in woods and alongside creek beds. Pulley also nods to Heider’s efforts in placing pieces in relation to plant life. Each piece in the exhibit has its own textures, colors and patterns, just like plants.

Pulley calls nature his muse, recalling time spent hiking in woods and alongside creek beds. Pulley also nods to Heider’s efforts in placing pieces in relation to plant life. Each piece in the exhibit has its own textures, colors and patterns, just like plants.

Heider says she wants to play on that complementary nature.

Heider says she wants to play on that complementary nature.

“I like working out those patterns,” Heider says. “And I hope that’s something that people will respond to, maybe without even realizing why they’re responding to it. There’s a symbiotic relationship.”

“I like working out those patterns,” Heider says. “And I hope that’s something that people will respond to, maybe without even realizing why they’re responding to it. There’s a symbiotic relationship.”

“I think these big pieces are

While much of Pulley’s work is smaller, he says he became interested in building human-scale work after seeing friends make larger pieces.

“I think these big pieces are

The exhibit also serves as an impetus for Pulley to revisit past work. He explains that 10 years after graduate

The exhibit also serves as an impetus for Pulley to revisit past work. He explains that 10 years after graduate

“Cascade” by Robert Pulley

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Stringer” by Lisa Merida-Paytes

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Arch” by Lisa Merida-Paytes

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Cascade” by Robert Pulley

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Stringer” by Lisa Merida-Paytes

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Arch” by Lisa Merida-Paytes

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Animal Globe” by Roy Cartwright

school, he began creating vessels and basins with hollowed cavities. Having graduated with a master of arts degree in ceramics from Ball State University in 1979, Pulley returned to making basins decades after Heider expressed interest in them.

school, he began creating vessels and basins with hollowed cavities. Having graduated with a master of arts degree in ceramics from Ball State University in 1979, Pulley returned to making basins decades after Heider expressed interest in them.

Cartwright and Merida-Paytes also contributed decades of work to the exhibit. Much of Merida-Paytes’ new work explores her recent diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia 5, a genetic disease that affects the spinal cord and cerebellum.

Cartwright and Merida-Paytes also contributed decades of work to the exhibit. Much of Merida-Paytes’ new work explores her recent diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia 5, a genetic disease that affects the spinal cord and cerebellum.

“She’s really interested in things that are alive and living and things that are decaying and deteriorating,” Heider says.

“She’s really interested in things that are alive and living and things that are decaying and deteriorating,” Heider says.

Krohn’s Fern House features several fish-related sculptures, including a string of skeletal fish by Merida-Paytes. Hung among the foliage, the piece is best experienced at multiple angles to fully see the fish’s colors, details

Krohn’s Fern House features several fish-related sculptures, including a string of skeletal fish by Merida-Paytes. Hung among the foliage, the piece is best experienced at multiple angles to fully see the fish’s colors, details

and contortions. The Fern House also includes several fish sculptures by Cartwright, including ones perched atop bowls or swimming among the greenery, the trickling sound of water nearby.

and contortions. The Fern House also includes several fish sculptures by Cartwright, including ones perched atop bowls or swimming among the greenery, the trickling sound of water nearby.

In the 1990s, Merida-Paytes studied under Cartwright, the former, nowretired head of UC’s ceramics department. Heider says Cartwright and Merida-Paytes relate because of the unexpectedness of what they create.

In the 1990s, Merida-Paytes studied under Cartwright, the former, nowretired head of UC’s ceramics department. Heider says Cartwright and Merida-Paytes relate because of the unexpectedness of what they create.

“Lisa and Roy do a lot of work that is strange, unusual, raises questions, is a mystery,” Heider says. “Even the skeletal works Lisa does, they have a mysterious quality to them, I think. They complement each other.”

“Lisa and Roy do a lot of work that is strange, unusual, raises questions, is a mystery,” Heider says. “Even the skeletal works Lisa does, they have a mysterious quality to them, I think. They complement each other.”

While Cartwright has more abstract pieces, Heider says Merida-Paytes’ work is always figurative. Aside from the aforementioned fish, the bulk of Cartwright’s art takes the shape of abstract botanical and animalistic forms. One might see anything from bunny ears to a paw or sisters emerge from any of his pieces. Similarly, Pulley’s work plays with textures and shapes.

While Cartwright has more abstract pieces, Heider says Merida-Paytes’ work is always figurative. Aside from the aforementioned fish, the bulk of Cartwright’s art takes the shape of abstract botanical and animalistic forms. One might see anything from bunny ears to a paw or sisters emerge from any of his pieces. Similarly, Pulley’s work plays with textures and shapes.

For Pulley, the show is just as much about Heider’s vision for Ceramics in a Garden as it is about the individual pieces.

For Pulley, the show is just as much about Heider’s vision for Ceramics in a Garden as it is about the individual pieces.

“The work is one thing. It’s discrete, but it can’t exist in a vacuum. So the time she’s put into them affects the way you see the work,” Pulley says. “She’s doing a really great job of imagining these pieces in their environment. And hopefully, people will be able to imagine them in their environment.”

“The work is one thing. It’s discrete, but it can’t exist in a vacuum. So the time she’s put into them affects the way you see the work,” Pulley says. “She’s doing a really great job of imagining these pieces in their environment. And hopefully, people will be able to imagine them in their environment.”

Ceramics in a Garden runs through June 18 at the Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Info: cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks.

Ceramics in a Garden runs through June 18 at the Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Info: cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks.

“Rock on a Stone” by Roy Cartwright

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Rock on a Stone” by Roy Cartwright

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

“Animal Globe” by Roy Cartwright

PHOTO: MACKENZIE MANLEY

Broadway in Cincinnati’s 2023-2024 Season Includes Several Award-Winning Musicals

PREVIEW BY RICK PENDER

Broadway in Cincinnati’s 2023-2024 Season Includes Several Award-Winning Musicals

PREVIEW BY RICK PENDER

Broadway in Cincinnati is not quite halfway through its current season, with a couple of big hits from the Great White Way still on their way to the Aronoff Center for the Arts, including two Best Musical Tony Award winners — Hadestown (April) and Moulin Rouge! The Musical (May). But the 2023-2024 season was just announced, with a line-up of eight more exciting, award-winning musicals between October and next May 2024.

Up first next fall will be MJ (Sept. 5-17), telling the story of the renowned singer, songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson. A popular jukebox production, the show won four Tony Awards in 2022.

Broadway in Cincinnati is not quite halfway through its current season, with a couple of big hits from the Great White Way still on their way to the Aronoff Center for the Arts, including two Best Musical Tony Award winners — Hadestown (April) and Moulin Rouge! The Musical (May). But the 2023-2024 season was just announced, with a line-up of eight more exciting, award-winning musicals between October and next May 2024. Up first next fall will be MJ (Sept. 5-17), telling the story of the renowned singer, songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson. A popular jukebox production, the show won four Tony Awards in 2022.

