CityBeat | August 23, 2023

“The Birth of Shein”

Cincinnati Artist Creates Statement Photography in Response to Shein Pop-Up at Kenwood Mall

Shein says 4,000 shoppers attended the Cincinnati pop-up.

Cincinnati Artist Creates Statement Photography in Response to Shein Pop-Up at Kenwood Mall

Shein says 4,000 shoppers attended the Cincinnati pop-up.

BY MADELINE FENING

BY MADELINE FENING

Shein’s recent pop-up at Kenwood Towne Centre has ignited a fervorous response, not only from shoppers and fast-fashion critics, but also from a local artist who wants you to boycott the retail Goliath.

Shein’s recent pop-up at Kenwood Towne Centre has ignited a fervorous response, not only from shoppers and fast-fashion critics, but also from a local artist who wants you to boycott the retail Goliath.

Shoppers arrived in droves to stand in long winding lines for a chance to shop Shein (pronounced SHE-in) products IRL from Aug. 10-13. But Shein’s Kenwood Towne Centre popup, which took place the same weekend as the ultra-local City Flea, drew heavy criticism online and in protests against the company’s alleged human rights violations.

Shoppers arrived in droves to stand in long winding lines for a chance to shop Shein (pronounced SHE-in) products IRL from Aug. 10-13. But Shein’s Kenwood Towne Centre popup, which took place the same weekend as the ultra-local City Flea, drew heavy criticism online and in protests against the company’s alleged human rights violations.

“If you’ve opened the internet in the last year, you’ll know that this company is the largest of all fast fashion brands (not a flex)! They have countless human rights violations and are mass polluters,” wrote Emma Heines in an Aug. 11

“If you’ve opened the internet in the last year, you’ll know that this company is the largest of all fast fashion brands (not a flex)! They have countless human rights violations and are mass polluters,” wrote Emma Heines in an Aug. 11

Instagram post advertising a protest of the Shein pop-up. “Let’s show up and let our community know it’s not okay to support this incredibly harmful company.”

Instagram post advertising a protest of the Shein pop-up. “Let’s show up and let our community know it’s not okay to support this incredibly harmful company.”

The retailer, which is normally only available online, is regarded as one of the world’s biggest fast-fashion producers. Shein is headquartered in Singapore, but more than a million different clothing and accessory products are made in third-party factories across China under the Shein label. The company reportedly adds up to 10,000 new items to its site every day, all for extremely low prices. A new blouse or crop-top can run as low as $2.50, and accessories are commonly priced as low as $1.50.

The retailer, which is normally only available online, is regarded as one of the world’s biggest fast-fashion producers. Shein is headquartered in Singapore, but more than a million different clothing and accessory products are made in third-party factories across China under the Shein label. The company reportedly adds up to 10,000 new items to its site every day, all for extremely low prices. A new blouse or crop-top can run as low as $2.50, and accessories are commonly priced as low as $1.50.

While the cheap direct-to-consumer model allowed Shein to soar in sales through the pandemic lockup, a

While the cheap direct-to-consumer model allowed Shein to soar in sales through the pandemic lockup, a

spokesperson for the company told CityBeat in an email that more than 4,000 people ended up attending Cincinnati’s in-person pop-up event. Shein said the in-person pop-ups are “a way for customers to interact with the brand in person and discover new items from our sub-brands like SHEGLAM and GLOWMODE.”

spokesperson for the company told CityBeat in an email that more than 4,000 people ended up attending Cincinnati’s in-person pop-up event. Shein said the in-person pop-ups are “a way for customers to interact with the brand in person and discover new items from our sub-brands like SHEGLAM and GLOWMODE.”

“This is enraging! I’ll be there,” one user commented on the post about the pop-up protest.

“This is enraging! I’ll be there,” one user commented on the post about the pop-up protest.

Samuel Greenhill was also enraged by news of the pop-up.

Samuel Greenhill was also enraged by news of the pop-up.

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

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

As a Cincinnati-based photographer, Greeenhill told CityBeat he wanted to channel that frustration into sending a message with his art. As seen on Greenhill’s Instagram, his work blends surrealist and documentary-style storytelling to evoke strong emotions. It was while Greenhill was in church that he began sketching out in his head a symbolic critique of Shein.

“The Birth of Shein”

As a Cincinnati-based photographer, Greeenhill told CityBeat he wanted to channel that frustration into sending a message with his art. As seen on Greenhill’s Instagram, his work blends surrealist and documentary-style storytelling to evoke strong emotions. It was while Greenhill was in church that he began sketching out in his head a symbolic critique of Shein.

“My goal was to make an image that stops people from buying Shein,” he said. “It was kind of crazy how fast it came together. It all happened within the span of a week.”

“My goal was to make an image that stops people from buying Shein,” he said. “It was kind of crazy how fast it came together. It all happened within the span of a week.”

Greenhill issued a model and crew call the very next day. Only four days after seeing the billboard, he said the photo was taken at Otto Armleder Memorial Park in Cincinnati’s Linwood neighborhood.

Greenhill issued a model and crew call the very next day. Only four days after seeing the billboard, he said the photo was taken at Otto Armleder Memorial Park in Cincinnati’s Linwood neighborhood.

“I actually was really nervous about posting this photo and I was expecting it to flop,” Greenhill said. “I’m just surprised so many people feel the way I did and as passionately as I did.”

“I actually was really nervous about posting this photo and I was expecting it to flop,” Greenhill said. “I’m just surprised so many people feel the way I did and as passionately as I did.”

The end result is a photo titled “The Birth of Shein,” an evocative play on “The Birth of Venus” by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli. Greenhill’s rendition of the Renaissance masterpiece depicts a Shein customer atop a pile of clothes at the edge of a river; despondent garment workers lean towards her, one holding a sewing machine, the others tossing or enveloped in fabric.

The end result is a photo titled “The Birth of Shein,” an evocative play on “The Birth of Venus” by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli. Greenhill’s rendition of the Renaissance masterpiece depicts a Shein customer atop a pile of clothes at the edge of a river; despondent garment workers lean towards her, one holding a sewing machine, the others tossing or enveloped in fabric.

“‘The Birth of Venus’ has a very clear embedded image in a lot of people’s heads,” he said. “This is like this God coming up to the shoreline, and I felt like almost ironically taking advantage of that and making it where the consumer is treating themselves as a God without realizing the exploitation that it takes.”

“‘The Birth of Venus’ has a very clear embedded image in a lot of people’s heads,” he said. “This is like this God coming up to the shoreline, and I felt like almost ironically taking advantage of that and making it where the consumer is treating themselves as a God without realizing the exploitation that it takes.”

The allegations against Shein

Numerous media reports point to allegations against Shein involving human rights violations, slave labor, environmental damage and unsafe materials used in the company’s products. In the 2022 British documentary Inside the Shein Machine: Untold, filmmakers found production employees working extreme hours for little pay. Workers were allegedly being paid around $20 a day to meet strict quotas while working 18-hour shifts, sometimes seven days a week. In 2021, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., found “elevated levels of chemicals” like lead, PFAS and phthalates in the company’s dirt-cheap clothing.

The allegations against Shein

Numerous media reports point to allegations against Shein involving human rights violations, slave labor, environmental damage and unsafe materials used in the company’s products. In the 2022 British documentary Inside the Shein Machine: Untold, filmmakers found production employees working extreme hours for little pay. Workers were allegedly being paid around $20 a day to meet strict quotas while working 18-hour shifts, sometimes seven days a week. In 2021, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., found “elevated levels of chemicals” like lead, PFAS and phthalates in the company’s dirt-cheap clothing.

Shein told CityBeat in an emailed statement that the company has “zero tolerance” for slave labor.

Shein told CityBeat in an emailed statement that the company has “zero tolerance” for slave labor.

“We take visibility across our entire supply chain seriously, and we are committed to respecting human rights and

“We take visibility across our entire supply chain seriously, and we are committed to respecting human rights and

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

PHOTO: SAMUEL GREENHILL

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

PHOTO: SAMUEL GREENHILL

adhering to local laws in each market we operate in,” a spokesperson for the company told CityBeat in an email. “We have zero tolerance for forced labor. Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labour Organization’s core conventions.”

The PR timing

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

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

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

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

Congress is getting involved

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

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

CityBeat asked Shein to explain how the clothes sold during their Cincinnati pop-up were shipped to the U.S., and the company responded simply by saying, “SHEIN products are shipped from our centralized warehouse to the U.S.”

When asked what the total sales numbers were for the Cincinnati popup event, Shein declined to disclose sales figures to CityBeat

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

BY MADELINE FENING

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

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

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

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

Issue 1 Reactions Show Republicans Searching for Someone to Blame

BY MADELINE FENING

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

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

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

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

time Trump has ever RSVP’d “yes” to one of Deters’ “patriotic political” festivals. Other members of the Trump family who were slated to attend included Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, as well as conservative personalities like Kimberly Guilfoyle, Dinesh D’Souza and Dog the Bounty Hunter.

Trump’s fourth indictment

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

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

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

Deters routinely rails against the charges against Trump in videos posted to social media. Other routine posts include tirades against Hunter Biden, transphobic memes, and conspiracy theories about COVID vaccines. Deters said he’s now starting to plan for “Freedom Fest” 2024.

