MUSIC / ENTERTAINMENT / ARTS &
CULTURE / LIFE / INDEPENDENT / PRESSURELIFE.COM
S AY W H AT YO U S E E
PressureLife Creative Director, Owner Art Director, Partner Managing Editor, Partner Content Strategist Senior Writers Staff Writers Media Producer Contributors
Jim Bacha
Weir was found by Mallory hiding in Becky's ad in Issue 21 of PressureLife. Weir will he be next? For your chance to score a $25 gift card, locate the elusive Weir stashed in one of our advertisements and be the first to cast his location to @thepressurelife through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Hannah Allozi Alex Bieler Adam Dodd Dan Bernardi Kevin Naughton Darrick Tahir Rutledge Dave Sebille Kevin Naughton Aaron Gelston @gelston.design
Anthony Franchino Ben Diamond Casey Rearick @caseyrearickphoto
Dave Skorepa India Pierre-Ingram James Earl Brassfield Jason Dunlap Mary Santora Scott Anderson Stevie Verlie Tesh Ekman Wilson Rivera Zach Shildwachter Distribution
FIND THIS GUY IN ONE OF OUR ADVERTISEMENTS + WIN $25
PMK Logistics
Enjoying PressureLife? We would love to hear your thoughts. PressureLife.com/feedback
Want to wear Weir?
PressureLife.com has your size.
CONTENTS DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
26
06 Who Nü?
Nü metal is alive and well with Nine Shrines.
08 Freezing in the Forest City
A “definitive” guide to celebrating winter in Cleveland.
10 (Will You) Mary Me
The difference between being alone and lonely.
06
14
12
22
12 Cleveland Cookie
Dough Company: A Love Story
The story of a new food truck’s sweet success.
14 Ohio City Galley
Dine with the PressureLife team.
16 The Art of the Pop Up
The Rise of Cleveland’s pop up scene.
22 Creative Cleveland
How to get your foot in Cleveland’s creative community.
24 The One That Got Away
The forgotten Cavs mascot resurfaces… on Twitter.
26 Between a Rock and an Art Place
Mike Boich’s journey from white collar to stoneworker.
28 Tech Trends
An old-fashioned rant about modern technology.
30 Make Holidays Happy Again
5 Easy Ways to Avoid Being a Grinch!
FOLLOW US Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // Instagram @thepressurelife
10
16
30
Inside Akron's
TENT CITY we took a small video crew down to Akron to check out a community of homeless individuals living in a “tent city” that we had heard about. We were unsure of what to expect. I think we were hoping to get a short eight-minute documentary piece out of it at most, but after spending the day at the site, it was clear that we had stumbled upon something truly incredible.
IN LATE SEPTEMBER,
The camp is located on the private property of Sage Lewis, a passionate activist who dedicates immense time and resources to helping the homeless. In spite of the fact that he allows individuals to use his land for a stable form of shelter while they try to get back on their feet financially, the city has been moving to evict the residents in a long, drawn-out process filled with uncertainty, shifting deadlines, and unfulfilled promises. The story we discovered was inspiring, heart-wrenching, and infuriating all at once, and it subverted virtually every stereotype and prejudice we held concerning homelessness. Oftentimes, we weren’t even aware that we held a certain preconceived notion as it was subverted, which was in and of itself a valuable lesson. Our visits to the camp and subsequent research has coalesced into a multi-part, ongoing documentary series where we explore the elaborate inner-workings of the camp, why the residents prefer the tent community to the city’s shelter system, and, most importantly, why the city is trying to shut the camp down. We’re thrilled to see that the episodes already have nearly 100,000 views. Over the next month, we’ll be following the story as it continues to develop. Before voting to evict the more than 40 residents of the tent community, the city promised to provide them housing by a seemingly ever-moving deadline. As the unforgiving Northeast Ohio winter sets in, only half of the residents have been housed, and the rest of the individuals served by Akron’s Tent City exist in a sort of administrative limbo. We’ll be watching and reporting what happens to the remainder of the houseless individuals as the story unfolds. You can find the series on our site, Facebook, and Youtube, and if you wish to donate to the tent community, you can find out how at their website, thehomelesscharity.org. _____________________________________
For the full documentary on this remarkable story, stay tuned to PressureLife.com/akron.
for what lead guitarist Andrew Baylis calls “some demos I recorded myself.”
Who Nü? Nine Shrines reigns over the Cleveland nü metal scene. Dave Sebille
S
even out of seven nights a week, you can find an indie or thrash show in Cleveland. Somewhere, someone sings into a microphone hooked up to a pedal board, drenched with delay and reverb while playing one of four synths on stage. This person sings over a sea of guitars while a well-dressed bass player hasn’t opened his eyes for the whole set. The band might even have a “jazzy” drummer. Another bar down the street hosts a band that’s mid-blast beat and screaming about god knows what, while up to 10 people vigorously drink whatever the cool cheap beer is now. Little did we know that the aggressive rock from the early 2000s never went away. Maybe it laid low and evolved. Maybe it’s waiting for its inevitable resurgence in popularity. Either way, Nine Shrines is the nü metal band that will represent Cleveland in the upcoming uprising. Existing somewhere between Ringworm and Mushroomhead, Nine Shrines has carved out its own place in Cleveland’s overpopulated metal scene. With only one EP, Misery, to speak of, the band has achieved over two
6 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
million plays on Spotify, landed a record deal with Mascot Records, and played Rover Fest. For the last 10 years, popular morning radio host and former PressureLife cover boy Rover of Rover’s Morning Glory has held a competition for local bands to open his very popular annual music festival Roverfest. “I woke up to Lance, my neighbor, banging on my door yelling ‘You fucking won! You fucking won,’” singer Chris Parkenty says about the big win to open Rover Fest. As a result, the band played to a 3,000-person-deep crowd on a rainy day in Lorain. The current iteration of the band is familiar with playing festivals larger than they expect. The full lineup’s first show was the largest show the band has ever played, as the collective members played the famous Summerfest, an 11-day music festival located on Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. The lineup was so new that in order to fill an hour time slot, they played the same set twice. Some fans still hold the memory dearly. Nine Shrines was formed by a couple of members of fairly well-known bands peaking in popularity in the late aughts and early ‘10s. Drummer Andrew Wetzel played in Attack! Attack!, but fear not—no one is crab dancing anymore. Nine Shrines invokes more of a pile-on-top-of-each-otherwhile-singing-along-with-every-lyric kind of vibe, with catchy choruses and catchier riffs. The EP also sounds profoundly professional
The upcoming second album is a bit of a different story. Now with Mascot Records behind them, Nine Shrines was able to seek out a producer of its choosing and set aside about two months to record their debut fulllength. The album is rumored to be much heavier than the Misery EP, but guitarist Evan McKeever describes it as genreless and Baylis adds, “one of the best rock records I’ve heard in a long time.” The release of the new album in spring will be followed by extensive touring. A large supporting tour is in the works, but was super top secret as of press time. What was said is that Nine Shrines will play at The Foundry Jan. 19 with co-headliners A Sense of Purpose. If you’re still unconvinced about the popularity of nü metal, this show is sure to sell out. That’s a lot of bodies for a local band. If you’re reading this saying to yourself, “of course nü metal is alive and well; I love nü metal!,” then please consider checking out Nü Metal Night at The Richland Cafe in Lakewood, hosted by Nine Shrines. Join the millions of listeners on Spotify and wait with bated breath for the new album coming in spring of 2019, a year which has been dubbed by Parkenty as “the year of The Shrines.”