A month later, Girl from the North Country (Oct. 17-29) will show up. The script by respected Irish playwright Conor McPherson has woven 20 songs by Bob Dylan into a story set in Duluth, Minnesota, during the Great Depression. The Broadway cast featured two performers with Cincinnati roots: Todd Almond, a University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music grad who starred in several shows at Ensemble Theatre before moving to New York, and Kimber Elaybe Sprawl, an alum of both CCM and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. No word as to whether they will tour.

A month later, Girl from the North Country (Oct. 17-29) will show up. The script by respected Irish playwright Conor McPherson has woven 20 songs by Bob Dylan into a story set in Duluth, Minnesota, during the Great Depression. The Broadway cast featured two performers with Cincinnati roots: Todd Almond, a University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music grad who starred in several shows at Ensemble Theatre before moving to New York, and Kimber Elaybe Sprawl, an alum of both CCM and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. No word as to whether they will tour.

out-of-work, divorced actor who poses as a Scottish nanny to be close to his kids. Based on the 1993 film starring Robin Williams, this show is a tuneful musical that will appeal to families.

out-of-work, divorced actor who poses as a Scottish nanny to be close to his kids. Based on the 1993 film starring Robin Williams, this show is a tuneful musical that will appeal to families.

Beetlejuice (Jan. 16-28, 2024) is another musical with a cinematic background. The 1988 film by Tim Burton about a manic, irreverent ghost that starred Michael Keaton has been turned into a show that’s true to its cheeky roots.

Beetlejuice (Jan. 16-28, 2024) is another musical with a cinematic background. The 1988 film by Tim Burton about a manic, irreverent ghost that starred Michael Keaton has been turned into a show that’s true to its cheeky roots.

Mrs. Doubtfire (Dec. 5-17) is about an

Mrs. Doubtfire (Dec. 5-17) is about an

Then it’s Six (April 23-May 5, 2024), translating the six wives of King Henry VIII into pop icons. They review their tragic histories using high-powered, 21st-century pop tunes. It’s a girl-power

Then it’s Six (April 23-May 5, 2024), translating the six wives of King Henry VIII into pop icons. They review their tragic histories using high-powered, 21st-century pop tunes. It’s a girl-power

revue from start to finish.

The season also includes Peter Pan (March 12-24, 2024), a legendary family favorite about the boy who won’t grow up, in a spectacular new production. Filling out the calendar are two one-week runs: Disney’s Aladdin (Nov. 14-19), a family-friendly production from the producer of The Lion King, and Clue (May 14-19, 2024), a laugh-outloud whodunit inspired by the classic murder mystery board game in the style of the Knives Out films.

revue from start to finish.

The season also includes Peter Pan (March 12-24, 2024), a legendary family favorite about the boy who won’t grow up, in a spectacular new production. Filling out the calendar are two one-week runs: Disney’s Aladdin (Nov. 14-19), a family-friendly production from the producer of The Lion King, and Clue (May 14-19, 2024), a laugh-outloud whodunit inspired by the classic murder mystery board game in the style of the Knives Out films.

The 2023-2024 Broadway in Cincinnati season runs Sept. 5-May 5. Info: cincinnati.broadway.com.

The 2023-2024 Broadway in Cincinnati season runs Sept. 5-May 5. Info: cincinnati.broadway.com.

Gerianne Pérez as Catherine of Aragon (center) performs in the Boleyn Tour of Six.

PHOTO: JOAN MARCUS

Myles Frost dances with the cast in MJ.

PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY

The Broadway cast of Girl From The North Country harmonize.

PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY

Gerianne Pérez as Catherine of Aragon (center) performs in the Boleyn Tour of Six.

PHOTO: JOAN MARCUS

Myles Frost dances with the cast in MJ.

PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY

The Broadway cast of Girl From The North Country harmonize.

PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY

FOOD & DRINK

Where Everybody Will Know Your Name

Clifton’s newest bar, The Taproom on Ludlow, has ambitions to be Cincinnati’s next Cheers.

Where Everybody Will Know Your Name

Clifton’s newest bar, The Taproom on Ludlow, has ambitions to be Cincinnati’s next Cheers

BY LEYLA SHOKOOHE

BY LEYLA SHOKOOHE

It doesn’t have a catchy theme song yet, but the Taproom on Ludlow has ambitions to be the next Cheers.

It doesn’t have a catchy theme song yet, but the Taproom on Ludlow has ambitions to be the next Cheers.

A new neighborhood bar occupying one of the rarely vacant storefronts on Ludlow Avenue in Clifton’s Gaslight District, the Taproom is destined — and designed — to appeal to all demographics, from college kids to retirees.

A new neighborhood bar occupying one of the rarely vacant storefronts on Ludlow Avenue in Clifton’s Gaslight District, the Taproom is destined — and designed — to appeal to all demographics, from college kids to retirees.

“Clifton has been awesome,” says owner Max Monks. “My goal and what I envision for this is that right now, we offer something every night for people to come in for. There needs to be a reason, there needs to be a draw for people to come. So if we can expand to the UC [sports crowd] to people wanting to come here before or after a show at the Ludlow Garage, drawing in the younger people from Northside and Clifton and the Uptown area, then we get the local community, the residents. I want to be a really good neighborhood bar with something for everybody.”

“Clifton has been awesome,” says owner Max Monks. “My goal and what I envision for this is that right now, we offer something every night for people to come in for. There needs to be a reason, there needs to be a draw for people to come. So if we can expand to the UC [sports crowd] to people wanting to come here before or after a show at the Ludlow Garage, drawing in the younger people from Northside and Clifton and the Uptown area, then we get the local community, the residents. I want to be a really good neighborhood bar with something for everybody.”

been open for football-game viewing).

Tri-State’s first Chipotle).

.

Monks says the Taproom space, formerly home to Amol Indian Restaurant, sat vacant for around 18 months before he was approached by landlord Dave Taylor of Gaslight Property to potentially take over the space, which is adjacent to Monks’ existing restaurant Habanero on Ludlow, a Ludlow staple since 1999.

been open for football-game viewing).

Monks says the Taproom space, formerly home to Amol Indian Restaurant, sat vacant for around 18 months before he was approached by landlord Dave Taylor of Gaslight Property to potentially take over the space, which is adjacent to Monks’ existing restaurant Habanero on Ludlow, a Ludlow staple since 1999.

Monks says that he initially envisioned the Taproom as another iteration of 16 Lots Brewing Company, his successful Mason endeavor. 16 Lots is focused on being hyperlocal, featuring 24 draft beers all made within 60 miles.

He says he wanted to add a stage for local music, too. Then he decided to add dart boards, and opportunities for local artists, and the idea for Taproom transformed from a Clifton version of 16 Lots to its very own creation.

Monks says that he initially envisioned the Taproom as another iteration of 16 Lots Brewing Company, his successful Mason endeavor. 16 Lots is focused on being hyperlocal, featuring 24 draft beers all made within 60 miles. He says he wanted to add a stage for local music, too. Then he decided to add dart boards, and opportunities for local artists, and the idea for Taproom transformed from a Clifton version of 16 Lots to its very own creation.

