Vol. 2, Issue 1 - January 2016: The Annual Manual

Think you're weird? How to find your people (pg. 9)

Art, snot, nasty winters and public irreverence: Akron’s Early Punk Scene (pg. 23)

The Devil Strip's Artists to Watch in 2016 (pg. 16)

JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1 • THEDEVILSTRIP.COM FREE

Table of contents

Adoptable pets

Art, snot, page nasty winters 27 & public irreverence

Exploring Akron’s Early Punk Scene Publisher >> Chris “staying the hell away from Manitowoc Co., Wis.” Horne chris@thedevilstrip.com

by Jenny Conn

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rs o t a e r C s c i m 9 Co ze existed

Art Director >> Alesa “doesn’t sleep” Upholzer, Talented and Patient Visuals Editor >> Svetla “The Balkan Comrade” Morrison

Sales Director >> TJ Masterson – TJ@thedevilstrip.com The Editorial Team >> Arts Section Editor: Bronlynn “Space Kitty” Thurman Assistant Arts Editors: Megan “Makes Up Words" Combs, recovering loser/hoser/poser Noor Hindi, Will Get Back to Chris about That Community & Culture Section Editors: M. Sophie Hamad, ambitious wordsmith and mama Katie “Miss Scarlet in the Conservatory with a candlestick” Jackson Assistant Culture Club Editor: Ilenia “Our Short, Tired Garbanzo Bean Eatin', WTF Video Girl Writer” Pezzaniti

Adoptable PetsGrasshopper is around 4 years old and weighs about 55 pounds. This big boy is a little shy when first meeting new people but with a little time and patience he warms up into a love-a-bull and over-sized lap dog. He likes toys of all kinds but prefers nothing more than to be by your side. He has potential with the right dog and would do best in a home with older children. If you are jumping for joy to meet Grasshopper hop on down and meet this handsome man today at PAWSibilities, Humane Society of Greater Akron!

Akron’s best galleries

Pg.19 The Wanderer’s Guide to Eatin Like an Akronite

by Holly Brown

Staff Writers & Columnists >> Holly “The Wanderer” Brown; Emily “Potty Perfectionist” Dressler and Marissa Marangoni, Bathroom Culture Enthusiast; Chris “the Film Freak” Kessinger; Andrew “Has a mighty fine beard” Leask; Christopher with K “not to be confused with Chris H” Morrison; the absolutely real Georgio Pelogrande; Roger Riddle, Wears the Purple Pants; Matt “Brew & a Byline” Sedmock, Elizabeth “Only in Akron” Tyran; Katie “Um, can you repeat the question?” Wheeler; Joanna Wilson, Director of the Dept. of Tattoos & Morrissey

Contributors >> Allie Angelo, Rick Bohan, Dominic Caruso, Mary Menzemer, Shelby Heitzenrater, Brit Charek, Craftiest Staff Writer/Maker of Empires; Jessica Conti, Says She’s Not That Clever But Must Be Lying; Heather “Doctor, Doctor” Braun; Eric Morris, Was Abducted

By Jojo Pizzaface’; Scott Piepho; Bert Stevens ————————­­­———————————— CONTACT US: Office ................................................................ (330) 842-6606 General Info ........................................... info@thedevilstrip.com Advertising ............................................. ads@thedevilstrip.com

PAGE 22 BEER & PIZZA at Ellet’s Brick Oven Brewpub

by Matthew Sedmock Cleveland and Massillon are very bonded siblings that came into our care about two years ago by a Good Samaritan. At the time, they were fearful, skittish kittens that had to forage in dumpsters.

They both suffered burns when they climbed into a smoldering fire pit to get warm. Boy, have their lives changed since then! Cleveland and Massillon have blossomed into the dynamic duo of the Office Cats at PHSGA! Together, they attend meetings, greet customers, perform quality control on donated cat items, and boost morale with their antics. Cleveland and Massillon are a great pair, are good with other cats, and have potential with dogs. They are goofy, loving, and curious. Due to their initial shyness in new places, they would need a quiet room and some patient understanding to adjust to a new home, but we are confident, if given the chance, they would make the very best companions! Stop by and meet them today at PAWSibilities, Humane Society of Greater Akron!

Distribution .........................................distro@thedevilstrip.com Website .................................................. www.thedevilstrip.com Facebook ..........................................Facebook.com/thedevilstrip Twitter .............................................................. @akrondevilstrip Instagram ............................................................. @thedevilstrip 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 ofThe Devil Strip are copyright 2015 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.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

» 7 Akron Artists to Watch in 2016 (pg. 16)

by Megan Combs & Bronlynn Thurman

Music Editor: Brittany “Sass Master Flash” Nader

The A/V Club >> “Lost in an Altered Realm” Dan Gorman & Brian Dunphy; Paul “I don’t write” Hoffman; Jacob Luther, the Towny Townie Toonist; Theodore “Quieter Days” Mallison; Bronlynn “Enemy of Avocados, Destroyer of PEEPS” Thurman; The Shane Wynn Supremacy

mbs

o

by Megan C

Page 14 by Bronlynn Thurman

Music & Entertainment Section Editors: Jenny Conn, Real O.G. Storyteller Mackenzie “Needs a whimsical middle name” Mehrl

The A/V Club >> Holly “The Wanderer” Brown; Dominic Caruso, Swiss Artsy Knife; Emily “Potty Perfectionist” Dressler and Marissa Marangoni, Bathroom Culture Enthusiast; Chris “the Film Freak” Kessinger; Kyra “Drama Queen” Kelley; Natalie Warren, a Life in Red Lipstick; Katie “Um, can you repeat the question?” Wheeler

ali

e you didn’t r

Copy Editor >> Jessica “My name is not Jecca” Cherok

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

Top 5 page Akron-Related Movies 31

by Chris Kessinger (The Film Freak)

Dina’s Dozen:

Guide to Thrift Page & Vintage Shopping 35

Vegg'n Out pg.23

by Ilenia Pezzaniti

by Dina Younis

UrineLuck: Page38

Poetry & Pictures

by M. Marangoni & E. Dressler

About this cover I’ve been a fan of Mori Clark’s work since she submitted some for consideration after the Kickstarter we did to refurbish old newspaper racks with local art. (That project, by the way, lives!) She seemed like the perfect person to ask to illustrate our Annual Manual. In 2016, we’re going to use more art and illustration on the cover and Mori gets us off on the right foot here. Thanks! - Chris H. MORI’S BIO: Mori Clark is a freelance illustrator, born and raised in Akron. A graduate of Firestone High School, she's lived here her whole life, bar four years getting her B.F.A in Illustration from Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts.

With multiple gallery showings and national recognition for her art under her belt, she works in a whole myriad of styles - tackling everything from fabric design and screenprinting with her design studio, Memento Cat, to band posters and work for local artists like Acid Cats and Jovan Wilder.

Along with Erin Latham, she is half of the crafting duo Stegokitty, and a frequent appearer at local shows like Crafty Mart and Oddmall. When not art-ing it up, she also works as a preschool/kindergarten teacher's aide, somehow. She likes cats! She likes cats.

JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1 /

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Publisher's Notes 330.434.4722

For months, I squirmed whenever someone asked to meet me at our office. Our “office” was my attic. Sometimes my dining room table or a comfy chair. I just couldn’t afford more but thanks to email and Google Docs, I didn’t have to worry about it. If I needed to meet someone, there were coffee shops and lunch spots to frequent. For editorial meetings, we could hole up in John S. Knight’s old office in what is now the Summit Artspace.

However, I’d recently begun secretly searching for a space. I’d resisted making the investment but having the magazine at our house was getting difficult. We keep growing and Unbox Akron needs room to store the goodies we ship. Still, I didn’t picture pulling the trigger for a couple months, trying to find a cool storefront to host fun, weird things instead of an ordinary office, which conjured visions of the cubicles I hoped to escape.

That is, I was looking for the exact opposite of what Rick Stockburger was asking me to consider by suggesting an office inside the OSC Tech Lab on the 2nd floor at 12 E. Exchange St. Plus, they’re a bunch of tech folks and I’m print media, so aren’t we sworn enemies or something? But we’re pals so, out of courtesy more than curiosity, I went to visit a place I’d been several times before.

conversation, nothing spectacular, but when I left the idea had become a little more real. Nick, his wife Meghan and the Tech Lab crew — Jon, Eric, Josiah, Patrick, Stephanie and Kevin — were the first to make this terrible idea feel sane.

One small victory — a little more than one crazy, rollercoaster year ago — gave me enough juice to keep going which helped me find other Akronites who showed unwarranted faith in me and this magazine: Beth Boggins at United Way, features writer Jenny Conn, Jill Bacon Madden at Jilly’s Music Room, Nicole Mullet and Jessica Cherok and their Torchbearer friends, Liz Tyran and Jason Scala at Urban Eats, Akron Empire’s Joanna Wilson and Brit Charek, Beyonderer Doc Rich, and the Akron2Akron folks through whom I met Jason Segedy and the aforementioned Stockburger. It’s only snowballed since.

As all that came back to me, I could picture being part of that community and maybe one day helping some other nervous weirdo find validation for their moonshot plans. It was all I could do not to say yes on the spot and hand Nick a check.

Guess that’s what I get for not having checks, which I suppose should be the next thing to tackle on the list of grown-up things to do as a business owner.

Their pitch made plenty of sense, but it didn’t move me. Overlooking East Exchange, the office was roomy enough and affordable enough. A parking space and utilities would be included, and the wi-fi is great and about to be upgraded. The lease was flexible. All in all, it was certainly worth considering but we were nearing the end and nothing had changed my mind, until…

So, come up and see us sometime. We’ll probably be busy, me with the paper and Roger Riddle with Unbox, but it’s always good to stop and chat. I’d love to introduce you to everybody.

“We think you’d be a good fit here,” OSC Tech Lab owner Nick Petroski said.

PS - Thank you to Cleveland Magazine, which named me one of their “Most Interesting People of 2015” because of The Devil Strip, Unbox Akron and the ongoing pro-Akron, pro-arts & culture movement in which we get to take part.

As he explained how important culture and community are to him and the coterie of the co-working space’s regulars, I flashed back to the afternoon I first walked into that place. I was still working at WEWS and only 50-50 on doing this magazine thing. Since the Tech Lab opens its doors to everyone for free on Thursdays, I went by, pretending to need a space to work. In reality, I was looking for people. I was dying to connect with folks.

customized T-Shirts & Hoodies • glasses & mugs • Keychains & Gifts

We Get You ...

Take care,

Chris

That day, Nick asked me what I do.

I tried to explain the concept for The Devil Strip in a casual, “like whatever” way because if they knew how badly I wanted it to happen, I was sure they’d smell my vulnerability and laugh me out of the building. If anything, he seemed to dig it. We had a short

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| THE Devil Strip / JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1

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AKRON ART MUSEUM • THROUGH APRIL 24, 2016 GALLERY TOUR: KRISTINA PAABUS

Thursday, January 28 • 6:30 pm • FREE

Join NEO Geo artist Kristina Paabus as she leads a tour of the museum’s collection, highlighting works that speak to her own artistic sensibility.

GALLERY TOUR: ERIK NEFF

Thursday, February 25 • 6:30 pm • FREE Join NEO Geo artist Erik Neff as he leads a tour of the museum’s collection. Neff brings his point of view as a former student of collection artist Julian Stanczak.

Clockwise from top left: Gianna Commito, Court (detail), 2014; Erik Neff, Shoreline (detail), 2015; Natalie Lanese, Camofleur (detail), 2014; Paul O’Keeffe, a distant silence IV (detail), 2013; Amy Sinbondit, Section Break (detail), 2011; Kristina Paabus, 3h (detail), 2012; Janice Lessman-Moss, #446 (detail), 2015; Michelle Marie Murphy, Eyeshadow: Going Out ‘n Back Again (detail), 2012.

NEO Geo is organized by the Akron Art Museum and generously supported by Myrna Berzon, Dianne and Herbert Newman, the Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust and Harris Stanton Gallery. Media sponsorship is provided by WKSU 89.7 and Western Reserve PBS.

One South High | Akron, OH 44308 | 330.376.9185 | www.AkronArtMuseum.org

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The Devil’s Dozen Arts & Culture Edition

From friendship bracelets to chili cookoffs and comedy, here are our best bets for a damn good time Throwback Thursdays: Friendship Bracelets Jan. 21 at Akron Art Museum, 7pm Throwback Thursdays at the Akron Art Museum let you indulge in favorite childhood art projects even though you are all grown up, which is why you’ll have a drink in your hand. In this artist-led class, you will create friendship bracelets inspired Andrea Modica's photography of Italy, which is on exhibit at the museum through February 21. Class costs $20 for members, $25 non members.

“Carol” The Nightlight Jan. 8-21 (times vary) Director Todd Haynes (“Far From Heaven”) adapts Patricia Highsmith’s “The Price of Salt” to examine gay desire and repression in 1950s New York with this highly anticipated, beautiful new film staring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as Carol and Therese, who fall in love at first sight but are still pursued by clueless men — Therese’s suitor and Carol’s soon-to-be ex-husband. To watch the trailer and get your tickets at nightlightcinema.com/film/ carol Designing the City for People hosted by GAINS Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Musica, 5:30-7:30 pm Do you want safer streets that are also designed to be green? Good. So do we. Thankfully, GAINS is bringing together some smart folks to discuss designing community, economic and environmental benefits in urban redevelopment policy. Features former Akron Planning Director Jerry Egan, Cuyahoga Falls Planning Director Fred Guerra, Environmental Design Group planner Michelle Johnson and grassroots activist Per Johnson from Streets4All.

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Countryside Conservatory Farmers Market Saturday, Jan., 9 at Old Trail School, from 9 am-noon Nothing like starting out the new year eating right. Come pick up everything you need for your healthy meals at the first Countryside Conservatory farmers market of 2016.

10th Annual Chili Challenge Friday, Jan. 15 at Lock 3, 11 am Help support the Akron Children’s burn unit while watching Akron Police and Fire Fighters take on chili combatants from around the city in the 10th annual Chili Challenge. Help decide the winners (and fill your belly) with 4oz samples for $1.50 each, or a 6-pack with a drink for $10.

WINTERLAND: A Collective Mural // Soft Opening Sat., Jan 16 at 22. High St. Gallery, 6-10 p Come experience the new collaborative mural at 22 High Street! Five large-scale pieces completed with a variety of styles. This joint piece features the talents of Maggie Duff, Laine Keener, Cody Knepper, Jeff Schleis, Dillon Sedar, Meagan Smith, and Melissa Urian.

Akron Street Art Project Sun., Jan 23 at Musica, 8pm Come get your party on while supporting local musicians and public art! A finalist for the Knight Cities Challenge, the Akron Street Art Project is trying to raise money for new public art installations by hosting some of Akron's favorite bands, featuring Saint Joan, the Dreemers, Time Cat, DJ Naeno and more.

PechaKucha Akron, Vol. 2 Fri., Feb 5 at Akron Civic Theatre, 7pm Akron’s first foray was a smash hit: 20 slides, 20 seconds each. That's all each presenter has to get their point across. These fun and thought provoking presentations can include topics on art, music, law, architecture, fashion, photography, science, and more! Admission is free.

Rubber City Roller Girls Sat., Feb 6 at Knight Center, 5pm The 2016 schedule has been announced and it's time to cheer on the Rubber City Roller Girls! Head to the Knight Center and check out the most action you've ever seen on wheels. Tickets are $9 in advance, $13 at the door.

NEO Maniacal — XXXtra Special Edition Saturday, Jan. 9 at Aqueduct Brewing, 9 pm One of Akron's favorite photographers, Shane Wynn, is turning 40! Come celebrate with her over a night of laughs at the NEO Maniacal Comedy Show with comedians Sarah Jones, Robert Williams, James Pequignot, Chris Paugh, Kevin Ross, and Carey Callahan. Admission is donate what you can because you're awesome.

| THE Devil Strip / JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1

The Big, Big Mess feat. Nin Andrews, Karen Schubert, Amber Allen and Dan Dorman Sat., Jan 16 at Annabell’s, 6-9 pm Their 2016 resolution is to make this the biggest BIG BIG MESS year yet so they're starting the year off with four prize- and grant-winning rockstars whose work has appeared in Ploughshares, the Paris Review, Best American Poetry, American Literary Review and The Oracle. Learn more at bigbigmess.tumblr.com.

Bonfire Winter Festival Sat., Feb. 13 at Lock 3 So what, it’s cold outside? You aren’t going to let that stop you from having a good time, right?

Didn’t think so. That’s why The Devil Strip is embracing the chill by partnering with Lock 3 for a winter festival featuring craft beer, local music, fun weird stuff and fire — in addition to ice skating, that big ol’ slide and Polar Putt-Putt. Go ahead and mark your calendars. All your calendars.

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

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Akron Glossary Words by Andrew Leask

Are you a Northeast Ohio newbie? A lifelong local?

Whether you’re a tried and true townie, or simply a passer-on-through, you may have noticed certain terms particular to the Akron argot.

Akronite / ‘A-krə-nīt /

photo by Doug Chapman

noun One of the approximately 200,000 residents of Akron, Ohio.

"Yolanda is a born and bred Akronite; she attended Saint V and gets her burgers at Swenson’s."

Cuyahoga Falls | U.S.

/ kī-yŭ-‘hō-gə fälz, AKR. ‘kô-gə fälz / noun Akron’s neighbor to the north, and the second largest city in Summit County. Notable, among other things, for being home to the Blossom Music Center. Perplexingly to outsiders, local pronunciation of “Cuyahoga” can fall anywhere along a spectrum between “KOG-ah” to KAI-yah-hoe-gah.”

"Terry is from Cuyahoga Falls, so it’s almost like he’s from Akron… Almost."

Devil Strip / ‘dĕ-vəl strĭp /

photo courtesy of akronohio.gov

noun 1. The patch of dirt or grass separating the street from the sidewalk.