Want to be a part of Nine Shrine's nü wave? Keep up with the band online at nineshrines.com.
Pressure Picks Upcoming Events to See
The Whiskey Hollow Dec. 21 // Grog Shop
Heavy Metal Flea Market Dec. 22 – 23 // Phantasy
Winter Warm Up
Dec. 22 // Agora Theatre
Automatic Weapons
Dec. 22 // Beachland Ballroom
Bill Squire’s Christmakwanzakah Dec. 23 // Agora Theatre
Impending Lies & Erase the Grey Dec. 29 // The Odeon
Nate Bargatze
Dec. 27 – 30 // Hilarities
Obnox, Smoke Screen Jan. 4 // Grog Shop
Sublime with Rome
Jan. 11 // Hard Rock Rocksino
Nine Shrines
Jan. 19 // The Foundry
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 7
FREEZING
in the
FOREST CITY
A “definitive” guide to celebrating winter in Cleveland. Stevie Verlie + Dave Sebille
It’s
winter again. That means you’re going to see a bunch of lists telling you to go skiing or throwing snow at each other while you giggle. Let’s be real about it, this is winter in Cleveland. Let us take you on a ride for a more typical grey, freezing day in the Forest City.
First, drive your seasonally-depressed ass to Tremont and stick your After another trip, you’re at Tower City again. Remember all those tongue on an icy pole outside of the Christmas Story house. Once travel-sized Captain Morgans? Neither do you. Get some 57/50 flat you’re done, head to Clark Bar and do two shots of Irish whiskey brims. Leave on the stickers. Who cares; it’s Cleveland in the winbecause the bar has been open since 5:30 this mornter! Flash forward 20 minutes and $70 later as you ing. You’re obviously too drunk to drive anywhere shame-eat $14-worth of Auntie Anne’s pretzels and else, so just give up the car. Get on the red line to consider your next move. Tower City and watch some renowned toy soldier If someone tells pick up some stupid baby in a ghost mall. Throw a You wander into the casino thinking you’ll just you that you $20 in the fountain if you’re feeling lucky. have a drink and play some slots until your friends can’t do triple arrive. Surprisingly, they all have “jobs” and are Now that you’re downtown and bored, maybe you can at “work.” What the hell, man. What is a 401(k) lutz, they’re ice skate in the tiny ice rink made for selfies. We are a anyway? You got this. Uh oh, that cocktail waitress probably from city of underdogs, so if someone tells you that you can’t isn’t actually your friend. Pittsburgh. do triple lutz, they’re probably from Pittsburgh. Take off your skates and stay out of the bus lane as you wait What’s that? Another mini Captain? Do it! Then for your Lyft back to a neighborhood that makes sense. drag your drunk ass back to the Cleveland Museum of Art and check out that Infinity Mirrors thing. I In the backseat of the Lyft, knock back a mini bottle of Captain Mordon’t know, I heard from my seventh-grade boyfriend’s future ex-husgan and nod along as your driver debates the finer points of “Baby it’s band that it’s a must see. Anyway, you have to get that Facebook fodder. Cold Outside.” Take a breath and stop to realize that it’s only 10 in the The guy at the entrance might try to tell you that you are too drunk. morning and your driver has taken you to Shaker Square. You make Also, that Infinity Mirrors ended in September. Whoops. Whatever, the best of the situation and get a Captain Tony’s five-cheese pizza. just take other peoples pictures and post them. Easy squeezy. Voila, you’ve made it to noon. Catch the 26 down Detroit and ponder why everyone is so Eventually the horror sets in as you realize “Oh God, I’m in Shaker impressed with mirrors. As you’re on the bus watching the city Square.” You walk onto the platform and wait for the blue line or zoom by, realize this is a beautiful city that only we understand. green line or God knows what. There is a sea of unassured faces There’s no rhyme or reason to why we love it so much, we just do. waiting on a train that may or may not exist. “I’ve heard the bells from I pity a corporate piece of trash that would try to come here and time to time,” a small, elderly woman tells you. Who even knows if take our pinball, bowling, shuffleboard, and tobogganing rights she’s real. It’s 2:30 p.m. away. We’re strong because of winter.
8 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue22
The Christmas Corner Bar Returns for an Even Bigger, Better Month-Long Holiday Celebration plenty of holiday cheer in 2017, Lakewood’s The Christmas Corner Bar is back to provide some extra Christmas spirit—and some Christmas-themed spirits—at the end of 2018.
AFTER SPREADING
Around the Corner Saloon & Cafe officially reopened The Christmas Corner Bar Black Friday, kicking off more than a month of Christmas celebration until the seasonal pop-up establishment holds one final night of cheer this New Year’s Eve. After the bar’s success during the last Christmas season, Owner and General Manager Ryan Krivosh made it a priority to up the ante in 2018. Improvements included vastly increasing the amount of lights and decorations, hosting Christmas karaoke during the majority of December, and partnering with Chrystal Tours to be a spirited way to start and end a holly jolly tour of holiday-themed stops in Cleveland. “The goal is to make this year bigger and better,” Krivosh says. “We’ve tripled the number of lights and added more fun events throughout the month. As a result, we’ve had a bigger, better reaction than last year since we have even more Christmas cheer.” In addition to providing a place for people to celebrate Christmas early, The Christmas Corner Bar also aims to spread joy to a few local charities. According to Krivosh, a percentage of The Christmas Corner Bar’s food and drink proceeds will be donated to a selection of area organizations, including City Dogs Cleveland, H20 (Help to Others), Tails from the City, Providence House, and Citizens Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter. _________________________________ Want to partake in the holiday cheer? Head to Facebook.com/ TheChristmasCornerBar for information on hours and special events or simply head to The Christmas Corner Bar, located at 18616 Detroit Ave., to sample some Christmas spirit this December.
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 9
(Will You) Mary Santora Photography // Judie Vegh
The
MARY ME The difference between being alone and lonely.
holidays are near. Time to redownload the dating apps and squeeze in a few dates before Christmas so you can honestly say you're seeing someone when your wine-drunk Aunt Lisa condescendingly asks where your date is in front of the whole family like she hasn't been divorced twice. Ignore her, she has ferrets.
The thought of being alone this time of year terrifies most people because of the stigma that goes along with that word. For most, just the word “alone” cues up Celine Dion’s “All by Myself.” For whatever reason, we as a society equate being alone with being lonely, when the two couldn't be more different. We don't equate being hungry with starving, so why are the implications of being alone just as drastic?
Or both. I would hesitate to go see a movie by myself because of what the 16-year-old box office employee might think when I asked for a single ticket at the movies—literally a place where not socializing is encouraged. These apprehensions are ridiculous. In an age of social media, we think that everyone is constantly watching and judging, but on Twitter and in real life, people are just passively scanning what others do to avoid their own shitshow of a life. The fact that you ordered a chicken salad sandwich at a dive bar by yourself is the least of their worries. Seriously though, make smarter food choices.
We don't equate being hungry with starving, so why are the implications of being alone just as drastic?
Two years ago, I had a very different lifestyle. I was engaged, working two jobs to save up for a wedding, and rarely doing stand-up comedy. My fiance would generally work until 6 or 7 p.m. and I had a gross excitement for having the house cleaned and dinner ready by the time he got home. Most nights we would eat, have a few drinks, watch some garbage TV, and go to bed. Once or twice a week, we would meet friends at the bar or do cookouts on Sundays for Browns games, which ultimately turned into drinking whiskey straight out of the bottle because, “He’s got no coverage out there!”