The Taproom is starting off strong with a full weekly lineup of options. Monday is trivia night, Tuesday is student night with dollar-off beers, Wednesday is open mic night, Thursday is karaoke night, and Friday and Saturday feature live entertainment (The bar is typically closed on Sundays but has

The Taproom is starting off strong with a full weekly lineup of options.

Monday is trivia night, Tuesday is student night with dollar-off beers, Wednesday is open mic night, Thursday is karaoke night, and Friday and Saturday feature live entertainment (The bar is typically closed on Sundays but has

He says the key to making the Taproom work came when Monks and his team decided to add an entryway from the new space into Habanero, which was about to undergo its own upgrade; after 24 years of existence, it was time for a remodel for the independent Latin-American joint, including new paint, signs and a menu refresh (Fun fact: Habanero opened before the

He says the key to making the Taproom work came when Monks and his team decided to add an entryway from the new space into Habanero, which was about to undergo its own upgrade; after 24 years of existence, it was time for a remodel for the independent Latin-American joint, including new paint, signs and a menu refresh (Fun fact: Habanero opened before the

With the connection between the two establishments came an opportunity to capitalize on both the existing customer base, allowing patrons to take Habanero food into the Taproom and create new customers for both venues, Monks says.

Tri-State’s first Chipotle).

With the connection between the two establishments came an opportunity to capitalize on both the existing customer base, allowing patrons to take Habanero food into the Taproom and create new customers for both venues, Monks says.

“If we can put this over here, that’s another reason [for people to come over to the Taproom], because now they’re like, ‘Oh, I’ll bring my quesadilla over here and watch a game or listen to the stage or maybe shoot some darts,’” Monks says.

“If we can put this over here, that’s another reason [for people to come over to the Taproom], because now they’re like, ‘Oh, I’ll bring my quesadilla over here and watch a game or listen to the stage or maybe shoot some darts,’” Monks says.

The Taproom has a robust beer list with more than 20 local beers on tap, including options from Fifty West, Sonder Brewing, Rhinegeist, Urban Artifact and Monks’ own 16 Lots Brewing. Monks added craft cocktails to the menu, too, enlisting Catherine Manabat, formerly of Homemakers Bar in Over-the-Rhine, to help create them. General manager Todd Uttley oversees the Taproom.

The Taproom has a robust beer list with more than 20 local beers on tap, including options from Fifty West, Sonder Brewing, Rhinegeist, Urban Artifact and Monks’ own 16 Lots Brewing. Monks added craft cocktails to the menu, too, enlisting Catherine Manabat, formerly of Homemakers Bar in Over-the-Rhine, to help create them. General manager Todd Uttley oversees the Taproom.

“What I wanted to do is, if you look at the whole vibe of this place, it’s middle of the road, meaning it’s not super highend fancy, but it’s also not a dive bar,” Monks says.

bars. But there’s a place and a time for everything, [and] I felt there needed to be a solid middle of the road where you could come in here and get a really good craft cocktail for ten bucks, not 15, but not have to get a Jack and Coke,” Monks adds. “When you look at the beer pricing, it’s $6.75 for the most part. I’m not charging $7.50, $8 a beer. My wine’s by the glass. So again, reasonable pricing, which is sort of what’s guided me throughout my career. Give them a good pour with a good value and a good place, and they’ll come back.”

bars. But there’s a place and a time for everything, [and] I felt there needed to be a solid middle of the road where you could come in here and get a really good craft cocktail for ten bucks, not 15, but not have to get a Jack and Coke,” Monks adds. “When you look at the beer pricing, it’s $6.75 for the most part. I’m not charging $7.50, $8 a beer. My wine’s by the glass. So again, reasonable pricing, which is sort of what’s guided me throughout my career. Give them a good pour with a good value and a good place, and they’ll come back.”

The cocktail list includes a core menu and a few seasonal options that rotate out. Among others, there’s the House Rita, a punchy spin on a margarita; the Cowboy Bob, with mezcal and strawberry-jalapeno notes; and the Hazel and Roy, a tequila and grapefruit number (The cocktails are all named by Monks, who looked to family members for inspiration). Seasonal cocktails for the winter include the Gin-Gin Ferry, a minty gin-mule spin, and the Ward Eight, a historical drink inspired by a bartender in Boston. For the wine, there are two red pours available – two white, and a rose.

“Don’t get me wrong – I love dive

“What I wanted to do is, if you look at the whole vibe of this place, it’s middle of the road, meaning it’s not super highend fancy, but it’s also not a dive bar,” Monks says.

“Don’t get me wrong – I love dive

The cocktail list includes a core menu and a few seasonal options that rotate out. Among others, there’s the House Rita, a punchy spin on a margarita; the Cowboy Bob, with mezcal and strawberry-jalapeno notes; and the Hazel and Roy, a tequila and grapefruit number (The cocktails are all named by Monks, who looked to family members for inspiration). Seasonal cocktails for the winter include the Gin-Gin Ferry, a minty gin-mule spin, and the Ward Eight, a historical drink inspired by a bartender in Boston. For the wine, there are two red pours available – two white, and a rose.

The Taproom’s exposed brick and ductwork, Edison bulb light fixtures

The Taproom’s exposed brick and ductwork, Edison bulb light fixtures

The Taproom on Ludlow hopes to draw patrons of all demographics.

PHOTO: ALEX STANTON

The Taproom on Ludlow hopes to draw patrons of all demographics.

PHOTO: ALEX STANTON

The Taproom on Ludlow’s cocktail list includes a core menu and rotating seasonal options.

PHOTO: ALEX STANTON and minimal decor is approachable and inviting. Gleaming dark-wood high-tops seat six or eight, with smaller tables added throughout as necessary. The space is situated shotgun style, stretching back vertically and cutting to the right with some low-tops and dart boards, where the previous tenant’s kitchen and walk-in space had been located.

and minimal decor is approachable and inviting. Gleaming dark-wood high-tops seat six or eight, with smaller tables added throughout as necessary. The space is situated shotgun style, stretching back vertically and cutting to the right with some low-tops and dart boards, where the previous tenant’s kitchen and walk-in space had been located.

If the rest of the bar is understated, that’s because most of the attention is drawn by the colorful mural on the wall facing the bar, created by local artist Dylan Speeg. Monks says it incorporates some of his favorite things, including Jerry Garcia floating over a backdrop of the Muse of Clifton, the fountain at the edge of Burnet Woods and corner of Ludlow and Clifton Avenues.

If the rest of the bar is understated, that’s because most of the attention is drawn by the colorful mural on the wall facing the bar, created by local artist Dylan Speeg. Monks says it incorporates some of his favorite things, including Jerry Garcia floating over a backdrop of the Muse of Clifton, the fountain at the edge of Burnet Woods and corner of Ludlow and Clifton Avenues.