"Terry, keep your lousy dog off my devil strip!"

2. Akron’s premier arts and culture publication.

"The Devil Strip is not above petty self-flattery."

Lock / läk /

noun A section of canal where the water level can be raised or lowered in order to move ships to or from different elevations. Several locks of the former Ohio and Erie Canal are within Akron city limits.

"Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron has popular events throughout the year, including summer concerts and a winter ice skating rink."

Olive Jar / ‘äl-iv jär /

noun An essential, albeit pricey, element of home decoration.

"Things are tight this month, and I may have to lay off some of my staff, but Scott tells me my Fairlawn mansion’s décor is simply not complete without this $600 olive jar."

Sauerkraut Ball / sou-ər-krout bôl /

noun A golden, deep-fried nugget of German heritage heaven. It boasts all the deliciousness of sauerkraut without the inconvenience or disappointingly low calorie count.

"Tired of getting his hands wet every time he tried to eat his sauerkraut without a fork, Hans decided to bread it and deep fry it, because America. Thus was the sauerkraut ball born."

Square

/ thə skwĕr /

Jojo

/ ‘jō-jō / noun A potato wedge, but come on, how boring is that?

Potato wedge? You might as well call hot dogs “meat tubes,” or pizzas “cheesy bread circles.” Forget that.

"Keep your stodgy potato wedges, rest of the country; the people of Akron will forever eat their fried chicken with a side of jojos."

King James / king jāmz /

noun The first citizen of Akron: the immaculate, the inimitable, the untouchable LeBron James.

"That imbecile Terry said he thought King James was from Cleveland, so I threw my jojos at him."

noun 1. (As in: The Square) The Highland Square neighborhood of Akron.

"Terry’s dog is loose in the Square again."

2. a popular LGBT-friendly bar in Highland Square.

"Yolanda is cutting loose in Square again."

Towpath / ‘tō-păth /

noun A popular multipurpose walking, hiking, and biking trail that stretches 41 miles through Summit County, including downtown Akron.

"The Towpath Trail runs along what used to be the Ohio and Erie Canal." // Andrew Leask will spend the winter hibernating under a big, warm blanket.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1 /

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A WORD TO THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

STOP. STOP. ADMINISTRATION AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES: A WORDATOWORD THE UNIVERSITY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON OF AKRON ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION AND BOARD ANDOFBOARD TRUSTEES: OF TRUSTEES:

As University of Akron alumni, donors and friends, we are gravely concerned about the direction areUniversity takingdonors ourof Akron beloved institution. decisions relative todirection job eliminations, contracts, As University ofyou Akron As alumni, and alumni, friends, donors we are Dubious and gravely friends, concerned we areabout gravely theconcerned about the direction budgets andinstitution. program changesinstitution. are diminishing of our toUniversity and thecontracts, value of the you are taking our beloved you are taking our beloved Dubious decisions relative Dubioustothe decisions jobquality eliminations, relative contracts, job eliminations, education offered to its students. budgets and program budgets changes andareprogram diminishing changes theare quality diminishing of our University the qualityandof the our value University of theand the value of the education offered toeducation its students. offered to its students.

We implore you to stop being passive bystanders and start being active advocates for positive We implore youchange to stop We implore beinga sustainable passive you to stop bystanders being passive and startbystanders being active andadvocates start beingforactive positive advocates for positive and future. change and a sustainable changefuture. and a sustainable future.

Signed:

Signed:

Signed:

Charles A. Nelson * Marsha A. Bond * Betty Fallick * Gail Guthier Erslan * Elizabeth Nelson * Scott Orcutt * Paul Wise * Dorothy O. Jackson * Julie Rummel * Jill Cabe * Dorianne Denard * Alan Medvick * Dave J. Bethune * Eric Rummel * James Wagner * Lennon Medvick * Josh Quillen * Ann Amer Brennan * John Ashley * Sarah S. Church * Sharon S. Gandee * Albert Leyerle * Teresa Good * Charles Maglivy * Margo Snider * Robert N. Gandee * Susan Yingling * Sandra Robertson * Suzanne Leyerle * Deborah K. Dobol * Terry Yingling * Frank Merendino * Richard A. Butler * Duane Angel * Patricia McKay * Sally A. Riede * Kathleen S. Harvey * Louise Kuhns Harvey * Katherine M. Power * Susan P, McKiernan * John D. Harvey * Linda V. Urda * James D. Harvey * Terry L. Orcutt * Eileen Burg * Nan Ryerson * Dona Bowman * Diane Vukovich * Minnie Pritchard * Thomas J. Vukovich * Mary Ann Ballinger * Lawrence W. Bond * Judy Otto * Kathleen E. Stimler * Loren Hoch * Alisa Malarcik * Verna A. Friend * David Otto * Don Malarcik * Jay Ballinger * Rita Klein * Janet Wertz * Hugh West * Alice L. Strickler * William C. Waldman * Paula Maggio * Lois J. Murray * David Wertz * Deborah E. Jesiolowski * Margaret McConnell * Beverly J. Hurd * Laura Flesher * Mary C. Petrich * Jean L. Finn * Ann Rowland * John Gillette * Bernadine Antonino * Barbara Gillette * Bruce Rowland * Sue Williams * Frances Yates Bittle * Sally A. Scala * Alice S. Green * Rebecca D. Considine * Jean M. Stevenson * Marcia G. Holcomb * Robin E. Rothenbuecher * Nancy Powers * Julie Brandy * Linda K Sayre * Heather G. Manspeaker * William T. Brandy * Jennifer Ewing * Diane Lazzerini * Cyndee Snider * Carol A. Garren * Amanda Strickler * Chelsea Furda * Anthony Venci * Cathy Deagan * Mary Jane Navicky * Pat Deagan * Jon Overfield * John D. Navicky * Robert Stone * Susan W. Kinnamon * Michelle Fox * William Fox II * Bryan L. Kinnamon * Jamie L. Fox * Emory Prack * Jerry Laria * Jackie Horton * Ryan Bunker * Emily Mullen * Hal Horton * Dan L. Buie * Marcus Ziflinski * Kathy Mullen * Margaret Altieri Patterson * Bradley Mullen * Jennifer Alder * Margaret L. Klamert * Thomas Howard Considine * Cheryl Anne E. Morris * John Murray * Anita von Zastrow * Becky S. Michael * Karen L. Poulos * Julie Lehman * Patti Kelleher * Charlene Witner * David Lehman * Barbara E. Costigan * Tom Witner * Jack Ryder * Karen Considine * Katie Orlando * Nancy J. Brennan * Linda Ryder * Virginia Joanne Crider * Shirley Southard * Elizabeth Keine * Sandra Shaw * James D. Stimler * Russell B. Kuntz * Randy E. Pelton * Kathleen McIntyre * Kit Kelly * Katherine A. Selzer * Stephen J. Thompson * Robin V. Pelton * Mary Lou Simon * Martha W. Vye * Jinny Marting * Ronald A. Simon * Nancy Logan Barton * Norma Rios * J. Wayne Baker * Max R. Barton II * Stephanie J. Ramsey * Harry J. Holland * Marcia Adelman * Janet M. Carpenter * Mary Ann Jackson * Michael N. Sugarman * William S. Hendon * Henry Nettling * Betty J. Seeley * Cheryl T. Hopkins * Tiffany A. Jacobs * Rebecca Oram * Andrew Hopkins * Charles H. Carter * Roger Bain * Susan Colville-Hall * Rebecca Gibson-Lee * Melvin C. Vye * David J. Pierson * Barbara Clark * Margo Kernen * Bill Pritchard * Linda Jandecka * Leslie Bain * Penny Marquette * Ken Burkins * Bernard S. Winick * Linda E. Sugarman * Cheryl Urban * Anne Lazzerini * Linda E. Marx * Julie Lefever * Carol Lewis * Jeannette Loretitsch * Marianne Uhl * Karin S. Jackoboice-Lesneski * Mary Jean Lyon * Judith A. Kirkbride * Carole Fedorovich * Maureen C. Harrison-Russell * Larry G. Poulos * Edward G. Russell * Billie Ferguson * Karin Allen * Elizabeth L. Poulos * David H. Ferguson * Katherine M. Hackett * Frank B. Thomas * Stuart M. Terrass * Hans Zbinden * Pamela Rupert * Daniel B. Sheffer * Edward Lasher * Charles Robert Blankenship * Neal C. Raber * Sharon Lorentzen * Ronald Higgins * Alexander J. Houston * Paul Lorentzen * Bess Danek * LaShawn K. Briselford * Michael D. Williams * Sara Jones * Dianne R. Newman * Kimberlee A. Kuhejda * Nicci Avalon * Cheryl A. Ward * Judy Nicely * Debra L. Manteghi * Stacy Zahoransk * Norma J. Rist * Katerina C. Papas * Debra S. Shifrin * Shannon E. Sorensen * Hazel Barton * Stephen Weeks * Richard Londraville * Sara G. Carlson * Rolando J. Ramirez * Brian Bagatto * Qin Lin * Karen Mitchell * Todd Blackledge * Lisa Regula Meyer * Randall Mitchell * Mary Beth Kase * Fred May * Dana F. Castle * Julia Beyeler * Valerie Klein * Barbara Clark * David Sherman * Mary Ellen Atwood * Antonio R. Quesada * Richard A. Milford * Diana A. Chlebek * Patricia Ostroski * Margaret M. Poloma * Joyce Sullivan * John Bee * Jerome Mushkat * Judith A. Watson * Daniel R. Schwitzgable * Roger Carver * Grace E. Olmstead * Gerhard Kunze * Evelyn Carver * Bruce Robertson * Tom Grulkowski * Jacqueline E. Wilbanks * Sylvia Johnson * Robert Mravetz * Edwina Wagner * Margaret Rakas * J. Gary Traveny * Roberta Robertson * J. William Taggart * Rae Leonard * Therese M. Shaffer * Alan Hart * Dottie Schmith * Hugo Lijeron * Betty J. Rogge * Jacob D. Sheffer * Kenneth E. Mast * Janet Lijeron * Irvin W. Brandel * Charles J. Fey * Doris S. Aldrich * Joyce Shorter * Scott Biddinger * Al Nicely * Candace Grisi * Steven W. Horvath * Gale A. Harr * Charles Grisi * Michael Veesart * Christine Owen * Robert Monroe * Jerry Raker * Mary Beth Reymann-Conroy * James M. Haas * Robert E. Conroy * Jim King * Michael L. Altomare * Derick A. Woods * Scott McCarty * Rosemary L. Reymann * Donald E. Schmid * Gary K. Pembroke * Larry L. LaCoe * Susan E. Wynn * Yamini Adkins * Frances G. Pake * David C. Wynn * Brian D. Hoffman * Susan F. Gallagher * John W. Edgerton * Sandy Auburn * Cheryl A. Shuttleworth * Jane Bond

PAID FOR BY ADVOCATES PAIDFOR FORTHE

BY ADVOCATES UNIVERSITY FOR OF AKRON, THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTSOFAND AKRON, FACULTY. STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

PAID FOR BY ADVOCATES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON, STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

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ARE YOU A SMART, CREATIVE AND/OR ENTREPRENEURIAL COOKIE?

Find your crowd You might think you’re weird, but Akron is chock full o’ nuts

Whether you’re new or native, Akron has many eclectic and diverse groups to join if you’re trying to connect with folks who share your interests. Here’s our totally non-exhaustive list, from people who drink then run then drink to geeks who drink and play trivia to young professionals groups, who we also suspect drink and do things.

ARE YOU YOUNG, PROFESSIONAL, COMMUNITY-MINDED?

PORTAGE LAKES YOUNG PROFESSIONALS - Yes, if you’re young and looking to connect and network with Akron’s future community builders and innovators down in Portage Lakes then this YP bunch provides plenty of opportunities through meetings and events. But prepare yourself because they can get rowdy in the PLX. Where else would you expect to find the Polar Bear Jump, which benefits the Ronald McDonald House this year (Feb. 20). Follow them on Facebook by visiting facebook.com/ PortageLakesYP TORCHBEARERS - Part of Leadership Akron, this young professionals group is an excellent

launchpad for community leaders in-the-making.

For example, Kyle Kutuchief, who recently became the Akron program director for The Knight Foundation, and Nicole Mullet, who recently took lead of ArtsNow, are a couple of the Torchbearers success stories. So, if you’re between the ages of 25-40 and love helping the Akron community, Torchbearers is the group for you. It’s a selective bunch, though. Each year, only 40 individuals are chosen for each class.

Check out torchbearersakron.com for more information.

YOUNG BLACK PROFESSIONALS COALITION - This non-profit organization of Akron’s young black professionals focuses on the personal,

professional and social development of the community’s future leaders, including high school and college students. And whether hosting a kickball tourney or a bowling night for youth, the YBPC throws some of the coolest events in the area while raising money for great local causes. That’s because they’re trying to develop the overall person so their members can better pursue their individual and collective passions. Learn more at ybpc.info or follow them on Twitter and Instagram - @ybpc_akron.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF AKRON Their philosophy is simple: The more young professionals are invested in Akron, the more likely they are to stay here and call Akron home.

Membership is open and includes a bevy of benefits, including the Rubber City Rewards Card with special discounts and deals at local businesses, members-only events, the DAP’s Do Downtown Card and access to the YPA Membership Directory. Join them online at ypakron.org/join

AKRON INVENTORS CLUB - Bring your ideas to life with help from this group, which is dedicated to providing educational resources to the inventing community. They can help you develop a business and commercialize products, and increasing inventors’ business skills while promoting awareness of intellectual property tools and encouraging honest and ethical business practices among industry service providers. More at meetup.com/ akron-inventors-club AKRON WOMEN IN TECH (WIT) - If you’re a woman interested in learning how to code, join Akron Women in Tech, whose mission is to solve the gender gap in Akron through this organization.

Doesn’t matter what your day job may be or if you don’t think of yourself as a tech-savvy person, WIT is all about helping you give it a shot in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Sign up for their newsletter by visiting meetup.com/AkronWomen-In-Tech LAUNCH LEAGUE - If you have, or are interested in having, a scalable startup — whether software as a service, mobile and web apps, consumer hardware and what have you — the Launch League, which is free, can help. Great folks, as long as you don’t mind bearded dudes with rhyming names. Learn more at launchleague.org

ARE YOU ACTIVE AND FUN LOVING? AKRON BIKE PARTY - A festive evening social ride through the city every third Friday of the month at 7:30 pm that meets at the Coffee Pot Cafe downtown. Bring lights and music then watch those 10-12 miles just roll by.

Best yet, these cycling weirdos have a different theme every month, like January’s Star Wars and upcoming treats like the Zombie Prom, Island Shirts, Devo, The Cure and Easy Rider. Learn more at facebook.com/akronbikeparty AKRON HASH HOUSE HARRIERS - Feeling athletic but can’t put your beer down? Join the Akron HHH, which is a noncompetitive running organization in Akron. Members of the Akron HHH run together, drink together, and have fun together. Join them at their next social hour on January 21 at 2pm at Jilly’s Music Room. After the social hour, they will be taking a run at 3pm. Visit akronhash.com for a schedule of events.

DANCE DANCE PARTY PARTY, AKRON - Sorry fellers, this is a ladies only jam. What exactly do they do? Well, this group of women gets together twice a month to dance for an hour without judgment, booze or nasty dudes hitting on them. Or even swell guys hitting on them. Again, this dance party is for the femmes. More info at ddppakron.wordpress.com FREE AKRON YOGA - The name sorta says it all. This community gets together at the Church of Our Saviour (471 Crosby St., Akron) every Tuesday at 7 pm, except around the holidays, to practice yoga for free. This year marks their fifth annual Summer Solstice Yoga Festival. facebook.com/FreeAkronYoga NEO FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY - Admire the ladies of the flat track roller derby but not quite sure you’re ready to step into the ring? Learn how to skate like a pro with the help of the NEO Roller Girls who’ll teach you some of the skills they use. Join them Monday nights from 7-9pm. For $5, they’ll prove you with all the equipment you need, as well as a kick-ass workout. For more information, contactrecruiting@neorollerderby.com

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

GEEKS WHO DRINK TRIVIA - This Denver-based company hosts bar trivia in over 600 pubs in 35 states, now including Jilly’s Music Room every Tuesday from 8-10pm. If you are a geek and you drink and you like trivia, chances are good, you’ll find fellowship here. Follow their events by visiting the Facebook page of Jilly’s Music room at facebook.com/JillysMusicRoom.

TECHNO INNOVATIVE LEADERS ENTREPRENEURS (TILE) - If this sounds like you, or the kind of person you want to be around/become then dig this: TILE exists to bolster the potential of motivated individuals through the support of a vibrant community, experience and collaboration.

Akron has long been home to innovation and daring entrepreneurs, so if you want to add to that legacy, give TILE a shot at meetup.com/tile-akron TECHTINI TUESDAYS - An outgrowth of the Launch League community, Techtini Tuesdays bring together the nerds and tech wizards of Akron every Tuesday evening from 5-6 pm for happy hour at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron. Then some of them probably stick around for Geeks Who Drink Trivia.

Visit bit.ly/TechtiniTues for more information.

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agenda

saving Akron’s Historic Structures Dedicated to Finding Adaptive Re-Use Solutions for Quaker Square and the Ballet Center submitted by The Board of Progress Through Preservation

Much has been written of late, both in print and on the Internet, regarding the future of the historic properties owned by the University of Akron. Emotions run high when there is talk of tearing down old buildings. So much of Akron’s architectural heritage has already been lost, particularly in the mid-20th century when the replacement of old with new was seen as being synonymous with progress. It is hard to imagine our losing even more of this heritage.

In the midst of the public’s cries to save old buildings, the questions of “how?” and “for what purpose?” often get lost in the clamor, but these questions are critical. We who would save old buildings must think practically. Too many preservation efforts begin and end with stopping the bulldozers, but that’s not enough. There

must be a timeline that carries beyond the halted demolition. There must be a plan for the future use of the building.