I have never in my life spent this much time isolated, and I have never in my life been more fulfilled. I am so grateful and lucky to have found my passion. I understand that not everyone has that crazy dream they’re chasing, but that doesn’t mean you can't take time to do things for yourself.
You don't have to be a nut job like me driving 11 hours to Minnesota to seek the attention of strangers, but you can take some time and embrace the little things that make you happy. Take an extra yoga class or enjoy a glass of wine at home with a good movie.
I was surrounded by great people and the man that I loved and rarely spent any time alone. However, these were some of the loneliest years of my life. The fact that I was always with people didn’t fill the void I felt inside. What was missing? How could I have everything and still feel so empty? The mere presence of others wasn’t what I was craving. I wasn’t being satisfied on a much deeper level. It wasn't until I was single that I realized that.
If you're single out there and desperately trying to find love, it’s okay. Just because you're physically alone right now, doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. Dating is the absolute worst. I get it. I lose my mind when a guy I’m into doesn't text me back for hours at a time, but watches my entire Instagram story. You mean to tell me that the exact same phone you're using to like my pictures can't open my texts and send me a gif of Dumb and Dumber? That’s the kind of shit that makes me sympathize with the women on Snapped.
As someone who now spends the majority of her time solo, I admit that getting used to it can take time. When I first hit the road for comedy, I thought that everyone who saw me drink alone at the bar assumed I was an alcoholic or that my date was a no show.
I hate the cliche that you can't truly love someone until you truly love yourself, but the more I pursue my dream and work on myself, the more that nonsense rings true. Take time this season to put yourself first and get comfortable with you. I promise you won’t regret it.
10 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
A Holly, Jolly PressureLife Holiday Playlist Dave Sebille are truly a beautiful time of the year. The city is decorated and people unabashedly gain weight knowing they’ll be covered head to toe in clothing for the next six months. Let’s not forget the fact that it’s dark 23 hours a day and no one will judge you for sitting at a bar at anytime.
THE HOLIDAYS
Despite these points, the best part of the season is all the random, little gettogethers. If you end up with an apartment full of your friends, the last thing you want to do is panic and throw on some Michael Buble. Don’t worry, we at PressureLife are here with a playlist that will at least get you through your first two bottles of wine—that’s half a box of wine for the real Clevelanders out there. Throw this playlist on and rest assured that your party will be at very least, different. We still recommend a candle or two, because no matter how slammin’ your playlist may be, no one wants to smell your litter box while they are trying to get their egg nog on this holiday season.
01.
King Diamond, "No Presents for Christmas"
11.
The Rotary Connection, "Silent Night Chant"
02.
Otis Redding, "White Christmas"
12.
Paul Revere and the Raiders, "Rain, Sleet, Snow"
03.
Tom Waits, "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis"
13.
Kacey Musgraves, "Mele Kalikimaka"
04.
Charles Brown, "Please Come Home for Christmas"
14.
Murder City Devils, "364 Days"
05.
Chet Atkins, "Snowbird"
15.
Freddie King, "Christmas Tears"
06.
Lemmy Kilmister, "Run Rudolph Run"
16.
Greg Lake, "I Believe in Father Christmas"
07.
Run The Jewels, "A Christmas Fucking Miracle"
17.
Dick Dale, "Silent Night"
08.
The Kinks, "Father Christmas"
18.
Tiny Tim, "White Christmas"
09.
The Blues Magoos, "Jingle Bells"
19.
Kurtis Blow, "Christmas Rappin"
10.
James Brown, "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto"
20.
Stevie Wonder, "Someday at Christmas"
There, that should get the party started. If no one mentions the Tiny Tim track, you will know you’ve made a strong enough nog. Happy holidays from all of us here at PressureLife. Be kind to one another and for the love of god put the Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD away. Forever. To listen to the Holly, Jolly PressureLife Holiday Playlist, check out pressurelife.com/holiday
G O U R M E T S L I D E R S + CO C KTA I L S + ARTISAN DESSERT PIES
Now Open Reservations Accepted M O N DAY – T H U R S DAY: 4 : 3 0 – 1 0 : 0 0 P M F R I DAY – S AT U R DAY: 1 1 : 3 0 A M – 1 1 : 0 0 P M S U N DAY: C LO S E D
Happy Hour M O N DAY – F R I DAY: 4 : 3 0 – 6 : 3 0 P M
Now Taking Holiday Pie Orders 216.712.4506
1 70 0 1 M A D I S O N AV E . LAKEWOOD, OH
roodfoodandpie.com
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 11
Cleveland Cookie Dough Company:
A LOVE STORY
Steve and Vicki Kotris’ exciting entrance into the local food truck game. James Earl Brassfield Photography // Stephanie DeLacy / Laura Watilo Blake
Y
our favorite childhood treat is lethal. Cookie dough is not safe to eat. Big shocker right? Who thought that uncooked eggs would be as delicious as they are dangerous? Certainly not anyone who screams out “salmonella be damned!” before going crazy on a $7 tube of raw egg deliciousness.
Local cookie dough lovers should get to know an appropriately-named local husband-and-wife-owned business: the Cleveland Cookie Dough Company. Northeast Ohio natives Steve and Vicki Kotris came up with a twist on the food truck game that is unique, safe to feast on, and extremely popular. Steve and Vicki's lack of motivation to flip houses ended up giving Northeast Ohio one of the most delicious treats known to the public. The trick is making cookie dough without eggs without losing that cookie dough charm. Steve’s first thought was to jest that “the cookie
12 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
dough recipes were family secrets; recipes handed down by Grandma Kotris herself.” There is a Grandma Kotris, although she has nothing to do with the recipe. The secret of the formula lives with Vicki, an honest, fair Cleveland girl who would never let Steve swindle the good people with tales of grandma's cookies being adapted to remove the danger of raw egg. This husband-and-wife team are truly building their company from scratch. Steve works as a CPA during the day and invests his personal time into the business along with his wife, who works works for a software company when she isn’t growing the new family business. Steve and Vicki quickly realized the food truck market had a huge hole in it. There are lots of places to get something to snack on, but aside from ice cream, there are almost no dessert trucks. This idea was so simple it had to work. They acquired a food truck in November that is now fully operational.
we have the power to help ClevelanD stuDents A ShoeS And ClotheS for KidS progrAm
A ShoeS And ClotheS for KidS progrAm
This is no ordinary food truck. This truck is a multicolored dessert factory. Steve and Vicki work with a new company called Prep Kitchen-CLE to create their inventory from scratch. That’s startups helping startups! After prep, they personally package and load the dough into their truck. With its newly-wrapped exterior, the Cleveland Cookie Dough Company, finding the truck will be easy. The company has a collaborative effort going with Platform Brewery and often opens up shop at their bar. Cookie dough and beer is a Babe Ruth-level hit that has led to a lucrative pairing. Though the company is young, there are many collaborations Steve and Vicki have in the works. The work does not stop. The duo often park up at the Cleveland Flea delighting sweet-toothed shoppers.
This is no ordinary food truck. This truck is a multicolored dessert factory.
Steve and Vicki have a hit on their hands. This skyrocketing local business all came from a desire to invest in their future as a family, but not in a “traditional way.”
reappear
When Cleveland’s neediest kids don’t have proper clothes and supplies for school – many of them just don’t go. And by 6th grade, chronic school absence becomes a leading indicator that a child will drop out of high school. Shoes and Clothes for Kids is committed to eliminating the lack of clothes and shoes supplies as a barrier to attendance and helping more kids reach graduation day.