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

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

LaRose blames loss on “radical left”

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

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

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

Ohio Democratic Party

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

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

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

Dr. Anita Somani, an OBGYN in Columbus who is part of the collective effort of Ohio doctors to defend abortion rights, released a statement in response to the election results:

“Like Ohio voters, physicians overwhelmingly agree that women should be able to make their own decisions about pregnancy, contraception and abortion,” Somani said.

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

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

PHOTO: EMORY DAVIS

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

BY MADELINE FENING

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

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

“No longer should they have a license to prey, P-R-E-Y, on our most vulnerable,” said Claudia Vercellotti with SNAP.

In a letter to Yost’s office, Ohioans for Child Protection points to similar investigations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois.

Investigations in three nearby states

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Father Geoff Drew

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

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

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

inappropriate text messages to a minor.

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

Drew’s employment and assignment

overview:

• Music Minister at St. Jude Parish: 1984-1999

• Music Teacher at Elder High School: 1988-1991

• Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the

West: 1999-2004

• Internship year at St. Anthony, Madisonville: 2001-2002

• Ordained priest of the Archdiocese: May 2004

• Parochial Vicar at St. Luke, Beavercreek: July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005

• Pastor of St. Rita, Dayton: July 1, 2005 - June 20, 2009

• Port of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Liberty Township: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2018

• Pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Cincinnati: appointed July 1, 2018

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

BY MEGAN HENRY, OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

Montgomery County with 626.

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

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

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

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

PHOTO: ADD WEED, UNSPLASH

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

PHOTO: OHIOANS FOR CHILD PROTECTION, FACEBOOK

at 30 at 30

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

BY TT STERN-ENZI

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the release of Rob Bowman’s Airborne (September 17, 1993, for those keeping track), it’s worth reflecting on the celebrated cinematic presence of the Queen City. Along with introducing audiences to Jack Black and Seth Green, the movie serves as a jumping off point for the emergence of Cincinnati as a city that’s more than a placeholder being namechecked in film and television titles like The Cincinnati Kid and the HBO series John from Cincinnati

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

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

Shane McDermott in Airborne

PHOTO: CINEMATIC/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cincinnati playing a role (as another city)

A Rage in Harlem (1991)

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

Carol (2015)

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

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

Miles Ahead (2015)

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

Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in Miles Ahead

PHOTO: BRIAN DOUGLAS, COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

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

The Old Man & the Gun (2018) This one stretches Cincinnati by extending the regional connection to Dayton. David Lowery, as co-writer with David Grann and director, presents a version of the story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) who escaped from San Quentin at the age of 70 and apparently went on to pull off a string of bank heists that bedeviled the authorities — except for the persistent John Hunt (Casey Affleck) — and charmed the public to no end. The region wears its own homespun appeal in much the same way as Tucker in squint-and-you-might-miss-it moments, where the skyline or a street corner pop up and nearly wink at audiences, as if to say, “Hey, now you see me, right?” It’s not dressed to the nines for a major performance as something other than what it is, which is when Cincinnati is at its best.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

Covington and Cincinnati, but not. And really, what city wants to be associated with Ted Bundy, even a Bundy played with muted yet devilish charm by Zac Efron? This based-on-a-truestory vision of Bundy comes courtesy of his longtime companion Liz (Lily Collins) who maintained a relationship with him for years during his infamous crime spree and had to confront the truth about him, along with the rest of the world, as he pleaded innocence in a nationally televised trial. One could argue that Cincinnati not playing Cincinnati is a lighter

version of Bundy’s dark twist.

Cincinnati reflections

Traffic (2000)

Traffic is a story told in at least three settings with Cincinnati playing such a prominent role as the home of a conservative judge, now the newly appointed drug czar for the United States struggling to support his heroin-addicted daughter. This is every parent’s nightmare and the fact that it takes place in an affluent Cincinnati suburb is even more telling and prescient. The film was released in January of 2001 and within a few months, the city was ground zero for rioting and civil unrest after the killing of Timothy Thomas in Overthe-Rhine. What better juxtaposition did the community and the country as a whole need than this black-andwhite dynamic of criminal justice? Indeed, this was reel-to-real life writ large, but it wasn’t merely a Cincinnati story; these situations were unfolding in cities across the country and the police attacks on Black citizens were only going to get worse, but Cincinnati, thanks to the Collaborative Agreement that would emerge as a result of the Thomas shooting, would become a leading example of how an urban community can join forces to create meaningful change.

The Ides of March (2011)

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

of March, which focuses on a young staffer (Ryan Gosling) confronting the shadier side of the campaign trail. Clooney isn’t some coastal liberal elite shoving his highbrow progressive bonafides down our throats; he’s reminding us that he learned these principles right here and continues to wave that banner for all the world to see.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), My Days of Mercy (2017)

It is worth linking these two films together because they started a miniroll for Cincinnati narratives on the fall festival circuit. As a critic who has attended the Toronto International Film Festival religiously since 2009, I was overwhelmingly proud to rep the Queen City alongside these two films. I can’t confirm this, but very likely I probably wore Cincinnati-centric t-shirts to both screenings. And, truth be told, I was paying special attention during The Killing of a Sacred Deer because I had been informed by the owners of local winery Revel OTR Urban Winery that there was a chance their wines were featured in the film, and I wanted to be able to confirm that for them when I returned. (And, indeed, a few bottles were clearly recognizable). Having writer-director Yorgos Lanthimos (and a couple of noted performers like Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell) sojourn to Cincinnati to make one of his quirky dramas was certainly a unique and distinct honor — while introducing audiences to Barry Keoghan — but the remarkable aspect of the film is how subtle and creepy the city feels as part of his surreal vision. The usual stark realities we’ve been familiar with for how we see the ‘nati

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

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

Dark Waters (2019)

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

The Public (2018)

This was another film, a year later, that stormed into Toronto and had me wearing my pride on my chest. Cincinnati couldn’t be more Cincinnati than it is in the Emilio Estevez drama The Public, which capitalizes on a huge social justice issue as it documents the battle between the police and a group of homeless citizens who seek shelter in the public library during a bitterly cold winter. The film is written, directed by and stars Estevez, but much like Ruffalo’s character in Dark Waters, he’s playing an everyman caught in the middle of a crisis with far more than two sides and it is truly amazing to watch the narrative reveal itself and all of its players without Estevez losing sight of his character or drawing too much attention to himself. That, in many ways, is the genius of Cincinnati. We are a major city taking flight, but still cruising just underneath the radar. It makes you wonder though; how much longer can this status last?

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

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS & CULTURE

Magic Mushrooms

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

Magic Mushrooms

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

BY KATIE GRIFFITH

BY KATIE GRIFFITH

Did you know that without fungi, there would be no alcohol in the world – nor a ton of other things essential to life on Earth?

Did you know that without fungi, there would be no alcohol in the world – nor a ton of other things essential to life on Earth?

Mycologist Nicholas Money likes to highlight the brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces) in the Fungi Kingdom as one of countless and relatable fun facets of fungi. An exhibition at the Lloyd Library & Museum, A Foray into Fungi, is currently featuring an in-depth exploration of fungi’s many applications to the world around us.

Mycologist Nicholas Money likes to highlight the brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces) in the Fungi Kingdom as one of countless and relatable fun facets of fungi. An exhibition at the Lloyd Library & Museum, A Foray into Fungi, is currently featuring an in-depth exploration of fungi’s many applications to the world around us.

“There’s all sorts of ways in which fungi play this sort of hidden but really important role in our lives,” Money tells CityBeat. “All of the alcohol on Earth is produced by a single fungus, so that’s a yeast, the yeast Saccharomyces and even if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s extremely important. I mean, it’s worth about a trillion dollars just to the U.S. economy every year.”

“There’s all sorts of ways in which fungi play this sort of hidden but really important role in our lives,” Money tells CityBeat. “All of the alcohol on Earth is produced by a single fungus, so that’s a yeast, the yeast Saccharomyces and even if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s extremely important. I mean, it’s worth about a trillion dollars just to the U.S. economy every year.”

There’s also the pharmaceutical industry that benefits greatly from the world of fungi, Money says, and regional interests are aplenty, including one of Procter & Gamble’s most popular products. Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo is actually an antifungal that

There’s also the pharmaceutical industry that benefits greatly from the world of fungi, Money says, and regional interests are aplenty, including one of Procter & Gamble’s most popular products. Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo is actually an antifungal that

stalls the growth of a fungus on the scalp that creates dandruff, Money explains.

stalls the growth of a fungus on the scalp that creates dandruff, Money explains.

The exhibition, which features rare books, imagery and fascinating fungi information and events runs through Nov. 18. A Foray into Fungi and its programming will take visitors through centuries of study — a lot of research that originated in Cincinnati — and connect fungi to cultural, culinary and medicinal uses via speakers, hikes and documentaries.

The exhibition, which features rare books, imagery and fascinating fungi information and events runs through Nov. 18. A Foray into Fungi and its programming will take visitors through centuries of study — a lot of research that originated in Cincinnati — and connect fungi to cultural, culinary and medicinal uses via speakers, hikes and documentaries.

