August 2017 | Issue 36 by The Devil Strip

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 • THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

PG MATT HORAK: FROM READING 11 COMICS TO CREATING THEM

PG WHY THE WILSONS TRAVELED 19 'THE GREAT LOOP'"

PG NATALIE GRACE MARTIN: 42 BACK WITH “THIRD DEBUT”

AGENDA

Section Title

Devil’s Dozen

There’s Nothing to Do in Akron

THE PALETTE 11 How Matt Horak went from reading comics to creating them 12 Who brought the giant rainbow to downtown Akron?

6 25

13 On Exhibit: “Dolls as Metaphor” and “Delivering Stories” 12 E. Exchange Street • 2nd Floor Akron, Ohio 44308

CULTURE CLUB

Publisher: Chris “wishes he were barbigerous” Horne Email: chris@thedevilstrip.com Phone: 1-330-KL5-3226

16 Wait, Springﬁeld has a bog? Yep, and it’s pretty.

Art Director: Alesa “doesn’t sleep” Upholzer, Talented and Patient Managing Editor: M. Sophie “Has Many Names, Wears Many Hats” Franchi – sophie@thedevilstrip.com Visuals Editor: Svetla “The Balkan Comrade” Morrison Director of Sales & Distribution: TJ "is in fact a Newsie, hat and all" Masterson TJ@thedevilstrip.com Staff Writers, Columnists & The A/V Club: Sierra “Warrior Writer” Allen; Emily “Lady Beer Drinker” Anderson; Holly “The Wanderer” Brown; Ali Burden, Woman of Many Good Pitches; Claude “Got to Hold a Bumblebee in His Hand” Christensen; Dave “Baseball Now!” Daly; Drew “is kind of a big deal in Haiti” Dawson; Taylor “No Relation to Drew” Dawson; Sam "Buzzkilling Feminist" DePaul; Emily “Potty Perfectionist” Dressler and Marissa Marangoni, Bathroom Culture Enthusiast; Brian “Wemlo Twinge” Dunphy; Kelcie “Not Just Burgers and Breakfasts Anymore” Erbse; Gray “Always Beats Deadline” Giaconia; Dan “The Akron Knight” Gorman; Noor “Most Nervous of all Poodle Poets” Hindi; Paul “I don’t write but I can draw” Hoffman; Katie “Miss Scarlet in the Conservatory with a candlestick” Jackson; Josy “is everywhere already” Jones; Kurt “Needs a Whimsical Nickname” Kleinham; Jacob Luther, the Towny Town Toonist; TJ “Don’t Call Me Shirley” Masterson; Brittany “Sass Master Flash” Nader; Krissy "Someone make me a real ﬁsh taco before I go insane" O'Connor; Kayla Sturm, the Sassiest of the Glam; Bradley “The Early Warning System” Thorla; Floco “no wonder he’s a lover and a writer” Torres; Steve “is not a zombie” Van Auken; The Shane Wynn Supremacy; Ted “Super No Bueno” Zep

19 The Wilsons are back from America’s Great Loop!

table of contents

22 Akronizing Social Studies

AKROPRENEURS

25 What Andy Hopp of Oddmall wishes he knew 26 January is a part of Akron, and Akron is a part of January.

THE DISH 29 Locavore Lovin’ beets the heat 30 Burgers and Brews in Portage Lakes

32 What’s new at BLU?

THE SCENE 38 We think you should know these six Porch Rokr bands. 40 Rubber City Jazz Fest is back, bigger and better 42 Natalie Grace Martin is back with her “third debut”

40 22 Meet Kiana! This senior gal is both sweet and sassy! It can take a few moments for Kiana to get used to new people before feeling comfortable. While she loves head, chin,

————————————————————

and cheeks rubs, Kiana enjoys pets on her own terms. Kiana is hoping to ﬁnd a forever

Office ......................................(330) 842-6606 General Info .......... info@thedevilstrip.com Advertising ............ads@thedevilstrip.com Distribution ....... distro@thedevilstrip.com Website .................... www.thedevilstrip.com Facebook .... Facebook.com/thedevilstrip Twitter ...................................@akrondevilstrip Instagram ..................................@thedevilstrip

home where she can bask in a warm, sunny spot and take as many naps as she would

OPTAB D

like. Kiana will do best in a home without young children due to her sometimes feisty Society of Summit County to learn more about her! Meet Steven! Steven is a handsome, two year old pit bull terrier mix who is ready to ﬁnd the family of his dreams! Steven can be a bit little shy when ﬁrst meeting new friends, but he quickly warms up into a big oversized babe. Steven absolutely loves to give kisses,

———————————————————— The Devil Strip is published bi-monthly by Random Family, LLC. Akron Distribution: The Devil Strip is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Copyright: The entire contents of The Devil Strip are copyright 2017 by Random Family, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above.

nature. Could Kiana be the companion you’ve been looking for? Call or visit the Humane

cuddle, go on walks, and play with squeaky toys. He has potential to get along with

PETS

other dogs and would be most appropriate for a family without young children. If you think Steven could be the one for you, visit the Humane Society of Summit County today! PAWSibilities Humane Society of Greater Akron 7996 Darrow Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087 | 1.888.588.8436 | 330.487.0333 info@summithumane.org | www.summithumane.org | www.facebook.com/summithumane

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

Pictured left: Neos Dance Theater had the Signal Tree crowd in hushed awe. (Photo courtesy of Shane Wynn)

You can read that two ways, like “Man, I really hope things go my way,” or, “I don’t have time to wait for lucky breaks.” I get uncomfortable waiting on other folks to do things for me. So I’ll do it even if, as Floco rhymes, “I might not know my way.” There are more mistakes that way, but it’s better than the alternative, which is usually that nothing happens.

Pub Notes>>>

what's your problem? First, Shane Wynn introduced me and then she asked, “Why do you do all these crazy things?” I tried to buy myself time by complimenting her question. I made a bad joke. I stammered. I hemmed. I hawed. Of all the answers I brought with me, I left that one back at the ofﬁce. So I turned politician, pivoting with a response to a question that wasn’t answered.

to give a real answer to “Why do you do all these crazy things?”

Lastly, I have to say thanks to the city itself for making Signal Tree Fest special. Outside of my wedding day and the day Maddy was born, I can’t remember being happier. It took a lot of people to make that possible, starting with the crew I mentioned above because they were there at the very end of the night. Their work was buoyed by the generous support of The City of Akron Mayor’s Ofﬁce and The Knight Foundation. But wait, there’s more!

Because I like getting a hug from Liz when I

Heather Braun made Lock 4 awesome by

visit The Eye Opener. I like having a 20-minute

organizing Odd Mart. (Disclaimer: She’s my

conversation with Chad and Brett at the

incredible wife.) It wouldn’t have happened at

Diamond Deli before ordering my lunch. I like

all if Oddmall’s Andy Hopp and Crafty Mart’s Brit

welling up with tears when I see Sophie and

Charek hadn’t been willing to take a chance on

Ilenia bare their souls at PechaKucha Night.

us. We had some incredible community outreach

I like watching Doc Rich absolutely shred on stage knowing he’ll be back at work the next day trying to end the opioid crisis. I like that moment after a 15-hour day running a festival when you’re elated, but you and the people who made it happen — Floco Torres, Chris Grifﬁth, Meghan Goetz and Jeanne Jordan — are too tired to high ﬁve.

and partnerships thanks to Molly Stover, and everything from social media to logistics passed through our everything intern Rachel Starvaggi. Special thanks to Rock Mill Yoga and yogi Gretchen Horinger for an incredible start to the morning; to Charly Murphy and his Stray Dog family for your hustle and delicious food; to Mac Love for creating a centerpiece for our festival with his amazing collaborative mural; and the Akron Children’s Museum for being gracious hosts for our kids stuff.

Pictured right: Chris interviews the newly crowned Jojo Eating Champion of the World Dave Ritter. (Photo courtesy of Shane Wynn)

This was on the Spoils of Akron podcast, episode 96 (bit.ly/SOAP_Horne) if you’d like to revel in my moment of discomfort, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the show because it meant hanging out with Shane and talking about Signal Tree between cracking jokes about my arch-nemesis Chris Miller and his teenage sidekick Ryan Dyke who were both there to hear it.

About the Cover Cover art this issue is by Matt Horak, who illustrates “The Punisher” for Marvel and “Octo Skull” for EarthQuaker Devices. Read more about him on page 11.

But for days after, her question stuck with me. It’s not just a legit question, but I’m big on “why”. I should know why I do what I do. For a moment, it made me wonder if I’m being stupid, especially when we got into crunch time for the festival, which happened on deadline for the magazine. Why do I do this? So — here we go — this is my second chance

This work brings me closer to other people who do crazy things and these people make me a better person. So it’s all really selfish, honestly. I like who I am when I’m doing this. That’s the biggest reason. There’s another reason too. Pictured right: Chris kinda ran into a giant metal flower with his head. Fortunately, Chrissy Hardy and some of Akron’s finest were ready to help. (Photo

It took more another four dozen businesses, organizations, artists, musicians, vendors and hard-core Akronites to make the ﬁrst annual Signal Tree Fest what it was. Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise, not only will we do it again next year but we’ll double or triple the folks involved.

courtesy of Heather Braun)

Thank you so much for everything, Akron! I hear that reason reﬂected in some lines on “Floco’s Joint”, a real chill, down tempo song that opens his new EP, “again”: Can’t wait for things to go my way Gotta go. I might not know my way

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

Chris WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

agenda

î ê

ï‹ ë

åè OUR PICKS FOR THE 12 BEST CHOICES YOU CAN MAKE THIS MONTH Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5

Akron’s families! Individual tickets are $60. Cgfs.org

å (In)Dependent: The Heroin Project Akron Civic Theater, 182 S Main St // 8pm Heavily researched and based on 50 different interviews with people affected by heroin in different ways, (In)Dependent is a play that hopes to make a difference by bringing awareness to heroin’s devastating effects and raising money to support recovery programs. The play will look at heroin use as it effects the user and all the people connected to the user, such as friends, children, and signiﬁcant others. Seating is limited, and tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com for $20.10.

è Never Coming Down 2 Hive Mind, 373 W Exchange St // Doors open 8pm // A night of art, music, fashion and ﬁlm, Never Coming Down is featuring Akron and Cleveland area creatives. This diverse event will showcase the talent within our city. The event is BYOB and no cover charge is required to attend, but a $5 donation is appreciated. : hivemindoh

(various showtimes/dates) Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens // 7-10pm This unique event will include live music and refreshments in the lighted gardens and grounds, leading up to a 3-D projection show on the back of the manor house, designed to transform the building into a 3-D stage for animation, featuring lights, action, and music to tell the story of the Seiberling legacy. Ticket prices vary by age and membership, but all are $18 and less. Stanhywet.org

Lock 3 and the Akron Public Library. With so many talented musicians performing across downtown, you’re sure to ﬁnd a performance for you! Admission to all performances is free. Opentonemusic.org/rubber-city-jazz-bluesfestival

Saturday, August 26 µ Akron Pride 2017 Hardesty Park, 1615 W Market St // 12-6pm Open to all, this inaugural Akron Pride is for Akronites to gather to show celebration for

Saturday, August 19

themselves and others and promote equality,

Saturday, August 12

ì Porch Rokr Music and Art Festival

acceptance, love and, of course, pride in

ê Akron Ale Fest

Highland Square // 10:30am – 11pm // An Akron staple, the Porch Rokr turns porches into stages for live music in beautiful Highland Square. Throughout the neighborhood, on 40 porches and stages, 130 bands will perform in one day. The event will be headlined by THE DREEMERS at the Jilly’s Music Room Stage, and additional events include a Mini Poetry Festival and a Silent Disco at the Mustard Seed. Admission is free. Porchrokr.org

the great city of Akron. Before the festival,

riff competition and tours of the EarthQuaker

Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13

î Canal Park Festival of Beers

workshop. The event will be followed by a free

ë National Hamburger Festival 2017

Canal Park, 300 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308

Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2

after-party show at Annabell’s Bar and Lounge.

Lock 3, 200 S Main St // Sat. 12-11pm, Sun.

4-7pm // Located in Canal Park, home of

‹ Better Block Kenmore 2017

Earthquakerdevices.com/eqday

12-7pm // Whether you’re an occasional

the Akron Rubber Ducks, come out to enjoy

burger eater or an all-the-time burger fanatic,

a selection of 100 different craft beers, many

Friday, August 11

you’re in for a treat at the National Hamburger

coming from local breweries. There will also

é Growing Up Akron (8th Annual)

Festival. Two days of meat mayhem at Lock

be food, live music and games to complete the

Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., 529 Grant Street

3 in downtown Akron will cure your cravings

experience. Akronrubberducks.com

6-9pm // Hosted by Child Guidance and

and are accompanied by drinks, events and live

Family Solutions at Akron’s own Thirsty Dog

music throughout the festival. Admission is $5,

Brewing Co., Growing up Akron is a fundraiser

food tickets are $1 each, and children 8 and

Thursday, August 24 – Sunday, August 27

for the nonproﬁt that seeks to celebrate the

under get in free. Hamburgerfestival.com

ï Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival

Kenmore Boulevard (14th to 16th St) Saturday, 5-10pm & Sunday, noon - 5pm Akron Better Block will demonstrate a physical prototype of what Kenmore could grow to be in order to transform the neighborhood for the enjoyment and economic beneﬁt of residents. Changes to Kenmore Blvd will include bike lanes, a beer/wine garden, open-air cafés, live entertainment, pop-up vendors, and children’s activities. The event is open to all, and there are no charges beyond what you choose to pay for. Betterkenmore.org

: independent-the-heroin-project

The Trolley Barn, 47 N Main St // Come downtown for the second annual Akron

Saturday, August 5

Ale Fest to try beer from craft breweries

ç EarthQuaker Day 2017

throughout the Akron area, and enjoy food

EarthQuaker Devices, 350 W Bowery St

trucks, local artwork and live music. Drinker

1-8pm // Join EarthQuaker Devices at their

tickets are $45, Driver tickets are $10 and they

headquarters for a day of music, from live

can be purchased online ahead of the event.

performances to competitions open to the

Akronalefest.com

public. The day is packed with performances, food and drink, clinics with local musicians, a

spirit of Akron. Filled with food, drinks, and

Downtown Akron, Multiple Venues // For four days at the end of August, Downtown

night in Akron with Akron staples, such as

Thursday, August 17 Thursday, August 31

Swenson’s, NORKA, Mustard Seed, and more,

í Lightnights, a Spectacular

by national and local musicians will take place

all while raising money for CG&FS to help

3-D Projection Show

at venues throughout downtown, such as

fun, this is a great way to enjoy a summer

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Akron will become a city of jazz. Performances

there will be a march that begins at 11 am in Highland Square and ends in Hardesty Park for the festival, which will feature performances, vendors and food trucks. Don't miss the leadup with LGBT Akron Arts Fest at the Akron Civic Theatre, August 16-24, featuring a run of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", comedy by Sam Jay and a performance by Indigo Girls. Admission is free. Akronpride.org

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

agenda

There's Nothing to Do in Akron

ONGOING Every Thursday in August Summer Movies Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 High St 2pm All summer the library will be showing family friendly movies. This month: The BFG, James

The Devil Strip’s comprehensive, monthly argument that there’s plenty of fun to be had in Akron

and the Giant Peach, Lego Movie & the new Lego Batman. Akronlibrary.org

Friday, August 4 & Saturday, August 5

Thursday August 3 Look Beyond: An Art Show for All Abilities Akron Art Museum, 1 S High St // 4-6pm

Thursdays, August 3 & August 10

This art show highlights local artists with

Downtown@Dusk

developmental disabilities who have various

Akron Art Museum, 1 S High St

styles and pieces of art. This event is hosted by

6:30pm-8:30pm

Summit County Probate Court and is free to the

These are the last two days to see the area’s

public. akronartmuseum.org

best local music acts in the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden. Akronartmuseum.org

Friday, August 4 Sign Language Workshop Akron Summit County Public Library, 60 S High St // 1-2pm Bring the kids to the library to learn ASL (American Sign Language). Akronlibrary.org

Now - August 19 “PHOTOGRAPHY NOW: The Art of Seeing”

Buti Glow Flow w/ Megan Neville Akron Yoga & Wellness,

And “IN AN INSTANT”

106 S Main St // 6-7:30pm

Summit Artspace, 140 E Market St

Buti is Marathi for “the cure to something

PechaKucha Akron Volume VIII The Well Community Development Corporation, 647 E Market St // 7-10pm Kung Fu, theater and music will fuse together as civic innovators share their vision for Akron at the next PechaKucha. Featured speakers include journalist Amani Abraham, comedian Jill Smith and Akron band The Dreemers. Each speaker will be required to present 20 PowerPoint slides at 20 seconds each. This adds up to a six minute and 40 second presentation. Food and drink will be available. RSVP to ensure seating. VIP tickets are available for $20. pechakucha.org/cities/akron.

(In) Dependent: The Heroin Project Presented by Millennial Theatre Project Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S Main St // 8pm Akron area activists have put together a show to help put a voice to those who have been affected by the heroin epidemic that is taking over our city and the nation. All proceeds will go to local recovery centers. Akroncivic.com. See Devil’s Dozen

“The Art of Seeing” is the work of 24 local

hidden.” This class will help you escape your

photographers and artists. “IN AN INSTANT,”

troubles through a spiritual and calorie-

with 33 works from nine area photographers

killing workout. $18 a class. Register at

North Side Market Arts Celebration

and artists is curated by Akron photographer

akronyogaandwellness.com

North Side Market 106 N Main St // 5-9pm

Saturday, August 5

Don Parsisson. The exhibiting artists from both shows will participate in a panel discussion

Have You Heard about the Herd?

about their work on Thursday, Aug 10 at 7 pm in the gallery. Seating is limited. The event is

August events with the sheep on Mutton Hill

free and open to the public. Please register here by Aug 10: ow.ly/AtwI30czAxr. Summitartspace.org

Mutton Hill Monday

help inspire and encourage Akron.

On the corner of Diagonal and Copley Roads,

rapidly approach from the west shortly after 1 pm, and move to cover approximately 80 percent of the sun, ending just before 4 pm. Herding demonstration with border collies The Society will have a limited number of that are owned and trained by Edie Steiner, who has competed in stock dog trials for more specially designed densely-filtered Eclipse glasses available for purchase at $2 each, than 10 years. Three dogs, Mobido, Rudy and Lincoln have received awards for demonstrating refreshments, and a talk.

akronartmuseum.org

there’s a beautiful old mansion sitting on a 2.5

handler excellence.

August 12 - February 10

August 7 at 11:30-12:30 pm

“Heavy Metal” exhibition Akron Art Museum, 1 S High St The exhibition of ‘Heavy Metal’ features different forms of art all made through metal to

acre estate and surrounded by a low stone wall.

Pulling the Wool Over Their Eyes

of sheep will know it’s not nighttime but that

and maintained as a historic house museum by

Friday, August 21 around 1 pm A total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people. The moon’s shadow will block the sun for 90 minutes as a total solar eclipse races across the continent at a thousand miles per hour. The last time a solar eclipse transited the entire continent was June, 1918. The next time a solar eclipse will occur is April 8, 2024.

something unusual is going on. In prior eclipses,

the Summit County Historical Society.

Open Through December 31 “Find a Face”exhibition Akron Art Museum, 1 S High St Discover the many faces that lay hidden in simple objects that we see in our everyday lives. Akronartmuseum.org

Animals have 24-hour body clocks, so the flock

That property is Perkins Stone Mansion, owned

It used to be part of a 150-acre farm, which 19th century Akronites named “Mutton Hill,” since it was home to a flock of 1,300 Merino sheep tended by John Brown. Now, for the second summer in a row, sheep are back on the grounds from The Spicy Lamb Farm in Peninsula, thanks to a grant from the R. C. and Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation.

The Simon Perkins Stone Mansion will be an ideal viewing site to watch the partial eclipse, and see how the astronomical phenomenon

Check out these events, and show your support affects the flock of sheep. Weather permitting, Akron residents should see the moon’s shadow for the return the the sheep.

