ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS &

CULTURE

Cincinnati’s Mark Neeley is creating artwork for the upcoming Faul! The Musical.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY MARK NEELEY

The Intersection of Sound and Vision

Cincinnati-based animator and illustrator Mark Neeley has found a niche in the West Coast multimedia scene

BY MACKENZIE MANLEY

The beauty of animation is that it’s always evolving.

Cincinnati animator and illustrator Mark Neeley is experiencing that now, as he prepares a new episode of his video series e Aquarium Drunkard Picture Show. An o shoot of L.A.based online music magazine Aquarium Drunkard, the series launched in 2020 as half-hour episodes that blend music videos, live footage, animated sequences and tunes. Neeley – who lives here in Cincinnati – is tweaking the format for the newest batch, which will be released in May. e newest episode will not only feature new animation from Neeley, but also will bring in work from other animators and lmmakers, including claymation by Owen Summers.

“ e format will be similar to a special previous episode we did called ‘Autumnal Equinox,’ which also featured lm by experimental lmmaker Jodie Mack,” Neeley tells CityBeat in an email. “It will feature a combination of modern music videos and older live performance footage.”

Neeley develops the series – along with other Aquarium Drunkard content – with the site’s founder Justin Gage. e duo even had a quick taste of national fame when the minds behind Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s animation programming block, came calling.

Well, until the nation began grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, that is.

“We started on the show because Adult Swim was interested in making it a series,” Neeley tells CityBeat by Zoom. “Some people in their programming (department) had been fans of Aquarium Drunkard and had been talking to Justin about doing it for years, and they nally approached him. I thought it was going to be our big break. I thought we had it locked in, and then COVID-19 hit immediately after.”

Cartoon Network halted production as the pandemic ramped up, but Neeley and Gage’s pilot episode of e Aquarium Drunkard Picture Show aired anyway on Adult Swim’s app just before Neeley’s 30th birthday in 2020. To celebrate, Neeley stayed up with friends until midnight to watch the show go live.

Despite the pause from Cartoon Network, Neeley and Gage decided to keep releasing episodes on Aquarium Drunkard, each one its own unique sonic styling of music and art. Episode 5, for example, opens with a spinning record morphing into a cloud before becoming the black eyes of a skull. e animation zooms out as rain pours, sun shines and colorful owers grow over a trio of skulls. e animation is paired with a mashup of songs from Indie,

Rock and Avant-Garde acts like Silver Jews, Stereolab, Broadcast, Spacemen 3, Nico, Brigitte Fontaine, Richard Swift and John Cale. Neeley and Gage are now exploring bringing the series to other streaming platforms in addition to Aquarium Drunkard’s website and Vimeo channel.

Much of Neeley’s work resides here at the intersection of what he calls “sound and vision,” coined after a David Bowie song of the same name.

“I’m really fortunate with what I get to do. I think visual art, animation and music have always been a huge part of my life,” Neeley says. “I never really saw them coming together the way that they have. And it just seems like a lot of my projects end up that way.” ough Neeley resides in the Midwest, his projects often are collaborations with people on the West Coast. Many of his pieces are inspired by midcentury psychedelic music like e Beach Boys and e Byrds along with the art that came out of that era and place.

“I have a weird relationship with L.A.,” Neeley says. “When I did my short lm called Fragments, it was based on a trip I took out there and for whatever reason, the spirit of that stayed with me.”

Fragments premiered in March 2020 at the Echo Park Film Center in Los Angeles. Since then, it has been shown at a number of lm festivals across the country and in Europe. On his website markneeley.com, Neeley describes the short as the “story of how sporadic individual events synchronize with each other due to peculiar timing and ongoing nostalgia.”