Fortunately, there is a group of concerned preservationists in Akron working quietly behind the scenes to address these questions and find solutions that can not only halt the demolition of historic buildings, but also create for them new and innovative uses, to insure that they serve us for many more years. This group believes very strongly that progress can be achieved through repurposing, rather than replacement.

Progress Through Preservation (PTP) is Akron’s historic preservation advocacy organization, an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Preservation House at 2074 West Market

Street in Akron. Since its founding in 1984, PTP has striven to actively encourage and promote the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and adaptive re-use of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods that are of historic or architectural significance in Akron and Summit County.

With a dedicated board of directors consisting of historians, architects, building contractors, educators, and civic leaders, Progress Through Preservation has fought to save historic properties for over thirty years.

We, the board of PTP, are hoping to work with the administration of the University of Akron, in an advisory capacity, in order to find new ways of using the properties in question. There is no easy solution, but we will do what we can to assist the University in this process. While no future is

certain, please rest assured that Progress Through Preservation is here, we are involved, and we are committed to the cause of our mission, to advocate for the continued use of historic buildings.

For more information on PTP and its mission, or to get involved, please visit preservationakron.org or at facebook.com/ PreservationAllianceofGreaterAkron

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arts >>

How to get your arts fix in Akron Bronlynn Thurman

AKRON ARTS EXPO: Akron Arts Expo is an annual juried fine arts and craft show held one weekend in the summer at Hardesty Park. It features over a hundred artists. It is free to attend and offers music, food and interactive activities.

The weekend also pairs “Taste of Akron” and a wine tasting with the expo. Visit akronartsexpo.org to keep up-to-date with 2016’s event.

starting at 5 pm, the downtown area galleries open their doors to the public for a big art fest. The city provides free trolley service during the evening and it’s free to attend. The participating galleries and exhibits change each month so it’s always a new experience.

DR. SKETCHY’S ANTI-ART SCHOOL AKRON: “What happens when art class AKRON ART PRIZE: Every autumn, The meets cabaret?” Every first Wednesday of the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation sponsors month, Akron’s chapter of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art a massive art competition called the Akron Art School meets, usually at Jilly’s Music Room, for Prize. The competition involves several area galleries three hours of life drawing centered around a and hundreds of local artists. This gives many specific theme. Run by local artist Bill Lynn, Dr. artists the opportunity to showcase their work to Sketchy’s involves art, music, beer and prizes. a wider public. But it also engages the community You can also catch them at Oddmall Typically it’s by allowing them to travel to each participating $10 to attend. Check them online to find out gallery and vote on their favorite piece via an app. the current location and more — facebook.com/ The winner is awarded a grand prize and there are DrSketchyAkron a couple of runner-ups. Visit akronartprize.org for information on how to submit.

MARK MOTHERSBAUGH: MYOPIA: DEVO founder, Mark Mothersbaugh, is BIG LOVE FEST: On March 12, Akron’s an Akron native, a talented artist and a famous creative community will gather for an musician. From May 27 through August 28, Mark annual festival to celebrate culture, art and music.

Mothersbaugh’s “Myopia” exhibit will be featured This upcoming year, it will be held at the Summit at both the Akron Art Museum and the Museum Artspace. They use a sustainable, zero waste Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Cleveland. The framework while creating a space that allows exhibit will span work from 1970 to present and people to express themselves without judgment. is the first retrospective of the artist. The Akron Interactive art, musical performances, yoga classes portion of the exhibit will feature recent sculptures, and food overlap over the course of the day-long prints, rugs and a collection of 30,000 postcard festival. Visit the Facebook page for all the up-todrawings while the Cleveland portion focuses date information — facebook.com/BigLoveAkron more on his music, early sketchbooks, musical experimentation and the band’s commercial CRAFTY MART: While the organizers development. Visit both exhibits to get a fuller view have been putting on events for crafters of Mothersbaugh’s life, vision and art. and artisans since 2009, once the group started operating as a non-profit, they’ve been offering ODDMALL: One-hundred percent free to events almost every calendar month. There’s the the public, Oddmall is part art fair, part original big events — the Mom and Pop Shoppe craft show, part comic con, part gaming festival, (April 2, 2016) and the namesake Crafty Mart part cosplay extravaganza, part toy show, part (every Small Business Saturday) — but now they’ve antique show, part vintage fashion show, part added monthly pop-ups during downtown’s Art geeksplosion, part music fest, part magic show, Walk (Summit Artspace, 3rd Floor). In 2015, the and part various undefinable othernesses. If it’s fun, org even hosted Akron Farm & Flea and a special artsy, geeky, crafty or odd, chances are it can be winter pop-up at Lock 3. If you’re into handmade found at Oddmall. It’s the Emporium of the Weird. goods, visit craftymart.org for details. oddmall.info/ohio

DOWNTOWN AKRON ARTWALK: Started by local artists, the monthly Artwalk in downtown Akron has become a consistent event in the community. Every first Saturday of the month,

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

// Elves and art go together like wine and cheese. Where there is art, there is Bronlynn scouring the scene. Follow

Get Lit Satisfy your inner word nerd with these literary orgs and events

by Noor Hindi

There is no shortage of literary opportunities for emerging writers and book lovers to embrace their inner Akron geek. Need a poetry fix? Book club?

Check out this list (in no particular order).

THE BIG, BIG MESS: This fun and quirky reading series is always hosted at Annabell’s Bar and Lounge on 785 W. Market St. It brings local writers together for an evening of beer, poetry and a little bit of chaos. Their next event is Saturday, Jan. 16, and will feature writers Nin Andrews, Karen Schubert, Dan Dorman, Amber Allen with special reading of the work of Matthew Lattanzi. For more information, visit bigbigmess.tumblr.com.

WANDERING AESTHETICS: No one brings together a community of storytellers and artists better than Wandering Aesthetics, an Akron based theatre company. The Electric Pressure Cooker Open Mic Cabaret invites artists of all kinds. Comedians, actors, poets, musicians and dancers are all encouraged. The next EP Cooker will be held at Aqueduct Brewing on 529 Grant St., Suite 106 from 8 pm to 2 am on Jan. 16.

Ten slots are available, and a $5 fee is required for pre-registration. For more information about Wandering Aesthetics, please visit watheatre.com.

VERSIFIED EXPRESSION: In the literary world, you can’t get much cooler than having a café dedicated to poetry. Yes, a poetry café. Located on 2539 Romig Road., VE Poetry Café hosts the Versified Expression poetry night every Tuesday from 8 pm to 11 pm. With a fireplace in the background, this cafe is the perfect spot to hear local spoken word artists. Go to Facebook.com/Versified-Expressions for more information.

AKRON-SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY: Looking for a quieter scene? Visit your local branch of the Akron Summit County Public Library to hear about book clubs, readings, storytimes for children and contests. In January, Main Library will be hosting a month long poetry contest for children, and all branches will host a Book Club on the Go. Visit akronlibrary.org for upcoming events at your local branch.

NORTHEAST OHIO MASTER OF FINE ARTS CREATIVE WRITING: The NEOMFA, a consortium of four universities including Cleveland State University, Kent State University, The University of Akron and Youngstown State University, hosts readings each year. The visiting writer series brought us Roxane Gay in November, which was an event many enjoyed. On Thursday, April 7, Laura van den Berg will come to YSU for a reading at 7 pm, and Mary Ruefle will conduct a reading at CSU on Tuesday, April 19 at 7 pm. Visit neomfa.org to keep up with upcoming visits.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON PRESS: Each year, the UA Press publishes a collection of works from a variety of poets and writers, making it a great place to look if you’re in the mood for a good book or poetry collection. The Akron Series in Poetry will bring “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Philip Metres in February 2016, and “Groundspeed,” by Emilia Phillips in March 2016. Aside from that, the Akron Poetry Prize will be open for submissions from April 15 to June 15. Winners earn $1,500 and the publication of his or her book. Please visit uakron. edu/uapress for more information on upcoming publications.

WICK POETRY CENTER AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY: The Wick Poetry Center, through its reading series, brings many notable writers from across the country. Most events are held in the Kiva Auditorium. Upcoming 2016 events include readings from Brian Brodeur, Diana Lueptow and Janet McAdams on March 3 at 7:30 pm during the Ohio Chapbook Reading. Another notable event in 2016 is the 5th Annual U.S Poet Laureate Reading on April 6 at 7:30 pm by poet Charles Simic. // Noor Hindi enjoys being an awkward turtle at local literary events.

her journeys on IG and Twitter at @_bront_

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arts

o t p i h t e g o t How e n e c s s c i m d o e c t s e i h x e t e z i l a e r know t d l ’ u o n h s d you di n area comic creators you ro The 9 Ak

Akron’s comic book creator and illustrator scene is booming. And you don’t have to look hard for proof: The Akron ComicCon is moving to a bigger location in 2016 after nearly 5,000 people attended 2015’s show.

For this issue, we picked nine comic book illustrators and creators that you need to keep your eye on in 2016. This certainly isn’t an exhaustive list of all the talent out there, but it’s a start. If you’re a comic book creator or illustrator or you know one who should be featured, email us at arts@thedevilstrip.com.

Brian Dunphy >> Follow Brian on Twitter at @supe78.

Imagine a world where your status in society is determined by the size of your mustache, and someone is putting an agent in the water that is preventing yours from growing. This is a world brought to life in Brian Dunphy’s “Push Broom Rebellion” web comic.

Another features lethargic psychic housewife Clair Voyant who wants to be a great psychic, but she’s just too darn lazy and ends up making life a living hell.

n

by Mega

Combs

Dan Gorman >> Follow Dan on Twitter at @GDanArtist.

Who knows how to draw a superhero better than someone who can draw him or her from the inside out? Dan Gorman, of Cuyahoga Falls, is a trained medical illustrator but always wanted to draw comics.

“In high school, my art teacher saw that I had an aptitude for biology and science,” Gorman says. “He pointed me in the direction of medical illustration.”

When he’s not drawing, Dunphy is also a member of and character on KRMA Radio’s The Altered Realm Radio show.

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and patiently waited in the car the whole time he spent hours walking up and down the aisles.

Now he’s channeling that energy into a comic series titled “Only Human,” which follows an ordinary boy who is bullied in school but ends up unlocking the superhero within. Michael is the author of the series, and it is illustrated by Gorman.

“You look back at your past life experiences and determine your story to tell and mine was getting bullied as a kid,” Michael says. “I learned I had an inner superhero locked away and I could do anything given the right tools.”

In 2016, Michael plans to launch a new series called “Lunacy,” which explores what happens when Earth’s ozone layer disappears.

Gorman attended the Cleveland Institute of Art’s prestigious medical illustration program and was one of the few in his class to graduate. Though he was good at drawing the human body and everything inside it, he says his motivation for getting through was so that he could one day draw a superhero that was true to life.

“It’s a dystopian sci-fi where there’s no limitation, Michael says. “There’s so much political correctness going on in mainstream media right now and everyone is afraid to talk about other people. This is the opposite take. There are no rules anymore.”

After 13 years in medical illustrations, Gorman got back into the comic book world in 2006 by drawing fan art and soon he was creating trading card art. He’s since illustrated trading card sets for “Lord of the Rings,” “Game of Thrones,” “Star Wars,” “The Walking Dead” and more. He’s also an illustrator for “The Atomic Blonde,” which is another AC Comics comic book, but the character was created by Gorman and Joseph A. Miller.

>> Follow Jason on Twitter at @StuffGenie. Jason Miller, who goes by Jay, is a shopkeeper by day and comic book marketer by night …or weekend. He also dabbles in illustration, drawing superhero stick figures known in the comic world as Super Stix.

Gorman is also a member of the ghost hunting troop Team Spectre and founder of the KRMA Radio’s The Altered Realm radio show.

Dunphy, who lives in Akron, is an illustrator for AC Comics, a publisher in Florida for whom he pencils a comic called “Femforce,” featuring an all-female superhero team.

“Comic books are a classical art form,” Dunphy says. “In Asia and Japan, they used comics as sequential art -- as a way to record history. I would love for sequential art to become a classic art form here.”

Joseph A. Michael >> Follow Joe on Twitter at @JosephAMichael.

Growing up, comic books and video games were a way for Joseph A. Michael to escape the bullying he experienced in school. Michael’s mom used to take him to comic conventions when he was little

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Jason Miller

Miller owns StuffGenie Emporium in Barberton, a wonderland of comic books and related paraphernalia.

He is also a cohost and cofounder of The Altered Realm Radio. When he’s not at the shop or the radio station, he’s helping Dunphy, Gorman and Michael market their talents, whether it be at a ComicCon or other related convention.

His love of comic books goes back to the first he bought—“Great Grape Ape” at 6 years old.

Eventually had enough inventory to open his own store in Green in 1994. When the comic book industry took a dive in 1999, Miller closed up his shop but reopened as StuffGenie two years ago, still selling the same inventory.

“I’ve always loved reading comic books. I love getting lost in them,” Miller says. “They stay

relevant because people can pick one up, read it and in 10 minutes you’re done. In this day and age where things are quick, it’s still quick enough in a paper form and it doesn’t have to be digital.”

Ted Sikora >> Follow Ted on Twitter at @TedSikora.

When you want to create a superhero, where do you start? Apparently you start with an ordinary guy of Hungarian descent who lives in Cleveland and drives an ice cream truck. That’s the premise behind Ted Sikora and co-creator Milo Miller’s comic “Apama.” The comic is illustrated by Benito Gallego who lives in Spain.

“Having read comics our whole lives, Milo and I thought we had something new to say in the comic genre,” Sikora says. “He’s not brilliant like Peter Parker, he’s just an ordinary guy who doesn’t have a Rolodex of buddies to help him fight crime.”

The main character of “Apama” is Ilyia Zjarsky, who drives an ice cream truck and repeatedly gets egged by “Tremont punks.” On a walk through the woods one day, he happens down a wormhole where he finds his Apama costume, eventually taking on the characteristics of this “undiscovered animal.”

Cleveland was chosen as the setting for the comic because of its blank-slate potential, and Illyia Zjarksy is Hungarian, representing the number of different ethnicities present in the city.

“Apama” has been picked up by Diamond Comic Distributors, which is the largest distributor of comics in the world, meaning the comic will be distributed nationally this month.

Milo Miller >> Contact Milo at apamanation.com Milo Miller has always been into all kinds of books, but comic books really opened him to the world of literature.

“I always wanted to be a writer of some type, and because I liked comics so much, it seemed like a natural fit,” says Miller, who met “Apama” co-creator in the late ’80s while the two were attending the University of Akron. “‘Apama’ grows

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arts from the type of character that we enjoyed when we were reading stuff in the ’70s. It has a lot of characteristics and a convoluted origin. It’s not simple and straightforward.”

What he loves about creating comics is that it’s a great medium for expression. Comics aren’t movies or novels, but something inbetween.

“Comics have a unique way of telling a story,” Miller says. “It’s challenging as a writer to work within that medium because it’s not only visual and in people’s minds, it’s very much in between the two. It’s a challenging medium to tell stories in and I enjoy that.”

By the time Luther was in kindergarten, he was already drawing cartoon characters that he calls “poorly drawn stick figures.” In 2004, at age 5, he drew his first comic strip that featured a man who “somehow steals houses from his neighbors.”

As elementary school wore on, he got more comfortable with his drawing, and his main character morphed into the star of his “Towny Town” comic. “Over the next eight years, I accumulated more than a thousand additional strips, while I refined my writing, drawing style and humor all along the way,” Luther says.

Citing influences like “Calvin and Hobbes” creator Bill Watterson, and “The Far Side” creator Gary Larson, Luther says he’s still working on developing the premise behind his cartoon. “I am also beginning to focus more on the lives of elementary school students in my strip and shift the focus away from adults.”

Ted Mallison Bronlynn Thurman >> Follow Bronlynn on Twitter at @_BronT_ or at InequivalentExchange.com Bronlynn Thurman, known at “The Devil Strip” as the “elusive elf,” has been drawing comics for almost two years. She got her start by drawing Disney fanart and illustration.

“I’ve always been a storyteller,” Thurman says.

“From a young age, I would craft short stories about my life. This was just a natural progression for me.” The main character in her comic strip, “Inequivalent Exchange,” is an exaggerated version of herself, Thurman says. Her character lives with her best friend, Eric, and her cat from outer space, Caesar.

“I comment on everything from social issues, nerd/ geek culture, relationships, philosophy, design and science,” Thurman says. “It's all the things that interest me.”

Thurman says the best part about drawing comics is the challenge that comes with it. “It’s harder than it looks to get a point across in a limited number of panels.”

Jacob Luther >> Follow Jacob on Instagram @townytooncomics.

Just 16 years old, Jacob Luther is already an 11-year veteran of drawing comics. His current comic strip “Towny Town” can be found in issues of The Devil Strip and on Instagram.

“When I was about 2 years old, I discovered that I had a profound passion for drawing –– specifically drawing cartoon characters,” Luther says. “I think what primarily attracts me to comics is their lack of recognition as an art form. So many other forms of entertainment are praised by the masses like movies, paintings and theater, but comics are often brushed aside as childish.”

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

>> View his work on tomhells.com.

Summit County Historical Society Curator Ted Mallison has been drawing comics since he was 6 years old. His first comic book was titled “The Ha-Ha-Ha Book.”

“The plot is sort of hard to follow, but the art is great,” he exclaimed.

There is no overarching theme for “Quieter Days,” which appears in “The Devil Strip,” but no matter the plot or character, they all take place in the same fictional geographic location. His three fictional areas include Balewind, a large post-industrial city; Whisper City, a smaller working-class mill town; and Thrapp Valley, a college town. Each is based on Northeast Ohio towns.

What he loves about creating comics is how they make him a better overall artist.