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

farm animals stop grazing and move to more sheltered places as they do at night.

Family Story Time Friday, August 25 at 10:30 am Stories for children will be shared under the trees as a flock of Dorset sheep grazes at the Perkins Stone Mansion. Librarians from the Akron-Summit County Public Library will share stories about sheep, rhymes, and songs for preschool and primary-aged children. // Photo courtesy of Summit County Historical Society.

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

Agenda Check out their homemade goods, ﬁne art, vintage items and more. As part of the Akron Art Walk the North Side Market wants to celebrate the artists and entrepreneurs in Akron. : northsidemarket

What Gives, Signals Midwest, Throw Shade, Distants, Curtail

by Child Guidance & Family Solutions, they will

It’s King Thing! House

Roxxymoron rocks the Thirsty Dog stage. Come

403 Kling St // 7-11pm Chicago based bands join some NEO local

party and help out Akron! Cgfs.org See Devil’s Dozen

bands at this DIY venue. $5 donation. : klingthing

Never Coming Down 2

Welcoming all poets! The Main library invites

EarthQuaker Devices,

Hive Mind, 373 W Exchange St

you to share your thoughts and lyrics to the

350 W Bowery St // 1-8pm

poetry community, but you must register to get

A night of art, music, fashion and ﬁlm, Never

your ﬁve minute spot. 18 & older event.

EarthQuaker Day 2017

be having food from all around Akron while

eat and listen to local music. Akronalefest.com See Devil’s Dozen Poetry Hour Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St // 3-4pm

Join EarthQuaker Devices at their headquarters

Monday, August 7

Doors open 8pm

for a day of music, from live performances to

Ask a Patent Attorney

competitions open to the public.

Akron Summit County Public Library, 60 S High St // 6-8pm If you have a million dollar idea and are wondering how you can protect it from being stolen, the ASCPL is offering one-on-one advice sessions with attorneys. Akronlibrary.org

Coming Down is featuring Akron and Cleveland Akronlibrary.org area creatives. : hivemindoh See Devil’s Dozen Lawn Care, Velour/Valore, All Over The

Earthquakerdevices.com/eqday See Devil’s Dozen

Rascal Flatts Concert headlines Akron’s 6th Rockin’ FORE the Kids! Canal Park Stadium 300 S Main St // 6pm Love helping kids and country music? Get your tickets now to see Rascal Flatts and BROTHER TROUBLE. Tickets range from $45-65. Proﬁts assist the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation. downtownakron.com/canalpark

and get active. For just $10, you & two other members can take this strength training class.

Take a break from your summer vacation

Great for all ages so bring your kids and grandmas. Akronkids.org

Hive Mind, 375 W Exchange St // 8-12pm Dance party featuring music from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus bands. Akron Ale Fest hivemindoh.org Trolley Barn, 47 N Main St // 1-5pm (continued on page 8) Over 10 different breweries to choose while you

Gardenpartyohio.weebly.com Copali EP Release Show! Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N Main St // 8-10pm Copali will be releasing 5 new songs and collaborating with other Akron vocalists at Jilly’s Music Room. There is no cover charge but you can take home the EP for $5 if you want. Jillysmusicroom.com

Friday, August 11 Sexy Pig Divas/See Creatures/ Modem/ Analog Faze Annabell’s Bar & Lounge, 784 W. Market St // 10pm-1am Sunday Brunch & Yoga at Nuevo

Get your groove on with See Creatures and

Nuevo Modern Mexican and Tequila Bar,

other rad bands.

: annabellsakron

54 E Mill St Brunch & Yoga will take place on the patio of Nuevo overlooking our great city. This event will happen on the ﬁrst Sunday of every month so make sure to stop by. Yogasquaredakron.com Summer Pop Up Market Hive Mind, 375 W Exchange St // 1-5pm

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

support from NEO bands. $5 donation for touring band. : klingthing

Dark Wave Dance Party

centerpiece at Branded Saloon.

market. There is a $10 vendor fee, but it’s free to attend. : hivemindoh

403 Kling St // 7-11pm

Thursday, August 10

accessories to make your new garden

surplus garden art at this Akron based pop-up

Pittsburgh’s Lawn Care is back in Akron with

Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave // 9 am The zoo will open an hour early for those who can’t be in big crowds and don’t like the loud noises that occur during during regular visiting times. akronzoo.org

Choose your container, rocks, plants and

Come sell your homemade crafts, artwork and

BrittFit Strength Training for the Family Akron Children’s Museum,

Zoothing Hour

Go green by creating your own little garden.

Sunday, August 6

It’s King Thing! House

Tuesday, August 8

Branded Saloon, 370 Paul Williams Ave // 7pm

Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N Main St // 8pm The Swizzle Stick band will be at Jilly’s Music Room, $5 for those under 21, otherwise free admission. jillysmusicroom.com

Saturday, August 12 216 Main St // 9-10am

Garden Party

The Swizzle Stick Band

Place, GHOST SLIME

8th Annual Growing Up Akron Thirsty Dog Brewing Company 529 Grant St // 6-9pm Growing Up Akron fundraiser is back. Hosted

agenda There's Nothing to do in Akron (continued from page 7)

Saturday, August 12 & Sunday, August 13 National Hamburger Festival Lock 3, 200 S Main St Back by popular demand, the festival will be celebrating their 12th consecutive year by bringing American Ninja Warrior Challenge to Lock 3. Season 5 contestant Patrick Hall will be there to enjoy all the burgers that make Akron unique. Hamburgerfestival.com

lineup in a beer garden atmosphere featuring ﬁre-spittin' rapper Jet Swade, DIY rock darlings Penny Arcade and Shivering Timbers, who sound like folk music that got backhanded by the blues then revived by a mohawked punk EMT holding jumper cables. This kind of good time is possible because of the Knight Foundation's Akron Arts Challenge and the generous support of the City of Akron. Learn more at thedevilstrip.com/home/liveatlock4

Friday, August 18

Sam Jay. Listed as one of Comedy Central's “Comics to Watch” make sure you check out her fresh perspective on the LGBT community. Akroncivic.com Porch Rokr Music and Art Festival Highland Square // 10:30am-11pm An Akron staple, the Porch Rokr turns porches into stages for live music in the beautiful Highland Square neighborhood. 130 bands will perform in one day on 40 porches and stages. Porchrokr.org See Devil’s Dozen

Summer on the Plaza Events

Canal Park Festival of Beers

See Devil’s Dozen

Canal Park, 300 S Main St // 4-7pm

Sunday, August 13

Come out to enjoy a selection of 100 different

Akron Soul Train: Abandoned Art;

Akronrubberducks.com

Rock Painting

See Devil’s Dozen

Schumacher Cascade Locks, 248 Ferndale St // 11am-1pm Come to this rock painting workshop where individuals get to paint and hide their rocks in the parks of Akron so that other Akronites can ﬁnd them, take pictures for social media and then re-hide. akronsoultrain.org

Tuesday, August 15 Akron SCORE: Introduction to Intellectual Property Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St // 6:30pm Learn about the different types of intellectual property and how to protect your work in this free workshop. Contact the Science & Technology Division at main library to register. Akronlibrary.org

craft beers, many coming from local breweries.

92nd Annual Gala & Academy of Leaders Induction featuring The Temptations Quaker Station at The University of Akron, 135 Broadway St // 6-10pm The Summit County Executive kicks off their fundraiser this year by introducing their ‘Steaming Ahead’ theme. All proceeds of this event will beneﬁt the Akron Urban League. Akronurbanleague.org

Unplugged: The Denim and White Affair Musica, 51 E Market St // 8-11pm The Cue’s latest upcoming event, this is a three-

Every Tuesday, August 1 - 29

act show featuring Kudzi, Marcus Alan Ward

Summer on the Plaza: Tuesday Lunch Break Concerts

and Red Rose Panic. Tickets $25 at the door,

Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plz, Ste 1930 // 12-1pm

currently $10 on ticketweb.com

Get out of that ofﬁce and come enjoy your

thecuebrand.com

lunch downtown every Tuesday this month for live local Akron music on the Cascade Plaza.

Sunday, August 20

Every Wednesday in August

Saturday, August 19 8th Annual Summit for Kids Expo John S. Knight Center, 77 E Mill St // 10am-3pm This free family event will inform you on all the available resources Summit County has to offer to help families meet their needs. Prepare for a full day of fun and information. Summitforkids.net

Thursday, August 17

Yoga + Brunch with Well Akron Yoga Summer on the Plaza: Yoga Sweet Mary’s Bakery 76 E Mill St // 10am-12pm Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plz // 5:30 pm Join Be Well Yoga instructor and trainer Tracie

After a stressful day of work join other Akron

for an energizing yoga session followed by a

yogis for free yoga by Akron Yoga & Wellness

well deserved pastry from Sweet Mary’s Bakery.

on the Cascade Plaza.

$18 per session. bewellakronyoga.com/events

Monday, August 21 Back to School with A,B, C-reativity 3rd Thursday Downtown Akron Area // 5-9pm Since the Artwalk is only once a month, Akron decided we needed more. Take a free trolley to over 20 destinations for art, shopping, music and dining to indulge in all things Akron. Trolley Stops: Northside District, Market & High Street, Bowery & Main Street, Main & State Street, The University of Akron-Myers School of Art, Main Street, Mill & High Street, Summit & Market Street. downtownakron.com/explore/3rd-thursday

Akron Art Museum 1 S High St // 11am-3pm Get that brain ready for the ﬁrst day of school by creating your own shape-scape and ﬁnd your way through obstacle courses for free at the Art Museum. Register online. : AkronArtMuseumOfficial

Cascade Cucina Food Truck Wednesdays Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Cuyahoga Falls Library, 2015 3rd St // 2-3pm

Family Fun Festival & Movie Night Akron Children’s Museum,

There will be a total eclipse of the sun this

216 S Main St // 3-6pm

There will be a viewing party as the eclipse

Come enjoy a free movie and have the little

passes over Ohio around 2:30 pm.

ones creatively engage within the community.

cuyahogafallslibrary.org

month for the ﬁrst time in almost 40 years.

Wednesday, August 23

3-D Projection Show Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens // 7-10pm

Each One Reach One: An Evening with CASA and Friends

This unique event will include live music and refreshments in the lighted gardens and grounds, leading up to a 3-D projection show. Stanhywet.org See Devil’s Dozen Live at Lock 4 (FREE)

Comedian Sam Jay

Lock 4, 6 pm to 10 pm The Devil Strip presents an all-local live music

Akron Civic Theater, 182 S Main St // 8pm The LGBT Akron Arts Festival presents comic

Every Wednesday & Friday in August Summer on the Plaza: Recess

Akronkids.org Lightnights, a Spectacular

Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plz // 11am-1:30pm Go get yourself some food from Akron’s food truck huddle. Food truck lineups will change throughout the month so make sure to check out the variety. : cascadecucina

Akron Art Museum 1 S High St // 5-7pm Summit County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) invites everyone to celebrate their accomplishments. Volunteers enjoy free admission & cocktails as you mingle. Bring friends. Akronartmuseum.org (continued on page 10)

Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plz // 11am-1:30pm Summer on the Plaza continues it’s recess escape for your lunch time pleasures with games and food.

: DowntownAkron www.downtownakron.com/cascade-plaza

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

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LOCATED IN HIGHLAND SQUARE STUDIOS/ONE & TWO BEDROOMS

COME CHECK OUT THE CHARM! Now offering an AIRBNB

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DANIEL HORRIGAN, MAYOR

Akron’s family-friendly entertainment venue features music, movies, festivals, and community events! For summer concert schedules and updates, follow us on

Lock3 Akron

Lock3@Lock3Akron

Lock3live

3:00 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the lighted gardens and grounds as well as music and refreshments. The centerpiece for each evening is LightNights, a new and spectacular 3-D projection show on the back of the Manor House. For a limited engagement only.

Featuring the movie

Musical Guest CHEMICAL WONDERS

with Elec Simon

Kids inflatables, contests, school supply giveaway, food & entertainment. 7-10pm

AUG 12–13

Music, visual arts, gardening & more! Free fun for all ages!

August 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 27, 31 September 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17 Member: Adult $14, Youth $7 Non-member: Adult $18, Youth $9

Admission $5 12 – 11 p.m.

hamburgerfestival.com stanhywet.org

714 N. Portage Path Akron, OH 44303 330.836.5533

Aug 3 6 - 8 p.m. Aug 11 6 - 8 p.m.

TRAMONTE DISTRIBUTING CO.

Patterson Park Forest Lodge

agenda There's Nothing to do in Akron

Akron Pride 2017

(continued from page 8)

Hardesty Park, 1615 W Market // 12-8pm

Sunday, August 27

Thursday, August 24

Celebrate Akron LGBTG pride this month with

SIN SUNDAY! Service Industry Professionals

over 50 different food vendors and trucks,

Artist Talk: Bruce Checefsky

national talent, and lots of love! Bring your

Night with DJ Chaka Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N Main St // 7-10pm

Akron Art Museum, 1 S High St // 6:30pm This serial intent artist teaches class about the unique process behind his Garden series. Free to all who want to get creative. Akronartmuseum.com

friends and pride. Akronpride.org

Jilly’s opens for those who work in the

See Devil’s Dozen

hospitality industry ONLY. ½ of drinks, buffet, and DJ Chaka entertainment. Must bring

Builders’ Club Akron-Summit County Public Library,

current month pay stub for entry. Jillysmusicroom.com

60 S. High St // 2-3 pm Salsa Dancing

All ages are welcome for an hour of creative

Uncorked Wine Bar 22 N High St // 7pm Add some ﬁre into your schedule by checking out Uncorked’s salsa dancing event. Akronuncorked.com

and mechanical thinking by building with

Thursday, August 24Sunday, August 27

Legos, Duplos, and other building materials.

Wednesday, August 30

Akronlibrary.org The Mighty Soul Night Uncorked Wine Bar, 22 N High St

11th Annual Heinz Poll SUMMER DANCE FESTIVAL Continues

8:30pm-12:30am With three different Dj’s that spin in soul, jazz, Latin, disco and afrobeat, you’ll deﬁnitely feel the soul come out on the danceﬂoor at Uncorked on Mighty Soul Night.

Green the Scene Akron Art Museum, 1 S High St // 5-8:30pm

Uncorkedakron.com

Keep Akron Beautiful is hosting a fundraising party in The Bud and Susie Rogers Garden at the Akron Art Museum. Proceeds will help beneﬁt Keep Akron Beautiful’s Little Reduction & Beautiful Programs. Keepakronbeautiful.org

Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival Lock 3, 200 S. Main St Four days of jazz and blues and fun in Akron’s Historic Arts District. Rubbercityjazz.com See Devil’s Dozen

Friday, August 25

September 1 & 2 Better Block Kenmore The Vindys

Kenmore Blvd, Akron

Musica, 51 E Market St // 9pm The Vindys are an up and coming pop band from Youngstown. Check them out for $10 at Musica this month. liveatmusica.com

Saturday, 5-10pm & Sunday, noon-5pm Better Block Kenmore will give people an idea of redevelopment ideas that could be happening on their block. betterkenmore.org

Dalton Rapattoni Musica, 51 E Market St

See Devil’s Dozen

Music from Dalton Rapattoni and The House of the Cliff with Lauren Carnaham. Tickets are $15

Saturday, September 2

for admission. Liveatmusica.com

Kool & the Gang Concert Lock 3, 200 S Main St Join more than 400 people at Lock 3 for the

Saturday, August 26 Kids Yoga

Kool & the Gang concert followed by opening Wild for Wine

Akron Children’s Museum

Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave // 6-9pm The Akron Zoo presents their ﬁrst ever wine 216 S Main St // 9-10am tasting for those older than 21. Tickets are $45 The Akron Children’s Museum wants to get your kids active. Kids ages 5-9 can participate in and includes souvenir wine glass, 10 different wine tastings, appetizers, rafﬂes and a painting a $10 yoga session. Akronkids.org section of the night. akronzoo.org

acts. Tickets are $15 on ticketmaster. lock3live.com The Lowsiders Concert Hive Mind, 375 W Exchange St // 8-11pm Come check out Joe Risdon & the 815 and Austin Wolfe at the Hive Mind for $5. : hivemindoh

JUST OUTSIDE AKRON Tuesday, August 15 Coffee with a Cop Tree City Coffee & Pastry, 135 E Erie St, Kent // 3-5pm Sit down for a casual conversation over a cup of coffee with the men and women who serve Kent. rootedinkent.com

Friday, August 18 Haymaker Farmers’ Market 25th Anniversary Block Party At the corner of Franklin Ave and Summit St in Kent // 6-9pm Celebrate Haymaker Farmers’ Market’s founders, vendors and community. Enjoy food from Roll Call Burgers & Fries and Square

Scullery food trucks, beer with MadCap Brew Co, gourmet popsicles from Popsmith and live music from The Jon Mosey Trio. Haymakermarket.com

Friday, August 4 & Saturday, August 5 GroundWorks Dance Theater Goodyear Heights Metro Park, 2077 Newton St // 8:45pm

Friday, August 11 & Saturday, August 12 Urban Bush Women (New York City) Glendale Cemetery, 150 Glendale Ave 8:45pm

For the kids: For the Friday and Saturday performances in August, a children’s program begins at 7:45. The University of Akron’s Dance Institute produces this performance, during which they encourage children to experience dancing on the festival stage just before the professional companies perform. Also, there will be a free Beginners Dance class at Balch Street Community Center August 8-10 for kids in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. Class takes place from 10:30-11:30 am, instructed by professional dancers who will use elements of ballet, jazz and hip-hop to create new dances.

dishes and delicious cocktails alongside surprise entertainment. Proceeds from this event will beneﬁt programming for the Canton Museum of Art. Tickets available via Eventbrite. Cantonart.org

Saturday, August 19 The gARTen Oasis

Thursday, August 24

Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave N, Canton // 7pm-midnight The gARTen awaits with tantalizing cuisine, alluring performances, and a market bazaar. Escape to a mirage in the desert, a gARTen oasis beyond your wildest imagination. Don't miss this summer's hottest event on the rooftop of the Cultural Center. The area's top restaurants will serve up mouthwatering

ARTIFESTATION Art + Music Festival

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

Akron’s free summer dance festival continues this month with the highest quality professional dance companies. Check out what Heinz Poll has to offer.

Buzzbin Art & Music Shop, 331 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton // 4pm-midnight Join ARTIFESTATION, Blind Side Band, Zach from Bright Lights, ErrolSpace, Skylar Sevan, and Preston Fodor for a night of art and live music.

Sunday Night Bonus: August 6th & August 13th The City of Akron extends the use of its weekend dance stage to Sunday nights for a series of free admission concerts by the Akron Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Christopher Wilkins. August 6 ....... Goodyear Heights Metro Park August 13 ......................Glendale Cemetery Concerts start at 7:30 pm, and will feature a “Maestro’s Zone” for children, where they will have a chance to conduct the orchestra with the maestro.

buzzbinshop.com For more information, visit

akrondancefestival.org. WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

The Palette

12 AKRON PUBLIC ART 13 ON EXHIBIT AT THE BOX GALLERY 14 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT LGBT AKRON ARTS FESTIVAL?

Inside the Artist's Studio

THE AKRON ART SCENE

“EarthQuaker does me right,” says Matt. “The hen Matt Horak walked into his ﬁrst 9-5 ofﬁce thing isn’t for me, and this is a way for Comic-Con at the age of 12, he knew he wanted to pursue art for the me to make it work.”

rest of his life. He’d spent most of his childhood reading The Adventures of Tintin and biking to Kenmore Komics with his friends. Although 12-year-old Matt couldn’t have known that he’d grow up and become the new illustrator for Marvel’s The Punisher, he did spend much his time at the convention sharing his sketches with artists and editors.

Matt enjoys working on Octo Skull because it gives him the freedom to design and write for the comic as he wants. “Octo Skull is a little bit of a dumdum,” says Matt. “He’s not the smartest guy and he’s trying to do what’s right, but he’s not a hero. He’s just trying not to make everything worse.”