The flow of the Taproom allows the night’s entertainment option to fill the space but not overwhelm it. During a particularly vibrant and fun karaoke

The flow of the Taproom allows the night’s entertainment option to fill the space but not overwhelm it. During a particularly vibrant and fun karaoke

night (which included a spot-on cover of Powerline’s crowd-pleasing “Eye to Eye” from the 1995 millennial favorite, A Goofy Movie), patrons interested in singing crowded up at the tables closest to the stage at the back of the bar while several others sat further back, eating their Habanero or watching television. On a recent Saturday, a retired couple was sitting at the bar, invested in the college football game on two flatscreens

night (which included a spot-on cover of Powerline’s crowd-pleasing “Eye to Eye” from the 1995 millennial favorite, A Goofy Movie), patrons interested in singing crowded up at the tables closest to the stage at the back of the bar while several others sat further back, eating their Habanero or watching television. On a recent Saturday, a retired couple was sitting at the bar, invested in the college football game on two flatscreens

“The thing I want to hit on, and I know it’s trite, but it’s like that Cheers mentality where everybody knows your name,” Monks says. “The regulars, the people that come in here just to forget about life for a little bit, have a quesadilla, listen to some music and have a great beer. That’s what life’s all about.

“The thing I want to hit on, and I know it’s trite, but it’s like that Cheers mentality where everybody knows your name,” Monks says. “The regulars, the people that come in here just to forget about life for a little bit, have a quesadilla, listen to some music and have a great beer. That’s what life’s all about. Life is tough enough. I just want to make it a little bit easier for people.”

Life is tough enough. I just want to make it a little bit easier for people.”

Taproom on Ludlow, 360 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. Info: ludlowtaproom.com.

Taproom on Ludlow, 360 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. Info: ludlowtaproom.com.

The bar features regular entertainment from local performers.

PHOTO: ALEX STANTON

The bar features regular entertainment from local performers.

PHOTO: ALEX STANTON

The Taproom on Ludlow’s cocktail list includes a core menu and rotating seasonal options.

PHOTO: ALEX STANTON

BY SEAN M. PETERS TABLETALK

How to Day Drink Like a Pro With Cincinnati Author Michael D.

and

How to Day Drink Like a Pro With Cincinnati Author Michael D. Morgan

Morgan

BY SEAN M. PETERS

Michael

There are several legitimate reasons to drink beer with every meal on Super Bowl Sunday. For football fans, it’s essentially a holy day meant to be observed. Nothing is more important than “the big game,” and for many, watching football demands beer.

Then there are people like Michael D. Morgan — author of Cincinnati Beer and cohost of the Brew Skies Happy Hour podcast. Morgan is a recognized authority on all aspects of Cincinnati beer, which includes its consumption. Morgan says he doesn’t care for the Super Bowl and isn’t shy about his reasoning, but for folks like him, drinking beer is still an excellent pastime when football is the last thing you want to watch.

There are several legitimate reasons to drink beer with every meal on Super Bowl Sunday. For football fans, it’s essentially a holy day meant to be observed. Nothing is more important than “the big game,” and for many, watching football demands beer. Then there are people like Michael D. Morgan — author of Cincinnati Beer and cohost of the Brew Skies Happy Hour podcast. Morgan is a recognized authority on all aspects of Cincinnati beer, which includes its consumption. Morgan says he doesn’t care for the Super Bowl and isn’t shy about his reasoning, but for folks like him, drinking beer is still an excellent pastime when football is the last thing you want to watch.

Regardless of your motivation, preparation is needed if you want to drink beer all day without ruining your whole weekend, Morgan says.

Regardless of your motivation, preparation is needed if you want to drink beer all day without ruining your whole weekend, Morgan says.

CityBeat: Do you have any big plans for Super Bowl Sunday?

CityBeat: Do you have any big plans for Super Bowl Sunday?

Mike Morgan: I have an abstract respect for the con of the Super Bowl. As a grift, it’s brilliant.

Mike Morgan: I have an abstract respect for the con of the Super Bowl. As a grift, it’s brilliant.

A bunch of billionaires have duped an entire country into accepting that the largest annual day of profitability in their multi-billion dollar for-profit businesses (which are already heavily subsidized by taxpayers) is now treated as “an American holiday” where every red-blooded capitalist is supposed to do their part to help make obscenely rich people richer — even if it’s those people “who watch for the commercials” to help drive viewership numbers up so that the ad revenue of those commercials can climb even further into the stratosphere.

A bunch of billionaires have duped an entire country into accepting that the largest annual day of profitability in their multi-billion dollar for-profit businesses (which are already heavily subsidized by taxpayers) is now treated as “an American holiday” where every red-blooded capitalist is supposed to do their part to help make obscenely rich people richer — even if it’s those people “who watch for the commercials” to help drive viewership numbers up so that the ad revenue of those commercials can climb even further into the stratosphere.

The whole thing is a con, and I’ve got better things to do on any given Sunday than to be a mark.

The whole thing is a con, and I’ve got better things to do on any given Sunday than to be a mark.

CB: In that case, you’re uninvited to our party. Still, we plan to drink beer all day, so how can we do that and avoid total ruination?

CB: In that case, you’re uninvited to our party. Still, we plan to drink beer all day, so how can we do that and avoid total ruination?

MM: I think the keys to successful endurance day drinking are pretty simple. First and foremost, is water, water, water. You have to stay hydrated. Second: food. You have to have good food sticking to your gut.

MM: I think the keys to successful endurance day drinking are pretty simple. First and foremost, is water, water, water. You have to stay hydrated. Second: food. You have to have good food sticking to your gut.

CB: What are “stick to your gut” kinds of foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner while day drinking?

CB: What are “stick to your gut” kinds of foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner while day drinking?

MM: Well, I’m not a big breakfast guy, so I usually just go straight for lunch. If you’re gonna get serious, Herb and Thelma’s [Tavern] cheeseburgers, or a Dunlap [Cafe] double cheeseburger – those are a really nice place to start with lunch.

MM: Well, I’m not a big breakfast guy, so I usually just go straight for lunch. If you’re gonna get serious, Herb and Thelma’s [Tavern] cheeseburgers, or a Dunlap [Cafe] double cheeseburger – those are a really nice place to start with lunch.

CB: Dinner-wise, do you have the same kind of method with a high-protein, high-fat, high-carb kind of meal?

CB: Dinner-wise, do you have the same kind of method with a high-protein, high-fat, high-carb kind of meal?

MM: Yeah. I mean, usually just because that’s what sounds good when I’ve been drinking.

MM: Yeah. I mean, usually just because that’s what sounds good when I’ve been drinking.

CB: As long as the Super Bowl party has more than chips and dip, we should be fine. What style of brew should we consider when buying beer for the day?

CB: As long as the Super Bowl party has more than chips and dip, we should be fine. What style of brew should we consider when buying beer for the day?