Money will present “The Fungus about Us: Our Lifelong Relationship with Yeasts, Molds, and Mushrooms,” on Sept. 6 from 7-8 p.m. at the Lloyd Library. (The event is currently sold out). He will lead a discussion concerning how human immune systems engage constantly with “the teeming mycobiome inside the body” and how it protects our health. Money will also explore the hot topic of experimental fungi uses in the clinical treatment of depression and anxiety. Psilocybin, which is produced by a few hundred species of mushrooms, has been under the scope as possibly more than a recreational drug relating to the

Money will present “The Fungus about Us: Our Lifelong Relationship with Yeasts, Molds, and Mushrooms,” on Sept. 6 from 7-8 p.m. at the Lloyd Library. (The event is currently sold out). He will lead a discussion concerning how human immune systems engage constantly with “the teeming mycobiome inside the body” and how it protects our health. Money will also explore the hot topic of experimental fungi uses in the clinical treatment of depression and anxiety. Psilocybin, which is produced by a few hundred species of mushrooms, has been under the scope as possibly more than a recreational drug relating to the

controversial topic, he says.

Even considering the variety of facts and ways that fungi facilitate life on Earth, what excites Money most about the fungus subject are the “unknowns,” he says. While he’s invested a considerable amount of his life researching and writing books on the subject, the answers to-be are what pique his continued interest.

controversial topic, he says.

Even considering the variety of facts and ways that fungi facilitate life on Earth, what excites Money most about the fungus subject are the “unknowns,” he says. While he’s invested a considerable amount of his life researching and writing books on the subject, the answers to-be are what pique his continued interest.

“It’s all the unanswered questions in fungal biology, that, despite a couple of 100 years of experimental studies on fungi, there’s still a lot that we don’t know about this incredible kingdom of organisms,” Money tells CityBeat. “If you think about that general question about how different chunks of biology work, there’s a lot of questions about fungi that are fundamental things about how they conduct their lives that deserve our attention and keep me interested.”

“It’s all the unanswered questions in fungal biology, that, despite a couple of 100 years of experimental studies on fungi, there’s still a lot that we don’t know about this incredible kingdom of organisms,” Money tells CityBeat. “If you think about that general question about how different chunks of biology work, there’s a lot of questions about fungi that are fundamental things about how they conduct their lives that deserve our attention and keep me interested.”

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

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

then it was considered to belong to the Plant Kingdom. Van Skaik says she enjoys the juxtaposition of dangerous versus safe fungi and the plethora of informative books on the subject.

then it was considered to belong to the Plant Kingdom. Van Skaik says she enjoys the juxtaposition of dangerous versus safe fungi and the plethora of informative books on the subject.

“One of the themes that you see running throughout any discussion of mushrooms to the present day is that they can be extremely helpful,” Van Skaik says. “And they also can be extremely dangerous.”

“One of the themes that you see running throughout any discussion of mushrooms to the present day is that they can be extremely helpful,” Van Skaik says. “And they also can be extremely dangerous.”

An impressive display of rare books is on view at the Lloyd Library & Museum as part of A Foray into Fungi, including the first-ever book devoted to mushrooms by Giovanni Antonio Battarra called Fungorum Agri Ariminensis Historia, published in 1755.

An impressive display of rare books is on view at the Lloyd Library & Museum as part of A Foray into Fungi, including the first-ever book devoted to mushrooms by Giovanni Antonio Battarra called Fungorum Agri Ariminensis Historia, published in 1755.

A visit to the Lloyd Library will reveal Cincinnati’s integral role in mycological research, which began with one of the library’s founders, Curtis Gates Lloyd, who sent for fungal specimens on a global scale and amassed the largest collection of dried specimens in the world in the early 1900s.

A visit to the Lloyd Library will reveal Cincinnati’s integral role in mycological research, which began with one of the library’s founders, Curtis Gates Lloyd, who sent for fungal specimens on a global scale and amassed the largest collection of dried specimens in the world in the early 1900s.

A postdoctoral fellow at the Institute on the Formation of Knowledge at the University of Chicago and current Curtis Gates Lloyd Fellow, Brad

A postdoctoral fellow at the Institute on the Formation of Knowledge at the University of Chicago and current Curtis Gates Lloyd Fellow, Brad

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

PHOTO: KATIE GRIFFITH

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

PHOTO: KATIE GRIFFITH

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

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

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

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

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

Bolman says a lot of why American mycologists are so prominent now is because of Lloyd’s early efforts and research. The Lloyd Library & Museum is treasured for its archival materials on subjects such as botany, pharmacy, natural history, medicine, scientific history and visual arts — the last topic being an unexpected point of interest throughout A Foray into Fungi. Visual arts are pertinent to the fungus subject because when research began, photography didn’t exist. Scientists would often have to also be artists, or employ an artist to render exact images of specimens for identification and documentation. A lot of this work turned into not only practical art but works of beauty and displays of talent like in the book Illustrations of the Fungi of Our Fields and Woods by Sarah Price, which is on view at the library.

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

A Foray into Fungi runs through Nov. 18 at the Lloyd Library & Museum. Info: lloydlibrary.org.

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

PHOTO: KATIE GRIFFITH

ONSTAGE

Broadway in Cincinnati’s MJ The Musical to Provide Theatrical

Take on the Creative Genius of Michael Jackson

PREVIEW BY RICK PENDER

Broadway in Cincinnati’s MJ The Musical to Provide Theatrical Take on the Creative Genius of Michael Jackson

PREVIEW BY RICK PENDER

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

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

She starts with the script. Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage wrote the book for MJ

The Musical. “I just read it from the storytelling and emotional point of view,” Katz says. “I try to get back to my first reaction, the first time I saw a show onstage. That’s the best way I can react to what the audience is going through.”

She starts with the script. Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage wrote the book for MJ The Musical. “I just read it from the storytelling and emotional point of view,” Katz says. “I try to get back to my first reaction, the first time I saw a show onstage. That’s the best way I can react to what the audience is going through.” Then she seeks out the director’s vision. “That’s the most important. Christopher Wheeldon is going to have a completely different vision for MJ than a different director.” Katz and Wheeldon, a director and award-winning choreographer, have collaborated on numerous productions over the past 20 years, including the 2015 stage adaptation of An American in Paris, for which she won a Tony for her lighting design.

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

“The director works first with the set designer, before the lighting designer,” Katz explains. “Then I can figure out what the environment is and what they’re trying to communicate. Some of this is extremely technical. Some of it is about real estate — where lights will be, where we need to have them to tell the story.”

“The director works first with the set designer, before the lighting designer,” Katz explains. “Then I can figure out what the environment is and what they’re trying to communicate. Some of this is extremely technical. Some of it is about real estate — where lights will be, where we need to have them to tell the story.”

She gives Wheeldon all the credit for telling stories through body movement. “That is exactly what he has done with MJ. We work hand-in-glove. He is able to convey the emotion of somebody, what they’re feeling, without words, without music. You multiply that by a million when you add music and light and scenery and costumes.”

She gives Wheeldon all the credit for telling stories through body movement. “That is exactly what he has done with MJ. We work hand-in-glove. He is able to convey the emotion of somebody, what they’re feeling, without words, without music. You multiply that by a million when you add music and light and scenery and costumes.”

MJ the Musical begins in a rehearsal room in 1992 as Jackson prepares for his “Dangerous World Tour.” “In the blink of an eye we go from a naturalistic setting to the first performance by the Jackson 5 on the Ed Sullivan Show [in 1969]. That’s told through projection and a light change, but also through the movement of the body.” Katz adds,

MJ the Musical begins in a rehearsal room in 1992 as Jackson prepares for his “Dangerous World Tour.” “In the blink of an eye we go from a naturalistic setting to the first performance by the Jackson 5 on the Ed Sullivan Show [in 1969]. That’s told through projection and a light change, but also through the movement of the body.” Katz adds,

“It’s what you can do in the theater in a split second. MJ’s story is not told with a lot of lumbering scenery. In this show, somebody just turns upstage, and the room has transformed.”

“It’s what you can do in the theater in a split second. MJ’s story is not told with a lot of lumbering scenery. In this show, somebody just turns upstage, and the room has transformed.”

Katz worked closely with the show’s scenic designer, Derek McLane (who also designed Moulin Rouge, another touring show that recently dazzled Cincinnati audiences). “For a flashback, he built hidden lights into the scenery. They can look like chasing marquee lights that you might see at a theater, especially back to the days of Motown and the Apollo Theater in New York City. They are encased in the scenery, so you don’t see them until we turn them on. That gives audience members a feeling that they’re being brought to the theater and back in time.”

Katz worked closely with the show’s scenic designer, Derek McLane (who also designed Moulin Rouge, another touring show that recently dazzled Cincinnati audiences). “For a flashback, he built hidden lights into the scenery. They can look like chasing marquee lights that you might see at a theater, especially back to the days of Motown and the Apollo Theater in New York City. They are encased in the scenery, so you don’t see them until we turn them on. That gives audience members a feeling that they’re being brought to the theater and back in time.”