Matt acknowledges that his childhood sketches weren’t that great, but he says his young age never stopped him from being conﬁdent. Admittedly, he was probably a little too conﬁdent. “I always thought I was better than half the guys who drew at Marvel,” says Matt. “Not true, obviously, but I wasn’t afraid to show my stuff, and I knew that was the only way to get feedback and learn.”

Matt’s six-year-old daughter, Layali, also loves drawing. Layali frequently visits her dad in the ofﬁce and uses his drawing supplies. When Matt was young, his mother encouraged him to pursue art, and he tries to do the same for Layali, who wants to be an artist when she grows up. “My mom was creative,” says Matt. “She always did crafts with us, and she would make her own Play-Doh. We weren’t super well off when I was young so she would make stuff for us.”

Years later, Matt’s skills would grow. His love of Matt’s grandmother also supported his artistic endeavors. He picked up his ﬁrst Tintin comic at her house and says she always had drawing pads manufacturing company with small doodles on them sitting next to the headquartered in Akron. He’s worked there for ﬁve years and he phone book. Although Matt isn’t sure where designs the artwork for the pedals. his love of comics came from, he says he always gravitated towards them despite the challenges He’s also created a comic book of making a career out of comic book illustration. called Octo Skull. Matt’s studio,

music and art led him to his job at EarthQuaker Devices, a guitar effects pedal

MATT HORAK

decorated with action ﬁgures

by Noor Hindi

and strange toys, is also located

Matt says he would have continued drawing

at EarthQuaker. He loves the location because he frequently

comics whether or not Marvel gave him a gig.

hears musicians testing the

“Eventually at a certain point I realized I had

pedals across the hall.

(continued on page 45)

L-R: Lori Kella speaking about her Seven Summits series; Bruce Checefsky speaking about his Garden series. Photography: Shane Wynn

AKRON ART MUSEUM • Through September 10, 2017

ARTIST TALKS • LORI KELLA: Saturday, August 12 • 2 pm • BRUCE CHECEFSKY: Thursday, August 24 • 6:30 pm Discover the details of Lori Kella’s Seven Summits series from the artist herself in a gallery talk alongside the artwork. Free for Museum Members. Free with regular gallery admission for non-members. Join Serial Intent artist Bruce Checefsky to learn about the unique process behind his Garden series and enjoy a demonstration in the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden (rain or shine). Free and open to all. Serial Intent is organized by the Akron Art Museum and supported by the Ohio Arts Council.

One

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

South

High

Akron,

44308

330.376.9185

AkronArtMuseum.org

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

the Palette

How It Got There: Akron Public Art The Making of the Cascade Mural by Claude Christensen

fter the Towpath Trail winds past the Mustill store and crosses MLK Jr Blvd, it enters downtown via Quaker Street,

a quiet slip of road scrunched between a beige parking deck and a grey ofﬁce building.

says. “We [verbally] ﬁght while we paint.”

ago. Spencer, who was the lead singer for a local Akron

Apparently this, and the immense size of the Cascade Mural, made for some interesting con-

Well, it used to. Now, the Towpath Trail runs

Pictured above: When you versations with the general public during the two hit the Cascade Mural, you weeks it took to paint it in the summer of 2016. know you’re in downtown. Pictured right: Lofthus and Spencer estimate that they had con- Lofthus and Spencer are serious artists…seri-

enlarged image of a work Lofthus painted and

alongside something entirely different: a 400

versations with around 100 individuals a day.

then scanned. That bannering was adhered to

square-foot and brightly-colored mural. “We were on stage...we had to answer for what we were doing,” says Spencer. “Toughens you up a bit, but it also let us meet the city.”

This mural is huge. It covers nearly the entire spectrum of visible color and spans the length of the street-side

Spencer is a former art student from Kent State

wall of the Cascade Plaza parking deck.

University at Stark, and trained under Akron artist John Comunale. Comunale designed

On the left-hand side, giant blades of grass

the metal archway located kitty-corner from

bend towards Glendale Cemetery. In the center,

the Cascade Mural. Both the archway and

yellow tongues of ﬂame ﬂare red. On the right,

mural were commissioned by the Ohio & Erie

the blaze solidiﬁes, becoming blocky blue

Canalway Coalition as a part of the group’s

rectangles reminiscent of the orderly buildings

project to beautify the Towpath Trail and were

downtown.

funded by the John S. and James L. Knight

ously loving what they do. (Photos courtesy of Claude Christensen/The Devil Strip)

the surface of the stone slabs. Then Lofthus and Spencer spent the next few weeks painting the

band, was drafted, or as she likes to put it,

remaining concrete surfaces so that the digitally

“dragged into painting,” by Lofthus. They’ve

enlarged brushstrokes seem to ﬂow seamlessly

been working together ever since.

from vinyl to concrete. It was tough work.

It was Lofthus who was awarded the contract to paint the mural. Originally, the parameters set by the O&EC Coalition had the artist design a 70-foot piece to hang between the arches of the Cascade Plaza parking deck. But the Coalition was so impressed by the visual ambition of Lofthus’s proposal that they gave her the green light anyway.

Lofthus and Spencer are incredibly proud of their project. At ﬁrst, the scale of the mural was daunting; how do you begin to consider how to cover a 400 foot wall? And make it appealing? But they did, and the process, they found, was not so impossible. Thus emboldened, they are considering other sites for similar large-scale works in Akron.

The installation of the mural itself proved to be tricky. A major portion of the concrete wall of the parking deck is covered with slabs of polished stone, a common architectural practice from when the Cascade Plaza was built.

They want to do it again.

The stone is impossible to paint on, so Lofthus reached out to Central Graphics in Cuyahoga Falls to print vinyl “bannering” printed with an

//Claude Christensen has a soft spot for speculative fiction. Among his favorites are Stephen King’s It and Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis trilogy (aka Lilith’s Brood). Not terribly afraid of clowns, he isn’t fond of them either.

“Pictured left: David Hassler reading at the River

Although tickets are roughly $250, the money goes towards food, drink and lodging at the Stanford House for attendees. It will also help pay for the outdoor activities and hikes. A small sum goes back to the Wick Poetry Center, which continually provides the community with poetry projects and programs.

Foundation. Jessica Lofthus and Sharon Spencer, the artists responsible for the Cascade Mural, had a lot of fun making it. Self-described sculptural painters, they enjoy making pieces that inject vitality into otherwise stagnant or static spaces. Their process, a dynamic, mutually inspired effort, adds some of that vitality to their work.

Lofthus has a BFA from the University of Texas where she studied painting with a focus on ancient Middle Eastern art. She is fascinated with how cultural events are emulated by symbols

Lofthus and the Cascade Mural, visit

jessicalofthus.com

in art. Both live in or near the Highland Square area,

“Our painting style is very kinetic,” Lofthus

For more information about the artist Jessica

and met through a mutual acquaintance years

of Words poetry reading at the poetry park in Kent. Photo courtesy of the Wick Poetry Center.

For me, our outdoors was the richest classroom I could imagine,” says David. “As I grew older, ideas and larger concepts and intellectual thinking could take root and still be connected to that sense of childhood wonder and delight.” The retreat, which takes place from August

Nature Meets Poetry with the

Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park by Noor Hindi

25-26, is all about reawakening that sense of wonder. Attendees will have a chance to stay at

org/cvi/poetry-in-the-park for tickets. There is community of writers and do hikes and outdoor only room for 25 participants, be sure to act fast. activities. They’ll also discuss poems from Mary Oliver. “I ﬁnd that Mary Oliver’s poems can be disarmingly simple and accessible and yet deeply

For David Hassler, poetry and nature go hand in

As a child, David grew up at the edge of Kent,

The Wick Poetry Center is happy to collaborate

hand. As the director of the Wick Poetry Center in Kent, David is exciting about leading a poetry retreat at the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

next to the Cuyahoga River. Over two miles of

with the Conservancy, which David says is a

woods functioned as his playground. Later, it

“great treasure within our community.” The

would also serve as inspiration for his poetry.

goal of the retreat is to immerse poets within

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

To attend the retreat, visit: conservancyforcvnp.

the historic Stanford House, talk poetry with a

spiritual,” says David.

“The retreat is not meant to make published poets out of each participant, but to make creative human beings,” says David.

Supporters of the Wick Poetry Center can also look forward to an upcoming exhibit at Summit Artspace. The exhibit, which opens up on January 20, 2018, will feature poems by refugees and immigrants from the center’s Travelling Stanzas Writing Across Borders project. // Noor Hindi is currently pursuing her MFA in poetry at The University of Akron. She is usually very nervous. Check her out at nervouspoodlepoetry.com.

nature and hopefully jump-start their creativity.

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

the palette

wanted to name this article “If Your Tinder Proﬁle Says You’re an Avid Reader” or “Do

their stories told through objects. However,

you Creepily People Watch and Create

Leave Behind” immediately made me want to

Intricate Life Scenarios for the Strangers Passing by? Then This Exhibit is for You.” However, writing is a never-ending lesson that all ideas aren’t the greatest, and not all titles are created equal. Lucky for you.

write “burn everything” at the top of my will.

Koch’s piece “We Will be Judged by What We

It is an assemblage of toys and other elements that made me wonder who this person would have been that left behind such an odd story, while simultaneously making me feel selfconscious about the objects in my life and the

Picture left: Melancholy Babies by Ralph Hunt

story they would tell about me in my absence.

The current exhibits in the Box Gallery at Summit Artspace are Karen Koch and Amber McElreath’s “Delivering Stories” gallery and Ralph Hunt’s “Dolls as Metaphor.” All these artists were enthralled by the lives of inanimate objects, including books, toys, necklaces, letters and even an abandoned bird’s nest. One with an unimaginative eye may only see these objects as junk— things to be discarded and forgotten. Yet, if you look closely, they are keeping memories alive and telling stories of their own.

McElreath’s “Fred” combatted this feeling, reminding me that I would be immortal and my loved ones could remember me when I am gone. As I stared at “Fred,” I wondered who he was and what his family missed about him. I imagined he liked to work on clocks and as a child disassembled his alarm clock and was late to school the very next day. That memory would probably be a fond one for those who knew him, and it made me smile a little.

The use of letters in “Delivering Stories” is a strong example of how something inanimate can keep a memory alive. It can preserve and allow you to revisit whenever you’d like. It doesn’t forget. It lives forever. Picture right: Some Shit Went Down by Amber McElreath

This immortality extends to all inanimate objects in life, whether it be a dress, a book, a tape. Objects,

he Breath of Immortality:

he Life of Inanimate Objects A review of The Box Gallery exhibit at Summit Artspace by Josy Jones

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

even when they are thrown away, can become memories for others. McElreath’s work reminds you that natural objects also hold memories. A lake you

As I exited the Big Box and turned the corner to

once visited as a kid with your family may evoke

go to Hunt’s exhibit, I was startled by a pair of

happiness when you visit. And your life is one of

eyes. Well, lack of eyes. The ﬁrst image on the

many stories that the lake keeps alive.

way to his exhibit is a doll staring with hollow sockets. I stopped and stared, wondering if I

Initially, it sounds beautiful that times, places

should continue along the wall. As I walked

and even people get to live forever and have

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

(continued on page 45)

THE Devil Strip |

the palette

burgers, and the freshest sushi in Akron.

Plath’s poetry in high school that first made her consider becoming a poet. For Brown, Plath’s writing could pierce the superficial notion that “Everything is okay” and find a deeper, possibly painful truth underneath. There is a bit of that Plath in Brown’s poetry.

But, it so happens, Brown is also a poet. And a

Later, while earning her undergraduate degree

pretty good one, too.

in English, Brown attended a poetry reading

olly Brown is a food-lover who has written for The Devil Strip since the

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

beginning. As “The Wanderer,” she has

regaled readers with mouth-watering details about the most ﬂavorful tacos, the juiciest

by Mary Biddinger. Biddinger is an American From a suburb just north of Boston, Brown

poet and professor of poetry for the NEOMFA

just graduated this past May with an MFA in

program and the University of Akron. Brown

creative writing from the NEOMFA program.

loved Biddinger’s poetry, her public reading

Her poems, including “When Everything

style, everything. They connected, were

is Stagnant,” “On Having Bad Vision, Sea

mutually inspired by each other, and, once

Monkeys, and Maternal Instincts,” and “Look

Brown got in, Biddinger became her mentor in

at Me Like an Emergency,” have appeared in

the NEOMFA program.

such literary journals as “decomP,” “Jellyﬁsh,”

Christensen/The Devil Strip)

Biddinger and NEOMFA professors Caryl Page and Catherine Wing combined to comprise the “three badass lady poets” who guided Brown throughout her ﬁnal thesis. She could not have asked for better teachers, she says.

Brown draws on mundane items, events,

Sadly, Brown’s graduation also coincides with

places, and her own body to fuel her poetry.

the publication of her last “The Wanderer”

A lawnmower, a convenience store, and a pair

article for the Devil Strip. At least for now.

“Rockhurst Review,” and “H_NGM_N.” Pictured: Holly Brown is ready to consume whatever the future holds. (Photo courtesy of Claude

of feet all make appearances in Brown’s work. An underlying rage and evocations of physical pain are able to transform what was once dull and uninteresting into something beautiful, mysterious, or deadly. The aforementioned lawnmower has “teeth,” a narrator’s body “is a highway convenience store.”

Akron Poet Holly Brown, Burnishing the Mundane by Claude Christensen

There is purpose to these superﬁcially uninteresting objects and details, Brown’s poetry seems to say. Beneath a dull exterior is a reality of fear, death, or unending torpor. And sometimes a ragged, but redeeming, sense of hope. In person, Brown is ebullient. And she is effusive in her praise for the NEOMFA and her experience as an MFA student in the program.

Brown remembers her time writing about food in Akron fondly. She will miss it, but is excited about what the future holds. In the fall she will go backpacking across Southeast Asia before returning to pursue teaching. And she has a chapbook coming out, possibly titled “Wandering Bruise.” The future is looking pretty good for Holly Brown. And she really likes Akron. A lot. “I love, love, love it here,” Brown says. She’ll be back. // Claude Christensen has a soft spot for speculative fiction. Among his favorites are Stephen King’s “It” and Octavia Butler’s “Xenogenesis” trilogy (aka “Lilith’s Brood”). Not terribly afraid of clowns, he isn’t fond of them either.

Brown always knew she was going to be a writer, but it was her introduction to Sylvia

Akron Celebrates the LGBT by Gray Giaconia Celebrate LGBT pride in Akron this month by

The Rocky Horror Show

Indigo Girls

Ryan Cassata and Cherry Vaneer

attending these awesome artistic events. The

(w/ special guest Brandy Clark) Sunday, August 20

Wednesday, August 23 Jilly’s Music Room

amazing events throughout the month of

Wednesday, August 16; Thursday, August 17; Friday, August 18 Akron Civic Theater

Akron Civic Theater

111 N Main St, Akron, Ohio 44308

August, all funded through the Knight Arts

182 S Main St, Akron, Ohio 44308

7-8:30pm

Challenge. Meant to entertain and celebrate

All shows 8-11pm

7-10pm

all people, regardless of afﬁliation with the LGBT community. The headline of the festival

Comedian Sam Jay Saturday, August 19

“Upstairs Inferno” (documentary) Monday, August 21

Thursday, August 24 The Nightlight

will be a performance by the Indigo Girls at the

Akron-Summit County Public Library 60 S High St, Akron, Ohio 44326 5:30-9pm

30 N High St, Akron, Ohio 44308

span a range of artistic expression and medium.

Akron Civic Theater 182 S Main St, Akron, Ohio 44308 8-11pm

Kick off to Akron LGBT Arts Festival Saturday, August 12 Angel Falls Coffee Company

LGBT Brunch at Jilly’s Sunday, August 20 Jilly’s Music Room

“Kiki” (documentary) Tuesday, August 22 The Nightlight

792 W Market St, Akron, Ohio 44303

111 N Main St, Akron, Ohio 44308

30 N High St, Akron, Ohio 44308

7-10pm

11am-2pm

7-9pm

LGBT Akron Arts Festival consists of several

“The Founders” (ﬁlm)

the LGBT community, the festival will welcome

Akron Civic Theater. All other events will will

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

7-11pm

For more info on the events, visit the festival’s : LGBTAkronArtsFestival

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Culture Club

17 BASEBALL NOW! WITH DAVE DALY 19 WILSONS ON THE WATER 23 SHE’S NEW AND HE’S NATIVE

COMMUNITY & CULTURE

{

Outdoor Gems: EXPLORING

Northeast Ohio Springfield Bog Metro Park

looks like a bunch of tall, untamed grass.

species of birds, and various wildlife. The trail even crosses over The Continental Divide, which separates a portion of the park. This park is a must-visit in late July and early August since the plants and ﬂowers are in full bloom around this time.

The bog has an easy 1.6 mile trail that

For my ﬁrst hike there, it was brutally early,

loops around a beautiful prairie, hence its

but I wanted to check it out during sunrise.

name, the Prairie Trail. The bog was the site

As I started on the loop, I crossed paths with

of a former farmland and a portion of it is

an older gentleman named Harry who is a

named after the Young family, who settled

volunteer for the Metro Parks. He walks this

there in 1877. Young’s bog used to produce

park daily. Once I greeted him, he almost

huckleberries, which brought pickers from

immediately started to rattle off every known

all around Northeast Ohio.

ﬂower and species that spans the park. He

words and photos by Anthony Boarman

rom the outside looking in, there is nothing sexy about the Springﬁeld Bog Metro Park. To the untrained eye, it just

even told me how many rabbits he counted Pictured left: Flowers along the Prairie Trail

the last time he was there (it was 27).

Pictured above: Morning dew runs off purple coneﬂowers.

Throughout the 1.6 mile trek, there are over 40 varieties of plants and ﬂowers, countless

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

At this point, it wasn’t even 6 am yet, and since I’m not a morning person and hadn’t had any coffee, my patience level was thin. (continued on page 16)

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culture club

(continued from page 15) After each conversation, we would part ways and then he would catch up with me or I would catch up with him. Each interaction brought a new story or new bog facts from Harry. My initial agitation turned to an appreciation for having met someone so passionate for that park, a place at which I had initially snubbed my nose. Pictured (clockwise from top): A late July Sunset in the Springﬁeld Bog; Flowers along the Prairie Trail; A late July Sunset in the Springﬁeld Bog

This has been one of my favorite things about exploring our local parks: connecting with people who have a genuine love for them. If you take time to enjoy one of our local Metro Parks, even if you initially think it lacks anything extraordinary, you very well might be surprised by what you ﬁnd. // Anthony Boarman is a social studies teacher and coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. He lives in West Akron with his wife Emily and his dog Ava. He is a lover of all things Akron and enjoys being around dogs more than humans.

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culture club

Baseball Now! The Dog Days of Summer Baseball

The Akron Rubber Ducks

by Dave Daly

fell in love with baseball in the summer.

As fans settle into sort of a sweat-stained,

Pictured above: Fancy D checking

Speciﬁcally, it was the summer of 2002 and

lethargic stupor, players, especially on good

out the Wounded Warrior softball

I was leaving a Poison concert. As we made

teams, are readying themselves for a playoff

game! Picture right: A Beautiful

our way to the parking lot the crowd began

run and potential trip to the World Series.

Day at Gorgeous Canal Park (Photos

to chant. It wasn’t “C.C. rocks,” or “Brett

Teams are ﬁnding their groove, setting off on

courtesy of Dave Daly/Baseball Now!)

Michaels for president!” Folks were gleefully

winning streaks and buying into superstitions

shouting, “Yankees Suck, Yankees Suck,

that make for great facial hair and over worn

Yankees Suck!”

undergarments.