Do something powerful for ClevelanD kiDs at sC4k.org/give
“We don't know anything about flipping houses, we don't know anything about this either but we can cook,” Vicki says. “I mean, Steve and I aren't electricians.” Underneath the tale of this brand new and already successful and innovative business is a love story that only can add to the strength of the Cleveland Cookie Dough Company. Steve tells a joke about how he met his business and life partner on a Tinder date. “I’m really bad at Tinder,” he says. “I went there looking to hook up and ended up getting married on the first try.” It’s hard to find someone you trust enough to meet with on Tinder. Steve and Vicki found love and a great business team. That story is almost as good as a grandma Kotris’ secret cookie recipe.
To keep up with the Cleveland Cookie Dough Company, check out their calendar and more at clecookiedough.com
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 13
What We Ate
The group's menu item ratings
Braised Beef Has (Poca): 3.75
Ohio City Galley
Guacamole (Poca): 4.5 Korean Beef (The Rice Bowl): 4.25 Chicken and Waffles (Sauce the City): 4 Fried Bologna (Tinman): 3.5 Burger (Tinman): 4.5
Photo // Julie Griffith
Dine with the PressureLife Team.
H
ate onions? Put ketchup on your ketchup? We all have unique likes and dislikes, but you don’t always know if a reviewer’s tastes align with your own. Instead of reading a review from one source, take it from four members of our team, along with a list of our personal preferences. Even though we are woefully under-qualified to review a restaurant, at least one of us will likely share some of your distinct tastes.
For this issue, the PressureLife crew visited Ohio City Galley. Unlike the typical restaurants found in these fine reviews, Ohio City Galley boasts four food establishments and a bar in a single location. Ohio City
ALEX:
Poca: The braised beef hash was a nice, comforting dish with a good, smoky mole. As Jim said though, a little salt or acid would have helped brighten it up a bit. If you like super chunky, fresh guac, Poca’s for you. The chips were too fragile to hold up to the guac, but that’s nothing a good spoon can’t fix. The Rice Bowl: Man, I love kimchi. I also love beef. Ergo, the Korean beef was an easy choice for me to make. If you’re not a fan of
14 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
those two things, I’d advise against it, but I rather enjoyed my bowl of tasty cow bits, bok choy, and cucumbers slathered in a creamy, vinegary, spicy sauce. Sauce the City: Chicken and waffles is more than just about providing good chicken and waffles; it’s about creating a cohesive dish where the two work together. I thought Sauce the City did that well. The waffle and syrup gave us a gooey bit of sweetness with being cloying, and the fried chicken was nice and juicy.
Galley became the third restaurant accelerator opened by Pittsburgh’s Galley Group in late October when it took over the old Massimo da Milano location on the corner of Detroit Avenue and West 25th Street. As a restaurant accelerator, Ohio City Galley houses four seperate restaurant prototypes from local chefs. The four current concepts— Michael Nowak’s Poca, Anthony Zappola’s The Rice Bowl, Tom and Michael Schoen’s Tinman, and Victor Searcy Jr.’s Sauce the City—all operate rent-free in exchange for 30 percent of revenues, with yearlong engagements that can be extended if necessary. Over time, concepts will move on to hopefully start their own brickand-mortar location. For now, our crew spent an early afternoon at Ohio City Galley to see if the quality of the grub was as noteworthy as the ambition behind the establishment.
Tinman: Holy buns, I enjoyed Tinman’s burger. It’s nothing fancy, but it sure does taste great. I also enjoyed the fried bologna, although not everyone is a bologna fan. This sandwich was closer to the classic lunchmeat-style bologna, which didn’t bother me. However, there’s no way it tops the burger for me. Rating: 4/5
JIM:
Poca: I was surprised I’d actually be ordering from Michael Nowak, owner and chef of The Black
Pig. The braised beef hash was delicious, but would of been a homerun with a touch of salt to finish. The guacamole was fresh and delicious, but I wasn’t quite sure about the thin chips that came with them. They weren’t bad, but they were so different from typical tortilla chips that they through me for a loop. The Rice Bowl: The Korean beef with bok choy and cucumbers initially was my least favorite dish we tried, but that kimchi vinaigrette grew
on me quick. This became my second-favorite dish we tried after a couple more bites. Saying that to me means they’re testing boundaries and inviting new flavors. Sauce the City: Unfortunately sweets aren’t my thing. I’ve never been a fan of chicken and waffles. Trust me, I get yelled at every time I say this to anyone. As a result, I’m not a great judge for this dish. However, it seemed everyone else enjoyed it. Syrup can go to hell in my book. I’ll definitely be back to try those hot wings with street corn. (Note: I went back and tried the hot chicken with dressed street corn. It was phenomenal.) Tinman: A burger with hollandaise/hot sauce potatoes? God damn, my goodness. Just going to leave my review at that. Rating: 4.5/5
HANNAH:
Poca: The name doesn’t sound appetizing. It kind of sounds like one of those diseases that kids got in the ‘40s, but who cares, really? It was appetizing—delicious even. The braised beef was super tender and flavorful with typical Mexican spices and it fit nicely within the hash. The guacamole was pretty good too. The paperthin chips that served as a vehicle for the guac is the only thing that I think could have been better. The Rice Bowl: Awesome sauce—but not in the douchey way. Really, the sauce was great. It was perfectly weighted to accompany the spicy beef. Any more or less of any of the ingredients and the dish would’ve been less enjoyable.
Sauce The City: I ate all the chicken and waffles. Reason? They were fuckin’ great. Tinman: Fried bologna isn’t normally on a menu. In fact, it wasn’t even on theirs for brunch, but they let me order it anyway, so good on them for being flexible and accommodating. As for the sandwich, it could have been crisped up a bit more and with far less meat. It’s not something you hear people complain about—too much meat—but sometimes less is more when it comes to encased meats. By the way, the bread was all wrong, but what they got all right were the potatoes. They were like a bunch of minibaked potatoes. Rating: 4/5
DAVE:
Poca: The dish that Jim got was very rich and gravy heavy and while ‘tis the season, it was also lunch time and a tad heavy for the moment. I have since eaten at Poca, ordering the Oaxacan tamales with chorizo. This too was super dense, but sort of one-note for all the amazing ingredients that go into it. I like what Poca is doing, but they are in a tie for third place for me. The guacamole was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. The Rice Bowl: I’ve been poor most of my life, so the concept of filling a plate with rice and protein runs in my blood. However, Alex’s dish was flat aside from the sauce. The beef was cooked close to perfection, but was still just a hunk of cow on some white rice. I feel like I’m being a bit harsh because it’s a competition to get out of the Galley and into a restaurant. I think rice bowl would be best placed on a college campus and I would advise that they stay open very late.
Sauce The City: I know chefs think they are perfect and there isn’t supposed to be condiments on the table, but I was desperately longing for some hot sauce here. The chicken was as good as a chicken finger can be and the waffle wasn’t excessive, but there was nothing to balance the sweetness. Some people like having dessert for breakfast. I’m not one of them. Jim and I went back and ordered the “hot” chicken and street corn which was better, but still a very muted version of southern hot chicken. The elements are there. If Sauce the City makes it out of the Galley, I imagine it will be very successful. Tinman: Put a sunny-side up egg on pretty much anything and I’m more likely to order it. Naturally, I ordered the AM burger, which was phe-fucking-nomenal. Next time I go back, I’m going to order two. I’ve traveled past many diners to get to my preferred breakfast potato, and Tinman may currently wear that crown. Smashed Yukon gold potatoes with hollandaise and hot sauce accompany this near-perfect burger. I’m obsessed with the whole plate. I dream about it. Hannah got a fried bologna which was semi-sub par, but that all comes down to preference of cut and density. I was too busy making love to my burger to care.