Of course, Michael Jackson’s own creativity — choreography and intricately staged videos — have been key inspirations for this production. Katz went through all of his videos over and over. “It’s kind of by osmosis that you get a sense of what he was trying to do. In the show we also replicate many of the iconic moments from his videos and concerts. We’re not doing imitations of Michael Jackson. This show is our interpretation of him, it’s the story that our book writer Lynn Nottage is trying to tell about his life. There might be one small piece of scenery from the Jackson 5’s appearance on Ed Sullivan, so it’s not an exact replica. The costumes might be similar but not exactly

Of course, Michael Jackson’s own creativity — choreography and intricately staged videos — have been key inspirations for this production. Katz went through all of his videos over and over. “It’s kind of by osmosis that you get a sense of what he was trying to do. In the show we also replicate many of the iconic moments from his videos and concerts. We’re not doing imitations of Michael Jackson. This show is our interpretation of him, it’s the story that our book writer Lynn Nottage is trying to tell about his life. There might be one small piece of scenery from the Jackson 5’s appearance on Ed Sullivan, so it’s not an exact replica. The costumes might be similar but not exactly

the same. They’re heightened theatrically for audiences seeing our show. We’re not a Las Vegas imitation show in any way, shape or form. It is really a theatrical extravaganza with a very solid story to it. It’s more an interpretation of what the book writer and all of us feel through the eyes of Michael Jackson.”

the same. They’re heightened theatrically for audiences seeing our show. We’re not a Las Vegas imitation show in any way, shape or form. It is really a theatrical extravaganza with a very solid story to it. It’s more an interpretation of what the book writer and all of us feel through the eyes of Michael Jackson.”

Cincinnati is just the second stop of MJ the Musical’s national tour. (It debuted in Chicago in August). Katz says the show has a few modest tweaks for touring. “In some ways, it’s better. It’s amazing on Broadway, so it’s superamazing on tour. This show feels so original. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before — and I’m working on it.”

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

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

Cincinnati audiences will witness the full array of Jackson’s artistry, lit spectacularly by Katz.

Cincinnati audiences will witness the full array of Jackson’s artistry, lit spectacularly by Katz.

Katz says MJ the Musical has

Cincinnati is just the second stop of MJ the Musical’s national tour. (It debuted in Chicago in August). Katz says the show has a few modest tweaks for touring. “In some ways, it’s better. It’s amazing on Broadway, so it’s superamazing on tour. This show feels so original. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before — and I’m working on it.”

Katz says MJ the Musical has

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

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

PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY, MURPHYMADE

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

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

PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY, MURPHYMADE

CULTURE

University of Cincinnati Students Combat Climate Change Through Net Impact and UC Sustainability Student Groups

BY SUMMER ORBAN

University of Cincinnati Students Combat Climate Change Through Net Impact and UC Sustainability Student Groups

BY SUMMER ORBAN

TThe world is on fire — figuratively, metaphorically and literally.

he world is on fire — figuratively, metaphorically and literally. Temperatures and ongoing heatwaves are breaking historical records. On-and-off Canadian wildfires are turning Ohio skies into smog.

Temperatures and ongoing heatwaves are breaking historical records. On-and-off Canadian wildfires are turning Ohio skies into smog.

It’s safe to say that Gen Z especially is feeling the heat.

It’s safe to say that Gen Z especially is feeling the heat.

And it’s getting hot in here.

So how is this generation taking the heat? This is what I decided to ask some of my peers at my school, the University of Cincinnati.

And it’s getting hot in here.

So how is this generation taking the heat? This is what I decided to ask some of my peers at my school, the University of Cincinnati.

Net Impact and UC Sustainability are two student organizations who focus on enhancing and creating a more just and sustainable campus culture. I talked with students Gray Blandford, Anna Stanley, Sydney Krewson and Ben Booker to learn more about the student organizations.

Net Impact and UC Sustainability are two student organizations who focus on enhancing and creating a more just and sustainable campus culture. I talked with students Gray Blandford, Anna Stanley, Sydney Krewson and Ben Booker to learn more about the student organizations. Blandford is a third-year environmental studies major and the sustainability summit planner of UC Sustainability. Stanley is a fifth-year urban planning major minoring in environmental studies and has been a contributing member of UC Sustainability for four years. Krewson is a fifth-year mechanical engineering major minoring in environmental studies and is vice president of career development for Net Impact. Booker is a fourthyear finance major with a certificate in urban agriculture and is president of Net Impact.

Blandford is a third-year environmental studies major and the sustainability summit planner of UC Sustainability. Stanley is a fifth-year urban planning major minoring in environmental studies and has been a contributing member of UC Sustainability for four years. Krewson is a fifth-year mechanical engineering major minoring in environmental studies and is vice president of career development for Net Impact. Booker is a fourthyear finance major with a certificate in urban agriculture and is president of Net Impact.

CityBeat: What’s been your headspace lately in regards to a lot of big climate events that have been happening this summer? With the ongoing heat crisis and unpredictable weather patterns across the U.S., how are you feeling about all this?

CityBeat: What’s been your headspace lately in regards to a lot of big climate events that have been happening this summer? With the ongoing heat crisis and unpredictable weather patterns across the U.S., how are you feeling about all this?

Anna Stanley: I’m kind of like, “Well, I want to do everything I can to mitigate that.” But it does feel very, very dark and looming in the sense that me as one person cannot obviously change all of the climate issues that have been going on. So I definitely feel a sense of fear and wanting to help, but also I don’t know how to encourage others to want to help in an active way. I lived in Florida in the spring, so I got to actually experience a lot of the events that have been occurring. The day before I left was when all of the huge tornadoes and storms around the news blew through Florida; I actually drove through it to go pick up my dad from the airport. So definitely a lot of climate anxiety and wanting to help.

Anna Stanley: I’m kind of like, “Well, I want to do everything I can to mitigate that.” But it does feel very, very dark and looming in the sense that me as one person cannot obviously change all of the climate issues that have been going on. So I definitely feel a sense of fear and wanting to help, but also I don’t know how to encourage others to want to help in an active way. I lived in Florida in the spring, so I got to actually experience a lot of the events that have been occurring. The day before I left was when all of the huge tornadoes and storms around the news blew through Florida; I actually drove through it to go pick up my dad from the airport. So definitely a lot of climate anxiety and wanting to help.

Sydney Krewson: I think it is right in our faces, and I feel like a lot of news outlets are calling it what it is and calling it climate change. But then the people that I talk to in my daily life are a lot

Sydney Krewson: I think it is right in our faces, and I feel like a lot of news outlets are calling it what it is and calling it climate change. But then the people that I talk to in my daily life are a lot

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

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

CB: Can you elaborate a bit more on the work you do with your organization with promoting campus sustainability?

CB: Can you elaborate a bit more on the work you do with your organization with promoting campus sustainability?

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

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

and talk to them, present their resume, interview with them and get jobs and co-ops. So that has been a new initiative that’s been really, really cool to see. Booker: There are over 350 [Net Impact] chapters, so it is cool to know that we can all do different things. Our chapter has chosen its own path as far as autonomy and what our programming does look like, compared to other chapters. We’re really kind of founded in three main things: we have our career development, our education and our sustainable entrepreneurship. Our career development is really what drives the main things that we’ve been talking about, of really filling that gap between students that are passionate about sustainability and employers that need skills that help green their operations and economy.

and talk to them, present their resume, interview with them and get jobs and co-ops. So that has been a new initiative that’s been really, really cool to see. Booker: There are over 350 [Net Impact] chapters, so it is cool to know that we can all do different things. Our chapter has chosen its own path as far as autonomy and what our programming does look like, compared to other chapters. We’re really kind of founded in three main things: we have our career development, our education and our sustainable entrepreneurship. Our career development is really what drives the main things that we’ve been talking about, of really filling that gap between students that are passionate about sustainability and employers that need skills that help green their operations and economy.

CB: With a lot of Gen Z feeling the weight of climate change on their shoulders, where do you hope to see UC and the Greater Cincinnati community in the future?

CB: With a lot of Gen Z feeling the weight of climate change on their shoulders, where do you hope to see UC and the Greater Cincinnati community in the future?

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

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

motion activated. Even little things like that would be nice. Because without a healthy planet, we can’t have healthy people and a functioning society. Stanley: It would be awesome to see [UC] collaborate among all of those [sustainability organizations] and uplift them and promote them. I know for example, you see a lot of green roofs and there’s a living wall that is on Langsam Library. And so a lot of those green infrastructure projects, while they were implemented initially, were not [maintained]…Like the living wall, for example, they have to replant that every few months because they either don’t plant the correct plants or it gets cold and it dies off and it could be improved…So I just think all the pieces are there right now for a short term fix…From a long term perspective with UC, or with Cincinnati, I have been in a position where I’ve actually worked on a lot of sustainable projects that are going on within the city right now. One thing that I’m really excited for is [Cincinnati] trying to focus a lot more on public transportation. So there’s a transit-oriented development project that is starting within the city that’s going to have bus rapid transit integrated…I would love to see more infrastructure and more focus on pedestrian walkability, bikeability and public transportation. It’s a unique situation with our university in the sense that it’s situated in the middle of a very urban, metropolitan center…So just having more of an emphasis and focus on infrastructure.

motion activated. Even little things like that would be nice. Because without a healthy planet, we can’t have healthy people and a functioning society. Stanley: It would be awesome to see [UC] collaborate among all of those [sustainability organizations] and uplift them and promote them. I know for example, you see a lot of green roofs and there’s a living wall that is on Langsam Library. And so a lot of those green infrastructure projects, while they were implemented initially, were not [maintained]…Like the living wall, for example, they have to replant that every few months because they either don’t plant the correct plants or it gets cold and it dies off and it could be improved…So I just think all the pieces are there right now for a short term fix…From a long term perspective with UC, or with Cincinnati, I have been in a position where I’ve actually worked on a lot of sustainable projects that are going on within the city right now. One thing that I’m really excited for is [Cincinnati] trying to focus a lot more on public transportation. So there’s a transit-oriented development project that is starting within the city that’s going to have bus rapid transit integrated…I would love to see more infrastructure and more focus on pedestrian walkability, bikeability and public transportation. It’s a unique situation with our university in the sense that it’s situated in the middle of a very urban, metropolitan center…So just having more of an emphasis and focus on infrastructure.