“The form necessitates being able to reproduce the same image over and over again, and often from multiple angles,” Mallison explained. “If I make a painting of a house, I don’t necessarily ever have to paint that house again. However, if that house is the setting of a comic, I need to know how it looks from the front, from the back, from the sides, what the interior layout of the rooms is, etc.”

In 2016, Mallison plans to attend more shows and comic book conventions to network and get feedback on his comics. “That's a big piece of why I'm so happy to be doing a strip for ‘The Devil Strip,’” Mallison says. “Comics can be pretty isolating, and the whole ‘showing your work to others’ part of it is easy to lose track of when you spend all your free time in your studio.” // Follow Megan on Twitter at @WhoIsMeganCombs.

The First Tee Akron Low-Score Challenge Jan 1st- Jan 31st.

14 and under. $5. Includes putt-putt and hotdog. Score 25 and under.

2 winners chosen every Monday for the finals challenge. Great prizes!

10th Annual Chili Challenge

Fri. Jan. 15th

11am – Until chili runs out. Akron Police and Fire Depts. compete against others for the honors of Best Chili, People’s Choice and more!

Thirsty Dog Cottage Crawl

Sat. Jan. 16th

Craft beer and chili served from our German cottages.

Super Hero Weekend

Sat. Jan. 30th & Sun. Jan. 31st

Come down to Lock 3 and visit with your favorite super hero/ princess character. $10 includes a choice of pancakes, hot dog or pizza, fun activities, unlimited skating, putt-putt and lots of photo opportunities. Make your reservations now by calling 330-375-2877.

Fiesta for First Tee

Sat. Feb. 6th

4 p.m. to 9 p.m.$10 All you can eat taco bar, 1 drink ticket, 2 raffle tickets, unlimited skating and putt-putt. Proceeds benfit The First Tee Akron.

Valentine’s Day Special

Sat. Feb. 13th

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. $20. Bring your sweetheart or your bestie to Lock 3 and enjoy 2 skate rentals, 2 games of putt-putt, a $10 gift card to Barley House and 2 Dairy Queen ice cream cupcakes. A great way to spend the day!

Call 330-375-2877 for reservations.

Lock 3 also offers: • BIRTHDAY PARTY Packages • Private Rentals • Group Sales • Fundraising Check out our website for updated events and information or call us at 330-375-2877.

Ice Skating Rink • Polar Putt-Putt • Reindeer Run Zippy’s Little Roo Rink • Akron Children’s Museum Pop-Up Site

arts

Chock Full o’Art

Our favorite galleries for art lovers to get their fix around Akron

by Bronlynn Thurman

Did we miss anything? Send an email to arts@thedevilstrip.com and tell us more!

Ages Tribal Arts Ages Tribal Art is a gallery open by appointment and focuses on tribal art of all kinds and cultures.

Some highlights include wooden masks, ivory carvings, and textiles. Located on 194 Myrtle Place, this gallery features the owner’s 30-year collection. This is one gallery not to miss. To set up an appointment call 330-434-1010 or email the owner, Eric at Eric@Agestribalarts.com.

Akrona Galleries Established in 1916 in an old Tudor home on the west side of Akron, Akrona Galleries hosts contemporary art shows, events and children’s classes. Upcoming exhibits include James Lehman’s polymer clay sculpture show Jan. 7, and the “Artists who Teach” group show March 11.

Visit their website for more information about submitting artwork. Visit Akrona Galleries at 1765 W. Market St, Akron, or online at akrona.com.

Ro3 Rule of Thirds is a new, local gallery located at 117 E. Market St, Suite 202, in Downtown Akron. In the past they were one of the spaces that hosted the Akron Art Prize submissions. They are currently accepting submissions for exhibitions and individual work for 2016.

Rule of Thirds Gallery

Akron Art Museum The Akron Art Museum is a fixture of the Akron community located downtown on South High St. established in 1922 under the name Akron Art Institute, the Akron Art Museum shifted from a school and art center to a museum in the mid-60s. The museum focuses on modern and contemporary art while hosting events and classes like yoga, gallery tours, children’s arts/craft classes and more. Visit the Akron Art Museum on 1 S. High St., Akron, or at akronartmuseum.org.

Studio 2091 Mothersbaugh If you’re looking for an eclectic gallery, then Studio 2091 in Cuyahoga Falls is your place. Run by artist Amy Mothersbaugh, this studio has two gallery areas with several resident artists. You’re greeted by a massive octopus above the door and a whole host of bright colors. They have exhibitions each month. Upcoming exhibitions include A Wonder of Nature by Noah Klenovich and Walk through the Woods which is a group show beginning Jan. 9.

Check out the website for other future exhibitions.

Visit at 2091 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, or online at studio2091.com.

Don Drumm Studio & Gallery World-renowned artist Don Drumm has a studio and gallery located on the east side of Akron. It was established in 1971 and is one of the earliest galleries of contemporary art. There are two galleries: the Main Gallery that features functional and decorative art and The Different Drummer

Summit Artspace If you’re looking for a space that has everything in one, then Summit Artspace in Downtown Akron is the place to go. It’s a nonprofit art center that holds everything from exhibits to classes to craft shows. They have several gallery spaces with rotating exhibitions as well as studio space for

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| THE Devil Strip / JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1

by Bronlynn Thurman

Akron is great at multipurposing spaces.

There’s always new places popping up that will allow artists to display their work.

gallery houses wood, fiber, paper and leather work. Visit Don Drumm Studio & Gallery at 437 Crouse St, Akron.

Nine Muses Art & Art Center on Tuscarawas Nine Muses Art and Art Center on Tuscarawas are two galleries across the street from one another in the downtown Barberton area. If you are ever in the area, these are two spaces that you have to visit. Nine Muses Art is a small, but beautiful gallery with a monthly rotating show. It’s connected to Kave coffee shop, so you’re able to surround yourself with beautiful pieces of work while you sip your favorite latte or mocha. Upcoming exhibitions at Nine Muses Art include “A Cacophony of Thoughtful Splendor” by Michael McCullough running from Jan. 8 through Feb. 19. Art Center on Tuscarawas is an art center that hosts classes, has a large open gallery, and has resident artists. The gallery typically features the resident artists’ work, but also has another gallery for group shows. Be sure to check out their website if you’re interested in becoming a resident artist. Visit at 584 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, or find out more at ninemusesart.com.

5

Unconventional Galleries to Visit

Did we miss any of your favorite unconventional galleries? Send an email to arts@thedevilstrip.com and tell us more!

Bluff’s Blue Door New to the scene is Bluff’s Blue Door located on 152 Bluff St. near Downtown Akron. Above ground, there’s a spacious house resident creatives are able to lease, and below ground there’s a basement gallery space.

Summit Artspace

local artists. Upcoming group exhibitions include “Unreal: Abstract Art Today” running from Jan 29 through March 5; “Fresh” from March 18 through April 30; “Fusion: The Merging of Art & Science” from May 13 through May 18; and many more. Be sure to check the website for ways to submit your work. Summit Artspace is located at 140 E. Market St, Akron. The website is at summitartspace.org.

Zeber-Martell Gallery and Clay Studio Opened by Claudia Zeber-Martell and Michael Martell, the gallery features clay and glass sculptures. Their “Mugs for Recovery” exhibition was the culmination of an effort to support addicts in recovery while raising a few dollars for 91.3 The Summit’s Rock & Recovery radio programming.

Located on the north side of Akron near Luigi’s, it’s often a part of the monthly Akron Art Walk. Visit Zeber-Martell at 43 Furnace St., Suite G, Akron.

Hive Mind Another venue new to the scene is Hive Mind.

Located on 375 W. Exchange St, it’s a creative community space that hosts art exhibits, concerts and more. They are open to all forms of expression and experimentation. Visit facebook.com/HiveMindOH for information about their future exhibitions and events.

Uncorked Wine Bar & the 22 High St. Gallery Wine bar by day, gallery by night. Wait.

That’s not right. Uncorked is an intimate, beautiful wine bar with two independent rooms available for events. They often host monthly art shows, salsa classes and more, which means visitors can get the best of many worlds. Speak to one of the baristas on how to get your work up on their walls. Visit Uncorked Wine Bar at 22 N. High St., Akron.

Hazel Tree Interiors Hazel Tree Interiors opened its doors in 2010 and is both a gallery and interior shop. It is a gorgeous space with lots of functional, sustainable, repurposed pieces. Stop in to see what’s on display and speak to the co-owners, Karen Starr and Jon Haidet about upcoming events. Visit Hazel Tree Interiors at 143 W. Market St., Akron.

// Bronlynn, the elfin maiden, wanders through art galleries when she’s not hunting down bookasauruses. Follow her journeys on IG and Twitter at @_bront_

Bonus:

The Rage Gallery is owned and operated by Woodrow Nash, one of our artists to watch in 2016 (see pg. 17)

Square Records Square Records is one of a handful of record stores in the area. Sometimes they hold art shows and opening receptions in the back of the shop. Visit Square Records at 824 W. Market St., Akron. // Bronlynn, the elfin maiden, wanders through art galleries when she’s not hunting down bookasauruses. Follow her journeys on IG and Twitter at @_bront_

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ARTS

Akron’s Art Al Fresco around the City Center

by Andrew Leask

As we trudge forth into another gloomy Northeast Ohio winter, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the flashes of color that help make each cold, gray day spent outside more bearable. Fortunately, public art is plentiful in Akron. Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of some of Akron’s many murals, which we often take for granted.

If we missed your favorite mural, take a picture of it, tell us the location and why you love it and Tweet it to @akrondevilstrip.

Akron Civic Theater 182 S. Main., St., Downtown Spanning the entire side of a four story building next the Akron Civic Theatre, this first mural takes the award for the largest on this list. It’s also the most abstract—a funky jumble of floating bubbles and squiggly lines. It’s weird, sure, but anything more representational would probably be intimidating at this scale.

Land of Plenty 339 W. Market St., Highland Square This one’s a twofer. Two very different murals cover both sides of the Land of Plenty antique store building. The west side—with its geometric and architectural patterns in purples and blue-greens—keeps Akron looking prim and proper. The east side—with its canary yellow and acid green sci-fi landscape occupied by a trio of cartoon Cyclops monsters—keeps Akron children awake at night.

The Nantucket Building 17 S Main St., Downtown Tucked inside a courtyard next to the Nantucket building, this mixed media installation beams with Akron pride. With panels celebrating local heroes from Chrissie Hynde to LeBron James, and local treasures from the Akron Symphony to the Goodyear Blimp, you should take a moment to gaze at it and be reminded of the things that make this town great.

Hazel Tree Interiors 143 W Market St., Downtown This one deserves kudos for accuracy. The tree that covers the side of the Hazel Tree Interiors building, is, in fact, a hazel tree (yes, I looked it up). It’s also impossible to miss when driving. Just don’t veer off the road while you’re trying to make out the “AKRON” spelled out by the tree’s roots.

Angel Falls Coffee Company 792 W. Market St., Highland Square The mural that graces the side of Angel Falls Coffee Company in Highland Square is bold, bright, and beautiful. And you can’t say it lacks a sense of humor. Occupying one corner of the tattoo-inspired mashup of tile patterns, crashing waves, flowers, and a bouquet of hands held in meditative mudras are the words “keep it simple.” // Andrew Leask spends way too much time watching cable news shows. He writes fiction in the company of his wife, Amy, and their two cats, Monty and Nigella.

The Corner of State St. and Main St., Downtown On the side of the overpass near the corner of State and Maine streets is an easy-to-miss splash of color. With its bright flowers and oversized bumblebees, it looks like something out of a children’s storybook.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

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ARTS

Seven Artists to Watch

» Dominic Falcione

We’re sure you’ve admired the soothing glow of the new Angel Falls coffee shop sign. It was created

by Akron native Dominic Falcione, owner of Rubber City Fab. Falcione has big plans for his fabrication shop on Water Street. He wants other metal sculptors to join him to create a collaborative workspace where creators can share tools and ideas.

Upstairs, he wants graphic designers to share the office space so that Rubber City Fab becomes more of the name of the building rather than a company of one. Falcione’s work can be found at the Bit Factory and all around Akron in sneaky, colorful places. Check out his work at his company’s website rubbercityfab.com

in 2016

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

by Megan Combs & Bronlynn Thurman

Akron is full of artists doing big things and while any number of them could be featured here, we’ve picked eight artists who have consistently put a smile on our faces. Some are better known around the country than they are here because they’ve been worth watching for years. Regardless, if you aren’t already keeping an eye on them, you better get to it in 2016.

Did we miss someone? Send an email to arts@thedevilstrip.com and tell us more about them!

[Ed. note - Though she’d never include herself here, I personally believe our Arts Section Editor Bronlynn Thurman is another Akron artist to watch. On top of her duties with The Devil Strip and her day job as a marketing and events professional for the Akron-Summit Library, Bronlynn is an avid blogger, writer, comic strip creator, illustrator and photographer. Those who aren’t watching her in 2016 are going to miss out on something special. - Chris H.]

(Photo by Svetla Morrison)

» Tim Fitzwater » Shane Wynn

She’s been a contributor to The Devil Strip since the beginning, but Shane Wynn’s work can be found at The Akronist and in Akron Life, among others. About 1400 of her images were used to launch the AkronStock. com website, and some of her work was recently turned into postcards for Unbox Akron (fun fact: Shane actually came up with the name “Unbox Akron” because Chris Horne’s original name for it was awful). One big reason to keep watching Shane in 2016 is that a project she’s working on—a series of portraits of female community leaders in settings of underused public spaces—is a finalist for the Knight Foundation’s Akron Art Challenge Grant. You can see more of her work at shanewynn.com.

Commercial Photographer Tim Fitzwater is everywhere. No, seriously, he’s everywhere.

Whether it be at the monthly Akron Bike Party rides, Mighty Soul Night, or Akron2Akron walks, Fitzwater is always ready with his camera. He runs a blog called ZipperCityBlog where he features all of the events he attends. When he’s not doing on location or studio shoots for clients, he’s out photographing landscapes and selling the prints. Check out his work on his website at fitzwater-photography.com.

» Jessica Lofthus

Those who have visited The Mustard Seed Cafe in Montrose or come across the massive patchwork carpet in the lobby of the Akron Art Museum during their “Beauty Reigns” exhibition have already been introduced to Jessica Lofthus’ work.

Raised around Southwestern art and graffiti art, Lofthus explodes cultural and spiritual evolution through bright colors and sharp lines. See more of her work on her website at jessicalofthus.com.

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arts

» Woodrow Nash

Woodrow Nash left Akron when he was young because he said there just wasn’t an art scene. But now he’s back and he’s part of that scene with his African Nouveau sculptures and gallery on Copley Road in Akron. His colorful sculptures mimic African men and women painted in vibrant patterns and colors. None of his sculptures include eyes, which he said is his way of drawing his viewers in. His shop, The Rage Gallery, is located at 800 Copley Road, Akron. You can learn more about Nash and his gallery at theragegallery.com

» Andy Taray

Based in Akron but national in scope, Andy Taray’s company, the Social Dept., clothes proud locals from San Fran to the North Coast down to Atlanta. But he saves his best (we think) for home with killer design work for the CVNP, Crafty Mart, Square Records, The Nightlight, Mr. Zub’s and The Matinee, plus some incredible Akronproud shirts available at thesocialdept.com. Dude is good, but that makes sense. He was an art director for MTV and has taught at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He’s even designed books, including the “Dictionary of Sarcasm.” His work for Chip Taylor’s album, “Yonkers, NY,” even led to a 2010 Grammy nomination for Best Album Packaging. Learn more about Andy at OhioBoy.com.

» Charlie Wagers

With a style described as “Chillbilly” by humorist David Sedaris, designer Charles Wagers creates commercial art for clients of all kind. He pulls from old printing techniques to create stunning posters and has been featured in CMYK Magazine, Lomography, Print Magazine and more. In addition to design and illustration, Wagers shoots film photography. View more of his work on his Instagram at @charliewagers or on his website at charliewagers.com.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

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arts

HIGHLAND SQUARE *All concerts ARE FREE!

Live Music Schedule

Saturday, 1/2 • 9pm – Midnight Brick Road Ramblers – Bluegrass

8 Community Theatre Groups to See in 2016

Friday, 1/22 • 9pm – Midnight Ahinama – Akron’s Only LIVE Salsa band

Sunday, 1/3 • 12 – 3pm DJ Ben Fulkman – Spinning Funky, Soul-filled Vinyl Friday, 1/8 • 9pm – Midnight TBA

Scene Stealers

Saturday, 1/23 • 9pm – Midnight TBA Sunday, 1/24 • 1 – 4pm Anthony Papaleo & Kevin Johnson – Blues, Jazz & More

Saturday, 1/9 • 9pm – Midnight TBA

Friday, 1/29 • 9pm – Midnight The Angie Haze Project – Indie/ Folk/ Cabaret/ Gypsy

Sunday, 1/10 • 12 – 3pm Brian Henke – Virtuoso Guitar Friday, 1/15 • 9pm – Midnight TBA

Saturday, 1/30 • 9pm – Midnight DJ Naeno – Electronic Dance Party

Saturday, 1/16 • 9pm – Midnight Zach & The Bright Lights – Songs to Inspire Peace & Love

Sunday, 1/31 • 12 – 3pm DJ Ben Fulkman – Spinning Funky, Soul-filled Vinyl

Sunday, 1/17 • 12 – 3pm DJ Ben Fulkman – Spinning Funky, Soul-filled Vinyl HIGHLAND SQUARE LOCATION: 867 West Market Street Akron, Ohio, 44303 330-434-7333 www.MustardSeedMarket.com

Music Festival Checklist üBring Guitar üPack Camper Van üBring AAA Card

Hit the Road & Rock on

ray

by Mary Menzemer

From intimate venues, sophisticated acting styles, and adaptations of classic tales performed in a barn, Akron has the type of theatre suitable for anyone. So whether you’re new to community theater or a seasoned veteran, 2016 has some great performances in store.