Fragments mixes hand-drawn and painted frame-by-frame animation with 35mm lm from Neeley’s trip to L.A. with his wife, Jaclyn. e lm also juxtaposes Southern California’s warmth and laid-back scenery with rainy gray days back home in Cincinnati. Accompanying it all is a breezy soundtrack by Neeley’s frequent collaborator, Yohei Shikano. e lm opened the door to more opportunities, including his work with Aquarium Drunkard. Neeley also has worked on a number of music videos for acts like Dance/Chamber Pop purveyor Maston, Folk-Rock out t Spencer Cullum’s Coin Collection, Indie Country act Cactus Lee, Indie band Psychic Temple, Electronic Folk artist Frankel and Yohei & Nels Cline (the guitarist for Wilco). His animated music video with Canadian artist Michael Rault is scheduled for release on May 6. e Beatles are at the center of Neeley’s recent collaboration with Samuels & Scott Ltd., a Pop-Rock duo from Long Beach. eir upcoming Faul! e Musical explores the ever-persistent Paul-McCartney-is-dead conspiracy, an unfounded urban legend that the rockstar died on Nov. 9, 1966, and was replaced by a lookalike. Neeley’s contribution is animated backdrops that will be projected behind the stage.

“I’m pulling really funny things from Beatles history,” Neeley says of his research process. “Like, in London, they had started Apple Records right toward the end (of the band). It was kind of a mess because nobody knew what they were doing on the business side of things.”

Neeley’s passions go back to childhood, he says. He grew up in the mid90s at the cusp of the pre-digital era, teaching himself to draw by reading books at the library like e Illusion of Life by Disney legends Frank omas and Ollie Johnston and e Animation Book by Kit Laybourne. Published in the 1970s, the latter had a huge impact on forming Neeley’s style as a kid.

Neeley still animates in analog today; everything is hand-drawn, colored and painted, he says.

“I just love that aesthetic. I love when you can see the artist’s ngerprints on the work, essentially,” Neeley says. “ e other side of that is that I love that era of art in general, whether it’s music or visual art.”

But Neeley’s art isn’t just for those in California. With a studio here in Cincinnati, he o ers workshops to creators of all ages at community spaces like the Cincinnati Art Museum, library branches, the Taft Museum of Art and more. e workshops are on pause for now, but he’s looking at bringing them back to life soon. e artist also is working on a book that will be published through the Cincinnati-based risograph printing studio Cereal Box. Neeley describes the project as an animation sketchbook that will feature storyboards and sketches of the work he’s done, from short lms to music videos and freelance work.

“I’m really fortunate with what I get to do. Visual art, animation and music have always been a huge part of my life,” Neeley says. “I never saw them coming together the way they have. It seems like a lot of my projects end up that way.”

Faul! The Musical, with artwork by Mark Neeley, will explore the Paul McCartney-is-dead conspiracy.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY MARK NEELEY

See more of Mark Neeley’s work at markneeley.com.

ONSTAGE

REVIEW BY RICK PENDER

Jasimine Bouldin (left) and Eli Lucas perform in The Twunny Fo’.

PHOTO: DAN R. WINTERS

Decoding the title of the world-premiere show e Twunny Fo’, currently onstage at Know eatre, isn’t a big challenge. It’s a workplace comedy about a convenience store — “ e 24,” open 24/7 — and a group of employees who are resentful about working there, especially since its acquisition by a company that operates numerous locations.

Playwright A.J. Baldwin lays out in fast-talking contemporary jargon how each employee feels about their coworkers, several unseen customers, the around-the-clock work schedule, the corporate owner and the gentrifying neighborhood. e events swirl around pragmatic Tyra (played by Baldwin), struggling to complete her MBA as a ticket to leave the neighborhood behind. She works nights at e 24 to make ends meet, trying to study during the bleak, empty, third-shift hours when customers are few and far between. However, her co-workers distract her with constant chatter and unwelcome irtation.

e Twunny Fo’ initially was conceived as a Fringe Festival production, but Baldwin was encouraged to expand it into a full-length script. It’s currently available to other theaters through the National New Play Network.

Rissa (Jasimine Bouldin) plays Tyra’s self-centered co-worker and chatty, opinionated friend who o ers a nonstop stream of opinions and observations about everything and everyone. She keeps things interesting, even though she’s not a terribly dependable coworker. Rissa has derogatory nicknames for people she doesn’t care for, and she thinks nothing of showing up late or taking o for a nail appointment or other activity she deems more important than work.

Kingsley (James Creque) was the store’s owner until e 24 bought him out. He wanders in frequently as a nosy and judgmental customer, often acting as if he’s still in charge. He straightens products on the shelves, chastises the sta about their lackadaisical,

A.J. Baldwin (left) and Eli Lucas rehearse The Twunny Fo’.