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

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

The UC Sustainability Summit in 2022.

PHOTO: AVARY DILLON

The UC Sustainability Summit in 2022.

PHOTO: AVARY DILLON

CRITIC’S PICK

Review: Canada’s Shaw Festival is the Ultimate Destination for Theater Lovers

REVIEW BY RICK PENDER

Review: Canada’s Shaw Festival is the Ultimate Destination for Theater Lovers

REVIEW BY RICK PENDER

This time of year Cincinnati has fewer theater options, so an excursion to Niagara-on-theLake, Ontario, Canada, is a good time to head there for top-notch productions at the Shaw Festival. Launched in 1962, this annual offering uses three attractive stages to produce an impressive, sevenmonth season of more than a dozen polished, well-acted shows, including works by legendary playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) as well as plays and musicals that originated during his long life. In the 21st century it has expanded its repertoire to produce new plays written about subjects during Shaw’s lifetime. After six decades the Shaw Festival has become one of Canada’s most substantial and popular cultural institutions, well worth the eight-hour drive from southwest Ohio.

This time of year Cincinnati has fewer theater options, so an excursion to Niagara-on-theLake, Ontario, Canada, is a good time to head there for top-notch productions at the Shaw Festival. Launched in 1962, this annual offering uses three attractive stages to produce an impressive, sevenmonth season of more than a dozen polished, well-acted shows, including works by legendary playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) as well as plays and musicals that originated during his long life. In the 21st century it has expanded its repertoire to produce new plays written about subjects during Shaw’s lifetime. After six decades the Shaw Festival has become one of Canada’s most substantial and popular cultural institutions, well worth the eight-hour drive from southwest Ohio.

I was especially eager to see this summer’s production of Gypsy, the 1958 Broadway musical about Rose Hovick, the larger-than-life stage mother of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the show — created as a star vehicle for Ethel Merman — is considered by many to be one of the greatest musicals of all time with one of the meatiest roles in all musical theater. This production featured a powerful performance by clarion-voiced Kate Hennig as Rose. She brought down the house with “Rose’s Turn,” a fierce onstage mental breakdown by a woman who sought personal recognition by pushing her daughters forward. Gypsy’s excellent supporting cast — especially Jenni Burke, Krystle Chance and Élodie Gillett as a diverse trio of raunchy but lovable strippers for “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” — and a detailed, adaptable backstage set made it the season’s most popular production, repeatedly selling out performances at the Shaw’s mainstage, the expansive 856-seat Festival Theatre.

I was especially eager to see this summer’s production of Gypsy, the 1958 Broadway musical about Rose Hovick, the larger-than-life stage mother of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the show — created as a star vehicle for Ethel Merman — is considered by many to be one of the greatest musicals of all time with one of the meatiest roles in all musical theater. This production featured a powerful performance by clarion-voiced Kate Hennig as Rose. She brought down the house with “Rose’s Turn,” a fierce onstage mental breakdown by a woman who sought personal recognition by pushing her daughters forward. Gypsy’s excellent supporting cast — especially Jenni Burke, Krystle Chance and Élodie Gillett as a diverse trio of raunchy but lovable strippers for “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” — and a detailed, adaptable backstage set made it the season’s most popular production, repeatedly selling out performances at the Shaw’s mainstage, the expansive 856-seat Festival Theatre.

Playwright George Bernard Shaw is represented by two shows, The Apple Cart (1928), a full-length, satirical drama, and Village Wooing (1934), a sweet lunchtime one-act. The Apple Cart, presented at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, an adaptable black box space with seating for 256 on four sides, is astonishingly timely. It’s a fast-paced tale about a parliamentary crisis driven by a power struggle between a thoughtful king and his aggressive prime minister. It felt entirely in the moment of current British politics and royal intrigue, although this production imagines it in a fictional 1962. Truly an ensemble piece with outspoken, opinionated male and female cabinet members, as

Playwright George Bernard Shaw is represented by two shows, The Apple Cart (1928), a full-length, satirical drama, and Village Wooing (1934), a sweet lunchtime one-act. The Apple Cart, presented at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, an adaptable black box space with seating for 256 on four sides, is astonishingly timely. It’s a fast-paced tale about a parliamentary crisis driven by a power struggle between a thoughtful king and his aggressive prime minister. It felt entirely in the moment of current British politics and royal intrigue, although this production imagines it in a fictional 1962. Truly an ensemble piece with outspoken, opinionated male and female cabinet members, as

well as the king’s coquettish mistress and his pragmatic queen, the production is anchored by Tom Rooney as the philosophical and clever King Magnus.

well as the king’s coquettish mistress and his pragmatic queen, the production is anchored by Tom Rooney as the philosophical and clever King Magnus.

Village Wooing is Shaw’s one-act for two performers, a cranky writer called “A” and a sparky woman called “Z.” He is a compulsive intellectual, while she is a hardworking clerk in a store and a telephone operator. They don’t have much in common, but that’s much of the fun as they become awkwardly acquainted on a cruise and fall in love in the village shop. Six actors are involved, two of whom are mixed and matched for each midday offering, with the other four observing from the wings and occasionally delivering a prop or a piece of furniture. This production could be seen multiple times and enjoyed with the varied performances and matchups. It’s staged at the ornate Royal George Theatre, built in 1915 as a vaudeville house and added as a 305seat performance space for the festival in the 1980s.

Village Wooing is Shaw’s one-act for two performers, a cranky writer called “A” and a sparky woman called “Z.” He is a compulsive intellectual, while she is a hardworking clerk in a store and a telephone operator. They don’t have much in common, but that’s much of the fun as they become awkwardly acquainted on a cruise and fall in love in the village shop. Six actors are involved, two of whom are mixed and matched for each midday offering, with the other four observing from the wings and occasionally delivering a prop or a piece of furniture. This production could be seen multiple times and enjoyed with the varied performances and matchups. It’s staged at the ornate Royal George Theatre, built in 1915 as a vaudeville house and added as a 305seat performance space for the festival in the 1980s.

The Royal George is also the venue for Tom Stoppard’s 1981 comedy, On the Razzle. Although Stoppard is better known today for serious-minded works — his drama Leopoldstadt won the 2023 Tony Award for Broadway’s best play — this show is a hilarious farce about two shop assistants who escape from a sleepy Austrian town for an adventure in big-city Vienna where they get into increasing scrapes and crazy situations. It’s based on an 1842 play that also inspired Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker and Jerry

The Royal George is also the venue for Tom Stoppard’s 1981 comedy, On the Razzle. Although Stoppard is better known today for serious-minded works — his drama Leopoldstadt won the 2023 Tony Award for Broadway’s best play — this show is a hilarious farce about two shop assistants who escape from a sleepy Austrian town for an adventure in big-city Vienna where they get into increasing scrapes and crazy situations. It’s based on an 1842 play that also inspired Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker and Jerry

Herman’s musical Hello, Dolly! In this version, Stoppard goes full bore with his penchant for dazzling language, used here for humor, especially terrible puns, hilarious malapropisms and lots of double-entendres.

Herman’s musical Hello, Dolly! In this version, Stoppard goes full bore with his penchant for dazzling language, used here for humor, especially terrible puns, hilarious malapropisms and lots of double-entendres.

Razzle is a non-stop, high-speed tale told with amusing choreography that cranks up comic mayhem (and romance) even more. The cast is anchored by Mike Nadajewski as garrulous head clerk Weinberl and Kristi Frank as Christopher, his naïve apprentice. Also noteworthy is Ric Reid as Zangler, the shop’s tongue-twisted proprietor, who remains oblivious of his employees’ shenanigans. Staged with impressive physical detail by Craig Hall, the show has a highly inventive set (designed by Christina Poddubiuk) that fluidly shifts from Zangler’s shop to a fashion boutique to the Imperial Gardens Café. This is the kind of production you want to visit a second time to catch all the witticisms that come at you a mile a minute.

Razzle is a non-stop, high-speed tale told with amusing choreography that cranks up comic mayhem (and romance) even more. The cast is anchored by Mike Nadajewski as garrulous head clerk Weinberl and Kristi Frank as Christopher, his naïve apprentice. Also noteworthy is Ric Reid as Zangler, the shop’s tongue-twisted proprietor, who remains oblivious of his employees’ shenanigans. Staged with impressive physical detail by Craig Hall, the show has a highly inventive set (designed by Christina Poddubiuk) that fluidly shifts from Zangler’s shop to a fashion boutique to the Imperial Gardens Café. This is the kind of production you want to visit a second time to catch all the witticisms that come at you a mile a minute.