Two simple words would alter the course of my

Of particular importance to minor league clubs,

life. For if the Yankees suck, and they deﬁnitely

including our Rubber Ducks, is the expansion

do, then the Red Sox do not. And just like that

of the roster for major league clubs from 25 to

I began my descent into devoted fandom of my

40 players on September 1.. Attend any home

hometown team and the sport of baseball.

game from here on out and you’ll see a gaggle of scouts sitting behind home plate analyzing

One thing I’ve grown to understand about

top prospects who are vying for a chance to

baseball over the years is that the season really

make it to the big show.

kicks into gear after the all-star break, during

possible one or more players currently playing for Akron could be called on to join the boys of summer up at Progressive Field. There’s also a chance they’ll be traded to another organization for players the Tribe can use to ﬁll voids in their lineup and defense. So who should you be on the lookout for at Canal Park?

about Mejia is his offensive play. The man can hit. In fact, he can hit either right or lefthanded. He’s a switch hitter, not bound to

First and foremost, Francisco Mejia. Mejia, a

the normal dominance of one hand we mere baseball plebeians face. As of this writing, Mejia

the dog days of summer in August and early

Cleveland is looking for a chance to get back to

catcher, has steadily improved his defense this

September.

the World Series this year, and it is quite

season and is respected for his play behind

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

home plate. However, what is really attractive

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

(continued on page 45)

THE Devil Strip |

In step with our community.

AKRONCHILDRENS.ORG

culture club

Crossing a Wake One Family’s Journey Through the Great American Loop by Noor Hindi

endy Wilson’s ﬁrst memory involves falling asleep to the sound of her

weird. There’s like no way to describe it.”

the phrase “the next 24 hours are crucial” from doctors.

Pictured above: The Wilson family. Photo taken at the Sandusky Harbor Marina. Photo courtesy of

parent’s boat. She would lie with her Bobby has always wanted to complete the head on her mother’s lap and let the cool, night Great American Loop. He and Wendy planned

Noor Hindi. Top: (from left to right): Mia, Wendy and

air drift her to sleep. As the boat wandered

Wilson. Missing: Nina Wilson. Pictured below (left to

through Portage Lakes State Park, its motor hummed in the background. Since then, Wendy has had a passion for the water. She loves the water so much that she and her husband Bobby Wilson, along with their four daughters, just returned from a 10-month long boating trip. The Great American Loop, a 6,000-mile route that travels through 20 states, guided them.

A week after Mia was born, she was sent to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, to complete it and become “loopers” when Michigan. During the year that Mia was treated they retired, but when their daughter Mia was born with a severe congenital heart defect, they at C.S. Mott, the Wilson family stayed in a small room at the Ronald McDonald House. “We quickly learned that life is too short. realized that if the ﬁve of us can live for one year in a small room, we can live on a boat,” Bobby describes the ﬁrst week of Mia’s life as says Wendy. “mayhem.” They weren’t sure if Mia would

AnnaMay. Bottom: (from left to right): Ella and Bobby right): Photos taken at the Sandusky Harbor Marina: Bobby Wilson with Ella; Wendy, AnnaMay, Ella and Mia; Mia and Wendy. (Photos courtesy of Noor Hindi)

if we didn’t do it and something happened, we would regret that we didn’t do [the trip] together, as a family.” Mia enjoyed every second of the trip. At the Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club, she celebrated her 6th birthday with over 50 boaters and loopers.

“It was a trip of a lifetime,” says Wendy. “The girls every morning would wake up on the boat and ask ‘what are we doing today, where are going?’”

“They had pirates come and do a show and a turtle from the turtle rescue hospital,” says Bobby.

For their daughters Nina (20), AnnaMay (9),

make it. Wendy says Mia was “born dead” and

Once Mia’s health felt stable enough for the

Meanwhile, AnnaMay and Ella are both homeschooled and treated the ten

Ella (7) and Mia (6), the trip felt like a giant

was an “ashy, grey color.” She is still haunted

trip, Wendy and Bobby bought a boat named

months on the boat as a ﬁeld trip. Each location

adventure. They visited new places each day,

by this.

La Cigale from a family friend. They converted

they visited and each sea animal they saw

the bathroom shower inside the boat into a

became valuable learning material. Inside the

storage space for Mia’s medical supplies. They

boat, postcards from every harbor they visited

also used the hooks inside the boat to hang

hang in their bedroom.

where they made new memories while doing things like diving and learning about sea creatures. Ella and AnnaMay agreed their favorite part of the trip was swimming with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida. “It was really cool,” says AnnaMay. “The texture of their skin was rubbery and silky. It was really

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

“[The doctors] kept saying ‘we don’t know how long she’s going to live; she’s probably not going to make it through the day; she’s probably not going to make it through the night,’” says Wendy. “Then they came in and wanted to take pictures and do footprints and castings to make memories.” Meanwhile, Bobby grew tired of hearing

Mia’s feeding bags. Wendy says AnnaMay is a “character” and “has They were determined to take the trip with Mia, the personality for the red hair.” as a family. “Did you know that parrotﬁsh poop is actually “They can’t ﬁx her heart,” says Wendy. “We were buying time with the surgeries. We knew

sand?” says AnnaMay. “Sand is parrotﬁsh poop (continued pn page 46)

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culture club

BIG IDEA

What’s the Big Idea with Akron Craft + Social Club?

PRIDEINTHEPARK Akron Holds Inaugural Pride Festival by Sierra Allen

lthough LGBT Pride Month is ofﬁcially in June, Akron is continuing the celebration with its inaugural Pride

Festival. With the support of Mayor Horrigan, corporate sponsors and dedicated committee members, both the LGBTQ community and allies will come together for a celebration, offering support and inclusivity. Deanna Lottman, President and founder of Akron Pride is the muscle behind the festival and wanted to host it in

Occupation:

Shop Owner at Hazel Tree Interiors,

without competing with

Interior Designer, Community Dreamer Stow, Ohio

larger events. She also

Hometown:

Current Neighborhood: West Hill

acknowledges that this is not Akron’s ﬁrst event geared towards the LGBTQ community.

Mary Oliver Bethel Jennifer Davis

Occupation:

Visual Arts Educator and Facilitator of

Hometown:

Creativity, Owner of smARTStudio Akron, Ohio

Current Neighborhood: Highland Square

What’s your big idea? We founded Akron

we felt our community needed, and we were

Craft + Social Club in 2016 to bring Akronites creative opportunities to party with a purpose.

so happy to have found a way to share our love and talents with others, while supporting local charities at the same time. We all got

Why pursue it? We’re on a mission! Our

goosebumps it was so exciting! We jokingly

mission is to provide the community with

decided that a plaque should be placed above

creative opportunities that give back in

that booth in Flury’s Café because something

three ways:

truly magical had just been hatched that day.

• To give to ourselves a time to connect with together • To guide participants in learning a new skill that they can then pass along to others • To raise money and awareness at each event for a local charity or organization When did you know your big idea was a good idea? We knew immediately that our big idea was a good idea when we ﬁrst discussed it at a breakfast meeting last fall. It was just what

Big acts include Martha Wash, famous singer of “It’s Raining Men,” and Britney Spears impersonator, Derrick Barry from Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Artist, Instructor, Yarn Bomber

Hometown: East Liverpool, Ohio Current Neighborhood: Highland Square

others and experience a creative atmosphere

To create a nice ﬂow, Hardesty Park will be strategically laid out with food trucks and vendors. The Akron Children's Art Museum and Weathervane Playhouse will have a kid’s sections for face painting and different activities. Two stages will provide entertainment with performances by local bands on one and DJs and drag queens on the other, while music of every genre is played.

August so Akron could make a name for itself

Karen Starr

our community. Dee’s inspiration is to have an actual festival.”

How do you hope your big idea helps Akron grow? We really want people to come away from our events not only with a new artistic skill, but also more awareness of the organization they are supporting by attending. We also hope to inspire others to use the talents they possess, to get creative in ﬁnding ways that they can provide opportunities to give back to Akron, give back to the community to causes near and dear to their hearts. HEADER: Culture Club

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

The day of the festival, “I will never downplay there will be a march what you guys have done at 11:00 AM starting at in the past,” Lottman said West Market Street and to Carol Barlow and Cindy North Highland Avenue. Christman, who have been Participants will march in Akron’s LGBTQ scene to Hardesty Park to kick since the late 60s. “I never off the activities. “We wanted to come off as disrespectful to my elder LGBT people who have are asking everybody to participate. It’s a march for equality and we want everyone fought all these years for the rights that we represented: straight, gay, immigrant, refugee, have and what they didn’t have.” all minorities,” said Christman. “Everybody has a state in equality and that’s what the march is From Barlow’s memory, the ﬁrst pride festival about.” was “Out in Akron” around 1999. It took place in Highland Square for three days, which remains a “hot spot” for the LGBTQ community. Over the years, the community has held events like Day in the Sun, We are Family, We are Family 2 and Flair Fest. In 2014, Akron was even home to The Gay Games, the world's largest sporting and cultural event for LGBTQ athletes, artists and musicians, where 48 states and 50 countries were represented. Alongside those festivals, organizations like the Akron Pride Center and Stonewall promoted safe sex and AIDS awareness, as does CANAPI today.

Since marriage equality was granted to the LGBTQ community, Christman believes that people think they have equal rights, which is untrue. Many people have been denied jobs and public housing and need to know that there’s a community to support them. That’s part of what inspired the festival. “The LGBTQ movement needs to continue to move forward, grow and be bigger,” said Lottman. “Every generation has their struggle, and we still have our struggles today. They need

“There has always been things going on for our community, just nothing as big as what Dee is doing,” Barlow said. “Our fundraisers were word of mouth, supported and funded by

to continue to reach out to the community with the allies as well. We are human beings and we need support just like everyone else.” (continued on page 46)

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culture club

On the Street Faces of the homeless, previously homeless and those still struggling by Lisa Kane It’s July 25, our Akron Snow Angels Christmas in July event. I’m there with all the volunteers setting up. We expect around 300 people. There is this nice guy that hangs around and helps us all day. I don’t recognize him as one of our regular volunteers. As we are talking, I ask him if he is homeless. He tells me that he has been on and off for a very long time. Even though he himself has been homeless, he still likes to help other homeless people. It’s an amazing thing! We see a lot of homeless people who go out of their way to help each other. Here is one of them.

Meet Michael. Age / Hometown:

have my three daughters. I’m actually staying

51 / Cleveland, OH

What brought you to Akron? I came down

three streets away from them.

here to be with a woman. We now have a 14-year-old daughter and 8-year-old twin girls.

Where did you sleep last night? For the last

Occupation/Previous Occupation/Source of income: I was a cook. Now I live off my Social Security. Why don’t you have “a job”? I’m on SSDI— Social Security Disability. It’s not much, so after I pay child support and everything else, it’s gone. How long have you been homeless? I’ve been homeless off and on for 20 years. What lead you to homelessness? Simply— bad decisions. Using drugs and alcohol led me to homelessness. Do you have family? In the Akron area, I

nine months I’ve been living in an attic. It has a full bathroom. Before that I was always in a tent. This is the longest time in about 17 years that I’ve stayed in a place with a roof over my head. I’ve stayed all night in a room maybe 12 times in the last 20 years. How did you get a place to stay? I was at a camp with another guy. He had a friend who needed help unloading a U-Haul into a house. I went and helped. When we were ﬁnished, the owner of the house told us he had two empty rooms if we wanted to sleep there for the night. A couple days later I decided I was sick of going deep into the woods and didn’t want to do it. I called the guy up and asked him if I could crash there for the night. I told him I would pay him

for the room. His wife said she didn’t want me to have to go back out in the woods, so I could stay the rest of the month. Now it’s been nine months. I pay them some rent each month with my Social Security. It’s been a blessing!

like that. It’s a part of the Peter Maurin Center. (Note from Lisa: The Peter Maurin Center is an inner-city drop in site for disenfranchised folks, living in the very impoverished neighborhoods of the Greater Summit Lake Region of Akron.) The tent I slept in was from them. People felt

Do you usually have three meals a day?

like I was favored by organizations since I also

Usually, yes.

volunteered with them. I WAS homeless too though. God is the only one who gives you

Do you feel safe? I love the woods. I felt safe there. No one would have even been able to

favors and blessings. I wasn’t favored by the organizations. I was favored by God.

ﬁnd my camp! I went deep in the woods. What is the hardest thing about being homeless? Figuring out how you’ll get a place to stay instead of being in the streets all the time. There are so many different personalities

What three words would you use to describe being homeless? Despair. Loneliness. Dysfunctional

out here. Sometimes it makes it hard. I volunteer

What do you think is the leading causes of homelessness? I believe the leading cause

with the street ministry Matthew 8:20. We travel

of homelessness in the Akron area is drug and

out into the community to help folks. We give

alcohol abuse.

out tents, sleeping bags, hats, gloves, socks, stuff

(continued on page 44)

DASH around downtown Akron with our free weekday shuttle! The DASH runs every 10 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes during the evening. Oh, did we mention it’s free? Let’s Dash!

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

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culture club traditional early bird school mornings that throw class after class at students, as the poor kids move from room to room, sitting and sitting, stressing and stressing.

The ﬁrst quarter could focus primarily on the history of Akron, sprinkling current event discussions throughout. For instance, a study of Akron’s canal-linked origin could be topped off with challenging students to design a more pedestrian-friendly city, starting with Main Street—an extremely wide road due to the canal that once ran down the middle.

What can we do in the short term in Akron to help

The second quarter could focus more on

energize our social studies

current events and current questions the city

courses for the beneﬁt of

is grappling with. There’s no loss of challenges

our students and city?

for students to problem solve: the opiate crisis, vacant lots, poverty, what to do with the

How can we allow the

leftovers of Route 59.

students to interact with their history? How can we allow the students some choice and autonomy with their history? How can we help our students become experts in history? How can we make it so that the students can touch, see, and smell

Most cities don’t have a textbook, but there are plenty of sources to pull from, everything from local authors to newspapers to the library’s historical documents to pamphlets printed by historic sites or historical societies. And where the documents lack, tap into the

their history? How can we excite our students to stick around and

genius of historians. The best part about

contribute to Akron?

willingness of guest speakers. Use the local

studying a hometown is the easy access and experts as the textbook. They’re a textbook

Akron history.

that can take questions in real time! Without technology! No out-of-date stock photo

We spend a lot of time in school

images!

teaching students history of far off lands and eras. Students feel disconnected

It takes a little work on the front end to meet

from these worlds. There’s a lack of

with local experts in order to ﬁgure out how

relevance. “How does this apply to

they could ﬁt into the class, but think about

me,” students ask their brains. “It

how rich it would be to bring an expert in

doesn’t,” the brains answer back.

each week. Together, the teacher and the local

experts could build the curriculum, bridging A study of the students’ immediate world the sometimes disappointing gap between would serve them better. There’s history education and the real world. wherever we go. Why not start with the self and then move to the abstract

Teach the students collaboration, not by telling

beyond? If students see a connection between their daily commute to school

them, but by engaging with the community.

and the content being discussed in class, there will be more buy-in. If

A Social Studies Course for Social Studies' Sake (Excerpt from “Rebooting Social Studies” adapted for The Devil Strip) by Greg Milo

Break through those walls that make education seem separate from the outside world. What the students learn in class should prepare them

students realize a bridge between the school

for that outside world, not hide them or protect

world and their real life, they won’t feel so

them from it.

distant from the content. If students feel their background and neighborhood is important, then they’ll have an interest and maybe even participate. Local history is powerful. Local culture is powerful. The students can’t help but feel a connection to the content. If we focus on the skills instead of the content, which seems more useful in the 21st century, it

A course on Akron could invite experts on the native Seneca populations and the use of the Cuyahoga River. The next speaker could talk about the canal system that would bring the city to life. Another speaker could talk about the oats and marble industries of the 1800s. The next speaker could talk about how the city became the Rubber Capital of the world. The ﬁnal speaker on history could talk about the modern struggles of a “Rust Belt” city.

doesn’t matter what the history is. No doubt, emember that high school history class

Not much has changed in the social studies

the history and culture from city to city will be

If speakers can’t be found for every unit, gather

you used as an opportunity to catch up

standards.

different, but to think that one city has a richer

supplementary readings for the students. The

past than another is totally off the mark. Not

Special Collections at the Main Branch Library,

on the sleep you missed because you were recording a mixtape for that love interest

Sure, our wonderful teachers battle the drab

too mention, there are many different ways to

or the Summit County Historical Society, or

you met while dancing to Color Me Bad’s “I

traditions of reading and regurgitation as a

examine a single place.

UA’s Bierce Library are all happy to collaborate.

Wanna Sex You Up?”

means to motivate the students by introducing more active projects. But how far are they

Geesh, was that class a drag or what? All that

willing or able to go to upset traditional social

copying from the dry textbook with the cover

studies?

that a student years earlier had scratched the Twisted Sister logo.

Given the data (and the students’ future), education should be much more active and

That course still exists for today’s students.

mobile and self-led, not restricted to our

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

Utilize those community resources! Let’s consider an example of what a course on local history would look like for Akron.

Ask students to venture out into the community to observe their surroundings, old buildings

The course could be a semester course, where the goal for the students is speciﬁcally to engage. Engage with the community. Engage the brain. Engage responsibility.

and historic markers, for example. Have the students take pictures. Post the pictures on social media. Post the pictures on a student website where they collect all of their ﬁndings.

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culture club Build a collection of pictures and student reflections. Organize an end-of-semester presentation at the school, where the students teach an audience of the community about their hometown, using references from experts and the pictures.

New / Native

bringing in customers. Every inventor in the 1800s had to do the same or risk not making the history books.

Jessica Jones

There’s a tech nerd in the class? That student Occupation: SCRUM Master at Wastebits Hometown: Columbus, Ohio Neighborhood: Coventry/Portage Lakes

could reach out to the entrepreneur who grew up tinkering with guitar effects pedals, such as

The second quarter would examine the culture

EarthQuaker. Maybe the student isn’t a lover of

of the city, including neighborhoods, music and

music. If that’s the case, then the student could

entertainment, arts, religion and highlighted

connect with UA’s strong biomimicry program.

I think that's beautiful!

What do you wish was more on Akronites'

What is your favorite local cultural asset? I think we have an amazing system of parks and

radar? Even though I moved to Akron when I

outdoor areas to explore. Not everyone thinks

was 9, I didn't know much about the area and the industry until I started working downtown. In my first job after college, I gained a lot of exposure to the bigger businesses downtown, but now in my role as a Scrum Master at Wastebits, I'm realizing how big of a start-up and entrepreneurial community we have in the area. Akron is a place where you can try out your ideas and have a go at your dreams - and

of Ohio like that—but there are all kinds of

attractions. In the same quarter, the class would cover the current state of the city’s responsibilities, such as education, public safety, neighborhoods, health, police and fire, law and whatever else you’d like to include. Require students to spend ten minutes with each guest, interviewing them while on camera. The footage could be used for a class project, as well as for next year’s class as a resource. And with each speaker, build an activity that asks the students to put the expert’s presentations into action. If someone talks to the class about what to do with abandoned houses or old buildings, challenge your class to develop plans. Ask students to research what other cities have done with abandoned houses and old buildings

What awesome business niche do students have simmering in their brain? All they need is the right inspiration to see their entrepreneurial spirit come to life. Have a little fun with “on-site assignments.” Organize several walking tours of your city. Hold them after school. Any student who wants to participate can join you, fulfilling one of their on-site requirements. Walking tours allow teachers to take learning beyond the classroom. The learning experience becomes real. Students get to see the history first hand, even touch the history. Teachers can show how the past merges with the present by identifying where buildings once were or how older buildings stand next to newer, underscoring the importance of city planning.

locally or in another similar city (in the case of Akron, another Rust Belt city). Use a community approach to social studies to introduce students to entrepreneurs in the city who turned their passion into a successful business. For instance, a student in love with fashion could check out NOTO. Of course, the student could read Emile Zola’s The Ladies Paradise as a supplementary resource, but a teacher could also bring the experience to life by allowing the student to pick the brain of the local (living) business owner, learning not only what it took to open the shop, but also the strategies in

A social studies course that allows the students to examine their surroundings, first, shows students how to engage in their community, and second, allows students to practice their civic skills first hand. // Greg Milo has worked to educate the Akron community since 2003. He currently collaborates with the Knight Foundation to build Common Threads Akron community conversations and Akron2Akron walks. Before that, he worked in minor league baseball, chronicled in his book “Sweaty Mascots Start Greasefires.” Milo is a Creative Community Fellow, where he’s spend a week locked up in a Vermont cabin with Chris Horn. He is also highlighted on the cover of the Downtown Akron Partnership magazine handing First Energy’s Chris Eck a cup of Akron Coffee Roasters coffee.