PHOTO: DAN R. WINTERS

irresponsible attitudes and o ers his own wisdom about how things should be run.

Tyra, Rissa and Kingsley are Black. Shaw (Eli Lucas) is an empty-headed, self-centered blond white guy, replete with supposedly smooth moves. He repeatedly hits on Tyra, who treats him with contempt. Despite his cavalier ways, he gets preferential treatment from the new company, which irritates both women. e rst act of e Twunny Fo’ ends with a shocking and traumatic event that serves as a catalyst for action in the second act, when we nd Kingsley back as an employee in the store he once owned. Tyra is angry and grieving, Kingsley is resentful and overbearing, Rissa’s whereabouts are unclear and Shaw is his usual obnoxious self.

An oblivious conference-call pep talk from e 24’s corporate o ce sharpens the focus and infuriates Tyra. She concocts a take-charge plan, drawing on her business acumen, to address her anger with Kingsley’s patronizing behavior and changes in the neighborhood that make it increasingly tough for long-term residents. e Twunny Fo’ explores some serious questions about responsibility to self-respect and to the broader community.

Andrew Hungerford’s scenic and lighting designs support the story. e convenience store looks familiar, although perhaps not quite shopworn and neglected enough; bagged snack products are hung too neatly, one by one, and the overall ambience is a bit too antiseptic ( e sta repeatedly sweeps the oor, which has no visible grime or debris). But Hungerford’s lighting e ectively conveys several moods, especially pensive moments between scenes as the story unfolds.

Director Candice Handy might have done more to contain the energy and anger onstage, keeping a tighter focus on where the show’s message eventually lands. After two hours of angst, sarcasm and bickering, things wrap up a little too neatly and simplistically. Nevertheless, there are some meaningful, thought-provoking lessons to be garnered from this show.

In an interview posted online by Know eatre, Baldwin explains her intention to write about the commodi cation of Black women in American society.

“When I started writing e Twunny Fo’, I was working in a convenience store myself, so there was lots of inspiration there,” she says. “I honestly had no idea what I wanted the nished product to look like, I just knew I wanted to write something that spoke to the commodi cation of Black Women in this society. en I was bombarded (like many of us were) by all the chaos that was happening in America in 2020, and learned I had plenty of things I needed to say.” at issue is in the show, but it gets entangled and often diluted with some of the larger social issues. at being said, Baldwin’s performance as Tyra, the role she developed and brings to life in this production, has an earnest commitment that feels commendable and real.

The Twunny Fo’, presented by Know Theatre (1120 Jackson St., Over-theRhine), continues through May 8, both onstage and via livestream at knowtheatre.com. In-person tickets start at $15 and streaming starts at $10; tickets for both are $5 during the theater’s Wednesday Welcome Experiment shows. More info: knowtheatre.com.

Caring For Our Watersheds is a program that empowers students to imagine, develop and create solutions in their local watersheds. The program promotes watershed awareness and stewardship, values student ideas and offers support when turning theoretical ideas into action. Judges in the environmental eld score student entries and ten projects are selected to compete in the nal competition which was held on April 30th. $10,000 in implementation funding (up to $1,000 per project) is available to all participants, allowing each and every idea to be turned into reality. At the nal event, students presented their projects and nalists received cash awards and matching grants for their schools

Caring For Our Watersheds is a joint program of the Hamilton County Conservation District, Nutrien and Nutrients for Life.

CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS FINALISTS

First Place:

Sonya

Loveland HS Contact Lens Recycling1st 2nd Second Place: Ollie and Ashley Loveland HS Drug Take Back Program 3rd Third Place:

Tabitha, Emily & Natalie

Mount Notre Dame HS Saving The Earth in Style

OUT OF OVER 130 ENTRIES submitted this year, these ten teams advanced to the Final Competition where students competed for $12,000 in awards for themselves and their schools.

Project: The Butterfl y Effect: Wildfl owers and Watersheds

Student: Malena & Linnea School: Wyoming High School Description: Common milkweed, which is a native perennial plant that serves as important habitat for monarch butterfl ies, has been in sharp decline over recent years due to habitat destruction. To combat this issue, Malena and Linnea partnered with the City of Forest Park to plant milkweed gardens in local parks, thereby setting an example other communities can easily replicate. The milkweed gardens will also absorb rainwater, which will reduce runoff and help keep our watershed clean.