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

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

the play’s showpiece, and Deborah Hay delivers a wonderfully unrestrained performance, whooping and whirling around the stage as she weaves erratic psychic spells. The story’s dénouement with the posh Art Deco living room completely collapsing is as much a factor in the comedy as the cast’s finely tuned performances.

the play’s showpiece, and Deborah Hay delivers a wonderfully unrestrained performance, whooping and whirling around the stage as she weaves erratic psychic spells. The story’s dénouement with the posh Art Deco living room completely collapsing is as much a factor in the comedy as the cast’s finely tuned performances.

That’s not even half of the season offerings. Also on the Shaw’s various stages are James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner; a Narnia play, Prince Caspian; Edith Wharton’s The Shadow of a Doubt; J. M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World; Helen Edmundson’s The Clearing; and Tim Carroll’s The Game of Love and Chance

That’s not even half of the season offerings. Also on the Shaw’s various stages are James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner; a Narnia play, Prince Caspian; Edith Wharton’s The Shadow of a Doubt; J. M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World; Helen Edmundson’s The Clearing; and Tim Carroll’s The Game of Love and Chance

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

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

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

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

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

PHOTO: DAVID COOPER

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

PHOTO: DAVID COOPER

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD & DRINK

Sweet Nostalgia

Sweet Nostalgia

Sugar Shack by the Tracks is a 1950s-style ice cream parlor serving up sweet treats and retro vibes in Lockland.

BY KELSEY GRAHAM

Sugar Shack by the Tracks is a 1950s-style ice cream parlor serving up sweet treats and retro vibes in Lockland.

BY KELSEY GRAHAM

Abrand new ice cream parlor on the Lockland and Reading border is serving up ice cream, sundaes and good times. Sugar Shack by the Tracks is owned and run by a local family — Erika, John, and their two sons. (The family did not want their last names included in this story).

about themes, so I just ran with it,” said Erika.

about themes, so I just ran with it,” said Erika.

Abrand new ice cream parlor on the Lockland and Reading border is serving up ice cream, sundaes and good times. Sugar Shack by the Tracks is owned and run by a local family — Erika, John, and their two sons. (The family did not want their last names included in this story). Their dreams of owning an ice cream shop came to fruition a few years ago while the family was enjoying a visit to one themselves. “We were actually at an ice cream shop ourselves one night, and we were just watching everybody in line,” said Erika. “Like, everybody is just so happy. We thought, ‘How fun would this be to own an ice cream shop?’ It’s such an upbeat thing.”

Their dreams of owning an ice cream shop came to fruition a few years ago while the family was enjoying a visit to one themselves. “We were actually at an ice cream shop ourselves one night, and we were just watching everybody in line,” said Erika. “Like, everybody is just so happy. We thought, ‘How fun would this be to own an ice cream shop?’ It’s such an upbeat thing.”

The couple toyed with the idea of opening their own ice cream spot for a few years before buying their current location and doing a total overhaul on it to bring their vision to life, eventually opening Sugar Shack by the Tracks in late June. The site had been a medley of businesses in the past and most recently sat empty before the family decided to buy it and renovate it. Since John works in the general contracting and construction business, he was able to do a total renovation on the spot with a 1950s theme, seen both in the building’s design and on the menu. “I’m all

The couple toyed with the idea of opening their own ice cream spot for a few years before buying their current location and doing a total overhaul on it to bring their vision to life, eventually opening Sugar Shack by the Tracks in late June. The site had been a medley of businesses in the past and most recently sat empty before the family decided to buy it and renovate it. Since John works in the general contracting and construction business, he was able to do a total renovation on the spot with a 1950s theme, seen both in the building’s design and on the menu. “I’m all

And run with it, she did. When you first step up to order, above your head, you’ll notice a ceiling covered with 700 gleaming hubcaps, each shined and polished by Erika. “It was such a chore, but it looks so cool on the ceiling,” she said. There are murals painted around the building that all have a personal touch with a 1950s flair that they encourage guests to take pictures with. One is a painting of a vintage car with Erika and John’s wedding date used on the license plate, so her husband always remembers, Erika jokes. Another mural remembers the family’s much-loved Corgi, who has passed, joyfully licking an ice cream cone.

And run with it, she did. When you first step up to order, above your head, you’ll notice a ceiling covered with 700 gleaming hubcaps, each shined and polished by Erika. “It was such a chore, but it looks so cool on the ceiling,” she said. There are murals painted around the building that all have a personal touch with a 1950s flair that they encourage guests to take pictures with. One is a painting of a vintage car with Erika and John’s wedding date used on the license plate, so her husband always remembers, Erika jokes. Another mural remembers the family’s much-loved Corgi, who has passed, joyfully licking an ice cream cone.

The location features a covered patio with outdoor seating, along with additional uncovered seating on astroturf next to the building, which allows visitors to sit and enjoy the train tracks, along with a drive-thru window on the side of the building.

The location features a covered patio with outdoor seating, along with additional uncovered seating on astroturf next to the building, which allows visitors to sit and enjoy the train tracks, along with a drive-thru window on the side of the building.

The menu includes an extensive list of homemade hand-dipped ice creams, sundaes, milkshakes, soft serve and fruity Dole whip flavors. Erika used trial and error to create all of the handdipped ice cream recipes herself and used feedback from family and friends to fine-tune the flavors. “I’ve been driving around with my sample cups for

The menu includes an extensive list of homemade hand-dipped ice creams, sundaes, milkshakes, soft serve and fruity Dole whip flavors. Erika used trial and error to create all of the handdipped ice cream recipes herself and used feedback from family and friends to fine-tune the flavors. “I’ve been driving around with my sample cups for

all of my friends and family, dropping them off around Reading and Lockland to get everyone’s feedback since I make my own flavors of the hand-dipped ice cream,” she said.

all of my friends and family, dropping them off around Reading and Lockland to get everyone’s feedback since I make my own flavors of the hand-dipped ice cream,” she said.

Some of the current most popular flavors are butter pecan, which Erika said

Some of the current most popular flavors are butter pecan, which Erika said

took five different versions to nail down, cookies and cream, and cherry cordial.

The sundaes are also a big hit, all inspired by both 1950s pop culture and local landmarks, including the Exit 12, which gives a nod to the location’s exit just off of I-75 and the Benson Banana

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

Sugar Shack by the Tracks opened in late June.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/SUGARSHACKBYTHETRACKS

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

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/SUGARSHACKBYTHETRACKS

Sugar Shack by the Tracks opened in late June.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/SUGARSHACKBYTHETRACKS

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

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/SUGARSHACKBYTHETRACKS

Split for the Reading Bridal District.

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

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

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

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

But through it all, the family is having fun bonding and hosting events for the local community. “We’re just having a really good time,” Erika said. Recently, both the Reading and Lockland school district football teams have given them jerseys to display. They even had a passing train stop for ice cream while passing through town. “The outpouring we’ve had from the community and just turning that corner around something positive,” she said. “It’s been so sweet.”

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

Sugar Shack by the Tracks, 405 E Wyoming Ave., Lockland. Info: sugarshackbythetracks.com.

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

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/SUGARSHACKBYTHETRACKS

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

PHOTO:INSTAGRAM.COM/SUGARSHACKBYTHETRACKS

26 Greater Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars With Scenic Views

26 Greater Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars With Scenic Views

BY CITYBEAT STAFF

BY CITYBEAT STAFF

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

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

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

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

Vista at Lytle Park

Vista and Margarita flatbreads and 4YR Cheddar Burger.

Vista and Margarita flatbreads and 4YR Cheddar Burger.

Montgomery Inn Boathouse

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

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

Incline Public House

Montgomery Inn Boathouse

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

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

Vista at Lytle Park

311 Pike St., Downtown

Top of the Park

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

311 Pike St., Downtown

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

Top of the Park

506 E. Fourth St., Downtown

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

506 E. Fourth St., Downtown

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

Incline Public House

2601 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill

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

Named after the Cincinnati inclines that traveled to Price Hill, Incline Public House features a gorgeous view of the city and delicious American food for brunch, lunch and dinner. While you enjoy the view of downtown Cincinnati on their all-season patio, try one of their popular pizzas, like the equal-parts sweet and salty Prosciutto Fig, featuring fig jam, Italian ham, goat cheese, caramelized onions and arugula on top. Or, build your own using the expansive list of sauces, cheeses and toppings. Pair it with one of their local craft brews on tap and their mouthwatering short rib poutine to split with the table to top off the experience.

2601 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill

Named after the Cincinnati inclines that traveled to Price Hill, Incline Public House features a gorgeous view of the city and delicious American food for brunch, lunch and dinner. While you enjoy the view of downtown Cincinnati on their all-season patio, try one of their popular pizzas, like the equal-parts sweet and salty Prosciutto Fig, featuring fig jam, Italian ham, goat cheese, caramelized onions and arugula on top. Or, build your own using the expansive list of sauces, cheeses and toppings. Pair it with one of their local craft brews on tap and their mouthwatering short rib poutine to split with the table to top off the experience.