When did you fall for Akron? When I came back from college and starting realizing what great beer we have here! And new ones are popping up all the time—there are always new beers to try and cool places to drink. (continued on page 45)

Joe Bertolini Occupation: Owner of Bertolini Trucking Hometown: Akron, Ohio Neighborhood: Fairlawn Heights

What do you wish was more on Akronites'

just five minutes from my house. Also, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the valley is great place to bike and hike. Not too many cities have a national park in the back yard!

radar? Jobs. Everything else is a function of a good economy.

Why should everyone try your favorite

What is your favorite local cultural asset? I

local restaurant? D’Agnese’s on White Pond is wonderful northern Italian restaurant that is

guess EJ Thomas Hall.

often overlooked. You can enjoy great dishes

that have succeeded (or failed). Ask students to identify articles that address the topic, either

outdoor trails to bike, hike, and explore.

such as the Veal D’Agnese or the Eggplant When did you fall for Akron? The only home

Parmesan for under $20. It’s a step or two

I have ever known.

above any chain restaurant around.

Where in Akron do you like to escape? The

How do you hope Akron will be different

park system is pretty cool. It’s one of the best assets of the area. In particular Sand Run Metro Park is a gem. The walking trails through the park offer a scenic beauty along the river that’s

in ﬁve years? I would like to see more business move into the city to create a more vibrant economy. Maybe some kind of tax incentive to attract medical and IT type companies.

The Time Is Now to Bring Down Barriers to Financial Stability With more than 42,000 Summit County residents considered “working poor,” too many Akron families have to struggle just to get by. Our forthcoming Financial Empowerment Centers – created through a partnership between United Way and the City of Akron – will provide much-needed support to families, so that they can build more stable, inancially secure lives. More stable families mean better neighborhoods, children with fewer distractions from school and more people with the power to invest in their own communities. Coming soon! Visit UWSUMMIT.ORG for more information.

UNITED WAY BOLD GOALS by 2025 Financially empower* 11,000 people

GOAL 3

* With the skills, knowledge and resources to budget and save, manage debt, build credit and access banking services.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

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FA M I L I E S

C LO S E

WHAT I WISH I KNEW What Andy Hopp Wishes He Knew Before He Started Oddmall

How did you get into the work you do now? Back in the last month of 2008, my family and I attended a really neat art show in Cleveland called Bazaar Bizarre. It was totally sweet, but was held in a facility that wasn’t very friendly to people who needed to change diapers. We needed to change diapers (not because of impending geriatric incontinence but because our second daughter was a baby

I love exploring and learning things along the way. It’s always an adventure. However, I suppose it would have been useful when starting out as a freelance illustrator, that employers sometimes take a considerable span to pay their debts. Freelancing was challenging. I never knew when, or even if, I was going to get a check. Unscrupulousness is rampant— epidemic, in fact—so watch your butt and

everybody has a story. Treat people like people and all will be well.

We’ve tried to hold to that dogma since the beginning and I think people take notice. Oddmall (and everything I do) is open to all people, regardless of where they come from, who they love, what they believe, how much cash they have, or what they look like. We make sure you learn what had three weddings take place at Oddmall in you can about prospective Akron last May. In fact, according to the lie I am employers before you turn currently writing, Oddmall is now the word for in any work. “love” in six world languages.

at the time). I thought to myself, “Andy, how

by Kelcie Erbse

awesome would it be if there was a show not too far from here

I have also, on occasion,

Andy Hopp is probably one of the wackiest

where people could see

dudes you’ll ever meet. Known for his stories

incredible and unique

and strange illustrations all over the country,

works of art, chat with

After years of creating characters and found myself in a situation ﬁction what are some of the best lessons where hiring freelancers you have learned along the way? It’s

he started as a freelance game designer in

amazing people, and also

became necessary. Those

not always important to be better than the

Columbus, and from there he created a world

change diapers?” Such

same scruples and the

competition. Sometimes just being different

for fans everywhere. Andy now has dozens of

a thing became a reality

lack thereof can be found

is good enough. The publishing world is a

games, children books and works of art out in

in May 2009, then again

among artists as well.

veritable overﬂowing cornucopia of amazingly

the world such as the acclaimed Low Life RPG

in November 2009, then

Who would ever guess

talented artists whose art all looks the same.

that people who spent

Stand out. Shine and be noticed. There are

by PEG, “The Wanderers Guild,” and his newest twice a year every year book, “Holy Crap: The Great Sects Change since then. Now we host Oddmall in Ohio six

their days in school doodling in their notebooks

a thousand peeps who draw dragons better

Operation,” will be released this September.

times a year, with shows in Akron, Canton

instead of listening to teachers might have

than I can. If, however, you’re looking for a

and Toledo (also multiple shows in the Paciﬁc

trouble maintaining discipline? I know I do.

cremeﬁllian danged wrangler waving a ﬂaming

Andy loves sharing his weird with people so much that he created a place where people could be weird and have fun. This place is Oddmall: Emporium of the Weird, an art-craft show/comic con/gaming festival with live music, toys, cosplay, fashion, food, tattoos and maybe even a wedding or two.

Andy Hopp

spork into battle while perched atop a mutant

Northwest because, as everyone knows, they don’t have any resident weirdness in the Paciﬁc

What's something you're glad you didn't

land ﬁsh with a pompadour haircut and a

Northwest). Our next and newest Oddmall

know when starting out? Everything. Part

mustache I’m your guy. In fact, I’m your guy

of the journey is the journey itself. I mean, the whole journey is the journey, but sometimes happens September 16-17 at Derby Downs in Akron. There will be over 100 fantastic vendors the best part of that journey are all the great encounters and lessons along the way. I started and artists, a ﬁre stunt show, a car and auto show, derby car racing, live entertainment, food out completely ignorant and wide-eyed. Now I am a little less ignorant, but increasingly widetrucks, guests from TV’s Face Off, and all sorts eyed. I’m not sure if I’m making sense, but I of other snazzy jazz. Oh, and it’s absolutely know what I mean. FREE! Donations, of course, are appreciated. show is Oddmall: Rubber City Rumpus, which

either way. Free Andys for all!

Andy will be opening an Oddmall store in his hometown of Green, Ohio. Oddmall Outpost:

Vendor space is still available.

Occupation: writer, illustrator, promoter

What's something you think you've done

Assembly of Odd opens this October at

right from the beginning? If there is one credo by which I live my life it is this: Nobody

775 E Turkeyfoot Lake Road. See you there!

Hometown: Green, OH

What's one thing you wish you would have known before starting out? That is a

Current neighborhood: Green, OH

fascinating and incredibly handsome question.

is a nobody. Everybody is somebody and

and organizer at Mutha Oith Creations and Oddmall: Emporium of the Weird

by Gray Giaconia

28 AKRO-PRENEURS: POPSMITH AND EARTHQUAKER DEVICES

AKRON BIZ

Tip Sheet

Akropreneurs

26 ORIGIN STORY: JANUARY PAINT & WALLPAPER

Photos courtesy of muthaoithcreations.com

We asked three local entrepreneurs how they balance

this particular industry, sometimes we have multiple

being active with different non-proﬁts in the Akron area

work and family life, and how they prevent burnout.

catering events from the cafe side, and we have a super

and just enjoying the outdoors—whatever can take you

Here’s what they had to say.

busy day that wipes out everything that we prepped,

out of your business head.”(Photo Courtesy of John Green,

and we know that we’re going to have a huge prep list

Cafe O’PLay)

for the following day, and you just have to have that mindset that you gotta make it happen.” (Photo Courtesy

Mike Buzek

of Mike Buzek, Chameleon Cafe.)

Owner, Chameleon Cafe

Charly Murphy

“Balancing work and family. . . I don’t do a very good

Owner, Stray Dog Cafe

job of that speciﬁcally, but since I work with my family, they make me more aware of the need to take family time. As far as how do I prevent burnout, honestly I’ve had to turn down business when I’ve felt overloaded. Rarely do I ever turn down business. Because I love what I’m doing, it’s not really work, even though it’s long hours. . . By the time you get to the point when you’re making that move to be an entrepreneur, you’ve kind of made the decision of what you want to do and so you kind of have that focus on that mindset and so you’re willing to take on those challenges. . . And in

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

John Green Owner, Cafe O’Play “For me, I balance it by doing a business that my family can be actively engaged with. All my kids are employees at our business, my wife and I are co-owners, and so it’s really an active family business and that’s actually really fun. And I think for the second part. . . preventing burnout, for me it’s engaging in things that take place outside of the business: being active in my church,

“Not very well—as an entrepreneur it’s a very difﬁcult balance. One of the best ways for me is to allow my children to be involved in our business. So I get to work and hang out with them and teach them some stuff along the way. And I don’t think burnout is a thing, if you love what you do. I think sometimes you have to get creative when scheduling recreational things for yourself. . . taking a walk in the afternoon or going to the gym late at night. . .” (Photo Courtesy of Charly Murphy

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

Akropreneurs

ORIGIN STORY

January Paint and Wallpaper

After Andy Sr. died, Andy and his mom ran

offers more service and humanity than can be found at a chain store. This is January

the recession of 2008 and the collapse of the

with homeowners and their homes. He muses

2nd Annual Earthquaker Day: August 5, 2017

wallpaper industry took a toll on the business.

on the subjectivity of taste: one family would

by Floco Torres

Paint and Wallpaper.

Luckily, they were able to make it through,

come to the store, get everything they needed

thanks to their Akron customers who know and

to ﬁx their house the way they liked it, but

trust them.

then when they sold the house, the next family

If you aren’t a musician or an obsessive fan

would come to the store to instantly ﬁx all

of music, you may think that an all day event

words and photos by Gray Giaconia family business is most successful when it’s dedicated to the community and

the business and were very successful, but

While working at a paint company in Cleveland for his cousin, Andy January Sr. was assigned

Pictured: Andy January reclines in his family’s store.

centered around handmade guitar pedals

the Januarys moved to Akron with their three-

“I used to sit down when wallpaper was out—it the paint and wallpaper exactly the way they was in such bad shape, when it was coming liked it, claiming that the family before them

month-old son, Andy. After a falling-out with

back, I didn’t think it would come back on an

had terrible taste. And this of course goes on

except for the fact that this isn’t just any all

his cousin and a short stint at another Akron

airplane or with a brass band or anything, so

and on with each new occupant of a home,

day event, it’s the 2nd Annual Earthquaker

paint company, Andy Sr. decided, as Andy Jr.

I sat down at the bus depot,” Andy says. He

and though it seems funny looking at home

Day hosted by Earthquaker Devices. Back in

puts it, “We can starve to death just as easily

jokes about wallpaper going out of style and

renovation in this way, that’s the whole point of

2004, Jamie Stillman & Julie Robbins started

opening our own business, just as easily as I am

then coming back, but wallpaper has been

paint and wallpaper: it’s the most conventional

Earthquaker Devices out of sheer curiousity

starving to death working for this other guy.”

an important part of the business since the

way to alter your home’s style to ﬁt you and

when Jamie’s favorite overdrive pedal broke

Januarys began selling it in 1959, and Andy is

your family’s tastes.

and he learned how easy it was to ﬁx it.

to work at the company’s Akron location, so

So, in 1956, the Januarys opened their own store at the corner of Bowery and Thornton. In 1969, they moved to 394 W Exchange, where the business still resides today.

Thirteen years, 50+ employees, and a tour bus

hopeful about its current return to fashion. A family business needs a family, and Andy is happy to have worked with his parents and his siblings, Phil, Harriet and John.

wouldn’t be your thing. I’d agree with you

Everybody has their own preferences that most likely won’t align with those of the people that lived in the house before, and sometimes you even get sick of your own style and need a change.

worth of awards later, Earthquaker has literally been helping musicians make noise on stages all over the world. But what’s cool about what Earthquaker is doing is that they’re actually

Andy Jr. took on his ﬁrst job at the age of eight, going around the neighborhood to collect

“It’s been a long, wonderful experience because

payments for “The Plain Dealer.” Two years

there’s so many people we’ve met over a

Whatever your reasons for redecorating,

Cynics will tell you that being creative and be-

later, his parents decided they needed his help

lifetime in Akron,” he says. “I think we’re part

January Paint and Wallpaper will continue to

ing business savvy usually aren’t synonymous,

at the store on Saturdays, so he made his ﬁrst

of Akron, and Akron’s part of us.”

provide the paint and wallpaper you need to

but EQ (Ohh snap, I just got that. EQ. Equal-

style your home and make the place your own.

izer. EarthQuaker. That’s dope) bridges this

and only career change. As a young man, Andy

cool while they’re doing it.

worked in the store with his family, attended

As part of a long-running family business, one

gap perfectly. First off, most if not all of their

and graduated from Hoban and the University

gets a different experience with the consumer

50+ employees are musicians or music nerds,

of Akron and served in the Army Reserve.

than at a chain store. Andy has become familiar

so they immediately ﬁll the room with people who actually care about what they’re creating. Ironically enough, how Earthquaker markets

dollars, fancy lofts are expensive and fancy restaurants aren’t that dope most of the time. (Nice cars are still cool.) From my personal observation, everything that we allow into our lives in our 20s and early 30s—from our careers, to what we consume for entertainment and nourishment, to where we choose to live (for the most part), how we dress—all that is

FLOCO’S MODERN LIFE

Quality of Life by Floco Torres

hat is your idea of a good quality of life? I ponder on this important question that teachers should start

asking students in middle school. When we

its products is similar to how a band with a budget promotes an album. Their Facebook page is ﬁlled with astute and hilarious videos, like the recent 4th of July video or the 50’s style horror ﬂick commercial for EarthQuaker Day. Not to mention that they have their own comic book, “Octo Skull,” which is drawn by Matt Horak and accompanied by a soundtrack

based on whether we have started to address

created by Earthquaker Devices artists. (i.e.

that question or not.

their employees).

I moved to Akron this year with more of a sense of who I am and what I can do, and the only Pictured above: Floco Torres live at Thursday’s Lounge thing I’m trying to prove to myself is that I can for the release of my new EP “again” (Photo by keep taking my career higher. As I look around LSquaredPhotos) and listen to my peers and acquaintances, I ask them about their preferred quality of life and Before I left college, I was pursuing a career in I hear about magical neighborhoods with no journalism, and a teacher I really respect told crime ever and impeccable architecture where me that I was wasting my time because print you can shop all day and eat ethnic food at 4 was dying and everything was moving online. am. Not only are these things COMPLETELY I took his words seriously and told myself I unrealistic half the time, when parts of them do exist, it’s in major cities, where somehow needed to ﬁnd something else to do. I realize because the population is larger, it translates now that before I was 21, I started addressing to life being better. Happiness and culture can the quality of life question and my answer was be sold to you as a good quality of life if you broken into four parts: I want to say what’s in can’t deﬁne it on your own. (Craft beer, healthy my head, I don’t like where I live, I don’t want eating, loft living, beards, reality TV, etc) to be broke and I want to help my parents

and live in fancy lofts, eat at fancy restaurants

When I ended up in Macon in 2008, I was in

and drive nice cars. We got older and learned

search of who I was at the moment, what I

that there’s a million ways to make a million

could do, what I couldn’t do, how I could make

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

Earthquaker Day is just as much about their products and how they work as it is about the creative genius of making people care about the process. The Day starts at 1 pm and is ﬁlled with clinics/Q&A sessions with musicians that have played worldwide, tours of the facility, local food & coffee and, of course, live music by Earthquaker Devices employees. If none of that gets you excited let’s also point out that it’s a FREE event. The music doesn’t stop when the event is over at 8 pm— it just moves to Annabell’s Bar & Lounge for the after party featuring This Moment in Black History and Black Sabath. The 2nd annual EarthQuaker Day

someday.

were younger, we all wanted to be millionaires

something of my career path and so on. Over time, living in Macon didn’t seem to reﬂect who I was, nor who the people that were heavily involved in the community were. And the question arose again. Bluntly, I was saying what was in my head, but I was still broke (REALLY broke) and didn’t like where I lived, but I had been able to help my parents a bit, so I was 2/4.

The next time you get a chance, ask yourself what’s your idea of a good quality of life, and you may ﬁnd that you’re already where you would like to be.

August 5, 2017 1 - 8pm at EarthQuaker Devices facility 350 W Bowery Street

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

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Akropreneurs

Podcast Pullquote: ep. 7 EarthQuaker Devices’ Jamie Stillman & Julie Robbins “I think I decided when I was five that I would

“Every pedal took hours.” – J. Stillman

be a musician and I never had any aspirations beyond that and I’ve accidentally found a way

“We move into this new space and we were

to make that a reality.” – Jamie Stillman

just continuing to grow and grow and grow, where we would hire new people every few

“I took things apart, I built rockets, I played

months.” – Julie Robbins

music, I skated. That’s it. The only thing that’s different is I’m not building rockets, instead I’m

“It started from maybe $30 and then that $30

building pedals.” – J. Stillman.

turned into $60 and that $60 turned into $120. There was no startup money in it at all. Money

“I got hooked. For whatever reason I

just kept going back into it over and over

understood schematics right from the start and

again.” – J. Stillman

the way that I view it is that somehow it is a

Stay Frosty, Popsmith

perfect blend of music, graphic design, and

“If you can really make something that you

my urge to take everything apart to see how it

think is really great, other people probably will

works.” – J. Stillman

too.” – Julie Robbins

“I tried to make another pedal, and I tried to

“It’s a very Midwestern philosophy to just work

make that pedal about 40 times in a row and I

really hard, do the best that you absolutely can,

caught the carpet on fire one time, I blew up an

put 100% into it, but then expect everybody

amp and I was like ‘maybe this isn’t for me.’ But

else to decide whether they think its cool or

then I just kept sticking with it and I built it and

not.” – J. Robbins

by Noor Hindi

lackberry watermelon, rhubarb orange blossom and sour cherry rose. If you’re

familiar with Popsmith, you know these are just some of the weird and wacky flavors they offer to Akronites on hot summer days. Made from locally grown fruit, Tim and Beth Knorr have been offering these tasty summertime treats since 2013.

their kids 15 years ago. They also used the popsicles as a way for Tim to cool off after his runs. Once Tim began experimenting with flavors, Popsmith was formed.

I got good at that pedal.” – J. Stillman “It’s not always smooth sailing but we know what we’re getting into,” says Beth. “We know that we each have strengths and weaknesses and so we try to capitalize on those.”

“I love that what we’re doing is fun and brings If you haven’t tried Popsmith, check them people smiles,” says Beth. “It’s great to see how happy something as simple as a popsicle out at Porch Rokr on Saturday, August 19 in Highland Square. In the meantime, view will make people.” our video about Popsmith on The Devil Strip Tim and Beth began making the popsicles for

Facebook page.