Did we miss yours? Email us at arts@thedevilstrip.com to let us know.

Actors’ Summit Theatre at Greystone Hall (103 S. High St., Akron) actorssummit.org Intimate is an appropriate adjective to describe the theatre in Greystone Hall. Whether you view a comedy or a drama, you’re sure to feel every ounce of the actors’ emotions. Coming in 2016 are two plays, “Same Time Next Year,” running from Jan. 21 to Feb. 9, and “Chapatti,” running from Feb. 25 to March 13.

None Too Fragile (1841 Merriman Rd., Akron) nonetoofragile.com None Too Fragile stages edgy, “award-winning, kick-a** theatre” in a seemingly secret room adjacent to Pub Bricco, which means you can enjoy dinner, a show and your choice of wines and draught beers. In 2016, NTF will host productions of “A Kid Like Jake” by Daniel Pearle and “Sans Merci” by Johanna Adams.

Coach House Theatre (732 W. Exchange St., Akron) coachhousetheatre.com If your predilection for theatre is more rustic in nature, the barn-shaped Coach House Theatre specializes in shows set in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In 2016, you can see Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile,” and “The Devil’s Disciple” by the George Bernard Shaw. CHT escaped harm when a fire recently erupted in the kitchen of the adjacent Akron Women’s Club.

The Hudson Players (41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson) hudsonplayers.com Volunteer actors and stagehands produce the shows for The Hudson Players. Coming in 2016, a spin-off of “Romeo and Juliet” called “The People vs. Friar Laurence (The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet),” which will be performed at the Barlow Community Center.

New World Performance Laboratory at Balch Street Theatre (220 S. Balch St., Akron) nwplab.com Sophisticated, modern and eclectic, the New World

Performance Laboratory is an actor-centered, multicultural and inclusive production company that incorporates research on new techniques from around the globe into their work. Their latest work is “The Devil’s Milk Trilogy,” a three-part drama about the rubber industry here in Akron.

Rubber City Shakespeare (140 E. Market St., Akron) rubbercityshakes.com With a mission to bring affordable Shakespeare and classical drama to the Akron area, Rubber City Shakespeare offers both pay-as-you-like-it performances for each production and free staged readings throughout the year. Hosted upstairs in the Summit Artspace, RCS will host performances of Tim Rice & Elton John’s “Aida” and Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” in 2016.

Wandering Aesthetics (all over the Akron area) facebook.com/WATheatre Wandering Aesthetics is something else entirely: A company of storytellers, improvisers, magicians and the imaginative. Between scripted performances like their Cabaret Series, they host Full Circle Storytelling, which invites the audience to become performers, sharing their stories from the stage to embrace their own creativity and imagination.

Another of their other popular events, The Electric Pressure Cooker, is an anything-goes open mic night, which occurs at seemingly random intervals of time throughout the year. (see listing in literary events for more, page 11).

Weathervane Playhouse (1301 Weathervane Ln., Akron) weathervaneplayhouse.com Weathervane Playhouse will be great in 2016 for comedic, lighthearted plays such as crowd favorite “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” which runs from June 2-June 26. Also in 2016, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” which was written in the 1930s, outlines the bizarre but humorous tale of a surly New York theatre critic who comes to Ohio and is bedridden due to a broken hip. // Mary Menzemer is a quiet theatre goer. You will often find her lurking in the shadows of the none too fragile theatre on Wednesdays.

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food

WWWD:

What Would the Wanderer Do? New Akronite Guide to Food in 2016

by Holly Brown

Having successfully completed my first year in Akron this past August, I know what it’s like to be a new Akronite. Here’s a short list of a few (of the many) staples that a new Akronite must try. ASAP. Go right now.

Favorite Winter Warmer:

Favorite Hangover Cure:

Thai Pho’s Thai Pho - The combination of the spicey-ness and the steamy-ness ensure that there is no way you will leave still chilled. Every single bite is different, with rich meats and long noodles.

Gasoline Alley’s Bloody Mary - Whenever I’m in need of coming back to life, I want Gasoline Alley.

Not only a cove of comfort food, but the home of the best bloody mary I’ve had. When the headache and the bottomless pit of hunger are in it to win it, this bloody mary is a two for one. It’s a meal in itself, decked with shrimp, cucumber, cherry tomato, pickle, olives, celery. Not to mention the bloody itself which is spicy and will kick any head pangs out with a vengeance.

Favorite Eclectic Menu: Crave - This is probably a surprise to no one as at Crave you can order anything from lamb shank to ahi tuna to a pulled pork sandwich to fried green tomatoes and everything is equally as good. I can go to Crave no matter what I am in the mood for.

Special shout out to the buttermilk fried alligator tail which I can never seem to stray from.

Favorite Summer Rejuvenation: Nuevo’s Margarita Flight Enjoyed on the Upstairs Porch - With a magnificent view of downtown Akron, lightly brightened by twinkle lights, it’s hard to beat Nuevo’s porch to kick back on at the end of a long week. Margarita flavors range from jalapeño cilantro to passionfruit and are ever-rotating. Nuevo also offers a pick-your-own-rim on the margarita flight (my personal favorite? the smokey salt).

The seasons they are a'changin' so come to the pub to watch the Cavs and enjoy one of our ice cold beers.

Favorite Bite Consistency: Swensons' Galley Boy - I only want a Galley Boy ever. The kick of the tang and the subtle sweetness of the sauces encasing a deliciously decadent meat patty? Never soggy buns and every single bite incorporating each and every flavor and part of the burger from the cheese to the meat to the bread to the sauce? Best bite consistency I know of. Always order with onion, pickles, lettuce. Always cry when the last bite is over.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Favorite Sandwich: Mr. Zub’s Deli’s David St. Hubbins - Though I have tried many, many different sandwiches over the last year at Mr. Zub’s, I honestly cannot resist the David St. Hubbins. For starters, I love turkey. Secondly, I (continued on page 20)

816 W. MARKET STREET | AKRON

Food

>Pizza Pie Chart Who do you love?

We asked our readers to tell us who makes their favorite pizza. To no one’s surprise, local legends Luigi’s ran away with the responses, getting 36 percent of the total votes, which was significantly more than the bottom 16 vote-getters combined.

Then we wondered what Akron’s pizza landscape would look like if there was no Luigi’s.

So the second chart, a bar graph, shows us those results with Gionino’s and Guiseppe’s way out in front. Where does your favorite shop rank?

(continued from page 19) love bacon. Thirdly, onion & chive cream cheese on a bagel might be my biggest weakness. You put all of that together, it’s at once crisp and greasy, a monumental feat, and the perfect fix when I want to stuff my face.

Favorite Cheese Fix:

NUEVO MODERN MEXICAN & TEQUILA BAR

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR SEATING BUT ADVENTURESOME TASTE BUDS REQUIRED FOR DINING

««««« ««««« «««««

FOOD AMBIANCE SERVICE

KEEPING THINGS FRESH We have been enjoying Nuevo since they opened. The food is always prepared wonderfully, consistent, hot, and presentation superb. And one of the reasons is their always seasonallychanging menu options. Unbelievably, there are currently 3 different duck items including an unbelievable Pato Empanada app. Tacos El Pateur always kept fresh with new toppings. Also changing types of Guacamole. The drinks are phenomenal, the wait staff superb and doesn't seem to have much turnover. And on this occassion we were running late from a concert that went WAY longer than we thought, and they were nice enough to hold our table for 6 when we texted from the show! The Best!! -- from OpenTable.com

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

The Lockview’s The Number Seven - Much like Zub’s, I have had many grilled cheeses at the Lockview. Number Seven with smoked gouda, tomato slices, and fresh basil ceases to be surpassed as my ultimate in cheese comfort. If you’re like me and cannot have your cheese need ever satiated, be sure to order the fried macaroni and cheese bites and the potato croquettes.

Favorite Taco:

Favorite Place to Go on Thursday:

Ranchero’s Taqueria’s Al Pastor - Ranchero’s is so delightful. It is a humble place that does what it does well. Their Al Pastor tacos are the perfect mix of sweet and savory with spiced pork and bits of pineapple all rolled together. I’m drooling while writing this.

Capri to Ray’s Pub’s Power Hour - From 8 o’clock to 9 o’clock on Thursdays, Ray’s Pub doles out dollar domestics. Since I am in graduate school and I get out of class at 7:50 on Thursdays, it is my ritual to rush to Ray’s as fast as I can as to have minimal time without a Rolling Rock in my hand. Though, before I get my drink on at the end of a grueling week of school, I swing to Capri for a slice (or two) of pizza. Always there and quick to get in my belly, I’m especially happy when I see something with black olives or mushrooms sizzling under the counter warmer.

Favorite Appetizer: Craft Beer Bar’s Soft Pretzel Rolls - Simple and perfect. I didn’t know I needed this soft pretzel in my life until I had it. I haven't looked back. This heavenly roll is warm and buttery, not too salty, and served with a side of scallion cream cheese (see bit above about chive & onion cream cheese). I. Am. Telling. You. I crave this stuff constantly. Just as good as the pretzel is the beer selection, feel free to wash it down.

// In the New Year, Holly Brown plans to go on even more exciting new food adventures. Also to drink more water.

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food

Need Some

Fries with that Shake?

Swensons

Honeymoon Grill

In the mythical birthplace of the hamburger, we’re asking about side items

Skyway

You may have heard the story that the hamburger, like so many other things, was invented in Akron. There’s a chance you’ve made the drive to Green just to try the “original,” still being served by the Menches Bros. Restaurant, which also claims to have invented the waffle cone. (We salute you.) But we think a burger just isn’t complete without some fries and a shake. It seems Akron agrees.

Burgers

Fries

Shakes

Skyway

#1

#1

#2

Swensons

#2

#4

#1

Honeymoon Grille

#3

#2-T

#3

Louie’s

#4

#5

n/a

The Rail

#5

#4

#4

Rockne’s

#6

#2-T

#6

Bob’s Hamburgs

#7

#7

#7

BREWERY

We polled our readers for about a week and after more than 500 folks had weighed in, we stepped back for a look at results that surprised us. Early leader, Swensons (no apostrophe, y’all) took home the title for best milkshake, but fell to 2nd in the burger category and 4th for fries. If our totally unscientific survey is to be believed, your best shot at satisfying a craving for this delicious trinity is at Skyway, which came in tops for burgers and fries, and 2nd for shakes.

The real surprise was the meteoric rise of the Honeymoon Grille, down Portage Lakes way. They beat heavyweights Louie’s, Bob’s Hamburgs and The Rail to place 3rd for best burger, tied for 2nd for best fries and 3rd for best shake. Not a bad showing at all.

pening Soon ~ O ~

FULL MENU

30 TAPS Th

BREWERY

FULL MENU

30 TAPS

GUEST MICROS

FULL BAR

e r GUEST MICROS e Br a ewpub in Highland Squ LIVE MUSIC

FULL BAR

LIVE MUSIC

For details visit www.ohiobrewing.com • 804 W. Market Street, Akron, OH 44303

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

(at the corner of Highland Ave and W. Market St.)

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food

BREW AND A BYLINE In Praise of Pizza and Beer

by Matthew Sedmock

Oxygen is necessary for survival. As is water. And a sizable contingent of Akronites might add a third staple to that list: pizza and beer.

While oxygen and water are critical to sustaining human life, pizza and beer might be considered to be more compliant, easily dancing to the beat of their own respective drummers, choosing to merge at will or go home alone.

I reflect on this as I sit inside the comfortable, relatively nondescript confines of The Brick Oven Brew Pub, waiting to speak with owners Joshua and Nicole Bringman. My beer-snob tentacles are tingling, though. Yes, whatever is lodged inside that wood-fire oven does smell heavenly, but I’m really here for the beer. And I’m both nervous and curious.

I know this area of town. I’ve lived in both Ellet

b

and Springfield Township, off and on, over the past 30 years. Relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee, moved back to Springfield. Headed west to St. Louis, crawled back to Ellet. But this section of Orangemen country just south of Market on Canton Road doesn’t immediately come to mind as an area that would offer itself as a beer-mecca. So I ask Nicole the pointed questions early on: Is Brick Oven Brew Pub a pizza place that happens to offer local beer, or a good-beer haunt that also happens to dish out a quality pie?

“Not to say it’s exactly 50-50, but a large amount of the clientele is families who come in,” Nicole says. “The kids eat the pizza and the parents have a couple of beers.”

Joshua, the brewer, chimes in that it’s primarily food-people who happen to like the beer, adding, “We do get some beer-only people in here, but

most people come in for both.”

I size up the flight sitting in front of me with continued trepidation. After all, in an area of the state which is quickly ascending the U.S. craftbeer pyramid, consumers like myself are spoiled.

We have plenty of choices. But more than that, we’ve become educated. Mere ‘pale ale’ is for the proletariat. We want to know whether or not the Cascade hops were sourced from New York state or from Oregon. What sort of yeast-strain was used for that dubbel? Will a new tulip glass actually enhance this saison, since it’s almost at 8.2 percent ABV? This constant spelunking for the holy grail of suds seems to unnerve Joshua Bringman. I ask him about his influences.

“Well, you start out brewing to see if you can do it,” he says. “So, you do it. And then you try to see how much alcohol you can get into it. Then you reach this thing where you try to make these superalcohol beers.”

We laugh. Naturally, I’m a fan of these superalcohol beers.

T H E

O F F I C E

CITY TAVERN

NEW LOOK. NEW MENU. SAME CITY.

He continues, “And then you reach where I’m at, you just want beer. I don’t want chocolate-coveredcandy-cane-pumpkin-pecan pie. I just want beer.”

Nicole Bringman suddenly heads back to the kitchen as more customers stroll in, and I turn my attention back to samples in front of me. Even the names are unadorned. Nothing gratuitous, nothing clever. No double-entendre’ or some obscure reminder of some ancient Akron landmark.

You have Cream Ale. You have IPA. There’s Witbier (none to be found, though, on this rainy afternoon). And there’s Oatmeal Stout.

“I drink the Cream Ale 90 percent of the time,” Joshua says, as I hoist the glass for an initial inspection. “Eventually you find a middle ground, and you just want a beer.” He announces this standing up to head back to the brew-kettle, leaving me at the table with both my caprese salad and the results of his handiwork.

The Cream Ale is crisp, with low head-retention. It’s

AkronCityTavern.com 330.376.9550

a tad hazy, but I pick up a bit on the sweetness to which Joshua alluded. I detect some lemon essence and slight fruity esters. It’s an extremely drinkable beer. It begs for one of Nicole’s calzones.

Joshua also poured me two different IPAs. His regular IPA, which left with me later in growlerform, is inconspicuous and uncomplicated.

Wonderful lacing, somewhat on the light side and not overtly hoppy. It sends out a piney after-bite, but it doesn’t linger. If you merely enjoy hops but don’t want to be bludgeoned, this is your beer.

The Black IPA, on the other hand, lacks the regular cousin’s lacing, and contains even less hoppresence. I notice some nuanced sweetness, almost molasses-esque. It resembles Valvoline in hue, but actually culminates in a somewhat thinner mouthfeel. If ‘dark beers’ normally frighten you but your curiosity is still piqued, this is the salve you seek.

If you have no fears about dark beers, venture further because The Brick Oven’s Oatmeal Stout might be their underrated star. Gorgeous color and very photogenic. I immediately sense a hint of sour, almost Farmhouse-like, but it’s not disarming at all.

It has hints of dryness, of chalk, but the oatmeal rounds it out and provides a delicate creamy overlay.

I sat back, looking at my empty glasses. Traffic slithered by behind me on the wet pavement outside. In front of me, a hockey game played on the television as a few shoppers soothed their frazzled nerves at the bar. In a momentary flash of satori, I suddenly understood.

Joshua and Nicole Bringman have simply tapped into what this part of Akron has always expected, whether getting your car repaired or your hair done at the salon: a quality product at a fair price.

It doesn’t have to be barrel-aged in sherry casks or drizzled with 100-year-old balsamic vinegar.

Sometimes it just comes down to pizza and beer.

“As I’ve gotten older I’ve become very simplistic,” says Joshua. “People that want to analyze it, good for them. But I have people that come in say how much they like it, and I say, ‘Good. Drink it.’”

778 North Main Street Akron, Ohio 44310

Also visit us at The Office Bistro & Bar - 1846 Front St. Cuyahoga Falls, OH

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Google searches and disappointing avenues that may ensue on your journey to finding delicious, savory, vegetarian food here is a little help: a compilation of my go-to herbivore foods (on a budfood get) at various neighborhood restaurants.

Mr. Zub’s Deli (7)

Gasoline Alley (1)

Vegg'n Out

Saffron Patch (2) Swenson’s (3) Blue Door Cafe and Bakery (8) Urban Eats (4) Chin’s Place (9)

Aladdin’s Eatery (5)

by Ilenia Pezzaniti

Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar (10) Bricco (6)

Ms. Julie’s Kitchen (12)

The Lockview (11)

(8) Vegetarian Croissant (4) Max-ican Pizza Combo (5) Vegetarian (9) Curry TofuMonsieur & Veg (7)falafel, The Rosemary homemade black bean cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, spinach. Add sampling of hummus, tabouli, baba, curried tofu & veggies. SD of white rice.

(1) Sarah’s Vegetable Truck avocado on pita w/ yogurt dressing. and dawali. hummus spread, flatbread seasoned grilled tofu w/ homemade croissant, gruyere, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, spinach, bechamel, dijon, crust,(6)banana black sprouts, lettuce, Spinachpeps, Pizza (10)onions, Vegetal Tofu Tacos spinach. Add avocado on pita over easybrown organic egg.orSD of (2) Paneer dressing.

Tikkak Masala spinach, kalamata olives, tomatoes, nuts, cream picocheese de gallo, cheese, Spanish rice, black olives, & mozzarella. &pine veggie w/ yogurt homemade Indian cheese cubes, peppers, feta, & EVOO. pinto beans, flour shells (corn homemade upon request). balsamic greens, Topped w/ pico de gallo on wheat bagel. onions, tomato cream sauce. & olive oil dressing. after baking.