Project: Drug Take Back Day

Student: Ollie & Ashley School: Loveland High School Description: Flushing unwanted medications down the drain can contaminate our watershed and, ultimately, our drinking water. To raise awareness about the harmful effects of pharmaceuticals in the ecosystem and to inform the public on how to properly dispose of them, Ollie and Ashley ran an educational campaign within the community that culminated in a ‘Drug Take Back Day.’ Loveland residents were encouraged to drop off unwanted medications during a drive at Loveland High School where they would be properly incinerated.

Project: Conservation Stewardship Certifi cation

Student: Garrett School: West Holmes High School Description: The challenges of producing enough food, fuel, fi ber and fuel to meet the needs of our growing world are becoming increasingly complex, especially while conserving our planet’s natural resources. Garrett worked with his local SWCD and the Ohio Farm Bureau to create an on-farm conservation stewardship certifi cation modeled after the Field to Market Alliance’s FieldPrint Calculator, which allows farmers to identify the value-added conservation practices that make their farms sustainable and use them as objective marketing tools.

Project: Guide to Being a Watershed Superhero

Student: Crysta & Bailey School: Mount Notre Dame High School Description: Crysta and Bailey recognized the importance of educating younger generations about how to care for our watersheds, so they created a children’s book called Guide to Being a Watershed Superhero. They also visited a grade school to share their story with kids K through 3rd grade. By exposing children to environmental stewardship at a young age, they hope to create a trickle-up effect in families and communities.

Project: Saving the Earth in Style

Student: Tabitha, Emily & Natalie School: Mount Notre Dame High School Description: Emily and her team found that many Mount Notre Dame students throw away their school uniforms after they graduate even though they are often still in good condition. To improve their school’s sustainability, the students started a uniform resale program where all students can donate used uniforms for a small incentive. Not only does their program reduce the cost of uniforms for new students but also the water, land and air pollution that comes from their production and shipment.

Project: The Unspoken Problem

Student: Alana School: John Marshall School of Engineering Description: Every year, millions of pounds of plastic found in tampons ends up in landfi lls. To help limit the plastic waste that ends up in the trash, and, potentially, our watershed, Alana created care packages containing reusable, eco-friendly menstrual products and provided them to a women’s shelter. She also created a series of educational videos on how to use and create the products, hoping to empower more women to think consciously about hygiene products.

Project: Aer-It-Out

Student: Eli, Andy & Wyatt School: Wyoming High School Description: Outdated faucet heads can be a major culprit when it comes to wasting water in residential and commercial buildings. To reduce both water bills and water waste, Andy and his team installed aerators in the sinks throughout their high school. To help inform the public about the water effi ciency savings of aerators, they put up fl iers around town and created educational TikTok videos.

Project: Clean Up for Candy

Student: Busy, Semi, Roman & Gavin School: Loveland High School Description: Gavin and his team noticed tons of trash getting left behind after numerous sporting events at Loveland High School. This trash contributes to pollution in our watershed, so they created an incentive-based program where students get rewarded with candy for staying late to clean up trash after sporting events.

Project: It’s a Barrel o’ Fun!

Student: Kate, Grace, Lexi & Kat School: Ursuline Academy Description: Because most of Cincinnati’s storm sewers are combined with sanitary sewers, the excess runoff ends up polluting our watershed during periods of heavy rain. To help mitigate this issue, Kate and her team held a rain barrel decorating contest at their school, afterwards they donated the barrels to public buildings in their community. They hope these functional works of art will catch the eyes of pedestrians and inspire them to decorate and install rain barrels of their own.