MM: Low ABV (alcohol by volume) beers –and when I say low ABV beers, I’m not going crazy. I’m not talking about Michelob Ultra. I just mean if I start out with [MadTree’s] Psychopathy, I’m gonna have to moderate or things are gonna go sideways. [Editor’s note: Michelob Ultra has an ABV of 4.2%

MM: Low ABV (alcohol by volume) beers –and when I say low ABV beers, I’m not going crazy. I’m not talking about Michelob Ultra. I just mean if I start out with [MadTree’s] Psychopathy, I’m gonna have to moderate or things are gonna go sideways. [Editor’s note: Michelob Ultra has an ABV of 4.2%

while MadTree’s Psychopathy is 6.9%.]

CB: Lighter beers are the best route for long haul drinking. Something like lager or pilsner?

while MadTree’s Psychopathy is 6.9%.]

CB: Lighter beers are the best route for long haul drinking. Something like lager or pilsner?

MM: Right.

MM: Right.

CB: So, eat heavy entrees and drink lighter beer while staying hydrated. Is it that simple?

CB: So, eat heavy entrees and drink lighter beer while staying hydrated. Is it that simple?

MM: I think the real secret is you cannot stop. One of the problems with drinking is you don’t make your best decisions when you’re doing it. But the thing that I think people screw up most is they talk themselves into, “I’m going to quit drinking for a bit,” or. “I’m going to take a nap.” And you’re done. You’re always done. When you do that, when you get out of the game you can never really get back in it and you’re just gonna feel like shit for the rest of your day, or evening and night. So, you’ve got to moderate, but you gotta stay in the game.

MM: I think the real secret is you cannot stop. One of the problems with drinking is you don’t make your best decisions when you’re doing it. But the thing that I think people screw up most is they talk themselves into, “I’m going to quit drinking for a bit,” or. “I’m going to take a nap.” And you’re done. You’re always done. When you do that, when you get out of the game you can never really get back in it and you’re just gonna feel like shit for the rest of your day, or evening and night. So, you’ve got to moderate, but you gotta stay in the game.

Michael D. Morgan’s latest book, Cincinnati Beer, is available at arcadiapublishing.com and local bookstores. Brew Skies Happy Hour podcast: brewskies.beer.

Author

historian

D. Morgan says successful day drinkers imbibe plenty of water and eat foods that stick to the gut.

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

Michael D. Morgan’s latest book, Cincinnati Beer, is available at arcadiapublishing.com and local bookstores. Brew Skies Happy Hour podcast: brewskies.beer.

Author and historian Michael D. Morgan says successful day drinkers imbibe plenty of water and eat foods that stick to the gut.

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

MUSIC

A Big ‘Little’

A Big ‘Little’

Breakthrough

Breakthrough

Cincinnati musician Mol Sullivan releases A Little Hello, her most cohesive body of work yet.

BY KATRINA ERESMAN

Cincinnati musician Mol Sullivan releases A Little Hello, her most cohesive body of work yet.

BY KATRINA ERESMAN

Mol Sullivan

PHOTO: BROOKE SHANESY, JESSIE CUNDIFF, KINSLEY SLIFE, JESSIE HOFFMAN AND ANDREW ELABAN

Mol Sullivan

PHOTO: BROOKE SHANESY, JESSIE CUNDIFF, KINSLEY SLIFE, JESSIE HOFFMAN AND ANDREW ELABAN

If you’ve been paying attention to the Cincinnati music scene over the last decade, you’ve probably heard of Mol Sullivan. The singersongwriter has been performing around the city since the early 2010s. She’s toured the country, been an NPR #DeskoftheDay pick and filmed a colorful music video in a public pool.

If you’ve been paying attention to the Cincinnati music scene over the last decade, you’ve probably heard of Mol Sullivan. The singersongwriter has been performing around the city since the early 2010s. She’s toured the country, been an NPR #DeskoftheDay pick and filmed a colorful music video in a public pool. But this month, Sullivan arrived at another landmark in her music career when she released her new EP A Little Hello on Ruination Record Co., a small label based in Chicago and New York.

But this month, Sullivan arrived at another landmark in her music career when she released her new EP A Little Hello on Ruination Record Co., a small label based in Chicago and New York.

“This is not only the first body of work that I’m releasing with a label,” Sullivan tells CityBeat, “but it’s also the first body of work that’s, like, cohesively, thoughtfully produced.”

“This is not only the first body of work that I’m releasing with a label,” Sullivan tells CityBeat, “but it’s also the first body of work that’s, like, cohesively, thoughtfully produced.”

Sullivan has been busy over the last several months creating content and promotional materials to accompany A Little Hello, which came out Feb. 3. As CityBeat speaks with Sullivan, she’s on her way to do the second round of edits for the cowgirl-themed music video for her song “Bury the Hatchet.” It’s one of three music videos she’s put out for the EP—four if you count the bonus track “Deep End Dive.”

Sullivan has been busy over the last several months creating content and promotional materials to accompany A Little Hello, which came out Feb. 3. As CityBeat speaks with Sullivan, she’s on her way to do the second round of edits for the cowgirl-themed music video for her song “Bury the Hatchet.” It’s one of three music videos she’s put out for the EP—four if you count the bonus track “Deep End Dive.”

There’s a lot that can go into releasing an album, and in an ideal world artists would have an entire team working with them to make it happen. In her career, Sullivan has juggled much of it herself, but hopefully not for much longer.

There’s a lot that can go into releasing an album, and in an ideal world artists would have an entire team working with them to make it happen. In her career, Sullivan has juggled much of it herself, but hopefully not for much longer.

“Mostly the label stuff is for the support that that brings and working to have a team that can help automate some of the backend work that goes into all this,” she says. “I don’t want to burn out. I’m grinding right now in the hopes of having a sustainable future.”

“Mostly the label stuff is for the support that that brings and working to have a team that can help automate some of the backend work that goes into all this,” she says. “I don’t want to burn out. I’m grinding right now in the hopes of having a sustainable future.”

Even with the videos almost complete, the songs finished, the promotional photos taken and the band rehearsed for tour, Sullivan has loose ends to tie up. And when asked how it feels to be nearing the end of this process, she gives a delightfully unconventional answer that epitomizes the playfulness behind many of her songs and visuals.

Even with the videos almost complete, the songs finished, the promotional photos taken and the band rehearsed for tour, Sullivan has loose ends to tie up. And when asked how it feels to be nearing the end of this process, she gives a delightfully unconventional answer that epitomizes the playfulness behind many of her songs and visuals.

“[It’s] like I’m getting ready to go to the Christmas event, and I’ve got my holiday shopping done, and I have everything wrapped up with a beautiful bow, but I’m still panicking to, like, get my side dish done. And I’m gonna be 20 minutes late,” she laughs.

“[It’s] like I’m getting ready to go to the Christmas event, and I’ve got my holiday shopping done, and I have everything wrapped up with a beautiful bow, but I’m still panicking to, like, get my side dish done. And I’m gonna be 20 minutes late,” she laughs.