(7) The Rosemary The Number 13 (2) Paneer Tikkak Masala (9) Curry Tofu(11) & Veg The 13 (3) Salad Boy seasoned grilled tofu w/ sprouts, lettuce, onions, Harvarti Dill cheese(11) topped withNumber Artichoke Hearts (5) Vegetarian Combo curried tofu & veghomemade Indian cheese vege burger, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, & veggie cream cheese on wheat bagel. sautéed in a garlic and lemon infused oil on Rustic Harvarti Dill cheese topped cheese & two special sauces.

Italian bread. sampling of hummus, gies.

SD of white rice. cubes, peppers, onions, towith Artichoke Hearts sautabouli, baba, falafel, and mato cream sauce. téed in a garlic and lemon (8) Vegetarian Croissant Monsieur (10) Vegetal Tofu Tacos dawali.

(4) Max-ican Pizza homemade croissant, gruyere, spinach, bechamel, (12) Hemp Burger infused oil on Rustic Italian homemade black bean hummus spread, flatbread dijon, over easy organic egg. SD ofpico greens, However she’s making it that day. Buy frozen to de gallo, cheese, bread. crust, banana Boy peps, black olives, & mozzarella. (6) Spinach homemadePizza balsamic & olive oil dressing. take home!

(3) Salad Spanish brown rice, Topped w/ pico de gallo after baking. spinach, kalamata olives, black or pinto beans, vege burger, lettuce, tomato, (12) Hemp Burger tomatoes, pine nuts, feta, flour shells (corn upon pickles, onions, cheese & two However she’s making it that & EVOO. special sauces day. Buy frozen to take home! request).

(1) Sarah’s Vegetable Truck As a vegetarian, it’s not always easy finding restaurants that tailor to the plant-based diet. In a state that was slow to come to aid the vegetarians of the land, and a city that was even slower to adopt such ideas, it has taken me years of trial and error at different eateries where I could enjoy tasty vegetarian options. Now, some of Akron’s menus even have vegetarian options dominating the meat-eating agenda, sometimes entirely, even going vegan. To help you avoid the countless Google searches and disappointing avenues that may ensue on your journey to finding delicious, savory, vegetarian food here is a little help: a compilation of my go-to herbivore foods (on a budget) at various neighborhood restaurants.

United Way of Summit County

WhaT ThIS pLacE NEEDS IS paThWayS OUT Of pOVERTy.

Through Bridges Summit county, United Way is building a more prosperous and sustainable community – for all of us.

To donate or volunteer, go to UWSUMMIT.ORG

great things happen when we LIVE UNITED! United Way of Summit County UWSUMMIT.ORG

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1 /

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music & entertainment

The Devil’s Dozen And by dozen, we mean 16 because math.

Brent Kirby. This edition will feature Akron favorites, the Gage Brothers, Nick Wilkinson, Gina Marie, and more.

HAPPY Hour Monday through Friday Until 8pm

Celtic Rush Thurs., Jan 14 at Old 97 Cafe, 7:30 pm Yes, it’s Martini Night at one of Akron’s best kept secrets, the Old 97 in Kenmore. If the place itself doesn’t put a smile on your face, the drinks will as you sip one listening to Celtic Rush, formerly the Akron Ceili Band.

$3.50 Well Drinks and Tall Domestics $2.75 Domestic Bottles • $3.25 Import Bottles Join us for delicious, daily food specials!

Monday through Friday open at 2pm Saturday & Sunday open at 12:30 549 W Market St, Akron • Phone: (330) 376-8307

O’Beast (Zack Clements benefit) Friday, Jan. 8 at Annabell’s, 10:30 pm Calling out to the Akron punk scene! O'Beast is holding a benefit for Zack Clements has been recovering from burns and carbon monoxide poisoning from a Dec 18 house fire. All proceeds from this concert will go to support Zack's medical bills. Come have a good time for a good cause!

7 C 9 A D F L E O Gretchen Pleuss Sat., Jan. 9 at Mustard Seed Cafe Do not be surprised if you see Gretchen’s name over and over and over again this year. Her music draws upon Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin and Paul Simon for inspiration and is about to be showcased on a new album so the talk is only going to get louder. Make it out to one of these early shows so you can tell people you knew her way back when.

Voted #1 Best Irish Pub

Saturday, January 9 - Rhythm Syndicate Thursday, January 14 - Celtic Rush Saturday, January 16 - QS Jazz Visit old97cafe.com for more January events

Live music. Great martinis. Private parties.

Post Modern, Failed Astronauts, Old Souls, My Heart My Anchor Sat., Jan. 17 at Crozberry House, 8 pm (249 Crosby St., Akron) Feeling the need for some indie rock? The Crozberry House will play host to special guests Post Modern of Columbus, Ohio, and My Heart, My Anchor of Baltimore. They will be joined by Akron's own Failed Astronauts, and Old Souls from Cleveland. Admission is $5.

Charita Franks Fri., Jan 15 at Max McQs, 9p-12a If you've never experienced Charita Franks, you are in for a treat. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a night of funk, soul, pop, rock, and much more. Admission is free, and you know you can't beat that.

Kofi Boakye Weds., Jan. 13 at Blu Jazz, 7 pm (FREE) Catch one of Akron's up and coming piano players at BLU Jazz's Solo Piano Wednesdays. At just 15 years old, Kofi Boakye, a student at Miller South, is already making a name for himself around town.

Now go see what the buzz is about yourself.

Gage Brothers, Nick Wilkinson, Gina Marie and many more 10x3 Songwriter Showcase Weds., Jan 13 at Musica, 8pm (FREE) Every Wednesday Musica' will be home to the Akron edition of the 10x3 songwriter/band showcase hosted by Cleveland singer-songwriter

I Love Akron Fri., Jan. 15 at Rialto Theatre, 9 pm - 1 am Do you love Akron hip-hop? Then make your move to the Rialto Theatre in Kenmore as local Hip-Hop artists compete for a place on a new reality show.

Performances from KB the Goddess, Young Lee, Black Buttah, and more. Admission is $10.

1503 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, Ohio • 330-745-5493 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

music & Entertainment who fronted Incognito and sang back-up for Stevie Wonder, will have you thinking about Valentine’s Day a month in advance.

Maysa Sun., Jan. 17 at Tangier, 7:30 pm Can you say “Smooth jazz Sunday”? That’s what The Tangier is cooking up with Maysa and her Jazz Funk Orchestra. Performing music from her "Back to Love" album, the Grammy-nominated Maysa,

um.. feat. Glockwize ($10-$15) Fri., Jan 22 at Thursday’s Lounge, 8:30 pm EDM.com writes, “You can call the Los Angeles DJ duo, um.., trap music if you like, but that just doesn't do their style justice. The deep bass and synth heavy melodies put them in a category that Flosstradamus fans will find familiar.”

Tracey Thomas Jazz Quintet (FREE) Weds., Jan. 20 at Jilly’s Music Room, 7-9 pm Led by the former singer for Akron new wavers Unit 5, the Tracey Thomas Jazz Quintet will cover jazz standards and songs from the American Songbook. Lovers of the improvisational side of jazz will also feel right at home as these musicians get intimate with their instruments.

Trash Mountain, Wolf Teeth, Cheap Sk8s, Curtail, The Bijous Friday, Jan. 22 at Hive Mind, 7 PM (375 W. Exchange St., Akron) The Books to Prisoners Benefit show will feature Trash Mountain, Wolf Teeth, Cheap Sk8s, and more. Hosted in the city’s newest hub of creativity, this party for a worthy cause is literally one for the books.

When you go, be sure you follow the rules: No Racism/sexism/homophobia/transphobia/ableism/ fatphobia/hate speech and “no hard drugz”.

Bass Genesis II: Electric Renaissance Fri., Feb. 5 - Sat., Feb. 6 at The Vortex Early contender for craziest party of the year: Kamp Komodo presents 16 DJs over 10 straight hours of a raging rave, kicking off with Akron’s Bunnie Beatz and featuring BRUH, N:CODER and headliner Gangsta Fun from Baltimore. The party includes professional go-go dancers, body painting, Anarchy Lighting, Sound & Design, and a bacon n’ eggs breakfast at 5 am. Plus, the event supports Heaven Can Wait, a rescue group that saves pets from high kill shelters. Wear a gas mask and get $5 off.

Gerald Albright MaysaParty Band Ultimate Jam Band Premier U.F.O. Smooth Jazz Sax Man

British Hard Rockers

Ekoostik Hookah

Buck Naked

SAT. FEB. 13

Akron’s Favorite Son

SAT, JAN. 30

David Buck THURSDAY, FEB. 4 Allan Naked Premier Party Band Aussie RockersCoe

Little River

FRI, MARCH 4

Euge Groove FRIDAY, FEB.12

American Smooth Smooth JazzJazz Saxaphonist

Sax Man SUN, FEB. 14

Gerald ConFunkShun Bay Area Funk

AlbrightSAT, MARCH 12

Featuring

Michael Cooper

Gerald A

Maysa

Smooth Jaz Sultry RSUNDAY, & B Jazz Singer JANUARY 17 ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

FRI, FEB. 12SATURDAY, WED,FEB. MARCH62 SUN, JAN. 17 JAN. 30 SATURDAY,

FRI, FE

SUN, JAN. 17

Mighty Soul Night (FREE) Sat., Jan. 23 at Uncorked DJs Forrest Getem Gump, El-Prezidente and Ben

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Sultry R & B Jazz Singer

Twin Atomic w/ The Scenic Route, Soulus and more Sat., Jan. 30 at Empire Concert Club, 7 pm Local alt rock act whose 2015 included opening for acts like Highly Suspect and Turbowolf, while keeping busy on local stages with friends Goodnight Tonight and Soulus.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Wesley Bright ($10) Sat., Jan 16 at Sweet Mary’s, 10 pm Sweet Mary’s? Like the bakery downtown — or is this a new music venue? Yes and yes, kinda. Soul man Wesley Bright has a brand new bag and to kick off his big plans for 2016, he’s hosting two small shows on the same night. The first is invite only. The second will fill-up fast because it’s first come, first served. Doors open at 10 pm and the show starts promptly at 10:15 pm.

Crazy spinning delicious vinyl while Dennis Oliver goes off on those congas. For folks who appreciate a rare groove.

SAT, APRIL 16 FEB. 13 SATURDAY,

Love Affair

40 Year Reunion Akron's SAT,

Sultry R&B Jazz Singer

Maysa

FRI, FEB 19 • 2 SHOWS SAT.

Akron’s Fav JAN. 30 R&B Legends

David Buck The Whispers David Allen Allan Naked Premier Party Band Coe Coe

All Original Members 1980’s hit “Mama Sez”

Favorite Son

APR. 22 & 23, 29 & 30

Michael Stanley

SUN., 14 2 SHOWS and the FEB. Resonators

SUN, FE

SATURDAY, FEB. 20 13Bay

Little River Band Aussie rockers

Dailey Double w/Pat Dailey

TWOWS SHO

FRI, FEB. 19

The Reese Dailey Band Ben Dover & the Screamers

Featur

Michael C

Bay Area Funk THURS. FEB. 4 SUN, MAY 1

ConFunkShun Robin Trower

British Guitar God Featuring Michael Cooper

Aussie rockers 532 The W. Market Street • Akron, Ohio • (330) 376-7171 • www.thetangier.com Whispers R & B Legends

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

JANUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #1 /

TWO

Area

ConFun

Little River TWOWS Band SHO SHOW TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE! BANQUET FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR EVENTS

THURS. FEB. 4

FE

FRI, MAY 13

FRI, FE

The 25 Wh

THE Devil Strip |

R & B Le

ap arnie’s public house

music & entertainment

Where to catch

live, local music Akron Civic Theatre

Elegantly Casual Dining featuring Modern Twists on Your Favorite Comfort Foods and Classic Cocktails

q in Akron

403 Kling St., Akron facebook.com/klingthing Doing this Punk/Indie/Metal/DIY house show scene thing since 2007.

Annabell’s

Jilly’s Music Room

784 W Market St., Akron 111 N Main St., Akron facebook.com/akronannabells jillysmusicroom.com Proof that punk is alive and kickin’ and drinking PBR. Might be Akron’s best listening room with tons of variety and seldom ever a cover charge.

Blu Jazz

1682 W. Market St at Westgate Plaza in Akron

47 E Market St., Akron blujazzakron.com Cool jazz club with a speakeasy feel, hosting national, regional and local musicians

330-867-0154 Open 7 days a week 11:00am-2:30am

Chuck’s Steakhouse

OUR F O E N TRY O TE PLAZA A WESTG RANTS! U RESTA

It’s A Kling Thing House

182 S Main St., Akron akroncivic.com Gorgeous venue for national acts hosts a cabaret series just for local musicians.

Lock 3 200 S. Main St., Akron lock3live.com By winter, ice skating paradise. By summer, free concerts for the masses.

456 E South St., Akron facebook.com/chucks.steakhouse Don’t let the name fool you, they’ve been serving music since the 70s.

Musica

Crozberry House

Mustard Seed Cafe

249 Crosby St., Akron facebook.com/Crozberryhouse-1385957681733901 A new house show waystation for traveling and local indie/punk/DIY bands.

3885 W. Market Ave., Akron mustardseedmarket.com Live music transforms the cafe upstairs into a great showcase for local talent.

51 E Market St., Akron akronmusica.com Great variety for touring indie bands and locals alike.

Old 97 Cafe’ Cuyahoga National Valley Park 500 W Streetsboro St., Peninsula conservancyforcvnp.org From Howe Valley to Happy Days Valley, you can catch good music in the CVNP.

1503 Kenmore Blvd., Akron old97cafe.com A hidden gem of a bar specializing in Celtic, blues and folk music.

Pub Bricco The Empire Concert Club

Akron’s Home of the All Day Breakfast featuring a Bloody Mary Menu, Mimosas and much more...

1688 W. Market St at Westgate Plaza in Akron 330-867-1114 Open 7 days a week 6:30am-3:00pm Sundays 8:00am-3:00pm

1305 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron empireconcertclub.com Typically harder rock and metal, but they’ll surprise you with a diversity of local music.

1841 Merriman Rd., Akron pubbricco.com When a play isn’t in production, Bricco hosts jazz concerts in the cozy, black box theatre.

Tim Owens’ Traveler’s Tavern Fool Mansion 487 Crouse St, Akron facebook.com/foolmansion A house venue with a big basement for touring bands to sleep, eat and be treated right.

2727 Manchester Rd., Akron rippersrockhouse.com “Bar Rescue” changed the name but as a venue for live local rock, it remains the same.

Uncorked Wine Bar G.A.R. Hall 1785 Main St., Peninsula peninsulahistory.org Great spot to hear folk, Americana and that old timey sound.

Hive Mind 375 W Exchange St., Akron facebook.com/HiveMindOH This newcomer to Akron’s creative space blends art, music and community.

22 N. High St., Akron Home of The Mighty Soul Night and a variety of laid-back live music acts.

The Vortex 1167 Brittain Rd, Akron thevortexakron.com Among the few venues specializing in hip-hop and R&B.

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music & Entertainment

Art, snot, nasty winters & public irreverence Exploring Akron’s Early Punk Scene

by Jenny Conn

If you were hip to the local original music scene in the 1970s, your haunts were likely The Crypt and The Bank in Akron, and JB’s Down in Kent. This was the heyday of Akron’s punk scene. And though some of the bands balk at the label “punk,” their irreverent ways and snotty lyrics tell a different tale.

At JB’s Down, where you descended concrete stairs to a packed room that smelled like rancid beer, you might have caught Hammer Damage frontman, Donny Damage, hawking lugies into the air and catching them in his mouth. When the band played “The Deutsch,” dancers fell to the beer-soaked dance floor, writhing like worms. During “Laugh” the entire bar chanted along.

At The Bank on Main Street, which featured the old bank vaults of its glory days, Youngstown’s Dead Boys frontman Stiv Bators once peed into a trash can next to a bar lined with patrons.

At gigs of the more art-rock Tin Huey, sometimes likened to Captain Beefheart, sax virtuoso Ralph Carney sometimes spun in circles on stage, ala Stooge, Curley Howard, while the other members wore strange masks.

But for Akron like the rest of the country, it was a peculiar time. Akron’s rubber mills were moving jobs south, an unpopular war was pulling young men into Indochinese jungles and the Watergate scandal had wounded the nation’s psyche.

In Cleveland WMMS, Home of the Buzzard, one of the nation’s only “freeform” rock radio stations thanks to Alan Freed, was playing B sides and treating late night listeners to Maggot Brain.

On Friday nights families were switching on TV’s Ghoulardi, who commanded us to “Stay Sick,” “Scratch Glass” and “Turn Blue.” Younger kids

were turning old Soap Box Derbies into go-karts and launching them without protective headgear down hilly streets and across busy intersections all over town.

This was the backdrop against which Akron’s punk scene took shape. It came up from basements and out of garages across the city—Firestone Park, Ellet, Goodyear Heights, Garfield and Central Akron— shaping groups whose sounds were as vivid and unique as their names: Rubber City Rebels, Bizarros, Tin Huey and Hammer Damage.

On some level, we understood something much cooler was going on here than in other cities.

Two hour-long videos by Phil Hoffman for PBS, titled “It’s Everything and Then it’s Gone ” and “If You're Not Dead, Play!!” offer insight into just how rapidly the Akron original music scene crested in the mid-70s, spilling over onto the national stage, and how, just as quickly, it died back down.

But it wasn’t because the music wasn’t good enough. For some of these bands, unfortunate timing, tragic loss and external circumstances shaped their trajectories.

Akron’s Own Label

The Bizarros was one of the bands leading the Akron punk surge early on. Bizarros lead singer and songwriter, Nick Nicholis, recalls watching TV one night as Bianca Jagger rode a white horse across a stage and thinking the Rolling Stones had lost their grip on the essence of rock and roll — the antiestablishment.