Project: Implementing a Contact Lens Recycling System

Student: Sonya School: Loveland High School Description: After years of fl ushing used contact lenses down the drain, Sonya decided to pilot a multi-brand recycling program in her community to reduce the amount of microplastics entering our watershed. She worked with several local eye care facilities to install contact lens recycling bins in their offi ces, and she also started a petition to require manufacturers to add recycling instructions on their packaging. Although each lens is tiny, Sonya hopes the cumulative efforts of her recycling program will benefi t all aquatic life in our watershed.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Milkweed For Monarchs

Reese & Sophia (Loveland High School)

Reducing Stream Bank Erosion and Harnessing the Power of Mushrooms

Anthony & Dharmin (Loveland High School)

SAVING THE EARTH IN STYLE

In the age of social media, teenagers often shape their ideas of what is fashionable around the examples set by their favorite in uencers on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Unfortunately, a rising trend among social media in uencers is the idea of fast fashion, which Tabitha describes as “the creating of clothes that we don’t necessarily need, wearing it for one day, and throwing it away. That’s what a lot of these brands have built themselves on.” With young people learning from an early age that clothing is disposable, our land lls are lling up. A recent survey from Savers, a global thrift retailer, found that Americans on average throw away 81 pounds of clothing each year. And as the textiles industry booms, water used in the production process increasingly goes to waste. According to the Water Footprint Network, it takes 650 gallons to produce the cotton required for one T-shirt. Tabitha, Emily and Natalie saw the effects of fast fashion at their school and decided to act. Mount Notre Dame requires all students to wear uniforms, but once uniforms don’t t or are no longer needed after graduation, many students just throw them away. To increase awareness about this issue and make their school more sustainable, Tabitha and her team created a used uniform drive. Now students can donate unwanted uniforms, which are then washed and resold at a fraction of their original cost in the school spirit store. All proceeds from the sale go to the MND Environmental Action Team, funding cleanups in the local community. Once the three girls graduate, MND parents will take over the sale to ensure that it continues for years to come. Tabitha argues that “it’s such an easy solution; many grade schools have done this before. So, it will create a lasting impact that many people will notice.”

THE UNSPOKEN PROBLEM

Alana Betancourt, a senior at John Marshall School of Engineering, sees menstrual products as necessities - not luxury items, which is how they are taxed in Ohio. This “tampon tax,” as it is frequently called, disproportionately affects women, especially women of color. And for women living in homeless shelters for whom every penny matters, many must go without every time their period starts. Alana knows firsthand the struggles many homeless women face. At age 14 she found herself bouncing from couch to couch without a stable living situation. Today, her experiences motivate her to give back to women in need, one menstrual product at a time. “When I think of people in immediate need, I truly think of mothers of children that are left to fend on their own. Most of the time, the baby comes first. A mother will put her all into a child and not have the time to care for herself. This goes for just about anyone, especially considering how expensive single use pads and tampons are.” A budding environmentalist, Alana wanted to combine her interest in women’s health with sustainability. Reusable pads and menstrual cups seemed to be the perfect solution. “I want to offer an outlet to people that don’t have the money or resources to get pads or tampons immediately. Not only is it a sustainable way of eradicating the use of plastic in that aspect of life, it’s also cheap and reusable.” Considering that the Absorbent Hygiene Products Manufacturers Association estimates the average menstruating person will use 11,000 feminine products in their lifetime, going green can have a huge impact on natural resource use. Alana discovered June, a menstrual cup company, and a sewing machine and got to work. She hopes to sew enough reusable cloth pads to make 30-40 kits to pass out at her local women’s shelter. Not only will these kits be good for the environment but also, Betancourt hopes, for a woman’s wellbeing. “Cloth pads and cups are safer, healthier and help get rid of the stigma around periods. You get more comfortable with your body and this normal function. I want to help people that have been in an unfortunate circumstance with no resources just like me.”

AER-IT-OUT

Most of us don’t think twice about the water that comes from our faucets. Where it comes from. How much we use. It’s just one of the many miracles of modern life. But, as it turns out, making one small change can have an outsized impact on your wallet and the environment. Aerators are simple round attachments that can be screwed onto the end of most faucets and, as the name implies, they add air bubbles to or “aerate” the ow of water as it leaves the faucet. Just like low- ow showerheads, aerators act to reduce water usage without sacri cing functionality. Eli, Andy and Wyatt found that many faucets at their school were outdated and inefficient, wasting water which adds to Cincinnati’s already over owing sewer problem. Because the majority of the city’s sewers are combined, meaning they transport wastewater and storm runoff, they often over ow during times of heavy rain and pollute local creeks and streams. After a few quick google searches, the three Wyoming students decided aerators could be a cost-effective way to tackle this problem. Aerators are so easy to use, they can be installed without a plumber. They are also inexpensive, typically costing only $5-$20. Eli estimates the aerators they installed will reduce Wyoming High School’s water consumptions and costs by 10%. Better yet, less water used means more for our local watershed and ecosystem.