Lisse Steakhuis

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

Eighteen at the Radisson

668 W. Fifth St., Covington

Eighteen at the Radisson

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

668 W. Fifth St., Covington

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

Rhinegeist Brewery

1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine

Rhinegeist Brewery

1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine

Lisse Steakhuis

530 Main St., Covington

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

530 Main St., Covington

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

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

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

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

PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM/MONTGOMERYINNBOATHOUSE

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

PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM/MONTGOMERYINNBOATHOUSE

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

AC Upper Deck

135 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks

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

Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant

11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township

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

City View Tavern

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

offering some of the best views in town. The burgers are damn tasty, too.

Little Miami Brewing Company

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

Moerlein Lager House

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

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

Rusk Kitchen + Bar

2724 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills

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

Porch at Washington Park

1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine

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

The Rooftop at 21c

609 Walnut St., Downtown

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

Bishop’s Quarter

212 W Loveland Ave., Loveland

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

Bridgeview Box Park

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

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

PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM/LITTLEMIAMIBREWING

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

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

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

Braxton Brewing Company

27 W. Seventh St., Covington

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

Kreimer’s on the River

6052 OH-128, Whitewater Township

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

The View at Shires’ Garden

309 Vine St., 10th Floor, Downtown

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

Cabana on the River

7445 Forbes Road, Sayler Park

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

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

Le Bar a Boeuf

2200 Victory Parkway, Walnut Hills

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

of lamb and steak frites — a 10-ounce ribeye with sauce forestiere and fries. If you can, sit on the patio and take in the amazing view of the Ohio River. If you want to maintain the French experience, just pretend you’re in Paris overlooking the Seine.

Via Vite

520 Vine St., Downtown

Via Vite showcases chef Cristian

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

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

Fretboard Brewing & Public House

103 Main St., Hamilton

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

Enson Harbor

25 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue

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

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

PHOTO:HAILEY BOLLINGER

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

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

MUSIC

Darlingside Comes Out (of Lockdown) with Everything

is Alive

The indie folk quartet changes everything but their core philosophies on their new album.

Darlingside Comes Out (of Lockdown) with Everything is Alive

The indie folk quartet changes everything but their core philosophies on their new album.

BY BRIAN BAKER

BY BRIAN BAKER

With COVID in our back seats instead of our rearview mirrors, it’s conceivable that artists’ music continues to be refracted through the prism of the past three years. Darlingside guitarist, banjoist and vocalist Don Mitchell understands how that assumption applies to the Boston quartet’s latest album, the just-released Everything is Alive, but he’s quick to illustrate the reasons that differentiate it from that expectation.

With COVID in our back seats instead of our rearview mirrors, it’s conceivable that artists’ music continues to be refracted through the prism of the past three years. Darlingside guitarist, banjoist and vocalist Don Mitchell understands how that assumption applies to the Boston quartet’s latest album, the just-released Everything is Alive, but he’s quick to illustrate the reasons that differentiate it from that expectation.

“We would have created an album during lockdown, so it’s not like lockdown gave us the time and therefore this album happened, but it being this exact album, it’s for sure influenced by the pandemic. I just wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a ‘pandemic record,’” says Mitchell by phone from his Waltham, Massachusetts apartment. “It found its way into some of the themes; coming back to life, back to yourself, being distanced from or being a part

“We would have created an album during lockdown, so it’s not like lockdown gave us the time and therefore this album happened, but it being this exact album, it’s for sure influenced by the pandemic. I just wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a ‘pandemic record,’” says Mitchell by phone from his Waltham, Massachusetts apartment. “It found its way into some of the themes; coming back to life, back to yourself, being distanced from or being a part

of a community. There are mortality themes that are closer to home, having older parents and the fear of what might happen. But it’s not something that we were like, ‘Let’s all process this together.’ In some ways, Fish Pond Fish was more of a pandemic record because we finished it at the very beginning of the pandemic. We started writing Everything is Alive mostly in 2021 and into early ‘22. This is more of a coming out of lockdown record than a lockdown record.”

of a community. There are mortality themes that are closer to home, having older parents and the fear of what might happen. But it’s not something that we were like, ‘Let’s all process this together.’ In some ways, Fish Pond Fish was more of a pandemic record because we finished it at the very beginning of the pandemic. We started writing Everything is Alive mostly in 2021 and into early ‘22. This is more of a coming out of lockdown record than a lockdown record.”

Darlingside has never shied away from changing courses. After their 2009 formation in Boston, Mitchell and his bandmates — Sam Kapala, Auyon Mukharji (mandolin, violin, vocals), Harris Paseltiner (guitar, cello, vocals), and David Senft (bass, kick drum, vocals) — forged a sound rooted in ‘90s indie rock, but once Kapala’s departure pared them down to a quartet, they adopted the single mic/drummerless

Darlingside has never shied away from changing courses. After their 2009 formation in Boston, Mitchell and his bandmates — Sam Kapala, Auyon Mukharji (mandolin, violin, vocals), Harris Paseltiner (guitar, cello, vocals), and David Senft (bass, kick drum, vocals) — forged a sound rooted in ‘90s indie rock, but once Kapala’s departure pared them down to a quartet, they adopted the single mic/drummerless

percussion of traditional bluegrass. Sonically, the band retained their indie rock roots but incorporated more ‘70s harmonic folk, particularly British folk, and rock into the mix; everyone from the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to the Zombies and Nick Drake have been referenced to describe Darlingside.

percussion of traditional bluegrass. Sonically, the band retained their indie rock roots but incorporated more ‘70s harmonic folk, particularly British folk, and rock into the mix; everyone from the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to the Zombies and Nick Drake have been referenced to describe Darlingside.

“When we transitioned from indie rock to the bluegrass format, around 2013, 2014, that’s when I started playing the banjo and Auyon started learning fiddle chops and rhythmic patterns, and we pulled in a lot more from the world of old time bluegrass and folk music,” says Mitchell. “Prior to that, we’d been influenced by ‘90s/early 2000s college rock. Guster used to come to our college; the earliest version of Darlingside got to open for Guster and that was a big deal back then.”

“When we transitioned from indie rock to the bluegrass format, around 2013, 2014, that’s when I started playing the banjo and Auyon started learning fiddle chops and rhythmic patterns, and we pulled in a lot more from the world of old time bluegrass and folk music,” says Mitchell. “Prior to that, we’d been influenced by ‘90s/early 2000s college rock. Guster used to come to our college; the earliest version of Darlingside got to open for Guster and that was a big deal back then.”

Since then, Darlingside’s four core members have been open to exploring

Since then, Darlingside’s four core members have been open to exploring

different creative pathways to achieve their end results. Given the band’s democratically collaborative architecture — all four members are credited equally as songwriters — it didn’t matter who brought songs into the process, because everyone ultimately contributed to their completion. That changed slightly with the isolation of lockdown in 2020, which had an unintended effect on Everything is Alive

different creative pathways to achieve their end results. Given the band’s democratically collaborative architecture — all four members are credited equally as songwriters — it didn’t matter who brought songs into the process, because everyone ultimately contributed to their completion. That changed slightly with the isolation of lockdown in 2020, which had an unintended effect on Everything is Alive

“We’ve always done a lot of collaborative writing where we’re all in on everything from the beginning, and we were doing that at the start of the pandemic,” says Mitchell. “We were remote but we could play the telephone game, essentially; somebody passes a prompt, somebody else does a free write and somebody else turns it into a verse. Then somebody sets a melody to that verse and somebody else adds a whole new section. But since we had so much less in-person time, we decided to do

“We’ve always done a lot of collaborative writing where we’re all in on everything from the beginning, and we were doing that at the start of the pandemic,” says Mitchell. “We were remote but we could play the telephone game, essentially; somebody passes a prompt, somebody else does a free write and somebody else turns it into a verse. Then somebody sets a melody to that verse and somebody else adds a whole new section. But since we had so much less in-person time, we decided to do

Darlingside

Darlingside

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/DARLINGSIDE

assignments and work in pairs, and by the end of the week, each person would have to take something that was not developed and present a full draft, maybe not a final draft but a complete song.”

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

“There are a lot more songs where you can see the edges of the different writing sensibilities and singing voices of the members,” says Mitchell. “It started organically, then we said, ‘Here’s what we like about this. Let’s hold onto that and not sand it away,’ like we might have been tempted to do in the past.”

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

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

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

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

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

For Darlingside’s first tour in a very long time, there will be a few changes. Original member Senft will not be touring with the band on this circuit — Mitchell assures that Senft is on “family leave” and doing fine — so his slot will be filled by bassist Molly Parden, who also sang on Everything is Alive And Darlingside will be expanded to a live sextet with the addition of drummer Ben Burns and keyboardist Deni Hlavinka.

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

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

Darlingside plays Memorial Hall OTR at 8 p.m. Aug. 31. Info: memorialhallotr.com.

“There are a lot more songs where you can see the edges of the different writing sensibilities and singing voices of the members,” says Mitchell. “It started organically, then we said, ‘Here’s what we like about this. Let’s hold onto that and not sand it away,’ like we might have been tempted to do in the past.”