“I wanted to bring back what rock and roll was

Pictured left: First row: Bizarros (L to R) Nick Nicholis, Don Parker, Terry Walker, Jerry Parker.

Second row: Punk album and Ron Mullens RCR. Third row: Rod Firestone, King Cobra and Rubber City Rebels; The Dead Boys. Forth row: Donny Damage

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Music & Entertainment

1/8 O'Beast/Fancy Legs/ Broken Mugs 1/9 Outdated View/ Empire's Child 1/13 Hoseff (upstairs) 1/15 Lazy Ass Destroyer 1/23 Hell & Highwater/ Northern Gold/Like Tyrants 1/29 Ladies Mud Wrestling ($7 presale/$10 door) 1/30 Ledges/Seafair/Polaris 2/1 Inaoena 2/3 Morgan Phelps (upstairs) Akron Music Scene (15 bands) 8pm 2/6 Jenna's circus Miraculous Burlesque Show

Daily specials

about,” Nicholis says. “I wanted to listen to great music that was rebellious.”

Waitresses, Rachael Sweet, Bizarros, Rubber City rebels and Chi-Pig.

He credits the kitsch of Ghoulardi, Akron’s dying industrial scene and bad winters, which kept kids indoors, with the plethora of good bands that rose up out of that time period. In 1975, Nicholis gathered the friends he grew up with: Don (bass and guitar) and Jerry Parker (guitar), and Terry Walker (bass, keyboards, guitar), and on New Year’s Eve formed the band that became the Bizarros.

The band had a tough time finding a drummer until 1977.

Interestingly, as part of The Akron Compilation promotion, Stiff staged a contest that awarded one lucky winner in London an all-expenses-paid trip to Akron. A young man named Richard Bear won the trip, during which he visited with members of several different bands in their homes. Over the next decade Bear returned to Akron many times to visit the friends he’d made.

“Then out of nowhere comes Rick Garberson, a real funny guy who can really play,” says Don Parker. A Port Clinton native, Garberson was the only band member not from Akron but he understood the Bizarros’ sound.

With Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, MC5, The Stooges, Velvet Underground, Roxy Music, Bowie and Television among their influences, the band’s sound leaned toward punk but the lyrics were often true to Akron’s roots, such as “After the Snow,” about workers coming out of rubber mills covered in back dust. Other signature tunes were “Laser Boys” and “I Bizarro.”

“None of us really fit the mold of punk and we weren’t trying to copy anything,” Nicholis says.

After seeing 45s by other smaller bands on sale in the back of Playboy magazine, Nicholis realized he could make records too. In 1977, he launched Clone Records, which used Mark Price of Tin Huey’s studios in West Akron. The Clone label was a way for Bizarros to release their own music.

The same year, after a break-out show with the Dead Boys in New York City, Clone Records released “From Akron,” featuring Bizarros on one side and Rubber City Rebels on the other.

DEVO’s and The Pretenders’ increasing visibility also helped Akron bands gain national attention.

In 1978, Stiff Records, out of England where punk was dominating the charts, released “The Akron Compilation” album, under the direction of Liam Sternberg, an American songwriter and producer known for writing the Bangles hit "Walk Like an Egyptian.” The album featured Tin Huey, The

To keep the music’s momentum going, Nicholis sent “From Akron” to Village Voice rock critic Robert Christgau, who listened to it and liked it.

What’s more Chris Butler, founding member of The Waitresses, former member of the Numbers Band and Tin Huey bassist, had also written to Christgau asking him to come to Ohio to check out the Akron-Kent music scene.

Under the headline “A Real New Wave Rolls Out of Ohio,” Christgau wrote in The Village Voice in 1978, “I looked at a map and ascertained that Akron was about 40 miles south of Cleveland and 10 miles west of Kent. Something was obviously going on out there.”

In April the same year, music producer Jerry Wexler came to JB’s, as did Christgau. Although everyone thought Wexler was there to scout the Numbers Band, he signed Tin Huey. No one was more surprised than the members of Tin Huey, as area musicians had high regard for the Numbers Band.

“I always kind of felt bad since I was a huge fan and Chris butler had just been playing with them,” says Carney.

The Bizarros also suffered a setback about that time. Garberson died tragically in 1979 of carbon monoxide poisoning from his car’s faulty exhaust system and too much alcohol. Bizarros had been poised to travel back to New York for their second appearance at Hurrah, a high profile punk and dance club.

But Bizarros continued performing and recording.

The Clone label enabled Akron bands The Waitresses, Tin Huey, Unit 5, Hammer Damage and Teacher’s Pet to release original music on compilation albums “Bowling Balls II” and “Bowling Balls from Hell II.” Bizarros complete collection was released on Windian Records in 2013.

Below: (L to R) Mike Hammer, Donny Damage, Scott Winkler, George Cabaniss

Kal Mullens and George Cabaniss

An incestuous musical heritage

In the early 70s, Akron cover band King Cobra was composed of Rod Firestone (guitar), Buzz Clic (guitar), Donny Damage (guitar, vocals), Scott Winkler (bass) and Kevin Hupp (drums). All but Hupp would eventually move on to become Rubber City Rebels and/or Hammer Damage.

True to the glam rock theme of the times, King Cobra covered Alex Harvey, Kiss, Aerosmith and Alice Cooper. Damage, as lead singer, often assumed a stylized persona for shows. One Halloween, at the Mustang in New Philadelphia, he strutted onto the stage in full drag, including makeup, wig, high-heeled boots and a dildo under his skirt and carved up a mannequin with a chain saw during Alice Cooper’s “Cold Ethel.”

“There was no introspection,” Damage says.

“This is just what we did. We really believed in our own bullshit.”

At one point at an Akron club called The Magic Bus off Killian Road, Mark Mothersbaugh, DEVO cofounder and lead singer, served as both sound man and keyboardist for King Cobra, playing keys with one hand and mixing sound with the other.

King Cobra performed covers until fall of 1976 when at a Cleveland show, they saw former New York Dolls Jerry Nolan and Johnny Thunder perform as the Heartbreakers—so stoned they could barely play.

The guys in King Cobra knew they could do better so they started writing original music. Although going original caused them to lose Hupp and Winkler, they acquired Ron “Pete Sake” Mullens (keyboards) and eventually Mike Hammer (drums).

Doing originals, the band also gained opportunities to perform with Bizarros and Youngstown’s Dead Boys.

PBR $2 - PB&J (PBR & Jameson) $5 Daily Happy Hour (noon - 7pm) $1.75 domestic beers; $2 wells Taco Tuesday DJ Feeney/$1 Yuengling Drafts/ Free Tacos Buffet

During a rehearsal, Dead Boys’ Stiv Bators heard them play the song “Rubber City Rebels” and suggested they adopt the song title for their name, which they did.

Two floors of live entertainment open daily noon - 2:30 am

784 W Market St. • Akron, Ohio

In 1977, Rubber City Rebels acquired the Akron bar known as The Crypt, which had ghosts and ghouls painted on black walls. The Crypt became a hub for

(330) 535-1112 facebook.com/akronannabells

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music & entertainment Akron’s original-music bands, including DEVO. The Crypt’s house sound man, Ron Mullen’s (Pete Sake) brother Kal Mullens formed Teacher’s Pet with his brother when Rubber City Rebels moved to L.A. According to Mullens, punk was a blanket term given to bands that played original music.

When Cheetah learned Cabaniss had been asked to replace him he complained to Bators that Cabaniss couldn’t play rock and roll because he didn’t do drugs. Nevertheless, Cabaniss accepted and left Hammer Damage. With Bators, he recorded the album “Disconnected” as part of the Stiv Bators Band.

“Around here, if you weren’t playing the hits you automatically got categorized as punk,” he says.

“Punk was more of an attitude and clothing. And punk turned into New Wave quick with skinny ties and leather pants.”

Hammer Damage, which was being scouted

by William Morris Agency prior to Cabaniss’s departure, eventually replaced him with Kal Mullens and the band continued on until about 1984.

One of Teacher’s Pet’s best known singles is the "Cincinnati Stomp” written in response to the trampling deaths of 11 fans at a Who concert at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum in 1979. Although the song became a crowd pleaser at every live gig, prompting the audience to chant in true punk-style "don’t step on me!" recording studios shied away for fear of attracting a lawsuit with its release.

Mullens also performed with both Hammer Damage and the Bizarros, eventually forming The Bad Dudes.

Close to the Fame

Despite his propensity for Jack Daniels and the avant-garde, Damage was serious about rehearsing and about Rubber City Rebels making it big. At a recording session at Tin Huey’s studio, Damage grew angry that Tin Huey members were smoking pot when they should have been participating in a high energy session. So, he peed in the corner of the studio, getting the band thrown out.

ups. I’d rather go visit Hammer Damage in the fucking graveyard than do a reunion.”

In lieu of a reunion, check out the 2015 Soul Jazz Records CD titled “PUNK 45: Burn Rubber City Burn! Akron, Ohio: Punk and the Decline of The Mid West 1975-1980.” The CD is available online www.souljazzrecords.co.uk.

Where are they now? was Damage (vocals and bass), George Cabaniss (guitar), Scott Winkler (bass) and Hammer (drums).

Out of the gate, the band had a strong following in Akron, Kent, Cleveland and all around Ohio. The band also toured with The Dead Boys, and opened for Spirit, Public Image Ltd. and the B-52s.

Many of the band’s popular songs were “crossover” tunes from Rubber City Rebels, such as “Bluer than Blue,” “Night People” and “Laugh.” However, Hammer Damage was shooting for greater commercial viability than the Rebels achieved, and were going for a more power pop sound, Damage says.

In truth, none of these bands has ever truly gone away. Bizarros, The Bad Dudes (Hammer Damage and Rubber City Rebels members), and Half Cleveland (Tin Huey and The Waitresses members) perform from time to time in such Akron clubs as Jilly’s Music Room and Tangiers, as well as in various Cleveland clubs.

But don’t count on a Hammer Damage reunion anytime soon. Damage asserts—in true punk fashion—the band has never broken up.

“It’s pretty sad when you have to become your own tribute band,” he says. “Reunions suck. Young people think we’re just a bunch of old gray haired fuck

According to Cabaniss, the music scene in 1978 felt like it had a life of its own. “It felt like there was something going on and it was everywhere,” he said. “When we went to New York it was like Akron, only to the tenth power.”

“I never felt the band got recorded the way it should have,” Damage says. “If we had state of the art recording, we could have completed with any But it wasn’t all glitz and glamour, he remembers. mother fucker on the street.”

At one point Cabaniss and two other Akron musicians physically were thrown out of the Flying The Rubber City Rebels moved to L.A. in 1976 Machine in Green, because they were dressed like and lived frugally in Laurel Canyon, until Seymour punks, which meant t-shirts and leather jackets.

Stein saw them play in a local club and signed them to Sire Records. Once signed, they played That year, Hammer Damage toured with the Dead at such clubs as The Whiskey a Go Go on Sunset Boys for a few months, during which time the band Boulevard and toured, bringing them back to stayed in Long Island in a house down the beach Ohio where they played a gig at the Cleveland from Steve and Edie Gourmet.

Agora with the New York Dolls. It was after that show that something blew up between the band’s “I loved playing bass with that band; it was great,” management and the new label. As a result, a Damage says. “We toured with Stiv Bators and he recording session planned for New York’s Electric would pull his wanker out on stage. We played Ladyland Studio never took place.

CBGB, Max’s Kansas City and all over New York. “ “When you get signed and get your teeth kicked in you really get a taste of reality,” Damage says.

“You’re really dealing with fancy bankers more than anything else. It’s frightening.”

The other members of Rubber City rebels returned to L.A., where, with the help of their friend Doug Fieger, lead singer of The Knack, they signed a deal with Capitol Records and released a self-titled album in 1980.

The Hammer (Damage) comes down

Donny Damage and Mike Hammer stayed in Ohio and in 1978 formed Hammer Damage. The band

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Instead of living with the band, Cabaniss stayed with his girlfriend in the city, which meant he had to find his own way back and forth between Akron and New York. He recalls having to roll his Marshall amp through the Port Authority at 12:30 a.m. only to load it and his Les Paul into the baggage compartment of a Greyhound bus to get back to Akron.

Toward the end of 1978, Cabaniss got a call from Bators at 3 a.m. Cheetah Chrome, Dead Boys guitarist, had fallen during a roller disco party for Keith Richards and broken his wrist. Bators wanted Cabaniss to learn the Dead Boys’ songs quickly and play the following evening. Cabaniss did and two weeks later was asked to join the band permanently.

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music & Entertainment

Standing Room

Six Akron bands we think you should know

{

To hear a diverse sampling of some of our best local talent, listen to DJ Roger Riddle’s “All Akron, All the Time,” featuring Eriq Troi, Gretchen Pleuss, The Admirables, Copali, A-Minus, bluelight, G.S. Schray, the Soul Toronadoes and many others. bit.ly/UnboxMix1

fascinated listeners since the band's inception.

The band includes Jeremy Jones, Brent Hamker, Brad Wagner, and Matthew DeRubertis. Most of the members rock nifty mustaches. Their next appearance will occur on January 23 at Old 97 Cafe in Kenmore.

of many. Their music has been described as “hypnotic” and “grotesque,” as well as “very unique” by fans of the band.

Their album ‘Ultrasphinx” is available at ultrasphinx.bandcamp.com

Copali

Devilstrip

Copali’s original tunes combine fusion, funk and jazz into a unique sound. All of the band members come from diverse musical backgrounds making for an eclectic and fun mix of instruments. The songs intertwine the saxophone, clarinet, guitar, and bass for a bizarre yet wonderful sound that surprises you with each note. The main performer, Blain Klein, plays the steel pans. Klein writes most of the music, and also teaches private lessons on the side. Their debut CD “Copali” is available at copalimusic. bandcamp.com/releases. Their next concert will take place at the Empire Concert Club and Bar on Tuesday, January 15 at 7pm.

If you’re into the hard rock and the heavy metal genre, the Devilstrip band is where you need to be. Band members Marc Wasmund, Jimmy Gray, and Craig Lindgren work to provide listeners with a distinct combination of soul and alternative rock.

Wasmund is the lead vocal and guitar player for the band. Right now, the Devilstrip is touring. Their next show will take place at The Grog Shop in Cleveland on Saturday, January 30.

Emma Sheperd

Relaxer

Moustache Yourself Moustache Yourself prides themselves on being Akron’s only Gypsy Jazz Quartet. Based on the the music of famous jazzist Django Reinhardt, Moustache Yourself’s contagious tunes have

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Guitar driven band Relaxer’s easy-going tunes are perfect for night-driving. The psychedelic tunes are complex and unique. Lead singer Joe Scott has a chilling voice. Scott, alongside Jamie Stillman, Steve Clements and Brad Thorla bring the psychedelic rock genre to life. Their next concert will take place in on Saturday, January 9, at 9pm at Brothers Jake Meadery in Columbus. Their latest album “Laser” is available at relaxersystem.bandcamp.com. Follow them on Facebook facebook.com/RelaxerSystem.

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Ultrasphinx Ultrasphinx, an alternative rock band, consists of members Aaron Rogers, Ian Cummins and Joe Dennis. Since 2012, Ultrasphinx’s Aaron Roger’s relentless guitar and voice has graced the ears

If you love indie music, don’t miss out on Emma Shepard’s album “Public Displays of Affection.”

Her soft, melodic voice, as well as her strong lyrics are captivating. From Kent, Shepard has been writing music since she was a small child and plays all over Akron. She lists artists like Regina Spektor and Emily Haines as influences. You can find her on facebook.com/emmashepardmusic and emmashepard.bandcamp.com.

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5

After discovering Akron's presence in the Oscar contender "Room" (full review online at thefilmfreak.com), I decided to dig even further into Hollywood’s archives to find the best flicks that reference or feature Akron. I found over 20 films and even a few television shows that showcase the Rubber City. Below are my five favorites. Enjoy!

[Ed. note - You can watch an awesome montage of some of these flicks thanks to our photog friend Shane Wynn and her hubs, Akron filmmaker Josh Gippin. Visit bit.ly/akmovietime to see it yourself.]

culture Club

Films Featuring Akron, Ohio

by Chris Kessinger (The Film Freak)

a business opportunity in Chicago. After another failed chance, Davis heads back to New York, but has a near fatal accident on Route 8, just ten miles outside of Akron. This pick is a little shaky since it's not technically Akron, but Route 8 is known for one direction, and the Akron sign gives us a warm feeling during some of Llewyn's most trying times.

In addition to Rubber City ties and stellar acting, the film is boosted by the best soundtrack and musical score of 2013.

during the summer of 2010, when the film was shot all over Summit County. "Major League" actor Corbin Bernsen directed and starred this heartwarming tale, bringing its estimated $1 million budget to Akron. In addition to the Soap Box Derby, the film features shots of downtown, most notably Main Street. "25 Hill” is the only film on this list to shoot the majority of its scenes in our town.

hideout point in Akron, which Lemmon says is right next to his presidential library in Cuyahoga Falls. This Akron appearance used to always crack me up because there are Douglas Fir trees, as well as mountains in the background. Not exactly the best representation of Akron on the list, but it is my personal favorite of the films included on this list for the back-and-forth bickering between the main protagonists, that offers lots of Republican vs. Democrats slighting. Lemmon is a Republican representative from Summit County, and the movie leaves us in a dreamlike state, as we wonder what the world would be like under an Akronite's leadership.