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

Organizations dedicated to creating the next generation of land stewards in Hamilton County

Nutrien and The Hamilton County Conservation District understand the importance of protecting our watersheds and conserving natural resources. But it’s equally important to cultivate future land stewards and tomorrow’s advocates for the environment. That’s why the Hamilton County Conservation District has partnered with Nutrien to establish Caring For Our Watersheds in Ohio, a unique program that enhances classroom learning through the practice of environmental research, writing skills, public speaking and hands-on stewardship. The program, which is funded by Nutrien and run by Hamilton County Conservation District, asks high school students to propose ideas on how to improve local watersheds. Students with strong proposals have the opportunity to put those ideas into action. As projects are planned and implemented, students develop strong leadership skills, learn sustainable practices, and contribute to creating a healthier ecosystem. Students also have opportunities to connect with environmental professionals who volunteer and mentor the students as they learn new skills and develop deeper connections with the community in which they live. Caring For Our Watersheds is open to all high school students who live in or go to school in the state of Ohio.

Caring for Our Watersheds is sponsored by Nutrien, a worldwide producer and retailer of fertilizers and other agricultural products and services. As the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, Nutrien plays a critical role in Feeding the Future by helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner. With nearly 20,000 employees, operations, and investments in 14 countries, Nutrien’s crop inputs and services reach every major growing region of the world.

The Hamilton County Conservation District (HCCD) is responsible for the conservation of natural resources within Hamilton County, Ohio. They have a special emphasis on soil and water with a focus on assisting landowners in planning and applying conservation practices on the land. HCCD is dedicated to the sustainable use of our natural resources and to encouraging positive behavioral changes that produce a higher quality of life for our citizens. The District assists all Hamilton County residents, schools, and jurisdictions through their services and dynamic partnerships that continually provide innovative solutions for the challenges of our region.

The Nutrients for Life Foundation is a global organization consisting of members and collaborative partners that develop and distribute sciencebased materials to improve plant nutrient literacy, soil health knowledge and promotes fertilizer’s role in sustaining a growing population. Plant nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, are also required to keep our parks, gardens, playgrounds, sports elds and golf courses green and healthy in communities from coast to coast.

CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS PARTNERS

PARTICIPATING TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS

Mary Brown - John Marshall School of Engineering Joe W. Carstensen - Clay High School Mary Dudley - James N. Gamble Montessori High School Kelly Dye - West Holmes High School Melissa Kowalski - Put-In-Bay High School Tracy Majors - Wyoming High School Bret Miller - The Summit Country Day School Tonya Nkhata - Loveland High School Monika Nuñez - Ursuline Academy Mary Beth Rieth - Mount Notre Dame High School Stephanie Rammacher - Spencer Center for Gifted & Exceptional Students Kira Rucker - Spencer Center for Gifted & Exceptional Students William Schnure - Walnut Hills High School Kat Sickinger - The Summit Country Day School

JUDGES AND VOLUNTEERS

Jeffrey Baker - Nutrien, Inc Renee Boronka - Western Reserve Land Conservancy Steph Bradford - Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub Pat Bruns - OH Board of Education, retired Jessica D’Ambrosio - The Nature Conservancy Lori Dorn - Greenacres Foundation Elise Erhart - Hamilton County R3Source Sara Fehring - Hamilton County Conservation District Gia Giammarinaro - Cincinnati Parks Cory Gonya - Nutrien, Inc Lauren Gottschalk - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Kirk Hines - ODA, Div of Soil & Water Conservation Emily Horne - Greenacres Foundation Scott Huber - Hamilton County Conservation District Sarah Kitsinis - volunteer Erin LeFever - Civic Garden Center Sheryl Long - City of Cincinnati Christen Lubbers - Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati Anne Lyon - volunteer, retired Adam Mahler - CFW Intern Heather May eld - Kenton County Conservation District Judy Mouch - Cincinnati Nature Center Joe Phelps - Greenacres Foundation Tony Staubach - Hamilton County R3Source Mike Sustin - Summit Metroparks Kat Zelak - Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District

CULTURE Cincinnati’s Own ‘Fluke Skywalker’ Radiates ‘Star Wars’ Magic

BY ALLISON BABKA

Cincinnati’s “Fluke Skywalker” wields his lightsaber as a Luke Skywalker cosplayer.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY “FLUKE SKYWALKER”

ere’s no disturbing lack of faith when it comes to Force followers in Cincinnati.