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

“Eventually the pedals started making it so

“In Akron, everybody is cool. They just are. And nobody’s worried about it.” – J. Robbins

that I was never going to sleep again. I would literally be awake 18 hours a day. Most of that spent soldering pedals. I was doing everything

“EarthQuaker day is the best day of the year.” – J. Robbins

by hand.” – Jamie Stillman “All of what we’re doing now is stuff I learned to make it faster for me so my hands would still work so I could actually play guitar.” – J. Stillman

“There’s going to be food. There’s going to be dippin dots. There’s going to be a dunk tank. There’s going to be a banana stand. There is going to be vendors selling all kinds of cool stuff. There’s going to be a cash grabber machine.” – J. Robbins

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

The Dish

30 BURGERS & BREWS AT CASTON & MAIN BREW YARD 32 AKRON PIZZA TASK FORCE: MISSION EMIDIO’S 34 THE BAR CRAWLER’S GREATEST PAST-TIME

FOOD & DRINK IN AKRON

Beet in the Heat with Martha’s Ecuadorian Rainbow Beet Salsa Martha’s Ecuadorian Rainbow Beet Salsa: 5 large Martha's Farm rainbow beets 1 ear or corn, Kernels removed, boiled or grilled 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Light and refreshing, Martha’s salsa recipe is a locavore’s dream. Nearly every ingredient can be 1/2 medium red onion, chopped ﬁnely limes (fresh) juiced found at her produce stand. If her haul that day 2 tablespoons BJ’s gourmet garlic farm extra is missing a component, Martha won’t hesitate 3 10 twists of BJ’s gourmet garlic farm grilling to point you towards a farmer who can ﬁll the virgin olive oil & garlic remaining space in your basket. spices

beet skins off with a towel. To make for easy

While martha recommends one ear of corn,

spoonful. Enjoy!

With a joyful smile, Martha extended not only this versatile crop, but her personal recipe for Ecuadorian Rainbow Beet Salsa as well.

Locavore Lovin’ from the Oven Words and photos by Lia Pietrolungo

ith the anticipation of August’s latesummer produce spilling from my

hopeful basket, I padded along the fragrant grass at the Highland Square farmers’ market with fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes on my brain. Where there is a craving for these plump delights, there is the promise of perfectly scoopable salsa and lightly salted corn chips. As I neared an heirloom sea sprawled across a table full of colorful produce, bunches of rainbow beets with long, vibrant green leaves laying atop one another commanded my attention. The earthy, bulbous vegetables shook my tomato craving from the vine, rooting themselves ﬁrmly into my attention. Standing behind the table was Martha Gaffney, Ecuador native and namesake of Martha’s farm.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

you can either add another ear or omit it. If beets aren’t your bag, carrots can easily be substituted in the salsa. Although Martha’s original recipe calls for BJ’s Garlic Farm Grilling Spices, my pantry could offer only Penzeys Salsa & Pico seasoning. Robust and complex, this blend of shallots, cumin, garlic, black pepper, Mexican oregano, paprika, cilantro, jalapeno pepper and chipotle pepper cuts through the sweet root vegetables and potent cilantro with a complimenting heat. Bright and zesty, the lime juice lends a clean note to this warm weather recipe.

salsa scoopin, ﬁnely dice the carrots and beets. Combine your veggies of choice in a large bowl. Season the salsas to your preference. If you want to keep it simple, sprinkle on some chili powder, or your spice of choice. Add the lime juice squeeze by squeeze in between the spice additions. Serve with chips, white rice, or have at it by the

Optional: Carrots 2 ears of corn Lime zest Trim beet stems, leaving two inches at the top as well as the skin intact to keep the deep pink

The Highland Square Farmer’s market is pigment from bleeding into the water. In a large held on Thursdays, from 4 - 7 pm in Will Christy pot, boil the beets until slightly tender in salted Park at 1175 West Exchange Street. You can water with at least 1 tsp of vinegar. catch the Howe Meadow Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 9 am - noon at 4040 Riverview If you’re using carrots, chop off their tops and Road, Peninsula, OH, 44264. peel the exterior. Boil in a separate pot for a few minutes.

// Despite her best efforts, Lia has yet to make it through an entire film in a movie theatre without

dozing off at least once. If spicy salsa is your bag, add a few good shakes Rinse both veggies in cold water and slip the of chili powder to the mix, or skip the powder Earthy and sweet, beets can be used in both desserts and savory and toss in freshly chopped chili pepper instead. dishes. Despite snubs from beet resistors, these rugged roots

From Martha’s Farm to your table, this recipe delivers easy preparation, a well-rounded flavor profile and ample room for variation. Should you find yourself at the markets this week, be sure to stop by the Martha’s Farm stand, load your baskets with holistically grown produce and say hello to Martha for me!

wait patiently throughout the season, ready at any moment to be celebrated in salads, purees and pickling jars. If you’re in the business of pairing beets with chocolate, head on over to the web to find my chocolate beet cake recipe. If you’re looking to use the greens, chop ‘em on up and add them to a salad, or wilt them in a pan with olive oil, a spritz of lemon juice, salt, pepper and sauteed garlic.

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

the dish around the Akron area. The staff was all nice enough for it being incredibly busy. Between their muddling, pouring and running, I got quick bits of information that Caston has a brew takeover monthly, and between that and their well-lit patio, their summer has never seen so much business. The bar area was the busiest, and while there was only one bartender with a lot of tending to do, he seemed to know what he was

by Kelcie Erbse

check out that macaroni salad. Definitely get it. The burger choices were somewhat limited, but they all sounded great. They had the Bacon & Bleu Burger, Brew Yard Burger, Salmon Burger and they had a slider option too. All the burgers were reasonably priced at $10.

doing. Other staff members stepped in to help from time

Besides burgers, there was a variety of tacos,

to time, which made me

salads, sandwiches, pastas and flatbeds. They

think everyone was friendly there.

also have lunch and brunch menus on the weekend.

Now moving onto the

The drive to Caston & Main Brew Yard is a little

good stuff—the food.

farther than most Akron burger joints. You have

All the ingredients at

to head out to the Portage Lakes area, but it’s

ulling into the parking lot, I could tell this

Monster. Tasting all

Caston & Main Brew Yard

worth the $7 Uber ride.

small, rustic looking building was full of

of these beers made

thirsty beer drinkers, and as I walked up

// Kelcie Erbse changes her favorite flavors weekly and

to the main entrance, I quickly found out why

me excited to head down to the valley and

are sourced from Ohio based farms and freshly prepared. I ordered the

is always looking to add to her burger bank.

the party was hopping. This month, Caston

get more of what R

& Main Brew Yard is hosting R Shea’s Tap

Shea has this summer.

Brew Yard Burger. Inside the pretzel bun that held it all together was a

Takeover, which has been bringing in people from all around the Rubber City.

combination of angus beef and chorizo, topped of chili lime mayo. I don’t know what it is about

Their draft list had 10 different beers from

tropical that tastes like juice. I recommend the

a pretzel bun, but it’s the perfect sales pitch to

breweries all over Ohio, including their own

Rubber City Red for those that don’t share my

this consumer. The burger wasn’t too spicy, but

Reservoir Red. Since R Shea’s was their monthly

sweet tooth. They also had a Towpath Stout

I was glad I didn’t get the Orange Pineapple

special, I got a flight to taste their sweet

from R Shea, drafts from Rhinegeist, North

Habanero Shandy to wash it all down. For sides,

summer selections: Orange Pineapple Habanero

Brewing Co., Jackie O’s and Akron’s own

they had potato salad, jalapeno and bacon

Shandy, Orange-Mango Citra Shandy, Rubber

Hoppin’ Frog. They also have a list of specialty

macaroni salad, apple slaw, veggies, salad and

City Red, plus a classic Great Lakes Lake Erie

cocktails worth checking out and wines from

chips. They all seemed original, but I had to

5010 S Main St Tues - Thur, 4-11pm; Fri & Sat 12pm-1am; Sun 10am-3pm

castonbrewyard.com

What is your favorite summertime activity to do

What would you choose for your last dinner if

FOH:

in Akron when you are not making spinach pies

you knew the world was

Bella January

and selling pita? Akron is so fun in the summer, it is hard to pinpoint one thing. I love taking my dogs on

ending tomorrow? When it comes to food, the spicier the better. If the world was ending tomorrow,

Town: West Akron Occupation: Kitchen and

the trails to hike. The Farmer’s Markets are always a

I would want my last meal to be the hottest and

great time too.

spiciest Jerk Chicken around.

Customer Service Marvel

by Krissy O’Connor

Fuad Khayyat’s Vine Valley

with pepper jack cheese, bacon and a nice layer

Mango Citra Shandy, because I love everything

FRONT OF THE HOUSE BACK OF THE HOUSE

For a full-size beer, I decided on the Orange-

What is your favorite Vine Valley meal

I would bet that summer is a busy time for Vine

Vine Valley does mostly a carry-out and catering

to order? All of the food is incredible. If I had to

Valley’s Catering, but you must have some days

business, right? Are you more of a jack-of-all-

pick one meal it would have to be the Kibbeh. It’s the absolute best, especially paired with the hummus and tabbouleh. I’m getting hungry talking about it!

off, right? What do you love about Akron in the

trades and help out in the store and the kitchen? What ‘chore/job’ do you like doing best? Vine Valley is definitely a catering and carry-out business,

summer? Akron has an awesome outdoor music scene with great variety which I enjoy. As a person who is not familiar with Lebanese/

no party is too big or too small. Teamwork is key. Everyone works together to make sure orders are

BOH:

Mediterranean cuisine, if I were to ask for a

taken care of at the same time the storefront is

Fuad Khayyat

typical Vine Valley take-out order, what would

and meat pies. There is nothing better than fresh

Town: West Akron Occupation: Owner, Chef, and

Kibbeh, tabbouleh, hummus, grape leaves and a bag of pita. It’s the tastiest combination for any occasion.

spinach pies out of the oven!

Chief Bottle Washer

running smoothly with carry-out customers. My favorite job is making the Fatayer, which are spinach

Binge watching T.V. seems to be a new pastime these days, I know I am a participant. Are you, and if so, what is your latest binging pleasure?

How did Vine Valley come about? What was your inspiration for starting Vine Valley? My lifelong passion with

I am not into watching any current TV series, but Netflix is a close friend. I just finished watching Big Little Lies on HBO. It was super suspenseful. I would highly recommend it!

Mediterranean food prompted me to buy Vine Valley with the intention to share with Akron this healthy, flavorful cuisine.

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

you suggest? You have to cover all the basics.

1450 N Portage Path Akron, Ohio, OH 44313 (330) 865-6777

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

Akron’s First Artisan Ice Cream Shop Open All Year • All Ice Cream Made on Premise

In the Historic Arts District | 30 N. High St. Akron, OH www.chill-icecream.com | (330) 649-2834

20% Off Furniture, Art, rugs and books 25% Off Vinyl LPs, 45s & 78s 35% Off Clothing

1900 W. Market St. • Akron, OH 44313 • 516-305-1039 Located in the Pat Catan's parking lot Sunday and Monday 12p - 5p • Tuesday - Saturday 10a - 5p

“The cinema has no boundary; it is a ribbon of dream.” ~~ Orson Welles

Serving up fresh cinema, seven days a week, right next to our friends at Akron Coffee Roasters.

SHOWTIMES AT

lifesourceyoga.com • 330.835.9945

NIGHTLIGHTCINEMA.COM

30 N HIGH ST AKRON HISTORIC ARTS DISTRICT NEAR CRAVE, URBAN EATS, & NUEVO

{The Dish}

the dish

AKRON PIZZA TASK FORCE

Meg Hambach Place: Woody’s Why do you keep

EMIDIO & SONS PIZZA

going back? They always treat us like

words and photos by Kelcie Erbse If you’re looking to get spoiled, go to Emidio & Sons Italian Restaurant. Since business has increased, the family opened a separate location for dining in Cuyahoga Falls, in addition to the onthe-go pizza shop on the corner of N Main Street and Tallmadge Avenue in Akron.

Pictured left: Pepper pizza;

family & the prices are fantastic. We love to go there for breakfast. My favorite dish is the Woody's Favorite: corned beef hash, poached eggs, hash browns and toast!

Pineapple pizza; Cookie Pizza from Emidio and Sons Pizza

The shop also sells homemade desserts. From pizza sized chocolate chip cookies, to brownies and carrot cake. You can enjoy Emidios & Sons Pizza onthe-go or dine in at their extending from the box below. It looked like a cartoon, and it was mouthwatering.

family-style dining restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls. Both locations also deliver.

I am one of those people who enjoy pineapple on her pizza, so I have to mention that they did a great job of melting the fruit into the cheese—no separation issues there, just sweet and delicious. On the other pizza, I would have liked to have seen the green peppers more cooked into the cheese rather than sitting on top. It did make for a messy couple slices, but I do have to say I enjoyed the mess.

// Kelcie Erbse is currently an intern at The Devil Strip

Jim Norden Place: Fred's Diner Why do you keep going back? If you like bacon you get whole pieces of it. Only open for breakfast, from 6am-3pm (it’s packed on Sunday’s) but it’s a great place to eat at!

Carmen Torio Place: The Carovillese Lodge & Club Why do you keep going back? I love going

However, I ordered carryout, which was quick and easy—less-than-10-minutes easy. The little shop is tucked behind a huge Emidio & Sons sign that catches the attention of anyone looking for a quick pizza ﬁx. Whether it’s at 8 am or 3 am, Emidio’s has your back. There is even a drive-thru for those who aren’t looking to get out of their car. They know you want it, and that you want it fast. I got two different kinds of pizza—a sweet pineapple pizza and a half green pepper and half pepperoni pizza. As soon as I grabbed a slice, the cheese didn’t want to let go, so there were multiple strings

but has been a prominent Akron pizza consumer for

on Tuesday for Spaghetti Night! You get a lot for $8; the service is great and so is the food!

years. Email at kelcieerbse@gmail.com

Marsha Wineland

Emidio & Sons Pizza Shop:

636 North Main St, Akron

Place: Cilantro Why do you keep going back? We like the sushi.It was really good

Restaurant:

3204 State Rd, Cuyahoga Falls

service and good prices.

Banquet Center: 48 E Bath Rd,

Jo Murdocco

Cuyahoga Falls Altogether, Emidio & Sons clearly have

Place: Papa Joe’s Why do you keep

their pizza art perfected. I would highly

Check out their website at

recommend the pineapple for those who

emidioandsons.com

like it.

for hours and menu.

going back? I like the atmosphere and the Italian food they have. // Compiled by Kayla Sturm

Pictured (left to right): Colin Cook, Mike Hamad,

Getting down on Troppe and Cook’s groove is

Tony Troppe (Photo by Lia Pietrolungo)

Mike Hamad, Assistant Manager at BLU Jazz and BLU Plate, and decades-old friend of Cook.

really mind that people couldn’t ﬁnd us, because they’d come here

“Knowing the two of them, I

through a friend,” explains

was beyond excited to have the

Tony Troppe, Creative

opportunity to work with them both,”

Director and Proprietor of BLU Jazz+ and BLU Plate.

Pictured left: Ian Schwarber (Photo

“It was a speakeasy, not a

courtesy of Ian Schwarber) Pictured below:

findeasy. So it was really

Chef Lee DiEgidio (Photo by Lia Pietrolungo)

opportune for us when we

From Speakeasy to Findeasy Taking it up a notch with BLU Plate words by Lia Pietrolungo

started growing downstairs

says Hamad. Ian Schwarber, owner

to take it up here and put a front door on

of the consulting practice

Market Street.”

of marketing and promotional Rising from the ashes of the former 3 Point location, BLU Plate has transformed the previously creative minds of Tony Troppe, Colin Cook, Ian Schwarber, Mike Hamad, and Mike Wyatt. The BLU Jazz Venture reﬂects their dedication to bringing Jazz back to Akron.

downstairs club, BLU maintains historical and cultural accuracy

Hamad’s excitement, as does Mike

in both their ingredients and

Wyatt, BLU Brand social media

preparation styles. From classic Sazeracs to the original

and marketing manager and Vice President of Talent & Events at BLU. “After my very ﬁrst walkthrough of the dirt-

to bring Jazz back to Akron. It wasn’t until

ﬂoored downstairs space,” Wyatt remembers,

ten years later that BLU Jazz+ came to fruition

“I knew that my shared vision with Tony to

and opened its doors to the public. But BLU represents more than a color or a mood. “It’s an acronym,” Troppe reiterates before he announces the nightly act, “B-L-U is simply, ‘Below You,’ and that’s something that we have to do. Take it down a notch, get right down to

Sharing a speakeasy-inspired craft cocktail menu between the upstairs dining area and the

being one of them) shares

In 2003, Troppe and Cook laid out their plans

underground, BLU Jazz+ has “taken it

“We started out as a speakeasy and we didn’t

projects for Troppe (BLU Plate

Having toured the south to understand both the culture and flavor profile of the cuisine, Colin Cook now uses his knowledge to collaborate with Executive Chef and master of all things southern spice, Lee DiEgidio, on BLU Plate’s menu. Serving up dishes such as Louisiana-style Shrimp & Crawfish Étouffée, St. Louis-style Stuffed Pork Chops and Blackened Catfish, BLU brings taste buds on an authentic tour of southern cuisine.

Maiden Lane, BLU’s cocktail menu is resplendent with innovation and integrity.

fter nearly four years of jiving

up a notch” with the grand opening BLU Plate’s front door on Market Street.

ALTITUDE Strategy and manager

quintet is revitalizing Akron’s Jazz scene.

that special groove known as Jazz.”

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

Pairing music, cuisine and art, BLU fosters a memorable dining experience with ample room for improvisation. Mirroring restaurant bring live jazz back to Akron was something traditions of the 50s and 60s, BLU’s plans to I wanted to be a part of.” Although Wyatt alter the menu with the addition of a daily curates and contracts musicians for BLU from “BLU Plate Special” through which Chef afar, he remains committed to the BLU vision. DiEgidio can demonstrate his on-the-spot Through full-circle hospitality and entertainment creativity and mastery of cooking. (continued on page 42) at BLU Plate and BLU Jazz+, this dynamic

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

ap arnie’s public house

Summer Menu is in Full Swing Try our FGTB.. fried green tomato sandwich with house-made pimento cheese! It's delicious! Nightly Specials and House-madejoy Soups We look forward to seeing you

Elegantly casual dining featuring modern Elegantly Casual twists on your favorite comfort foods and classic cocktails 1682 W. market St. • Westgate Plaza in Akron reservations encouraged • 330-867-0154 open 7 days a week • 11:00am - 2:30am

OF OUR E N O Y R T PLAZA E T A G T S WE ANTS! RESTAUR

Rubber City Clothing available here Delicious daily and weekend specials Enjoy a Mimosa or one of our signature Bloody Marys with your meal

NUEVO MODERN MEXICAN & TEQUILA BAR RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR SEATING BUT ADVENTURESOME TASTE BUDS REQUIRED FOR DINING

v Akron's home of the all day breakfast featuring a Bloody Mary menu, Mimosas and much more... 1688 W. market St. • Westgate Plaza in Akron 330-867-1114 open 7 days a week • 6:30am - 3:00am Sundays 8:00am - 3:00pm

NUEVO CATERING CATERING FOR ANY EVENT, ANY SIZE, ANY CUISINE "Thank you for an amazing time for our reunion last night! You impressed a lot of people! Highly recommending you to everyone for their events!!"

54 East Mill St. Akron 44308 (330) 762-8000 nuevomodmex.com Hours: M-Th 11-10, F 11-11, Sat 3-11

the dish

A sweet spot to people-watch

the woman who still rocks the big hair/heavy eye shadow. You are both my sunshine on a rainy day.

If it’s a crime to people-watch and chuckle to yourself from time to time, then yours truly is very guilty. It's not like I'm passing hard judgement on others, because I don't know these strangers I'm observing. I'm not claiming to be better than anyone—it's just a way to keep myself entertained, and it's better than staring at a cellphone as the world passes me by.

Even the occasional 30-something with the Trenchcoat Maﬁa/I-freaking-loveRammstein look is a total eye catcher. A bit unnerving, but bold and strong just the same. I can't wait to see these folks 30 years from now. If they are still rocking these looks then, it will be better than aged Zima.