And in case fans need a visual aid for the metaphor, the side dish is green bean casserole.

And in case fans need a visual aid for the metaphor, the side dish is green bean casserole.

“I’m a total slut for green bean casserole,” she says. “But with fresh green beans – no canned business.”

“I’m a total slut for green bean casserole,” she says. “But with fresh green beans – no canned business.”

If the extra content is the side dish, then A Little Hello is the main course. Its six tracks span a seven-year period of Sullivan’s life, dipping back into a pre-sobriety era and evolving into the

If the extra content is the side dish, then A Little Hello is the main course. Its six tracks span a seven-year period of Sullivan’s life, dipping back into a pre-sobriety era and evolving into the

person Sullivan has become.

Sullivan’s lyrics and vocal performance play with both the heavy and the light. “Bury the Hatchet” for instance, takes the listener on a swift emotional journey from a lamenting and heartfelt “What a shame” to an equally sincere “Yeehaw!”

person Sullivan has become.

Sullivan’s lyrics and vocal performance play with both the heavy and the light. “Bury the Hatchet” for instance, takes the listener on a swift emotional journey from a lamenting and heartfelt “What a shame” to an equally sincere “Yeehaw!”

All six tracks are earnest and complex, and the credits are filled with familiar names from the Cincinnati music scene, like Alessandro Corona and members of WHY? There’s the upbeat, piano-driven opener and title track, “A Little Hello” featuring Stephen Patota (Flocks) on guitar, the ethereal waltz “Fight 4 U,” and “Rounder” with Victoria Lekson on harp, plus two bonus tracks, including “Golden” which has the voices of Brianna Kelly, Kate Wakefield, Jess Lamb and Sara Hutchinson.

All six tracks are earnest and complex, and the credits are filled with familiar names from the Cincinnati music scene, like Alessandro Corona and members of WHY? There’s the upbeat, piano-driven opener and title track, “A Little Hello” featuring Stephen Patota (Flocks) on guitar, the ethereal waltz “Fight 4 U,” and “Rounder” with Victoria Lekson on harp, plus two bonus tracks, including “Golden” which has the voices of Brianna Kelly, Kate Wakefield, Jess Lamb and Sara Hutchinson.

Sullivan says that some of her best experiences as a musician have been collaborations, and she’s excited to be in a position to open that door for others.

Sullivan says that some of her best experiences as a musician have been collaborations, and she’s excited to be in a position to open that door for others.

“It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s engaging, and I wanted some of my favorite voices to be featured on a song,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to expanding the collaborative horizons in the future. I think it’s just a really fun way to be supported by and support my community.”

“It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s engaging, and I wanted some of my favorite voices to be featured on a song,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to expanding the collaborative horizons in the future. I think it’s just a really fun way to be supported by and support my community.”

With the EP out in the world, Sullivan turns her attention to touring and prepping for more upcoming releases. She starts this month with shows on the East Coast. Next, she and her band are heading West before returning to Cincinnati for a release show at Northside Tavern on March 3. And as far as Sullivan is concerned, the tour will be a success no matter how it turns out.

With the EP out in the world, Sullivan turns her attention to touring and prepping for more upcoming releases. She starts this month with shows on the East Coast. Next, she and her band are heading West before returning to Cincinnati for a release show at Northside Tavern on March 3. And as far as Sullivan is concerned, the tour will be a success no matter how it turns out.

“Having great shows and having a great reception—that’s all incredible,” she says. “[But] touring, itself, is the prize. I love traveling, I love spending time with my friends and making music and meeting new people.”

“Having great shows and having a great reception—that’s all incredible,” she says. “[But] touring, itself, is the prize. I love traveling, I love spending time with my friends and making music and meeting new people.”

For how busy Sullivan has been in preparing for the release of A Little Hello, she seems impressively calm. She says she is embracing the uncertainty that comes with new releases with a positive outlook—one that could help any creative maintain sanity.

For how busy Sullivan has been in preparing for the release of A Little Hello, she seems impressively calm. She says she is embracing the uncertainty that comes with new releases with a positive outlook—one that could help any creative maintain sanity.

“I have no control over how it’s received, how well things perform,” Sullivan says. “I’m not writing for that. I’m just writing what I feel like. My goal has been to make things that I am proud of, and I’m just so excited that these things that I’ve been excited about for so long are just like — they’re done.”

“I have no control over how it’s received, how well things perform,” Sullivan says. “I’m not writing for that. I’m just writing what I feel like. My goal has been to make things that I am proud of, and I’m just so excited that these things that I’ve been excited about for so long are just like — they’re done.”

Mol Sullivan’s A Little Hello and accompanying videos are out now. Info: molsullivan.com.

Mol Sullivan’s A Little Hello and accompanying videos are out now. Info: molsullivan.com.

SOUND ADVICE

SOUND ADVICE

to be involved in this project.”

BLOOD BROTHERS

BLOOD BROTHERS

Feb. 16 • Ludlow Garage

Guitarists Albert Castiglia and Mike Zito are resolute purveyors of the blues rock tradition, each using their dexterous skills to deliver licks reminiscent of players stretching back a half century. Separately, the two have contributed to a combined two-dozen-plus studio albums (both as solo artists and in various band outfits) and an endless trail of live shows since their relative breakthroughs in the early 2000s. And, for those who care about such things, each has racked up various Blues Music Awards.

Feb. 16 • Ludlow Garage

Guitarists Albert Castiglia and Mike Zito are resolute purveyors of the blues rock tradition, each using their dexterous skills to deliver licks reminiscent of players stretching back a half century. Separately, the two have contributed to a combined two-dozen-plus studio albums (both as solo artists and in various band outfits) and an endless trail of live shows since their relative breakthroughs in the early 2000s. And, for those who care about such things, each has racked up various Blues Music Awards.

Now the duo is combining efforts to form Blood Brothers, a two-headed guitar monster set to drop a self-titled album on March 17 through Zito’s own Gulf Coast Records. Co-produced by like-minded six-string savants Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Blood Brothers features 11 songs with expected genre-centric titles like “A Thousand Heartaches,” “No Good Woman,” “In My Soul,” “Fool Never Learns” and “One Step Ahead of the Blues.”

Now the duo is combining efforts to form Blood Brothers, a two-headed guitar monster set to drop a self-titled album on March 17 through Zito’s own Gulf Coast Records. Co-produced by like-minded six-string savants Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Blood Brothers features 11 songs with expected genre-centric titles like “A Thousand Heartaches,” “No Good Woman,” “In My Soul,” “Fool Never Learns” and “One Step Ahead of the Blues.”