Star Wars Day – held each year on May 4, or May the Fourth (be with you) – typically brings out the region’s Jedi, Sith and creatures from a galaxy far, far away, delighting fans of George Lucas’s space saga.

But local legend “Fluke Skywalker” seems to have a few Midi-chlorians to spare, especially when it comes to supporting charities for children.

Cincinnati’s own version of Luke Skywalker has been cosplaying since 2017, after people began commenting that he looked like Mark Hamill, who has portrayed the character throughout the lm saga. is eventually spurred him to ask his wife for a replica of Skywalker’s Jedi costume for his birthday so that he could distribute toys to children at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati that holiday season while in character.

“ e kids love running around, beating each other up with lightsabers, as kids will do, and the parents started something that has never stopped since I’ve been doing this,” he reveals. “ ey walk right up and say, ‘Mr. Hamill, can I get a picture with you?’”

“Fluke” – who has asked CityBeat to withhold his name in order to keep the attention on his craft and on the charities he helps – tells everyone that he’s not the real deal, but admirers insist on capturing moments with their favorite Force user anyway. With his tattered Jedi robes and top-of-the-line lightsaber, “Fluke’s” resemblance to the beloved character is uncanny enough that even Hamill himself has tweeted about it, saying, “He looks more like me than me” in 2019 after seeing a photo of “Fluke” at San Diego Comic Con.

Since beginning this adventure, “Fluke” has grown his Skywalker costume collection and frequently appears at Ronald McDonald House and other children’s charities along with friends who portray Star Wars characters Rey, C-3P0 and the Mandalorian.

“Fluke” says that his entrance into cosplay was a little di erent from the norm.

“ ey (other cosplayers) are like Star Wars, Star Wars, Star Wars rst, and then they nd out at the end they can join (cosplay organizations) the Rebel Legion and the 501st Legion and do charity work around town. I’m the inverse of that,” he says.

“Fluke Skywalker”

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY “FLUKE SKYWALKER”

e charity aspect is the draw for “Fluke,” who has been volunteering with his family at Ronald McDonald House for years even before his Star Wars cosplay began. A former educator, he greets kids at the hospital as Skywalker and frequently brings a collection of Star Wars toys for the youngsters. “Fluke” doesn’t charge for any appearances there or at the many events he’s invited to, instead insisting that hosts donate to the charity. On his website im ukeskywalker.com, “Fluke” features links to donate directly to Ronald McDonald House or to a GoFundMe for Star Wars toys that are be distributed there during the winter holidays.

But those who don’t frequent the Ronald McDonald House can still nd “Fluke” around Cincinnati. He’s often asked to be part of major Star Wars events throughout the region, including pop-culture conventions, comic book shops and theme nights for the local sports teams. “Fluke” credits Cincy Shirts co-owner Josh Sneed with booking him for his rst charity fundraiser when the Star Wars lm Solo: A Star Wars Story was released.

“I owe Josh big time. at kind of gave me the courage to continue on, making my cosplay better and doing more events,” he says.

“Fluke” says he’s looking at involving more businesses and corporations in his charity work, and he’s trying to make plans to surprise a few local celebrities who are Star Wars fans.

“You can’t name a single demographic that doesn’t love that movie. It always blows me away,” he says, adding that he saw the original Star Wars lm in 1977 when he was age 13. “It’s a universal appeal.”

For more information about “Fluke Skywalker” or to donate to children’s charities, visit im ukeskywalker.com.

WHERE ‘FLUKE’ WILL USE THE FORCE NEXT

May 4

• Fan gathering, Washington Park, 1230 Elm Street

• Star Wars Night, FC Cincinnati, 1501 Central Parkway, fccincinnati.com

July 20

• Star Wars Night, Cincinnati Reds,

Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe

Nuxhall Way, reds.com

Sept. 23-25

• Cincinnati Comic Expo, Duke

Energy Convention Center, 525

Elm St., cincinnaticomicexpo.com