Likes + Dislikes Get to know the group's taste preferences Alex: Mango is death; thinks garlic is a beautiful ingredient; can be seduced with a good meat and / or cheese board but hates blue cheese; loves meat in pretty much all forms. Jim: Prefers a salad over a burger but a steak over anything else; loves spicy and sour flavors; despises donuts and dry bakery; will try anything once. Hannah: Enjoys foods that are savory and slightly over-salted; meals are typically a collection of small snacks; hates funky cheeses and properly cooked red meat; generally not a picky eater. Dave: The bolder, the better. Prefers big flavors that stick around in your molars. Not a huge fan of sweets; would rather have an Irish coffee for dessert. Tries to keep it as unique and local as possible, but is not above McDonald's breakfast. Please hold the zucchini and squash.
Rating: 4.5/5
Ohio City Galley 1400 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113 // 216.525.9933 ohiocitygalley.org
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 15
Zach Shildwachter Photography // Casey Rearick
16 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
The New Roots of Commerce are Growing in Your Own Backyard.
The
world wide web dramatically changed the where, when, and how we buy and sell goods and services around the world. Malls started to shutter their doors as we saw the rise of Amazon and eBay. We saw artisans and craftspeople take to Etsy, Storenvy, Big Cartel, and elsewhere. As many business owners struggle with the rising cost of inventory, labor, utilities, and the upkeep of owning or renting a traditional storefront, some have evolved how they do business by returning to basics—but with a twist.
“Pop up shops” are usually goods and services offered and sold within vacant storefronts, open air markets, or even alongside established businesses for a brief customer engagement. These shops are mostly advertised through social media like Facebook and especially Instagram, as hashtags allow savvy consumers to find relevant offers with more ease and poise than any Sunday circular loaded with coupons. The myriad of what can be bought and sold is only limited to what the market dictates and the imagination of those trying to earn a dollar. Cleveland has a unique brand of clientele eager for new, inventive, and especially convenient ways
to shop—and actually enjoy the shopping experience as well. Pop ups offer a sense of community for those in the know and shopping in the now. They bolster existing businesses through invigorating special events where outside artists, stylists, and creatives can showcase their goods and services without commiting to year-long leases on storefronts or stockpiling large amounts of inventory that may not sell from one season to the next. Intrinsically, pop ups help set the trends and generate new interest in areas largely ignored because they might not have been zoned for commercial mega stores. The capital investment to start and run a pop up is significantly lower when compared to more traditional business practices, offering those who might have been previously disenfranchised an unprecedented opportunity. Regard-
less of service or products offered, it’s this marketability that drives the lifeblood of a successful pop up. A savvy consumer can now feed their mind, body and soul and look good doing it. The best we can do as consumers is to educate ourselves about what we’re purchasing, from who, and why. Starving artists should easily be a stereotype we can fix in the 21st century by thinking globally and shopping locally, so pull out your phone, jump on social media, and start searching hashtags. There’s a world of wonder ready to pop up from your fingertips. The following five examples are just a selection of what Cleveland’s pop-up scene has to offer.
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 17
“Anything you love, crave, and enjoy eating with meat, I can recreate as a vegan option.”
Rosewater Kitchen
Cassy Black
ICassy Black started her Ivegan supper club known as IRosewater Kitchen after friends and family countlessly told her she should open her own restaurant. She gravitated to the structure of pop-up dining to gain the experience and exposure that could only be previously obtained by sinking thousands of dollars into a restaurant through years of trial and error. Rosewater runs once a month for roughly three to four hours, only seating eight. Taking the idea of offering a monthly prix
18 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
frixe menu of vegan cuisine, Black made it smaller and more refined so one person could run an entire kitchen as well as a full dinner service. “Flexibility is the biggest benefit of doing a pop up,” Black says. Everything is meant to be seasonal, from the decor to the flavor profile of each shared course. The entire philosophy for each meal is built around a communal experience bolstered by limited seating. Strangers become friends amid appetizers and small talk, reveling in the notion that the meal shared together will
never be duplicated. Each bite is meant to provoke the thought that change in diet is possible, not demanded and done so without the soapbox preaching. Black takes pride infusing those ethics into her recipes. “Anything you love, crave, and enjoy eating with meat, I can recreate as a vegan option,” Black says. “Anything you can make, I can make vegan. That’s my dream, that’s my goal.” Social media plays a major factor in the growth and future of Black’s business. Billed
as a “vegan, underground, fine-dining experience,” it’s a delicate balance of keeping the events small for accomodation, but selling them out to cover cost. It’s a culinary speakeasy, and that’s half the charm of it all. Social media interactions helps dictate the menu as patrons can voice their tastes and help Black decide between which recipes to try or not try. With so many specific groups congregated on Facebook and Instagram, a photo of vegan cuisine can target those groups and organically spark a whole conversation that brings even more customers to the table. The same friends and family that encouraged Black to try her hand at cooking are now spreading the word of her creations and pushing her further in the kitchen. Aspirations for a brick and mortar restaurant and a possible cookbook are there, but for now Black and Rosewater Kitchen have ventured into baking vegan cookies, cakes, and treats to help us all navigate through the holidays.
Ruby's Beauty Bar Ruby Saleh
IRuby’s Beauty Bar has its Iown sense of style and way Iof doing things, just like its namesake owner and operator. Recently, Ruby Saleh has joined efforts with Glamour Edge Beauty in a series of pop ups that offer and spotlight new services with new products. Glamour Edge Beauty has released makeup palettes that you can only purchase at Ruby’s Beauty Bar. Determined to stand out among other beauty salons, Saleh took active steps to blaze a new trail. At Ruby’s Beauty Bar, emerging artists can showcase their talents for a wide range of customers and their unique needs. The pop ups have helped develop brand awareness on a local level which brings in future sales. “Pop ups help
sell the individual and not just the company,” Saleh says. “It changes how and when to try new things. It’s full immersive versus a highlight of services. An appetizer versus a full course.” A large part of what guides this momentum is the attention to detail paid to trends on social media. “We rely more and more on social media,” Saleh explains. “Now businesses need it to survive, promote, and think of new ideas.” This reliance means paying far more attention to
advanced planning with pop up events so that more focus is placed on services and not just products. With these pop ups, it’s an evolution—more business in one space at one time, rather than all the time. There’s no certain rules, but themes help center events and garner more attention from the public. It’s a key factor in doing more without having to do more yourself as a business owner. For Ruby, pop ups offer a chance at collaboration and exposure while forming a symbiotic business relationship that supports and empowers others within her community.
Tips for Customers 01. Cash is king. While
some pop ups will offer apps like Squarespace for use, exact change is always appreciated.
02. Keep the big bags and
obnoxious strollers at home. The vibe of a pop up is more like a marketplace, so with more people around, respect the space around you.
03. Compliment the artists and their hard work! A kind word is worth its weight in gold.
04. Ask to take
photographs. Share on social media, tag the artists and their shops, and be sure to hashtag.
05. Come hungry and
thirsty! There’s not just vendors at most pop ups, but also food trucks and more as well.
“Pop ups help sell the individual and not just the company.”
“It’s hobby versus profession. It can be your future if you want it to be.” the biggest being her Heavy Metal Flea Markets near Halloween and Christmas. Jochum has also incorporated wellness programs such as Punk Rock Yoga and other forms of betterment.