SOUND ADVICE

SOUND ADVICE

DANIEL CAESAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

instrumentals, including both originals and classic covers.

instrumentals, including both originals and classic covers.

DANIEL CAESAR

Aug. 31 • Andrew J Brady

Music Center

Aug. 31 • Andrew J Brady

Music Center

Daniel Caesar is embarking on a gauntlet of a world tour. The second leg of his “Superpowers World Tour” includes 33 stops, one of which is at the Andrew J Brady Music Center on Aug. 31.

Daniel Caesar is embarking on a gauntlet of a world tour. The second leg of his “Superpowers World Tour” includes 33 stops, one of which is at the Andrew J Brady Music Center on Aug. 31.

his melodies float effortlessly amid meandering and dreamy backdrops that affirm his vitality and agency as a prolific singer-songwriter.

his melodies float effortlessly amid meandering and dreamy backdrops that affirm his vitality and agency as a prolific singer-songwriter.

LOS STRAITJACKETS

Sept. 1 • Woodward Theater

LOS STRAITJACKETS

Sept. 1 • Woodward Theater

Known for his insouciant demeanor and music, Caesar exudes a captivating air with his stage presence and sound. His velvety R&B vocals and lyrics that explore personal storytelling with existential and romantic themes grace moody and obscure soundscapes. At times, his music feels reclusive and dark — most palatable alone — with stripped-back instrumentals and lithe, airy vocals arranged with gripping intention that cast him as a soft-spoken, introspective force. Other times,

Known for his insouciant demeanor and music, Caesar exudes a captivating air with his stage presence and sound. His velvety R&B vocals and lyrics that explore personal storytelling with existential and romantic themes grace moody and obscure soundscapes.

At times, his music feels reclusive and dark — most palatable alone — with stripped-back instrumentals and lithe, airy vocals arranged with gripping intention that cast him as a soft-spoken, introspective force. Other times,

His latest album, Never Enough, which dropped in April, builds on the style and reputation he’s developed since his gradual rise to fame starting around 2015. He continues to reach for new heights in his writing’s philosophical contemplations and the delicate intoxication of his sonic atmosphere. Curated to illustrate his experiences and lessons learned in life since grabbing his status as an acclaimed singer, each song feels like its own scene designed with strokes of allure, pride and skepticism.

His latest album, Never Enough, which dropped in April, builds on the style and reputation he’s developed since his gradual rise to fame starting around 2015. He continues to reach for new heights in his writing’s philosophical contemplations and the delicate intoxication of his sonic atmosphere. Curated to illustrate his experiences and lessons learned in life since grabbing his status as an acclaimed singer, each song feels like its own scene designed with strokes of allure, pride and skepticism.

On stage, Caesar’s voice will climb into its signature high frequencies and cruise through its utterly calm intones,

On stage, Caesar’s voice will climb into its signature high frequencies and cruise through its utterly calm intones,

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

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

Reminiscent of the famed The Ventures’ bold renditions of various pop tunes, but Los Straitjackets juice that archetype with more garage crunch, rockabilly and attitude in their material. For the last decade, they’ve collaborated with Nick Lowe as his backing band, which has proven to be an inspired arrangement for both acts as they lend their firepower to Lowe’s dynamic canon. Los Straitjackets released What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Los Straitjackets in 2017, an instrumental homage to Lowe’s witty pop songs, such as the title track and “Cruel to be Kind,” etc. As Eddie Angel, Straitjackets’ co-founding member and guitarist, explains to the Associated Press in 2018, “We had nothing to lose. Nick had his credibility on the line going onstage with four guys in wrestling masks. He really did take a chance on us. He wasn’t sure how his fans would react.”

Reminiscent of the famed The Ventures’ bold renditions of various pop tunes, but Los Straitjackets juice that archetype with more garage crunch, rockabilly and attitude in their material. For the last decade, they’ve collaborated with Nick Lowe as his backing band, which has proven to be an inspired arrangement for both acts as they lend their firepower to Lowe’s dynamic canon. Los Straitjackets released What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Los Straitjackets in 2017, an instrumental homage to Lowe’s witty pop songs, such as the title track and “Cruel to be Kind,” etc. As Eddie Angel, Straitjackets’ co-founding member and guitarist, explains to the Associated Press in 2018, “We had nothing to lose. Nick had his credibility on the line going onstage with four guys in wrestling masks. He really did take a chance on us. He wasn’t sure how his fans would react.”

Fresh off a tour with Lowe, Los Straitjackets play the Woodward Theater at 8 p.m. Sept. 1, with Jake La Botz Trio as the opener. Info: woodwardtheater. com. (Greg Gaston)

Fresh off a tour with Lowe, Los Straitjackets play the Woodward Theater at 8 p.m. Sept. 1, with Jake La Botz Trio as the opener. Info: woodwardtheater. com. (Greg Gaston)

S MASHING PUMPKINS

S MASHING PUMPKINS

Sept. 5 • PNC Pavilion

In July 1993, the Chicago-based quartet released their debut album, Siamese Dream, in a year that saw some of the

Sept. 5 • PNC Pavilion

In July 1993, the Chicago-based quartet released their debut album, Siamese Dream, in a year that saw some of the

PHOTO: DAVID ZELLABY, FLICKR

PHOTO: RAPH_PH, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Los Straitjackets

PHOTO: DAVID ZELLABY, FLICKR

Daniel Caesar

PHOTO: RAPH_PH, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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

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

four original members.

Though the Pumpkins get grouped into the alt-rock movement of the ‘90s, their music has swung between goth rock, hard rock, electronic and dream pop, and is constantly evolving. Their latest release is the ambitious Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts, which has slowly rolled out since November 2022. It’s a concept album, a loose sequel to Mellon Collie and 2000 albums Machina/The Machines of God and Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music. Pitchfork described Atum as “a trilogy-completing, podcastaugmented three-part intergalactic techno-libertarian rock drama.”

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

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

(Garin Pirnia)

OHIO IS FOR LOVERS FESTIVAL

Sept. 9 • Riverbend Music Center

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

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

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

Woodruff is in luck: Headliner Jimmy Eat World’s crafty tunes are easy to ingest. The long-running Phoenix-area quartet remains a cornerstone of a scene that has evolved and expanded in the years since their one-two punch of 1999’s Clarity and 2001’s Bleed American broke through to a wider musical world. And if the other acts at Ohio Is for Lovers remain more obscure, those in attendance aren’t likely to care as their ears take in an entire day of buzzing guitars and soaring choruses. The Ohio is For Lovers Festival takes place at Riverbend Music Center at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5. Info: riverbend.org. (Jason Gargano)

Hawthorne Heights

PHOTO: COURTNEY KIARA BOYER

Smashing Pumpkins

PHOTO: KEVIN LUSH

CROSSWORD

Across

1.  Gentle touches

5.  What’s for dinner?

A FEW SHORT

BY BRENDAN EMMETT QUIGLEY WWW.BRENDANEMMETTQUIGLEY.COM

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

13.  Toledo’s lake

14.  Siren’s call

15.  To read, in Tours

16.  One-tenth of a polo field

17.  Israel’s national airline

18.  “When you put it that way ...”

19.  A few ___ short of a ___

22.  One writing lofty verses

23.  Snap up

24.  Rubber-stamps

26.  Jazz Masters Fellowships sponsor

27.  Ocean current

30.  Cyrus the Great’s realm

32.  It might be up a creek

34.  Thingamabob

35.  A few ___ short of a ___

39.  With it

40.  One selecting health and 401k plans, say

41.  Forever and ever

44.  Cranny

45.  Modern-day guide, for short

48.  It can help you get out of a rut

49.  Snack

51.  Fish taco topping

53.  A few ___ short of a ___

57.  Actress Parrilla

58.  Turning point

59.  Publication with the slogan “Cure Ignorance”

60.  Does the math

61.  Free-for-all

62.  Superfan that was added to the OED in 2018

63.  “We’ll fix it in ___”

64.  Administers of lethal injections in Greco-Roman times

65.  Like lemons and limes

Down

1.  Priest’s subordinate

2.  Play room?

3.  Mexican goat stew

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

5.  Musical staff symbol

6.  “Only Murders In the Building” streamer

7.  Sonicare rival

8.  Get tearful

9.  Commentator Mystal

10.  “The Simpsons” character in a leisure suit

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

12.  Middle of a river?

20.  Environmentalist’s bugaboo at takeout

21.  Food coloring

25.  “The Idol” cocreator Levinson

28.  Overnight stop in the country

29.  Five-star

31.  Bibimbap base

32.  Drink with free refills, sometimes

33.  Vaping device

35.  Pikes Peak spot

36.  Problem for turbines

37.  Vehicle in a portfolio

38.  Get back

39.  Abyssinian gate

42.  “Sign me up”

43.  Desert in 11 countries

45.  Pork-and-grain sausage

46.  Like a two-dimensional world

47.  Without words?

50.  Cars that people might accidentally leave their phones in

52.  “My mind is made up”

54.  Right direction?

55.  Skipping-stones sound

56.  Sources of some houseguests’ allergies

LAST PUZZLE’S ANSWERS:

Bertha G. Helmick

attorney at law

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