When I'm tending bar and someone walks in like they just left a Billy Ocean video in People are fascinating to me, especially from afar. I like to guess their stories, even though I'm certainly wrong most of the time. Akron is a hotbed for interesting people, 1988, I'm probably going to mumble to myself, "Get out of my dreams and get into the bar!" It's just a knee-jerk reaction. I can't help myself, because this person just and the sweet-spots are deﬁnitely in our local drinking holes. made my day. Oh, the wonders our illustrious city beholds. The good, bad, ugly and beautiful all have stories to tell, just through their appearances, mannerisms and the company they Whether it's a 75-year-old woman rocking a beehive hairdo and Capri pants or the dude that looks like the lost Beatle, my nostalgia endorphins kick in higher than then keep. But I long for the rare and bizarre. when I see a ‘62 Fleetwood or ‘78 Camaro. You have added an ambiance to my You know the people I'm talking about. The ones that defy all logic. Well, at least our surroundings that money simply can't buy. I thank you both. logic. They’re the kind of citizens that make you stop in your tracks and ask, "Crikey! What have we here?" like the late Steve Irwin. For me, the alarm that goes off in my head generally is, "Unicorn!" "Unicorn!" But words like Yeti, Chupacabra and WTF also come to mind. I long for these bits in time. So, you are new to Akron and have no clue what I'm talking about. Allow me. I'm not talking about the couple that is wearing the same exact outﬁt on a night out.

I'm not a big fan of the “I just walked out of a 1987 L.L. Bean catalog” look, but I'll still give you an A for lack of effort. My all time favorite is the guy who apparently just came from a Blue Oyster Cult concert at the Richﬁeld Coliseum. Mustache, feathered back hair and a WMMS T-shirt tucked into his straight leg Levis. Sir, you will always brighten my day. My deepest gratitude.

They are unique, but lack ﬂavor. To all of these people I encounter here on a regular basis, the ones who have a ﬂair to be unique and express forever a time once forgotten—I am forever in your debt.

Wearing ﬁve layers of clothes in August is an grabs my attention, but bores me.

My favorites are the walking time capsules—people who are fashionably stuck in time. Check out The Bar Crawler on Facebook. Thanks again for reading. At some point in their bar-hopping lives, they found a look that works for them, and by golly, why not just stick with that look for eternity?

Thanks and enjoy responsibly,

Whether it's the dude still sporting the Hair Metal look with a bandana and eyeliner or

Dusty's Yacht Club

Caroline's Bar

4764 Dusty's Rd 330-644-5666

1382 W Waterloo Rd 234-706-2302

AREA IN AKRON

Portage Lakes

Kenmore

Portage Lakes

Kenmore

ESTABLISHED

1984

2016

1950s

2006

1960s

HAPPY HOUR

4 pm - ?

Every hour is happy

11 am - 8 pm

3 - 7 pm

5 - 9 pm

BIGGEST SELLERS BEER/LIQUOR

Bud Lt / Absolut

Bud Lt / Crown Apple

Bud Lt. / Jagermeister

Bud / Jack Daniel’s Fire

Bud Lt / Crown Apple

ENTERTAINMENT

Dad jokes

Foosball/Pool/Darts/Wet T-shirt Contests (Hello, 1993!)

Pool / Darts

Pool / Darts / Cornhole

Karaoke / Pool

FOOD

No menu, but they tend to have food out for the patrons

No Food

Full Menu

PREVIOUSLY

A bait shop

Delights II Bar/Car parts shop

Mule barn. Yes, you read that right.

Cactus Jack's

The Skylark / R.J.'s

CELEBRITY PERSONALITY

Jessica Tandy meets Wilford Brimley Ronnie James Dio meets Jerry Garcia ZaZa Gabor meets Carroll O'Connor

Brian Sipe meets George Thorogood Junior Johnson meets Ginger Baker

COMMENTS

This little gem is tucked away in Portage Lakes, and you might need GPS to find it. You'll feel like you’re getting blitzed with the cast of Cocoon. Minus Steve Guttenberg of course.

There's something to be said about sports bars that sit in shopping plazas. Blah.

I'm thinking a wet T-shirt contest at this place is as close as we can get to a donkey show in Akron. See you there!

Adopt-a-bar The Met or Metropolitan Address:

275 S Main St

Area of Akron: Downtown

Leslie Nostradamus Nielsen

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

*Dive-Bar-Pick* Kings Sportsman Tavern 1402 W Waterloo Rd 330-745-0110

The mules were apparently run out by drunken townsfolk. Couldn't they have just co-existed? Damn shame.

Johnny J's Pub & Grille 3333 Manchester Rd 330-644-7229

*Dive-Bar-Pick* M.J.'s Pub 2226 Manchester Rd 330-753-6925

A quintessential blue collar bar. Men wearing still wearing work clothes, Bob Seger on the jukebox, cheap beer and not a single hot woman in sight.

You wouldn't know it by looking at the tattered mural on the front, but in here lies an old bar. I remember cabbing drunks out of here back in the 90s. I believe it was called The Met/Metro/Metropolitan. Being that it's in a great location sitting directly across from Canal Park and vacant, it must be beyond repair. You never know though. Could be worth checking out.

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

Akron’s First Arcade Bar Join us for Porch Rokr Saturday, August 19 816 W. Market St • Highland Square

Happy Hour

3 - 7 pm • Mon. to Sat. $1.75 domestics | $2 wells | $3 select craft pints Sat. & Sun. • $5 Bloody Mary’s

Watch the games here in HD Grab a cold one & enjoy a Ninny’s hot dog while you’re here. ~ 801 W. Market STreet ~

AUGUSTCOMICS

The Scene

40 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT RUBBER CITY JAZZ FEST THIS YEAR? 42 NATALIE GRACE MARTIN IS BACK WITH HER “THIRD DEBUT”

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT IN AKRON

44 ON THE RECORD: CITYCOP

We gathered together at Signal Tree (photos by Ashley Kouri)

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

the scene

MUSIC

CULTURE Get

galley

youR

BOyS

jojoS

FreSh locAl

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

hOt

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

the scene

STANDING ROOM ... PorchRokr Bands We Think You Should See by Floco Torres

å Gov Naim (Experimental) Gov Naim is a multimedia brand and pseudonym for Akron-based performance artist Kay DePew. After finding a small VHS/ camcorder mixer designed for dubbing wedding videos at a local thrift store, Gov began smashing together chunks of footage and sound to form a hellacious montage. Rapid shuffling and cycling through VHS becomes a visual collage and stimulating sonic film experience for onlookers. The audience is immersed in a total sensory experience created by the live mixing and manipulation of footage and sound. DePew is also a founding member of community art, music and DIY space, Hive Mind. : govnaim

ç Gretchen Pleuss (Singer/Songwriter) A staple at cafés, wine bars and other intimate spaces in the area, Pleuss’ understated sound evokes a certain mood, rich in warmth and inner reflection. But it’s her illustrative lyrics and chord progressions, which recall influences like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Nick Drake, that differentiate the singer-songwriter from your standard background babel that gets lost in the whirring hustle of a public space. Pleuss has taken her original material and performance well beyond the Akron area, playing in Ireland, Peru, Canada, the U.K. and Ecuador, and has released two EPs and two full-length records. Pleuss is currently recording her next album and plans to tour upon its release. GretchenPleuss.com

é White Buffalo Woman (Rock) At the surface level, White Buffalo Woman may present itself as loud, howling blues-rock pasted together by rowdy boys in search of an outlet to let their guitars wail. Listen a little longer, and you’ll hear soulful melodies, smart composition and inspired psych intonations that have surely earned the band a seat at rock ‘n’ roll’s most respected table. Straight out of Minerva, Ohio, Evan Rutledge (vocals), Adam Murphy (guitar), Alex Leggett (bass), Devin Bezeredi (guitar) and Joe Wales (drums) create timeless tunes that have gotten a thumbs up from J. Geils Band vocalist Peter Wolf and airplay on SiriusXM’s “Little Steven’s Underground Garage,” a collection of the coolest rock tunes, hosted by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt. Locally, White Buffalo Woman’s original track, “Find My Love,” has received heavy rotation on 91.3 The Summit. WhiteBuffaloWomanBand.com

2017 GUITAR RAFFLE TRULY ROCKS by Christian Odadzin Mike Mills is not an Akron native. Much like a certain local publisher who shall remain nameless, Mike is from Macon, Georgia, but he has deep ties to NE Ohio. Mike came through the area numerous times while touring the world as the bassist/ musical assassin for the band that Rolling Stone magazine called “America’s Best Rock & Roll Band,” R.E.M. He recently toured with one of Akron’s favorite sons, Joseph Arthur, stopping at Tangier for one of Joseph’s famous Thanksgiving week shows. The Rock Hall inductee graciously agreed to autograph a guitar to be raffled off at this year’s Highland Square PorchRokr Music and Arts Festival, to be held on Saturday, August 19. The raffle will

è Shuggie Shooter (Indie)

benefit the Highland Square Neighborhood Association, which in

Formerly called GoldenBear, Dillon Olmedo’s lo-fi, “basement pop” music project, Shuggie Shooter, draws inspiration from distant memories, school life, electronic soundscapes and the collaborators Olmedo credits with fleshing out the aural pieces he writes and records. The mildewy basement in which his candid, artful tunes were recorded add a bit of grit and grime to his tracks, yet as his craft as evolved, so has the polish and sophistication of the finished product. Shuggie Shooter recently released its newest nine-track album, “You Over Me,” rich in jangly guitars, honey-soaked bass lines and Pavement-esque vocal harmonies that marry the blithe with the melancholy. “Last Call For Boarding” is the clear standout on the release, with style and pop finesse meshing cleverly with a simplistic, almost childlike melody and sparse instrumentation. : shuggieshooter

turn supports one of our most vibrant neighborhoods.

ê Floco Torres (Hip-Hop) It’s hard to believe hip-hop artist Floco Torres hasn’t been a lifelong Akron resident. His smooth flows and down-to-earth rhymes serve as the perfect soundtrack for the hardworking, resilient, midwestern spirit that coasts through the Rubber City. The music video that accompanies his song, “You!” is a visual love letter highlighting some of Akron’s most recognizable scenery, while Torres chimes contrasting lyrics reflecting upon a breakup, such as: “It’s a big world out there/I wanna see it all/and maybe I’ll come back to you.” Torres was a Jersey boy before living in Macon, Georgia and finally bringing his talents to this humble Ohio

He has signed a lot of guitars over the years, but he’s never signed one like this! Thanks to the generosity, imagination and talent of the Highland Square based artist Matt Miller, the guitar for this year’s PorchRokr raffle is one-of-a-kind. Matt is a young, up-andcoming artist whose work has recently been on display at the Mustard Seed Market in Highland Square. He has also recently worked with Elisa Gargarella to lead a mural painting for Art Bomb Brigade. He chose a Garden of Eden-meets-Akron theme for the guitar and then hand-painted it in his distinctive style. The finished guitar is truly a work of art.

city last year. He released his “again” EP last month and has an upcoming tour in the works. Torres plays Live at Lock 4, along with Time Cat and G.S. Schray, September 21. Flocotorres.com

ë The Gage Brothers (Americana/Roots) Three years ago, brothers Ben and Zach Gage spent a Sunday afternoon playing old folk tunes and developing sweet harmonies together. It was then that they decided to take their blend of bluegrass and roots music outside of the family home and perform

We would like to recognize the generosity of The Devil Strip for sponsoring the raffle, as well as providing us with a venue with which to promote it. The Guitar Department in Kenmore hooked us up with a great deal on the guitar and Matt Miller put in the work to make this one amazing, Akron-centric piece of art!

original tunes throughout the country. In 2015, The Gage Brothers appointed Brendan O’Malley on mandolin and banjo player Chris Volpe to the group, creating a solid, four-piece Americana band rich in high-level instrumental musicianship. The band’s fusion of

Tickets will be sold at PorchRokr and other events leading up to

traditional and modern styles have broadened their appeal beyond Northeast Ohio venues, and they’ll bring the distinct sound to

the festival. At only $5 per ticket (or 5 for $20) we hope you'll

stages across Tennessee and North Carolina this month before heading back for some hometown gigs. TheGageBrothers.com

take the chance to own this truly unique instrument.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8 /

THE Devil Strip |

the scene

Harmonious Hymns and Soulful Sounds The Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival returns by Sierra Allen

Once upon a time, Akron’s Howard Street was a melodies and rhythmic songs. Local musicians will Library, High St. Hop House, Maiden Lane, popular spot for music. The area was ﬁlled with showcase their talents and reclaim Akron’s sound. Musica, The Nightlight and Uncorked Wine clubs and soirees and attracted musicians like Akronites will get a chance to discover and relearn Bar. Some headliners include Dan Wilson, Chris Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and bands that were right under their noses. Potter and James Johnson III. Wes Montgomery. Eventually, the entertainment scene faded away, and as time passed, the

Compared to last year’s two-day festival, The

Originally from Zanesville, co-founder and

30s-50s were undocumented. Akron lost

Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival has grown

director Theron Brown graduated from The

memories until the recent reemergence of

to four days with added events. New events

University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree

music appreciation.

include power lunches at the Akron Art

in jazz studies and master’s degree in classical

Museum, Sunday Brunch at the Akron Civic

piano performance. As a professor of Jazz Piano

For the second year, The Rubber City Jazz &

Theater and the main event at Lock 3. Other

at Kent State University and Youngstown State

Blues Festival will ﬁll downtown with inviting

venues include BLU Jazz+, the Akron Public

University, he’s passionate about expanding the jazz community and keeping the history alive, especially in Akron. “Being in the jazz community for about 10 years, you start to learn what all happened in this area with Howard Street and the type of talent that was coming through,” says Brown. “A lot of stuff was undocumented and people sort of forgot that jazz was big here.” Brown also hopes the festival will spark an interest for children to keep history alive, along with Open Tone Music, a program that makes music education accessible to children in underserved neighborhoods. “Music tells a story of the city and for the people representing that to come together. It helps build that Akron sound again,” Brown says. The free event offers access to world class music and the potential to build comradery amongst peers from Thursday, August 24 - Sunday, August 27. Volunteering opportunities at both Open Tone Music and The Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival are listed at opentonemusic.org. // Sierra Allen: senior journalism major at Kent State University, contributing writer for TDS and Ohio Magazine, self-proclaimed interior designer thanks to HGTV. // All photos by Todd Biss Photography

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

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the scene

PURSUING HAPPINESS WITH A VENGEANCE Local singer and activist

Natalie Grace Martin

Making a Scene

to release “third debut album”

Will Blake, Bringing Audiences and Artists Together

words by Devon Anderson; photos by Ashley Kouri

atalie Grace Martin says that “damn near everything” in her life has changed since The Devil Strip’s February 2016 issue, of which she was on the cover. At that time, she had the quintessential nuclear existence: a wife, two adorable and precocious children, a dog, a house in a small town, and a little music career. Everything was as it ought to have been, for all intents and purposes. However, a change that Natalie had seen coming for roughly two and a half years turned that nuclear existence on its head: her wife came out as straight, and their marriage ended in a no fault separation. Though she had seen it coming, the split still hit Natalie hard. However, she knew she didn’t have the time to go through the traditional trajectory of the grieving process—depression, isolation, slowly returning to life and normalcy—because she had children and a community who needed her. “A lot was riding on me being okay,” says Natalie. “I didn’t transition and come this far to just give up on happiness. I saw ﬁrsthand how being me and doing what I did before transition was showing people that they could be okay and maybe even transition themselves.”

“When I listen to ‘She/Her/Hers,’ I hear a happy person,” she says. “It has come out of me as an extension of who I am now. There’s nothing I can do to mask myself. Some of the topics I addressed on this album, I knew I’d have to talk about eventually.” One of the topics that she addresses on “She/ Her/Hers” (out August 16) is suicide, and she hopes her music touches those who are in dark moments themselves.

now, it’s more important than ever that we have people to look up to. It just goes back to how hard it is to hold onto people who can make a difference in some way. And it illustrates the importance of what it is I am doing to make sure that the inspiration I was given by others does not get squandered. It’s a pay-it-forward life.”

says Will Blake. Yet that talent is going elsewhere. What if those same amazing Akronites could kick start the kind of artistic revolution that would reverse the outward ﬂow, making Akron a destination to head to, instead of away from? Blake thinks we can do it. He’s going to try, starting with The Cue.

community is of someone who never let life knock her around, someone who was never

“There is a lot of suicide in my community,” Natalie says. “And, I knew if I didn’t touch on that topic, I would be doing a huge disservice to my community. I am in a position where I have a little bit of attention on myself, and that’s my iron to strike. If one person says to themselves, ‘Hey, I need to really stop and try my eyes again in the morning,’ then my job is done.”

afraid to take control of her destiny.

As an activist, Natalie knows how dire the

“I have a running joke with my boyfriend and

“People often forget that a transition is a constant, active state of betterment. I’m no stronger, braver, or smarter than anyone else on this planet,” she laughs. “I just know that I am as entitled to happiness as anyone else on this planet.

An Akronite with a degree in music technology from Kent State, Blake wants local artists of all kinds to get exposure and still have the time to “focus on their craft.” One of three core members behind The Cue, it is his mission to create the opportunities to introduce less well known Akron artists to the community. Pictured: Will Blake knows there are untapped reservoirs of talent in Akron; The Cue Media logo (Courtesy of Will Blake/The Cue)

statistics are for suicide in her community. About roommate,” she smiles. “Everyone asks, ‘Why do you put so much cream and sugar in your 40% of trans people attempt suicide, and 92% of those attempts happen before age 25.

coffee?’ I always say, ‘Because I love myself.

(thetrevorproject.org/pages/facts-about-suicide)

Don’t you love yourself enough to put cream and sugar in your coffee?’ It’s a good indication

“When things get dark to me, I am still prone

Knowing others were counting on her, she

really good at beating them back. I have lots of

did what any woman in her position would

ammunition against them.”

do: “I decided to pursue my happiness with a

It is this pursuit of happiness with a vengeance that seems to steer Natalie’s entire narrative of her life. When discussing her new album, “She/ Her/Hers,” Natalie’s energy shifts to one of enthusiasm, yet serenity, a calm readiness for the world to get to really know her.

“The average Akronite is pretty amazing,”

Natalie says she hopes her legacy in the

of where I am in my life, ya know?”

to those ideations,” she admits. “But, I’m just

vengeance.”

by Claude Christensen

Natalie is driven to give the trans community support and a true trans soul role model, someone not afraid to speak up for what is right for those who need it most. “When I started performing as Natalie, things were going great,” she says. “We were making progress in the trans community. And right

// Devon Anderson is a writer, mom, and wife whose perfect day would start surrounded by her children and husband and end on her patio with a good book and glass of whatever wine she has an Ibotta for that day.

The Cue has interviewed a number of notables on their YouTube Channel, The Cue Brand, from PJ Morton of Maroon 5 to Kevin Garrett, who co-wrote and co-produced “Pray You Catch Me.” But the channel also includes interviews and live recording sessions with local artists and poets like Ray Manley, whose piece “Esmerelda’s Letter” is lyrically powerful. Yet what’s most central to The Cue are live events. In the past, The Cue has brought to-

Natalie Grace Martin performs weekly at the

gether visual artists and live bands for unique

Aqueduct Brewery and will be performing

events that have combined elements of an art

at Akron Pride at Hardesty Park on August

gallery opening with a three-band show. Blake

26, 2017. A GoFundMe has been set up to

has gotten a lot of positive feedback about

help Natalie offset the cost of producing her

these events, from both patrons and artists. It’s

album at www.gofundme.com/help-me-make-

a success he intends to expand upon.

sheherhers. The Cue’s latest upcoming event, “Unplugged;

From Speakeasy to Findeasy (continued from page 32) At the heart of BLU Plate’s ﬂoor plan is an elevated stage on which a Jazz pianist performs every night. Recorded and mastered by head sound engineer Joseph Scott, music from past performances downstairs at BLU are played both in the restaurant and on the patio.

“That magic leads you in.”

Troppo concludes, “you’re open to a whole

The Denim and White Affair,” is a three-act

new place of opportunities, of pleasure, of

show on August 19 at Musica featuring the

Paying homage to the spearheaders of Jazz

excitement, the classics, the standards we

artists Kudzi, Marcus Alan Ward, and the band

music, BLU Plate’s decor consists of powerful

celebrate.”