Black Market Emma Jochum
IEmma Jochum is a familiar Iface among the Cleveland art Iand music scene. As purveyor of Black Market, she’s the unsung queen of Cleveland pop ups. Her pop ups have raised money and awareness
for numerous charities and causes and helped unite an often divided community of artists, musicians, and creative misanthropes.
the extreme music scene often ignored in Cleveland, as well as spotlight the artists that gravitate towards that lifestyle. Within a short time, Black Market has made a lasting impact on the community it serves. Stores like Coven and Cleveland Curiosities can trace some of their origins back to Jochum and her efforts.
The Black Market itself is now a brick-and-mortar establishment born from a pop up-shop competition. Since its inception, Jochum has sought to showcase more of
Since establishing her own pop up shop into a full-fledged business, Jochum has taken to banding other startups and business types with her own pop up events, two of
Glamour Edge Beauty Precious Russell
As a battle-tested veteran of pop ups—both selling at them and running them—Emma offers some tips to those on both sides of the dollar. To grow your own pop up collaboration is crucial. Trading skills and goods instead of cash has more longevity in fostering business relationships. Curate for everyone, as variety is paramount. New vendors are just as important as old vendors by mixing it up to events fresh and new. “Motivation is the key factor of a pop up,” Jochum says. “It’s hobby versus profession. It can be your future if you want it to be.”
INot content to simply be Ia freelance makeup artist Iworking for others, Precious Russell has recently transitioned from Glamour Edge Beauty being a side project to it now being her full-time business. This transition occurred after establishing herself in established markets like Ruby’s Beauty Bar, but also branching out into new areas left untapped by conventional means. Social media is an integral part of the Glamour Edge Beauty
“Research the potential success before agreeing to sell.” men’s clothes to cater to the demographic. Her brand was established and started to grow more and more, bringing upcycled style with more contemporary panache to her clientele.
Cattitude Vintage
“Social media is absolutely everything for promotion,” Boo says. “Even doing on pop up or flea market helps keep the branding alive.”
Lauren Budin
ILauren Budin, better known Ias Lauren Boo, is the stylish Ibeauty and brains behind Cattitude Vintage, a fashion-forward clothing boutique that specializes in the aesthetics of the 1990s. Imagine raiding the wardrobe department of the films Clueless and The Craft and you got the look.
brand. Not only are these new products teased and debuted on social media to garner and gauge interest, it’s also where customers are able to showcase what these products can do when combined with their talents. Russell utilized social media to engage with professional wrestlers Harlow O’Hara and Delilah Doom as well as WWE’s Glam Squad to find out the unique cosmetic needs for their performers. Russell will be releasing a color palette based on
Lauren transitioned her love for thrifting as a teen into a what is now known as Cattitude in 2015. She’s moved between pop ups and brick-and-mortar setups and lived to tell the tale of both sides of business. “One of the worst things about pop ups is how physically and emotionally
the in-ring look of Harlow O’Hara this holiday season with another pallette tempered after Delilah Doom in the coming year. “I want to make and sell the kind of products that I would want to buy and use,” Russell says. Pop ups for Russell have been a proving ground for customers who normally wouldn’t think of such striking makeup as being suited to them. Her background in
exhausting it can be to haul everything, set it up, tear it down and take it back with you, and then dealing with storage,” Boo says. Part of this is why she took up a brief residence at Mahall’s Twenty Lanes in Lakewood. Starting with a few racks of signature pieces, Boo started to add more
“I want to make and sell the kind of products that I would want to buy and use.” makeup styling has made Russell more confident to develop her own cruelty-free products right here for the community she lives to serve.
She also feels that it’s the best resource for sellers looking to venture to new areas to market their wares. “Research the potential success before agreeing to sell,” Boo adds. All this helps Boo’s goal to preserve a vintage sense of style in this modern world by giving homes to the fashion she finds that deserves to live on with appreciative customers.
Rosewater Kitchen Instagram: @_rosewaterkitchen_ Ruby’s Beauty Bar 13733 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107 Instagram: @rubys_beauty_bar The Black Market 5407 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102 Instagram: @blackmarketcle Cattitude Vintage Instagram: @catitude_vintage Glamour Edge Beauty Instagram: @glamouredgebeauty Twitter: @glamour_edge
Creative
CLEVELAND Where you can go if you want to channel your creative side in Cleveland.
Tesh Ekman
The
moniker “Portland of the East” is one used to describe cities in the Eastern half of the country that embody a rich mixture of food, arts, and culture with a strong creative community as a foundation—one where locals feel their individual contribution matters and they can make a difference. Cleveland has all the right ingredients to have been mentioned on those terms.
In the past few years, Northeast Ohio has seen a surge in the number of local breweries and restaurants, as well as events for comedy, theater, music, and others arts. A growing local creative community is important because that’s where people come together to collaborate in bringing ideas and inspirations to life.
“If you want people to come see your stuff, go see their stuff,” says Erin Dolan, a local actor, playwright, and teaching artist. “If you want to make local art, support local art. Go to things that aren't necessarily your thing. You never know what might inspire If you want to something. Talk to someone, when you go to make local art, those places and check out all of those things that support local art. you've been wanting to do, introduce yourself to the people doing them. Become a familiar face.” Go to things that
aren't necessarily your thing.
“You can’t sit on your living room couch thinking all day, writing jokes and call yourself a comedian,” says Dave Schwensen, a local author and comedy coach. “You have to get out there in front of an audience and that’s what I prepare people for. Taking that first step.” Schwensen encourages his students to go to open mics, test their material, meet other comedians, and be part of the community and the support system it offers. His point is
22 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
a valid one which applies to not just comedy, but also writing, acting, and other creative pursuits. It requires action to reap the benefits of valuable experience, feedback, and opportunities to learn and collaborate.
Feeling alone or isolated can stifle personal creativity and inspiration. No matter how specific or vague your creative urges might be, taking that first step, any step, is one in the right direction. The list below shows just a few of the resources the local area has to offer. While it’s not a complete guide, there are several options to find that first step along with the encouragement that there’s a creative Cleveland out there, waiting for you to become part of it.
EV
Writing/Literature Everyone has a novel in them, so the saying goes. One of the best resources in the area for classes, workshops, and networking events is Literary Cleveland. It offers a wide variety of different writing related learning. Whether you’re into fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, or essay writing, there’s likely a class that will pique your interest. Their website also includes links to events and other local writing resources. On social media, there are groups like CLElance Writers where you can find various postings for freelance writing opportunities and gigs. Also check out Cleveland Writers Meetup Group, which aims to “develop Cleveland based writers for commercial publication.” Think of this as "open mic" night to get your work in front of people interested in publishing, and helping you to get there.” Story Club Cleveland offers an open opportunity to submit stories to perform.
Comedy It’s no joke that the comedy scene in Cleveland is growing rapidly. A great entry point to start learning is to take a class or workshop. Dave Schwensen stand-up workshop culminates in a performance at the Cleveland Improv Comedy Club in The Flats. Actor, Writer, and Comedian Michael Busch offers coaching, sketch writing, and improv workshops around town. Social media provides a variety of valuable resources, such as the Cleveland/Akron Comedy Facebook group, which offers a list of open mics, posts about local shows, and other updates. You can also follow various improv groups that exist in the Cleveland Improv Community group and get out to other regularly-held shows, such as Share-apy, Mental Illness with Friends, and No F**ks Given.