“Mike and Albert have a special chemistry together when they plug in and play that few have,” Bonamassa said in the album notes provided on the band’s website. “They finish each other’s sentences musically. Great tunes, great people, great hang! What’s not to like? It was an honor

“Mike and Albert have a special chemistry together when they plug in and play that few have,” Bonamassa said in the album notes provided on the band’s website. “They finish each other’s sentences musically. Great tunes, great people, great hang! What’s not to like? It was an honor

If the duo’s live shows over the last year are any indication, expect intertwining guitar leads built to satiate lovers of tasteful blues, rock and roots music that ranges from rollicking to melancholic. Think J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton and Gary Moore, among many others, including contemporaries like Bonamassa and Smith, both of whom guest on the new record.

to be involved in this project.”

If the duo’s live shows over the last year are any indication, expect intertwining guitar leads built to satiate lovers of tasteful blues, rock and roots music that ranges from rollicking to melancholic. Think J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton and Gary Moore, among many others, including contemporaries like Bonamassa and Smith, both of whom guest on the new record.

“This album was a blast to make, and I am even more excited to take this music out on the road to perform for the people,” Zito said in the band’s bio. “It’s just a bit more complex with an overall band dynamic that I think sets apart from what Albert and I normally do.”

“This album was a blast to make, and I am even more excited to take this music out on the road to perform for the people,” Zito said in the band’s bio. “It’s just a bit more complex with an overall band dynamic that I think sets apart from what Albert and I normally do.”

Blood Brothers plays Ludlow Garage at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Doors open at 7 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Jason Gargano)

Blood Brothers plays Ludlow Garage at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Doors open at 7 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Jason Gargano)

DAVE MASON

DAVE MASON

Feb. 18 • Memorial Hall

British rock and roll legend with a storied career Dave Mason makes an appearance under the lights and elegance of Over-theRhine’s Memorial Hall.

Feb. 18 • Memorial Hall

British rock and roll legend with a storied career Dave Mason makes an appearance under the lights and elegance of Over-theRhine’s Memorial Hall.

Mason came to prominence as a founding member of the legendary British rock band Traffic. They released their debut album Mr. Fantasy at the height of the psychedelic era in 1967, Mason quit the band intermittently but was involved for their second record, the self-titled Traffic, which produced the classic “Feelin’ Alright” written by Mason.

Mason came to prominence as a founding member of the legendary British rock band Traffic. They released their debut album Mr. Fantasy at the height of the psychedelic era in 1967, Mason quit the band intermittently but was involved for their second record, the self-titled Traffic, which produced the classic “Feelin’ Alright” written by Mason.

Mason’s connections to other records, sessions and artists would be enough to cement his place in rock and roll history, playing 12-string acoustic on friend Jimi Hendrix’ version of “All Along the Watchtower” and serving backing vocals on “Crosstown Traffic.” He also played guitar on Wings’ “Listen to What The Man Said,” and worked on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass sessions and The Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet. Mason toured with Delaney and Bonnie alongside Eric Clapton before launching a successful solo career in which he collaborated with artists like Leon Russell, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Stevie Wonder, Rita Coolidge, Michael Jackson, Jim Keltner and more.

Mason’s connections to other records, sessions and artists would be enough to cement his place in rock and roll history, playing 12-string acoustic on friend Jimi Hendrix’ version of “All Along the Watchtower” and serving backing vocals on “Crosstown Traffic.” He also played guitar on Wings’ “Listen to What The Man Said,” and worked on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass sessions and The Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet. Mason toured with Delaney and Bonnie alongside Eric Clapton before launching a successful solo career in which he collaborated with artists like Leon Russell, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Stevie Wonder, Rita Coolidge, Michael Jackson, Jim Keltner and more.

Mason’s solo career produced three gold albums and one platinum record that included a handful of charting singles, including the 1977 hit “We Just Disagree,” which has remained a radio standard and has been re-recorded by other artists over the years. He was briefly a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s and toured as part of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.

Mason’s solo career produced three gold albums and one platinum record that included a handful of charting singles, including the 1977 hit “We Just Disagree,” which has remained a radio standard and has been re-recorded by other artists over the years. He was briefly a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s and toured as part of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.

Blood Brothers

PHOTO: NORMA TOUCHETTE

Dave Mason

PHOTO: TIM HIPPS OF FMWRC PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Blood Brothers

PHOTO: NORMA TOUCHETTE Dave Mason

PHOTO: TIM HIPPS OF FMWRC PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

singing and playing. Produced by his friends and peer guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Crown epitomizes Gales’ dynamic strengths: emotionally intense expression, the willingness and craft to blend genres like blues, rock, soul and even rap, and energetic swagger.

His current outing, the “Endangered Species” tour, takes him around the United States with a cast of touring musicians with their own impressive résumés.

His current outing, the “Endangered Species” tour, takes him around the United States with a cast of touring musicians with their own impressive résumés.

Dave Mason plays Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Info: memorialhallotr.com.

Dave Mason plays Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Info: memorialhallotr.com.

(Brent Stroud)

(Brent Stroud)

ERIC GALES

ERIC GALES

Feb. 22 • Ludlow Garage

Whether the blues are being listened to or played, this most American of music genres has the power to transform. Veteran blues guitarist Eric Gales embodies the genre’s healing grace as he credits this music with saving him from mid-life self-destruction.

Feb. 22 • Ludlow Garage

Whether the blues are being listened to or played, this most American of music genres has the power to transform. Veteran blues guitarist Eric Gales embodies the genre’s healing grace as he credits this music with saving him from mid-life self-destruction.

The Memphis native began playing guitar at age four. Despite being right-handed, Gales learned to play left-handed by copying the style of his older brother – “Little Jimmy King,” who

The Memphis native began playing guitar at age four. Despite being right-handed, Gales learned to play left-handed by copying the style of his older brother – “Little Jimmy King,” who

also was an acclaimed guitarist – and became a prodigy. Between his Memphis birthright and left-handed, upside-down virtuosity, Gales’ future seemed magically set as a Jimi Hendrix/Albert Kinginspired bluesman. He released his debut record at age 16 back in 1991, eventually developing a loyal audience and rep for being one of his generation’s finest blues players. But a 30-year drug addiction and brief prison sentence derailed some of these plans, not to mention career momentum.

also was an acclaimed guitarist – and became a prodigy. Between his Memphis birthright and left-handed, upside-down virtuosity, Gales’ future seemed magically set as a Jimi Hendrix/Albert Kinginspired bluesman. He released his debut record at age 16 back in 1991, eventually developing a loyal audience and rep for being one of his generation’s finest blues players. But a 30-year drug addiction and brief prison sentence derailed some of these plans, not to mention career momentum.

“I strayed away, but the music never left me. I’m lucky that I had that to hold onto. There are many young people today who have nothing to hold onto,” Gales told Songbirds Foundation.

“I strayed away, but the music never left me. I’m lucky that I had that to hold onto. There are many young people today who have nothing to hold onto,” Gales told Songbirds Foundation.