Red Rose Panic. Go check it out.

black and white photographs from the James R Newman Collection at Oberlin. Unique to BLU

In its purposeful approach to hospitality,

Plate, a custom-made wallpaper of old playbills

BLU Plate proves that it’s dedicated to

and concert poster prints dating back to the

providing guests with the signature Akron

20’s hugs an accent wall.

interconnectivity of culture and community in a

In bringing the happenings of BLU upstairs,

revitalized, thriving Jazz scene.

those who have yet to experience the live

If cuisine, music and art are the “Holy Trinity” of

performances can nibble on an appetizer of the

vegetables, then “The BLU Zone” is the gumbo

magic that the BLU stage holds. “People are

in which their intricacies blend.

going to hear this music and get this vibe that something’s going on,” Schwarber predicts,

“When you’re in that cool, chill state of mind,”

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

Unplugged: The Denim and White Affair Tickets $25 at the door, currently $10 on ticketweb.com

Sat., Aug. 19, 2017, 8-11pm Musica, 51 E Market St, Akron, OH

Hours: Wed. - Sat., 5-11pm; Live piano performance

For more information, visit thecuebrand.com

5:30-7:30pm; You can catch

// Claude Christensen has a soft spot for speculative fiction. Among his favorites are Stephen King’s It and Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis trilogy (aka Lilith’s Brood). Not terribly afraid of clowns, he isn’t fond of them either.

BLU Jazz+ Wed. - Sat., 6pm-1am

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LIVE MUSIC Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday!

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Mondays ............................. Queen of Heart Drawing Monday 8pm! “At the Hop Disc Jockeys” featuring DJ Rusty and Fultz spinning vinyl, every 1st Monday of the month, starting in May • DJ Larry’s music trivia on the alternate Mondays 9pm Tuesdays .................... Taco Nights $1.50 to $3 and Drink Specials Rob's trivia 8pm Wednesdays .............................................. Chef Todd’s Food Specials Thursdays...................................................... $4 Burgers (dine-in only) Fridays ................................... 12oz Strip Steak $12.00. Cupcakes by Sweet Mary's Bakery (234) 706-6088 Saturdays .................................Check Out Our Live Music Schedule Sundays ...........................Karaoke hosted by Natalie • 9pm to 1am $0.60 Wings (dine-in only) Super Power Hour • From Open - 8:00pm $3.50 Well Drinks • $3.50 Bud Light Drafts

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Montrose:

SOUTH POINT TAVERN

1st Annual Highland Square Oktoberfest sponsored by Ohio Brewing Co. and Annabells

Sat., Sept 9th 11am - 11pm Proceeds beneﬁt Akron Area Humane Society Live outdoor music craft beer tent with local breweries and vendors.

Monday House Margarita Madness Friday Ladies Night - House Martinis

Award winning house brewed beers + 20 rare craft beers on tap! Tuesdays: Live Trivia and Thursdays Live Music For details visit or www.ohiobrewing.com 804 W. Market Street, Akron, OH 44303 • (234) 208-6797 (at the corner of Highland Ave and W. Market St.) NEW Winter Hours: M-W 3pm-midnight, TH 3pm-Close, Fri-Sat 11:30-Close, Sun Noon-Midnight

JOIN US AND ENJOY OUR LARGE SELECTION OF CRAFT BEER, BOURBON AND COCKTAILS.

Tuesday........................... Check Out Bourbon Night Wednesday ................. Enjoy Discount Wine Night Friday/Saturday ........... $5 Moscow Mules until 9 1947 W. Market Street Find us right behind the CVS

E TH

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the scene

On the Record: CityCop finally gets to tell their story by Floco Torres

by Brett Auerbach

I’ve always admired and been a bit confused by bands that take years to release their new record, especially when fans are waiting eyes as they’re rolling backwards?”

on it. We should never question how long it takes to create art, but we live in a climate now where an album can be classic after one listen

Pictured above: CityCop TSSTNGO artwork via Small

and old within a week—the double edged

Mammal Records; CityCop is back (photo courtesy of

sword of digital music. I’m also a Hip-Hop

CityCop).

fan, so unless you’re Jay-Z, Kanye or the like, Musically, “The Same Stories That Never Get anymore (Here’s looking at you, Jay Electronica). Old” is the best that I’ve heard of CityCop so far. “Bad Trip” is a fun pop-punk tune for There are exceptions, such as when CityCop, those of you that have experienced “Looking one of Northeast Ohio’s more prevalent emo/ at my image in the mirror” and have become post-hardcore/punk acts releases their highly a little scared. The band is their strongest on anticipated sophomore album after six stressﬁlled years of trial and error. “The Same Stories “Homesick,” where Eddie gives his best vocal performance ﬁnding his pocket in cadence and That Never Get Old” was released on Small melody, and where the band weaves in and Mammal Records (shout out Nick Muffet) out of a vibrant dynamic backdrop providing a last month, and the album is a spirited ride feeling of renewal. throughout those said stories. after a while we don’t even want the album

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If you’re a growing listener of the emo/posthardcore genre like I have been over the years, you’ll know that sometimes the harsh tone of the vocals mixed with the punch of the music can deceive you into believing that you don’t need to hear the lyrics or that you can’t relate to them. Throughout the album, Eddie Gancos’ lyrics explore and reﬂect as he shrieks for balance around him in life: “Even when you smile my way I know you don’t love me unconditionally” (“The Golden Age Of Concern”). The eerie layered harmonies on their second single “I Took The Ride” resemble energy of a repetitive argument with someone you care for, as Eddie asks, “Can you see my

“The Same Stories That Never Get Old” doesn’t fall short anywhere except for “Soft Smile, Iron Teeth,” as its lethargic drawl took me out of the conversation a bit, but with 11 tracks, that’s nothing to discourage a listen. Whether you’re into the genre or not, I would say give these guys a listen, if for nothing other than the fact that they persevered for six years to see this album to the ﬁnish line. Fighting for what you love is a story that never gets old.

On the Street

commented on the post and Erin (Victor) said, “I hope to see you.” I’ve known Erin for a while now, so I decided to stay so I could come here today. (Note from Lisa: Michael just showed up at

(continued from page 21) How do you feel people who have never faced homelessness view the homeless? A lot of people view the homeless as pieces of crap, instead of seeing them as the humans that they are. They are no different than anyone else. Even though I have a roof over my head at this moment, I still see myself as a homeless man. I see the homeless as “me.” They are my people.

CityCop’s “The Same Stories That Never Get OId” is available now on Small Mammal Records at smallmammalrecords.limitedrun.com.

Grace Park and helped us with the event all day.)

Akron Snow Angels PO Box 107, Cuyahoga Falls Visit AkronSnowAngels.com to ﬁnd a

you rudely? I’ve been shown mostly kindness from people.

list of needed items and drop off locations. Currently, ASA is in need of monetary donations. ASA will use monetary donations for special requests and purchasing dinner for those in need.

What’s the best thing that’s happened to

ASA is staffed with volunteers for the rest of

you this week? I got a chance to see my two

this season, but if you’d like to get on the

oldest sons, who are 28 and 29. I haven’t seen them in 24 years! That was just yesterday. That’s why I had the chance to be here today. I saw on Facebook that the event was taking place. I

list for upcoming opportunities, pleas email

Do most people show you kindness or treat

Volunteer4AkronSnowAngels@gmail.com.

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

back of book In the Artist’s Studio (continued rom page 11) no other useful skills,” says Matt. “You can’t stop, you have to keep doing it. It has to be something that you want to do, that you’d probably be doing anyway and then hopefully someone takes notice.”

Matt also likes Venom and Madcap, but as a kid, Matt’s biggest inﬂuences included the Tintin books, the Ed Emberley drawing books, and artists Mike Mignola, Michael Golden and Arthur Adams.

pick on him. He says that would have been a great way to make

“Comics is a job that doesn’t pay that great,”

money.

I could work on drawing comics and work three hours delivering Chinese food ﬁve days a week

Pictured left: Matt Horak with his six-

Throughout his career as an artist, Matt has had a few odd gigs. He once drew diagrams for instructions on recovery from hip surgery. One of the diagrams he drew included ways to have sex with your partner without damaging your new hip. He says that it was weird, but paid.

and make enough to cover my rent and bills.”

year-old daughter, Layali, in his studio.

“I didn’t like those kids anyway,” Matt is excited about working for Marvel. When he received the email asking if he’d illustrate The Punisher, Matt was at an anniversary dinner at Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland with his partner Safﬁyah. He ordered the $50 steak to celebrate.

says Matt. “But it’s plenty [in Akron]. For years,

says Matt. “Maybe I would do it on

Matt currently lives in Highland Square. Moving forward, he hopes to receive more projects from Marvel.

my own time for my own self but I would never do it for them.”

Check out Octo Skull at earthquakerdevices. com. The Punisher is available at any comic

Although working for Marvel is a big deal,

book store.

Matt has no desire to leave Akron. He still enjoys visiting Kenmore Komics and he says

// Noor Hindi is currently pursuing her MFA in poetry

Crest Bakery inspires him. Matt also likes Akron

at The University of Akron. She is usually very nervous.

because it’s cheap to live here, which has given

Check her out at nervouspoodlepoetry.com.

punisher stories. I really like him.”

His only regret as an artist is not drawing naked ladies for the kids at his high school that would

The Breath of Immortality

Says You’re an Avid Reader,” but not to be

New / Native

you're with a giant extended family when you

(continued from page 13)

funny. What I meant was that this exhibit

(continued from page 23) Where in Akron do you like to escape? Portage Lakes Brewing Company is a great little

walk in there.

“I grew up loving Marvel comics,” says Matt. “I gave love to The Punisher and I read a lot of

along, the other dolls watched me and followed is for the storytellers, those with well-oiled imaginations, the guy who rides the bus who me along the way.

him the time and space to practice drawing.

local drinking spot and beer store. They have

misses his stop. It’s for those who

various tap takeovers, food trucks, and other

in ﬁve years? I hope to see downtown actually livable/walkable—with accessible

events. Every beer is $5 and the bartenders are

rentals, grocery stores, workout facilities—and

always helpful with suggestions. They usually

additional businesses to support that growth.

Pictured left: Time of Waiting by Karen Koch

only get 1 keg of each beer they tap so the taps can see beyond what’s in front of them and get lost in a story and maybe share it with others. Speciﬁcally, this exhibit is for those who can see something inanimate and see the story behind it. Once I got over the feeling of being followed, I began to look at the title of some of his pieces. The dolls were almost human. They had lives before Hunt took their picture. They were lovers, they were friends, they danced, they made mistakes. When no one was looking, they had a life of their own. As always, I encourage everyone to go, but I want to speciﬁcally encourage the person described as an “Avid Reader” on Tinder to see this exhibit and then read “The Motion of Puppets” by Keith Donahue. It’ll pair nicely.

// Josy Jones enjoys horror movies, creepy books and late-night walks.

“Delivering Stories” and “Dolls as Metaphor” July 14 - August 19 Summit Artspace, 140 East Market Street Thursdays & Fridays 12-7pm Saturday 12-5pm BOX Gallery will also be open on Saturday, August 5 for the Akron

This article was almost “If your Tinder Proﬁle

Artwalk.

Baseball Now!

season. He’s also successfully hunted an 8-point

(continued from page 17) has a batting average of .325, with 37 runs and 10 home runs. If these numbers mean nothing to you, then trust me when I say they are good. So good in fact that there is buzz going around about Mejia possibly skipping a trip to Cleveland’s Triple-A afﬁliate, the Columbus Clippers, and going straight on up to the majors.

buck, so there’s that too. Life is ﬂeeting and so is the baseball season. Get out to some games while you still can! Don’t forget to check out the Akron Racers over at Firestone Stadium too! // Dave Daly loathes the New York Yankees. They can eat rocks.

Of course, the trade deadline was July 31 at 4pm, so as of this article’s printing there is a slight possibility Mejia could have been dealt to another organization. If that’s the case you’re shit out of luck. Just kidding! Shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang,

Next Akron Racers Homestand at Firestone Stadium Tuesday, August 1 through Sunday, August 13 1575 Firestone Pkwy, Akron, OH 44301 For more information on dates, times and tickets visit akronracers.org

right-handed pitcher Cameron Hill, and lefthanded pitcher Thomas Pannone all joined Mejia at the Eastern-League All Star game and have played well this year. First baseman Bobby Bradley has had a somewhat subdued season, but has the power to hit the ball all the way to Canada and has recorded 17 home runs this

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

How do you hope Akron will be different

loses himself in a good book and almost

Next Akron Rubber Ducks Homestand at Canal Park Tuesday, August 8 through Sunday, August 13 300 S Main Street, Akron, OH 44308 For more information on dates, times and tickets visit akronrubberducks.com

turn over frequently—a great place to go, hang out, and try new beer. Why should everyone try your favorite local restaurant? If you haven't been to Diamond Deli, you're seriously missing out. Their sandwiches are incredible and it feels like

back of the book

Urine Luck:

Moose Tracks and Bear Tracks

by Emily Dressler and Marissa Marangoni

Chill Ice Cream by Marissa Marangoni

about the Acme visit. I’m still getting my courage up for that one.)

up the blood before you enjoy America’s ﬁnest dessert!

This single stall john is one I recommend. Once you’re past the arduous descent, you have me? My kid is a fan of Chill Ice Chill Ice Cream (M. Marangoni earned your rest. It’s private, it’s functional, it has a toilet and running water and all the things Cream in downtown Akron. He / The Devil Strip) a good bathroom needs. One weird thing about loves ice cream, but he particularly this spot, however, is the art. Now, maybe you loves that his voice is echo-y in The women’s bathroom at all think it’s weird to put food art by a toilet, but this cool, basement establishment. Chill ice cream is located, really, which would you expect more in an ice “But, UL, does he love the bathrooms?” I’m like the rest of the place, in the basement. sure you’re asking. Unfortunately--maybe What’s cool (heh heh) about this location is that cream parlor bathroom: a photo of mountain cliffs or ice cream? I’m going with ice cream, fortunately for him?--he is still busy pooping in the bathroom appears before the ice cream. and you should, too. But all we get are ocean his pants, so bathrooms aren’t his thing. Just ice This is convenient for a number of reasons-cliffs here at Chill. Chill, let’s get ice cream cream and echoes. But URINE LUCK! because you can wash your hands before and after you on the wall in the bathroom. That’s my only *I* don’t poop my pants, though there have eat and if you fall down the challenging set of complaint, if it even counts as one. been some close calls. (Eventually, I will write basement stairs on your way in, you can clean HELLO! (Hello, hello, hello...) Is there an echo in here, or is it just

Akron Zoo by Emily Dressler I visit the Akron Zoo a lot and I have a lot to tell you about animals and bathrooms. You have your pick of four different restroom locations at the zoo: The Welcome Center, Komodo Kingdom, Zoo Gardens, and Wild

Pictured: No Cones about It at

Pictured: Water Conservation at the

easy to ﬁnd from the main entrance. A men’s

Zoo (E. Dressler / The Devil Strip)

room, a women’s room, and two family rooms. The women’s room is usually decently clean.

sloping pathways allow for better The men’s room probably looks like bears have landscaping and animal habitats, rampaged it, but men will be bears, as they say. We last visited on a nice weekend, so the but I operate better with basic family restrooms were not as clean as I would grids. I’ve got the ﬁrst half of the zoo down, but once I leave Komodo Kingdom, I rely on my 3 year old to ﬁnd the way.

Prairie. I am most familiar with the Komodo Kingdom restrooms (an aside: the chicken frog in Komodo Kingdom is my favorite gross thing at the zoo, and that’s

By the time you get to Komodo Kingdom, chances are that someone in your party needs to use the restroom. You should go now because the next one is in the Wild Prairie, and you don’t want to be stuck walking up the hill to Grizzly Ridge and then rushing through exhibits just so you can get to those avocado green bathrooms in the Wild Prairie.

Akron Zoo

Cross a Wake

We all looked at each other and we said ‘we

The Wilson family plans to complete The Great

(continued from page 19)

never visited one hospital.’”

American Loop again next year. AnnaMay

Like most people, you probably have a better sense of direction than I do. I can easily lose my

500 Edgewood Ave., Akron, OH 44307 (330) 375-2550 Sun - Sat: 10am - 5pm // Emily Dressler has animal-like instincts. She is slow like a sloth and cuddly like a cat.

is already upset about being back from the

because they eat corral.” When the Wilson family crossed their wake and earned their gold

Today, Mia is still in a stable condition. After

trip. She says she wants to live on a boat and

burgee from the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’

returning from the trip, Mia’s follow-up

explore the ocean when she grows up.

Association (AGLCA), it wasn’t just ﬁnishing the

appointments with her doctors went well. Her

route that they celebrated.

favorite place is still the Faro Blanco Resort

“In ﬁve years, she never went two weeks

enjoys playing card games like Go Fish, Uno,

without a visit [to the hospital], a poke, even

War and BlackJack with her father.

In the meantime, the Wilson family will be boating at Portage Lakes State Park, which Bobby describes as “peaceful” and a “great little community.”

is really crazy. When we crossed our wake, it

Wendy still gets choked up thinking about

For those interested in completing the Great

wasn’t ‘oh my God, we’re crossing our wake.’

the precious time they’ve had with Mia. She

American Loop, Bobby has a few pieces of advice.

and Yacht Club. She loves the color purple and

a follow up,” says Wendy. “To go 10 months

appreciates all of her family and friends who

while they were on a boat.

“Don’t wait. Do it now,” says Bobby. “Life’s too short. People save up for retirement and sometimes don’t make it. Just do it. You can come up with excuses on why not to do it, but let’s come up with excuses on how we can get it done.”

“If we have a year with her, if we have one day with her, God is still good,” says Wendy.

// Noor Hindi is currently pursuing her MFA in poetry at The University of Akron. She is usually very nervous. Check her out at nervouspoodlepoetry.com.

Pictured: Mia. Photo taken at the Sandusky Harbor Marina. (Photo courtesy of Noor Hindi.)

helped ship Mia’s medical supplies to them

This bathroom is basic and could stand to have some colorful decorations or more informative signs at least. The Toro brand hand dryer is impressive and even has a drip tray. The family rooms tend to be warm (or maybe I’m prone to sweating), so watch out for that.

room. I guess because the door was open.

Komodo Kingdom has swell bathrooms that are

bathrooms. I bet those are swank.

// Marissa loves ice cream of all kinds and is busy tasting a lot of it this summer. Not many ice cream places have public bathrooms.

but not if it’s bulky because you constantly carry I rate the entire bathroom situation at the a bunch of crap. Put it on the ﬂoor or maybe Akron Zoo a 4.5/5, but I rate this speciﬁc room even the diaper changing table? I’m not even a 3/5. sure why I felt compelled to use the family

way at the Akron Zoo. I get that the curvy,

Creatures). I have never used the Zoo Gardens

Chill Ice Cream 12 Maiden Lane, Akron, OH 44308 (330) 649-2834 Mon-Thu: 12-9pm Fri & Sat: 12-10pm Sun: 1-7pm

have liked. You can hang your bag on the door,

The signs in and around the bathrooms are my favorite. I like when places force/encourage me to explore topics. For instance, the zoo wants to teach you about water conservation and you should pay attention. To do their part, they have installed low-ﬂow water faucets and other features that promote conservation.

even with the new gross animals in Curious

Go for the A+ (and affordable AND artisan-those things don’t usually go together!) ice cream and the toilets when you visit Chill. I’d really love to say, “the ice cream is cold, and the bathroom’s not so hot,” but I can’t because this place gets 4.5/5 toilets from me.

| THE Devil Strip / AUGUST 2017 • VOL 3 • ISSUE #8

Pride in the Park (continued from page 20) Although we’ve come a long way from when physical contact was labeled “lude and lasciviousness” by law, the LGBTQ community still has a fight and are determined to continue fighting. “There’s an old saying,” said Barlow. “We’re here, we’re queer and we’re not goin’ anywhere.” To volunteer or find out more information about Akron Pride Festival and the Equality March on August 26, check out

akronpride.org. // Sierra Allen: senior journalism major at Kent State University, contributing writer for TDS and Ohio Magazine, self-proclaimed interior designer thanks to HGTV.

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