ERY DAY
FREE
SHIPPING
PRINT LOCAL SAVE 15%
ON BUSINESS CARDS, T-SHIRTS, STICKERS & MORE! Use Exclusive Promo Code
PRESSURE19 Call 216.622.6360 Click jakprints.com
Call for custom pricing on orders over $1000. Promo Expires 6/30/2018
Music If you’re looking to follow your musical inclinations the local music scene is a good place to start. Hang out at smaller, recognized local venues such as The Happy Dog, Mahall’s, The Grog Shop/B-Side, and The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. The Bop Stop, located in The Music Settlement, hosts different events catered towards musicians. The Music Settlement, located in Ohio City and University Circle, also offers classes and has been voted best music instruction multiple times. Places like The Lakewood Music Collective and Tri-C offer a variety of courses on learning instruments to mastering recordings. Open mics are also hosted at places such as Kelley’s Pub, The Root Cafe, and Iggy’s Tavern. Follow those and other local bars and coffee shops on social media to see when those opportunities arise. Formal classes are also a good way to learn.
CREATIVE CLEVELAND continues on page 25
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 23
PL: Do you have a better working relationship with Sir CC? W: (sighs) You know, probably the biggest thing you could put against Sir CC is that no one cares about Sir CC. I don’t give him much thought. For him to side with the guy who took my job, I don’t look too fondly on that. He made his choice.
The One
That Got Away
PL: Are there other mascots out there that you respect? W: I started the Mascot Preservation Society for maligned and forgotten mascots to find new work. The one mascot that I’m especially proud of was Youppi! from the Montreal Expos. I was pretty crushed when the Expos left for Washington and Youppi! was left without a team. I worked with the Canadiens of the NHL for him to get brought on there. And a different sport! That’s tough to be a two-sport mascot.
Former Cavs mascot, Whammer, finds new life on social media. Adam Dodd Illustration // Justin Ramos
The
Cleveland Cavaliers have had a rough go of 2018. We at PressureLife think the loss of the most influential Cavalier ever is finally beginning to catch up to them.
And I’d be remiss not to mention Gritty, who’s been a breakthrough. Really, our rookie of the year. PL: Did you come in with the Ray-Bans and the headband or was that a focus group?
We’re, of course, talking about Whammer, the polar bear bastard child of the Cleveland Cavaliers mascot pantheon. The frat life W: No, that was me. I knew what I was going for and what was hype man may have been sent packing in years going to look cool. I said “it’s this or nothing.” They since, but the character still remains active knew my talent and they were willing to roll with on Twitter @CavsWhammer to an impressive it. They saw the creativity and spark that I brought following. From self-promotion to conspiracy to the franchise. The smear theories, he held nothing back during our recent campaign came conversation. PL: Did they let you keep your costume? PressureLife: Thanks for talking with PressureLife, Whammer. Start at the beginning. How did you get to Cleveland in the first place?
from the inside, from Moondog.
Whammer: Work trip. I ended up going to a Cavs game back in 1993. One thing led to another; I dunked on a trampoline and a guy pulled me aside and said “you’re not going home. You work for us now.” I worked until 2003. Until Moondog came in. PL: Was it an amicable split or do you feel Moondog pushed you out? W: Oh, for sure he pushed me out. Moondog and I go back. We used to be friends. Moondog was sabotaging me in the last few years. If you go to the Cavs website about the mascots, there’s actually a pretty slanderous description of me. The smear campaign came from the inside, from Moondog. The next thing I knew I woke up and I wasn’t the mascot. My ex-best friend Moondog was.
24 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
W: I do have the sunglasses, the most important piece of the ensemble, on my mantle under glass. I framed my jersey, but I’m always willing to break it open if they were to call me.
PL: Do you think you’d be a good fit for the new LeBron-less Cavs? W: I don’t want to speak in hyperbole, but the Cavs would be undefeated and have a better record than the Warriors if I was there. I think that’s just a fact. That’s just stating truth, right there. You could see it in the players’ eyes. Moondog just isn’t doing it for them. Be sure to commiserate the 2018 season alongside Whammer @CavsWhammer. __________________________________ Our thanks to RobotButt editor and Whammer’s personal life coach, Steve DiMatteo, for his help with the interview.
CREATIVE CLEVELAND continued from page 23
Theater/Acting If you fancy yourself an actor, there are several places for instruction. Houde School of Acting and Beck Center for the Arts offer classes and also host several shows. Cleveland Public Theatre has events, plays, and various workshops, as well as an open mic called The Dark Room for new and experienced playwrights to try out new material and get feedback. The Gordon Square Arts District website has several resources about theaters and events in that area. You can also see performances at Playhouse Square or check out a smaller, more intimate venue such as Blank Canvas Theatre. Follow those and other local theaters on social media for info on events or even auditions.
Photography/Visual Arts If you’re a shutterbug and want to take it further, taking a class is a viable first step. Dodd Camera has classes in multiple stores around Cleveland. A good place to be part of the community and learn is the Cleveland Photographic Society, which offers classes and events to mingle with other photographers. The Beck Center also offers visual art classes, as does The Cleveland Institute for Art. For painting, the Cleveland Museum of Art is a great place to visit and also take classes to learn. Visiting and going to events at the local art galleries such as The Good Goat Gallery is also a nice way to get out there and get exposure. 78th Street Studios has several art galleries and offers tours. Follow these and other places on social media as well to get updates and visibility to what’s going on and where.
Want to learn more about the groups and organizations in this article? Make sure to look them up online to learn more about how to get your start in the creative community.
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 25
Between a Rock and an
ART PLACE Mike Boich’s journey from white collar to stoneworker. James Earl Brassfield
P
icture a a 1,000-year-old slab of stone. Now imagine it's sourced from an old courthouse. This rock has a history all it’s own, one of a kind. Now imagine it's 10-feet tall, and you have to work it down to make it look like two lions. That's what Mike Boich does.
Stoneworking is a laborious task disguised as art. Stoneworkers like Mike can create seemingly soft, flowing, beautiful sculptures from something humanity relies on to be hard and permanent. Sculptures are almost eternal and you really only get one try. Stone sculpting is one of those things that makes you think “Oh! People do that?” Mike is indeed part of a dying branch of artistry. Stoneworking is not as enduring as the art created by masons like Mike. “There are only a few people in the world that are still doing what I do,” Mike says.
26 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
Stonework and masons are disappearing. The rarity of the work is only matched by the dangers involved in crafting a piece. Inhaling the particles created during the process will definitely shorten your lifespan. Mike has faced these particles, the enormous weight of these rocks, and other perils for years. The heart of danger for Mike is located in the famous Screw Factory in Lakewood. That's where his creativity makes its home—the second-floor studio where his giant rocks are shipped. It’s also where he stores his work. Mike is operating out of a studio space that he’s about to outgrow. Luckily, he’s currently sold out of all his inventory. Like any creative, Mike struggles to find time to create work he’s able to call his own. Successful artists rarely have time to create what they define as their art. Often they're
too busy creating commissioned work. However, being busy as a stoneworker isn't a bad problem to have. You’ve likely figured out sculptures aren't cheap. The average for something like what Mike can create starts at $2,500 and, based on the scale of the project, the price increases. Mike’s headfirst dive into lucrative and valuable art makes sense given his background. He sees the value in what he creates, partially because his formal education was as a The difficulty and finance major at Kent State University. beauty of the work As finance majors often do, Mike went to are only matched Columbus and got a job at a bank. He toiled by the danger of away at this vocation for years.
crafting a piece.