Since being clean for the last five years, Gales has released two records. Last year’s Crown was nominated for a Grammy Award and stands as a career peak in terms of his composite songwriting,

Since being clean for the last five years, Gales has released two records. Last year’s Crown was nominated for a Grammy Award and stands as a career peak in terms of his composite songwriting,

singing and playing. Produced by his friends and peer guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Crown epitomizes Gales’ dynamic strengths: emotionally intense expression, the willingness and craft to blend genres like blues, rock, soul and even rap, and energetic swagger.

Crown’s fervent opener “Death of Me” highlights Gales’ fluid ease slipping back and forth between genres as this blues/ rock mash features horns, a spoken rap and reconciliation with his past burned into the grooves. As he sings, “If you don’t learn from your mistakes, it will be the death of me,” this ushers in a new era for Eric Gales.

Crown’s fervent opener “Death of Me” highlights Gales’ fluid ease slipping back and forth between genres as this blues/ rock mash features horns, a spoken rap and reconciliation with his past burned into the grooves. As he sings, “If you don’t learn from your mistakes, it will be the death of me,” this ushers in a new era for Eric Gales.

Eric Gales plays Ludlow Garage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ally Venable will open the show. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Greg Gaston)

Eric Gales plays Ludlow Garage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ally Venable will open the show. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Greg Gaston)

ANYA MARINA

Marina made quite the name for herself in the 2010s after her songs appeared on the likes of How I Met Your Mother and Grey’s Anatomy. She even made the cut on one of those melodramatic-but-ultimately brilliant Twilight soundtracks. She’s deeper than her pop culture appearances, though. Her latest album, 2021’s Live And Alone in New York, was proof of that. The album featured a mix of songs and stories. It showcased her sweet yet mature voice and wry humor while letting listeners in on life as a prominent though not wildly popular musician. Marina seems to exist in the business exactly where any honest musician would tell you they’re happiest. And she flourishes there.

Marina made quite the name for herself in the 2010s after her songs appeared on the likes of How I Met Your Mother and Grey’s Anatomy. She even made the cut on one of those melodramatic-but-ultimately brilliant Twilight soundtracks. She’s deeper than her pop culture appearances, though. Her latest album, 2021’s Live And Alone in New York, was proof of that. The album featured a mix of songs and stories. It showcased her sweet yet mature voice and wry humor while letting listeners in on life as a prominent though not wildly popular musician. Marina seems to exist in the business exactly where any honest musician would tell you they’re happiest. And she flourishes there.

ANYA MARINA

Feb. 24 • MegaCorp Pavilion

In what might just be the coolest lineup to ever grace Greater Cincinnati, singersongwriter Anya Marina is rolling through Newport while on tour with comedian Nikki Glaser. Laughs and good tunes? Yes, please.

Feb. 24 • MegaCorp Pavilion

In what might just be the coolest lineup to ever grace Greater Cincinnati, singersongwriter Anya Marina is rolling through Newport while on tour with comedian Nikki Glaser. Laughs and good tunes? Yes, please.

How do you pair a musician and comedian on tour? It’s easy when the two already work so well together. Marina and Glaser co-host the podcast We Know Nothing alongside comedian Phil Hanley. The show runs on the pretext that the trio will give advice, though they usually get sidetracked with bits about their own lives. And, yes, it’s as funny as you’d expect.

How do you pair a musician and comedian on tour? It’s easy when the two already work so well together. Marina and Glaser co-host the podcast We Know Nothing alongside comedian Phil Hanley. The show runs on the pretext that the trio will give advice, though they usually get sidetracked with bits about their own lives. And, yes, it’s as funny as you’d expect.

Anya Marina opens for Nikki Glaser at MegaCorp Pavilion at 6 p.m. Feb. 24. Info: promowestlive.com. (Deirdre Kaye)

Anya Marina opens for Nikki Glaser at MegaCorp Pavilion at 6 p.m. Feb. 24. Info: promowestlive.com. (Deirdre Kaye)

Eric Gales

PHOTO: CHRIS HAKKENS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Anya Marina

PHOTO: KIRK STAUFFER, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Eric Gales

PHOTO: CHRIS HAKKENS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Anya Marina

PHOTO: KIRK STAUFFER, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

CROSSWORD

Across

1.  Doesn’t throw away

6.  Like some meat cuts

10.  First astrological sign

GLIDERS

BY BRENDAN EMMETT QUIGLEY WWW.BRENDANEMMETTQUIGLEY.COM

46.  Cleaning pad

48.  Some knitwear

51.  Sign in an empty store front

55.  Acct. that might have an employer match

15.  The “work life” persona of a Lumon Industries employee in “Severance”

16.  ___ no good

17.  Minor prophet of the Old Testament

18.  Platonic ideal of some “SNL” bits?

20.  “E.T.” producer

21.  Stubborn fishtail?

23.  Champaign-___

26.  Phishing attempt

27.  Roman gods

28.  Loses it

30.  Fortunate people hit it

33.  Bladed garden tool

34.  Decision to stop the fight

37.  Cut off, as some wood

38.  Parisian cat food?

44.  Geppetto’s goldfish in “Pinocchio”

45.  Hoopster who plays at “The Q”

56.  Landfill site

59.  Very small

60.  Critic’s piece that’s more annoying?

64.  John who had the third-highest grossing music tour of ‘22

65.  Tell the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist to not bother?

69.  Employ against

70.  Fish that reproduce in the Sargasso Sea

71.  Wear away

72.  WFH and paternity leave, for two

73.  Debugger?

74.  Cleaning program

Down

1.  Jimmy’s girlfriend on “Better Call Saul”

2.  “ForeverAndEverNoMore” musician Brian

3.  Quit

4.  Depictions of Mary and Jesus

5.  “The Queen of Tejano Music”

6.  Maverick Dončić

7.  Big pictures

8.  Story that’s goes over everyone’s heads

9.  “Just forget it”

10.  Solver’s cries

11.  Turns bad

12.  “Out of Africa” author

13.  More strange

14.  Came out with something

19.  Insta post

22.  Amherst sch.

23.  “This isn’t good”

24.  Solar panel’s spot

25.  Blonde’s pad?

29.  Second-largest cryptocurrency, named after a fictional element: Abbr.

31.  Blab, blab, blab

32.  Weaving offense: Abbr.

35.  Bucket franchise

36.  “Era ___” (“It’s about time!” in Italian)

39.  Loggerhead?

40.  Once called

41.  ___ Nast

42.  Procedure for preparing some eggs?: Abbr.

43.  Young boys

47.  Spot that gets slopped

48.  Clean with a rag, say

49.  Threatening words

50.  Did a bottom turn into a foam climb, e.g.

52.  Escalator company

53.  Stunk to high heaven

54.  Do electrical repairs

57.  “Call ___” (1992 Television single)

58.  Key’s comic partner

61.  Real nutjob

62.  Spots for overnight stays

63.  Infinitely large

66.  Ingredient in some brownies

67.  “Me!”

68.  Buckaroo’s nickname

LAST PUZZLE’S ANSWERS:

Bertha G. Helmick

attorney at law

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