As Mike tired of the rat race, a friend told him about an opportunity at the Columbus College of Art and Design. Mike’s friend told him that if he traded in his white-collar gig for a position at the school, he could get free tuition. Mike applied and was hired as a maintenance man, so he waved goodbye to the white-collar life. A finance major went back to school to become a functional artist. However, Mike did not initially plan to be a mason.
“I initially set out to get another degree in a creative field that was practical,” Mike says. “Something that could make me easy to hire.” With that goal in mind, he also wanted to have a little fun so Mike signed up for a sculpture class. “On the first day, I knew I’d found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Mike adds. “I took one class and never looked back.” Mike found something that was the answer to the monotony of finance. Really, Mike's professional career has had many identities. He started selling pieces while still in school. Mike went from white collar, to blue collar, to black tie. Creating new, vibrant art in a dying art form really is a terrifying prospect. You run the risk of your next project being the statue of David of the future. Mike is ready for the rare chance that happens. He knows the limited number of people in his profession leaves an opportunity for people still in the field to leave a lasting mark. Mike Boich is a creative and rare talent who is not afraid to take that opportunity and run with it—even though he might not have time to create his own statement piece. The work he has created leaves an impression on those who see it, which really is a statement on it’s own.
To see more of Mike Boich’s work, visit michaelboicharts.com
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 27
TECH TRENDS Forget flying cars; it's 2018 and we can't even connect to Wifi easily Dave Skorepa
FAIR WARNING:
I am about to complain about the state of technology in 2018. Yes, I am fully aware of how difficult it is to make this stuff. I am also aware I cannot claim to have made anything better. This is a satirical piece in a culture and lifestyle magazine; get off your high horse, dude. ___________________________________________
WiFi is not pronounced 'Wee-Fee"
Bluetooth
It's almost 2019. Connecting to WiFi should be as easy as plugging in a toaster to an outlet and provide a strong signal throughout your entire house. More specifically, my dad should be able to figure it out. I am sick of going over there once a week just to get him back online. While I'm making a wishlist, WiFi access should be treated as a public utility and made more accessible and affordable for everyone. Ajit Pai, I hope you get a paper cut in the webbing of your fingers and Barack Obama spills lemon juice on it.
Bluetooth is still a nightmare. As if the endless battery draining from searching for a signal wasn't egregious enough, my wife's car intercepts my phone calls if we drive past each other on the road. My phone can't decide which smart Bluetooth speaker to connect to when I walk into my house, so it connects to all of them, which may occasionally result in the accidental audio broadcast of whatever video I am trying to watch. What could go wrong?
Internet-Connected Refrigerators WiFi-Enabled Garage Door Openers I bring this up only because I just bought one. Think of how nice it would be for my family to replace carrying a garage door opener with a smartphone app. Wrong sucka, only one user allowed! I guess it's completely unheard of for families of four to own houses with garages. I am the garage master now.
28 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
Just because you can doesn't mean you should. I get it; after 20 years of the internet, we get bored, start looking around, and come up with some funny ideas about what else we can stick our internet in these days. Guys, it's a fridge. The internet really isn't making it do anything better or more useful. First person who says, "but I can make grocery lists with it!" gets punched in the pen and paper (if you know what I mean).
Clocky, the Alarm Clock on Wheels There are no curses strong enough for this idiocy, and not just the stupid name. Clocky is an alarm clock on wheels that runs away from you when you try to turn it off. If you spend money on this you deserve… oh, I don't know what you deserve, but at the very least I hate you. If you have a snooze button problem, maybe you aren't ready to be an adult. Or maybe you just need to put the alarm clock further away from your hand and mail me the check for $40.
Typing on Firestick Remote I know, I know—they have the voice activated ones now, but searching for The Handmaid's Tale by selecting tiny letters on a crappy pseudo-keyboard on my TV with that stupid little circle remote should qualify as a Dystopian future nobody wants. Also, Firesticks slow down and become increasingly unresponsive after a few months, just so you know. How do you like me now, Jeff Bezos?
Personalization Algorithms Listen up Spotify. You don't know me. I looked up some weird Swedish death metal one time and my daughter used my account to play acoustic pop love songs. Stop suggesting playlists without considering why a guy who has listened to a steady diet of Led Zeppelin and ‘90s alternative for the last three years suddenly played one lousy Ed Sheeran song (I know, they're all lousy). Don't even get me started on Amazon. You look up the wrong thing one time and those ads will follow you around the entire internet like a giant, festering cold sore. Best case is you spoil a gift for your wife. Worst case is you reveal a, well, let's call it a "secret hobby." ___________________________________________ I could go on, but my editor says I'm out of space. The main message here is I just thought we'd be a little further along at this point. Oh, and don't buy anything mentioned here for Christmas.
This article is sponsored by Aztek, a web design, development, and digital marketing agency located in downtown Cleveland. aztekweb.com
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 29
Make Holidays
HAPPY AGAIN A simple guide to being a decent human. Dan Bernardi
It's
another frosty winter wonderland in Cleveland. 'Tis the season for icy wind, sloppy roads, and not nearly enough snow plows, blankets, or daylight. If my fake news is correct, our nation's political climate is equally frigid, with the FBI chimney-deep in its Secret Santa investigation and a caravan of snowmen melting at the border. It seems easier than ever to say “screw being jolly” and go Grinch this year, but no one likes a Grinch, a Scrooge, or a Drumpf. Instead, let's try and be decent people for a change with these five easy tips to make holidays happy again. In the hierarchy of human existence, if you have extra food, money, time, or cigarettes, you've got the power to help someone less fortunate than yourself. Donate directly to the charity of your choice, or at least one that your political or religious organization has officially endorsed. Help serve food at a local shelter, regardless of whether its food you'd actually enjoy. You can simply spare some change on the street, or trade lives with someone higher or lower on the economic totem pole. Every bit makes a difference.
SPREAD THE WEALTH
It's true—life's tough and everyone's got problems. Some people just don't know how to react without a mean spirit. We've each encountered meanies in grumpy pants, and they're definitely on the naughty list. Before we judge, walk a mile in their pants. It’s not hard to offend or be offended, but a huge part of refusing to Scrooge is repelling negativity instead of responding with more. Be kind even to those who aren't. Maybe you can turn their frown into anything other than a bigger frown.
BE THE NICE
30 PRESSURELIFE
| Issue 22
Let's be honest—to live, laugh, and love always feels better when you have someone else to share it with, which is why we have family, friends, and prison pen-pals. Take the time get closer to your loved ones, then create new relationships with the everyday people around you. Maybe you'll find a new friend in a coworker you've ignored, or start a new family with that guy at the gas station. You don't know the opportunities you're missing!
STRENGTHEN THE BONDS
We've all held a lifelong grudge at one time or another. We've also all secretly hated people, wishing them ill will until the day everyone dies. It's time to let go. Try to reach out and make amends with anyone you've wronged and those who wronged you. Apologize, because you know what you did. Forgive, even if their apology wasn't good enough. Take the bitter memories you were clutching and bury them in the open graves out back. You're not gonna need them anymore.
MAKE THE MENDS
If you’ve made it this far, the world is already a better place. Good job, but this one's all about you. There's a reason why each new year, we blow out the candles and make a resolution. A new year is a new start, or at least a new calendar, and a new calendar means you've got a perfectly arbitrary excuse to try and improve yourself. Sadly, you must be a severely-flawed individual if you're taking my advice on how to go Grinch-less this season, but you're already bettering your existence by ceasing to read this nonsense.
BETTER THE SELF
Happy holidays everyone!
Issue 22
| PRESSURELIFE.com 31