“The Great Buck Howard” (2008) “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013)

“25 Hill” (2011)

The film follows the life of a young folk singer (Oscar Isaac) as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Guitar in tow, huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, most at his own doing. During the beginning of the third act for the film, Davis heads to the midwest for

A film that takes place entirely in Akron, “25 Hill” is about an 11-year-old boy whose derby dreams are shattered when his soldier father is killed in Afghanistan. The boy teams up with a father figure whose own son, a firefighter, died in the line of duty, and the two help each other find redemption and revive the derby. This film served as a boost in advertising for one of Akron's oldest traditions

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

“My Fellow Americans” (1996) As we’re on the front end of an election year, this is a perfect pick. Two former US Presidents (Jack Lemmon, James Garner), who are hated rivals, join forces to expose the current, corrupt President (Dan Akroyd) at the risk of their lives. Midway through the film, the two presidents discuss a

When a law school dropout (Colin Hanks) answers an advertisement to be a personal assistant he unknowingly signs on to work for a belligerent has-been magician (John Malkovich) struggling to resurrect his career. This leads to a journey across the country staging the comeback of a lifetime. The film features a stop in a quite familiar city, that is featured as a stop in Howard's redemption tour. (continued on page 33)

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culture club

Historical Akron Names You Should Know Some of the old, dead white guys who used to run this joint

by Katie Jackson

How many of us know the history behind the names we see on our buildings and streets? Here’s the Cliffs Notes version of famous Akronites who built this city, less on rock n’ roll than from making and owning stuff.

Knight founded the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, supporting “transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.”

Simon Perkins (1771-1844): General

Harvey S. Firestone (1898-1973):

Perkins was an early surveyor and settler of the Western Reserve, which we have come to know as northeast Ohio. As one of the largest landowners in the state he founded the City of Akron in 1825, basing the location on being the highest point of the Ohio canal system. Despite being the city’s founder, General Perkins never lived in Akron. His son, Colonel Simon Perkins, oversaw his father’s land while residing in the Perkins Stone Mansion.

Founder and chairman of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Harvey Firestone lead the tire industry in Akron, due in large part to his friendship and business partnership with Henry Ford. The Firestone Dr. Bob (1879-1950): Robert Holbrook Smith, name is commemorated and honored all around most well known as Dr. Bob, co-founded Alcoholics Akron on buildings, schools, and parks.

Anonymous with Bill Wilson in Akron in 1935. Both struggling with alcoholism themselves, they leaned on each other and created the 12-step program that is still in practice today. Each June, thousands of A.A. members flock to Akron to celebrate Dr. Bob’s life and legacy.

B.F. Goodrich (1841-1888): Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich began his career as a surgeon, but gave up his struggling medical practice to purchase a New York rubber company following the civil war. The citizens of Akron paid Goodrich $13,600 to relocate the business to Ohio, where the B.F. Goodrich Corporation existed first as a tire and hose manufacturer, later transforming and divesting into chemical and later aerospace technologies. Dr. Goodrich was the first man in Akron to own a telephone, given to him as a gift from Alexander Graham Bell himself.

John Henry Hower (1822-1916): A leading Akron industrialist who was active in the milling, reaping and cereal industries. He designed the beautiful 28-room mansard-style mansion located on Fir Hill, which is on the National Register for Historic Places. It was deeded to The University of Akron in 1970 and is open for public tours.

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John S. Knight (1894-1981): A prominent newspaper publisher and Pulitzer-winning writer, John S. Knight was the owner of the Akron Beacon Journal, expanding his newspaper chain to include several prominent national papers including the Chicago Daily News, the Miami Herald, and the Macon Telegraph. John and his brother James L.

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John Brown (1800-1859): One of the most prominent American abolitionists, John Brown believed armed rebellion was the only way to overthrow slavery in the United States. He was involved with many anti-slavery conflicts, the most famous being the raid at Harper’s Ferry. Brown was also an expert in sheep and wool and formed a business partnership with Simon Perkins, whose flocks and farms were managed by Brown and his sons while he resided in Akron in the 1840’s.

John R. Buchtel (1820-1892): A successful businessman and philanthropist, John R. Buchtel was the most significant financial contributor to founding a Universalist Church-affiliated college

in Akron, which became his namesake. Buchtel College would later become The University of Akron.

F. A. Seiberling (1859-1955): Frank Augustus Seiberling was an American inventor who founded the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1898. Seiberling had several failed businesses before he purchased what would later become the Goodyear factory campus, developing Akron into the “rubber capital of the world”. In addition to creating industry in Akron, Seiberling helped form what is now known as Summit MetroParks, and donated 400 acres of land to expand the Sand Run area. His family home, Stan Hywet, is another wellknown jewel of Akron Rex Humbard (1919-2007): An American television evangelist who founded the Cathedral of Tomorrow in Cuyahoga Falls. He was the first evangelical preacher to have a weekly nationwide television program in the United States. Humbard’s aspirations to expand his empire and build a rotating-tower restaurant failed when his ministry ran into financial problems in the early 1970’s.

“Rex’s Erection”, as it is locally known, still stands today. The complex was sold to fellow televangelist Ernest Angley in 1994.

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culture club (continued from page 31) The audience is treated to Malkovich's enriched enjoyment of our city, when outside of a building where Howard just performed, he yells "I LOVE THIS TOWN!!". What I like about this appearance is that the people of Akron are given a lot of spirit and excitement for someone they believe in. The spot is brief, but with Akron on his side, Buck is blessed with the support to keep going on his tour after a rocky start.

Movie #6 sidebar>> “Akron: The Movie”

by Chris Horne While you can catch glimpses of Akron in big budget productions, including a Stan Hywet cameo in a waste of excellent actors in 2012’s “Alex Cross,” or in documentaries like “More Than a Game,” starring LeBron James, or in low-hi horror flicks like JR Bookwalter’s masterful “Dead Next Door,” there is only one film that puts Akron center stage. That honor belongs to “Akron,” a movie written and co-directed by Brian O’Donnell that pits romance and family drama with gay and lesbian characters without the film being overtly focused on their sexuality.

Instead, the filmmakers treat Benny and Christopher, freshmen football players at the University of Akron, like human beings who fall in love and who struggle as much with loyalties to family as they do in figuring themselves out. It’s a unique indie helmed by a native Akronite who uses the city as a backdrop to genuine human drama.

“Harvey” (1950) An whimsical middle-aged man and an imaginary bunny rabbit whose dreamy vacation spot is in Northeast Ohio, is at the center of this black-andwhite classic. Due to his insistence that he has an invisible “six-foot, three-and-a-half-inch tall” rabbit for a best friend, Elwood Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) is thought by his family to be insane, but unexplainable developments leave his loved ones in question as to whether he knows something they don’t. "Harvey" is a timeless classic, and a lot of that centers around Stewart’s effortless comedy. It would be great alone for a film of this magnitude to mention Akron, but it's made even more important when we find out that this fictional rabbit lives in the real-life city. After 30 years in this city, I've never seen any six-foot tall rabbits, but I have seen this beautiful place win a lot of praise.

No surprise to me it’s depicted as such a paradise in the film.

[Fun fact: The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who penned the original “Harvey” and later adapted it for the screen was named Mary Chase, but she was born, in Denver, Mary Agnes McDonough Coyle. Yup, Mary Coyle, just like the Highland Square ice creamery. Coincidence? I have no clue. - Chris H.]

As a result, “Akron,” which was initially funded on Kickstarter, has been screened at 12 festivals including Seattle, Paris, St. Louis and Tampa Bay, while winning five awards in Cincinnati, Rochester and Ft. Lauderdale, among others. To watch the trailer and learn more about “Akron,” visit akronthefilm.com.

Where to Go for a Cup of Joe

Akron’s array of coffee shops offer it all: a cozy place to study, an upscale retreat, or a quick break from your workday. Each shop excels in its own way, has its own personality.

For a traditional coffee shop

by Leann retreat, try Angel Falls. In the warmer months, Nervous Dog is the place to be. Downtown, the Q Café is a surprising and unique respite, while Urban Eats and the Coffee Pot are prime locations for a downtown lunch-break. Visit Barberton’s Kavé for a trendy, after-dinner coffee and Ellet’s Artisan Café for an energetic atmosphere with incredible variety.

Ask any Akronite where to go for a good cupof-Joe and he or she will probably suggest Angel Falls in Highland Square. With low ceilings, eclectic seating, warm lighting and bearded baristas, Angel Falls is a quintessential coffee shop. Go to Angel Falls for the home roasted, USDA Organic, Fair Trade coffee; stay for the quiet, friendly atmosphere. Of the many cappuccinos with a pump of caramel that I drank while researching this piece, Angel Falls’ was the best. The foam was rich but delightful; the drink’s sweetness didn’t overpower the rich flavor of the roast. A black cup of Angel Falls’ brew is equally well composed. Tea lovers will also find themselves quite at-home at Angel Falls with an incredible selection of looseleaf teas. If you’re searching for that quiet but conscientious retreat to discuss the complexities of life, paired with an exceptional cup of coffee and a piece of cake, Angel Falls is the best in Akron.

Further down West Market, the coffee connoisseur will find the Nervous Dog Coffee Bar. Intimate and inviting, the Nervous Dog offers a surprisingly large selection of drinks and food. I especially enjoyed the frosted sugar cookie. While there’s rarely an empty seat inside the small space, their locally roasted coffee is superb in a to-go cup. Boasting an outdoor patio, where local musicians sometimes play, Nervous Dog is Akron’s best warm-weather and impromptu coffee spot. Go to the Nervous Dog if you’re headed west and need a pick-me-up, or if you’re looking for a cheerfully hip place to sit on a warm evening.

Where the coffee shops of greater Akron are easy to find, those downtown like to hide. Q Café is a surprising hit located in the Akron Art Museum’s lobby. A visitor to Q Café doesn’t have to pay admission to the museum, but I suggest visiting on a Thursday when admission is free, to

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

add some culture to your cup. Q Café uses Akron Coffee Roasters beans and their specialty espresso drinks are light and airy. The museum’s accessible collection makes the Q Schneider Café Akron’s best coffee spot for a uniquely artful break or impressively creative date.

For the best casual lunch with your coffee in downtown Akron, Urban Eats and The Coffee Pot Cafe both offer a variety of soups, sandwiches, and salads. Urban Eats is nestled in Maiden Lane. The Coffee Pot Cafe is attached to the main branch of Akron Summit County Public Library. Each location is ideal when you need to get out of the office, or find yourself downtown at lunchtime.

Venturing outside Akron proper, Kavé Coffee Bar of Barberton is located in Nine Muses Art Gallery, situated snugly near The Art Center on Tusc and The Magical Theater Company. Kavé is as trendy as its name (Hungarian for coffee), with a dark wood bar and art gallery setting. Incredibly friendly staff will help you through the impressive selection of specialty drinks such as smoothies and seasonal creations. Open late Tuesday through Saturday and during special events, Kavé is Akron’s best for an evening dose of caffeine before, during or after the show.

The newest addition to the Akron coffee scene is Artisan Coffee Shop in Ellet. Spacious, airy, and artful, the blue roofed café is Akron’s best selection for variety. Not only does Artisan offer a wide range of espresso and original specialty drinks, but also their food selection runs the gamut from blackberry lime scones and cinnamon rolls to seasonal salads and tomato bisque soup. Artisan’s coffee is roasted in house, and all the flavored syrups and edibles are also house-made from scratch. Tim Bechtel, owner of Artisan Coffee, mentions on the Artisan Coffee website that he believes in paying fair wages--not only to his employees, but to the farmers who harvest the coffee and cocoa. The large space also accommodates a variety of seating needs: large tables for groups or projects are paired with intimate and cozy corners.

Akron’s unique coffee shops supply exquisite coffees and teas, unique and playful specialties, a plethora of snacks, and inviting atmospheres.

Everyone is sure to find a coffee shop home in Akron, whichever locale it may be.

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culture club

Outside the Norm

The Akronite’s Guide to Shopping for Surprises in the Small Markets

by Rick Bohan

Not so very many years ago, family cooks (of either gender) didn’t have much need for exotic, hard to find ingredients. We went to the store, bought hamburger, sandwich bread and milk, and that was enough. But that was before Food Network, Iron Chef, and about a dozen cooking shows on PBS. Now, we’re on the continual search for those hardto-find cuts of meat, spices, or other items that make a difficult recipe easy or add life to one that needs exactly the right ingredient.

Our local big grocers are taking up some of the slack, of course. Heinen’s, Acme, and Giant Eagle’s Market District, and Beuhler’s are stocking ingredients that once were obtainable only from the most exotic grocers. Items like tahini, expensive olive oils, and fish sauce are available everywhere these days. But, we aren’t satisfied, are we? The search for the best fresh chicken and a reliable source of soba noodles goes on unabated.

Akron has its share of small, out-of the way shops and stores just waiting for us to search their aisles and coolers. We’ll be visiting many of these small vendors and telling you about them in future issues. In the Annual Manual, though, we want to introduce you to several grocers and markets that have been around for awhile.

Klein Seafood

DeVitis Italian Market

560 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron Like Krieger’s, DeVitis is another Akron icon.

Cleveland has several Italian grocers, but in Akron, there is only DeVitis. It’s a smallish store that is always busy with patrons coming for the deli meats and cheeses and the prepared foods. Take a number, and one of the friendly folks behind the counter will provide you with house made Italian or Sicilian sausage or meatballs, imported cheeses, or the best deli meats I’ve been able to find around town. DeVitis has a fairly large selection of dried pastas as well. Be sure to check out the freezers for pizza dough and an array of frozen Italian dishes with the DeVitis name on them. Their pasta sauce is pretty good, too.

1072 Grant St, Akron It’s right across the street from Difeo’s on Grant Avenue. The story here, of course, is fish. The staff is happy to tell you what to do with a particular fish and prep it for you. Klein’s carries wild-caught shrimp, clam strips, and shellfish.

Go for: the variety of fish on ice and wild caught shrimp.

You’ll only find it here: Buffalo carp and other fish I’ve never seen before

Indian Grocery

Difeo & Sons Poultry Inc Kreiger’s Health Foods Market

615 Graham Rd, Cuyahoga Falls Kreiger’s is a local institution that’s been around for decades. Its website says that it’s been around for 50 years. Go to Kreiger’s for the good variety of always fresh produce. Mustard, turnip, collard and dandelion greens? Got ‘em. Three or four kinds of hot peppers? Yep, they have those, too. Kreiger’s also has a good selection of organic produce.

As well, the store carries all sorts of local apples and a wide selection of other fruits. Kreiger’s is a go-to destination for health foods and gluten-free products, too.

Kreiger’s is one of those places that, after you put everything you came to get into your basket, it pays just to wander around and look into the corners.

During a recent trip, I found sorghum on a bottom shelf, local preserves, and two wonderful “peanut butter flax bars.”

Go for: The wide variety of fresh produce.

You’ll only find it here: Sorghum.

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Difeo’s also carries beef and pork products and a few exotic items like smoked duck. You’ll also find a few products typically sold only in the South, like White Lily flour and Camillia dried beans.

Go for: the chicken.

You’ll only find it here: Camillia beans and chicken feet for stock

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857 Randolph Rd, Mogadore If there’s a such thing as a “destination butcher”, Duma’s would be it. Duma’s has a spacious new building, full of anything you’ll need in the way of beef, chicken, pork, or house-made sausage. The store is made for browsing its fresh counter and aisles of frozen meats and foods. It’s a bit of a drive out to the far side of Mogadore, but the wide selection and low prices will make it worth your while.

Go for: Browsing a large selection You’ll only find it here: Smoked pig tail. Rabbit.

Go for: The deli counter, and the house made meatballs and sub rolls.

You’ll only find it here: DeVitis’ own jarred sauces and frozen meals

1075 Grant St, Akron Way down in South Akron on Grant Street, Difeo’s is not a place you’re likely to pass on the way to wherever you’re going. So, you’ll just need to make a trip there on purpose. You won’t regret it. Difeo’s sells fresh chicken and lots of it. Whole and all the parts. Take a number (especially if you’re there on a Saturday morning), then tell the folks behind the counter what you want when it’s called. They’ll hand you a card with a letter on it. When you’re finished shopping (which should include picking up some of the fried chicken sold at the store), you hand the card to the cashier and they’ll retrieve your order. After you’ve paid, look into the plastic sack at your chicken; you’ll notice that a small bag of crushed ice has been tucked among the chicken to keep it fresh on your way home.

Duma Meats Inc

Hana Asian Market

1390 N Portage Path, Akron You know how, sometimes, you’re a bit reluctant to go into an ethnic food store because you’re afraid there will be lots of unfamiliar items on the shelves, and you’ll be too timid to ask what they are? Well, you won’t have that problem at Hana Asian Market. The store is nicely organized, and everything is clearly labeled. In addition, the folks there are friendly and eager to answer questions.

The store carries just about everything you’ll need for Asian recipes, including lemongrass, curry leaves, and soba noodles.

Go for: Wide selection of well organized Asian ingredients You’ll only find it here: Pre-sliced bulgogi beef.

Korean barbeque sandwiches (summer only) and house-made kimchi.

2619 Bailey Rd, Cuyahoga Falls Like other stores on our list, Indian Grocery has friendly people ready and eager to answer questions like, “What’s this spice and what would I use it for?” Indian Grocery carries a variety of daal, rice, flours, and spices. The proprietor will be happy to show you the assortment of ready-mixed spices for specific dishes, perfect for those who would like to try Indian cuisine without a large investment in packaged spices.

Go for: Spices, daal, well-organized variety of Indian ingredients You’ll only find it here: Variety of flours

Kirbies Meats and Catering

4062 Fishcreek Road, Stow (in the Oregon Trails Plaza) If it’s meat, it’s here at Kirbies. Veal bones, fresh side meat, or skirt steak can all be purchased here.

Kirbies has a freezer full of its house-made soups, a display of prepared foods and a variety of dips, marinades, and spices.

Go for: Beef, pork, and chicken. Prepared foods.

You’ll only find it here: Variety of house-made marinades. House-made pimento cheese.

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culture club

Dina’s Dozen:

A guide to Akron’s Hidden Treasures

Words and photos by Dina Younis, dinasdays.com

variety of eclectic pieces including jewelry, furniture, The Village has been my home away from home rugs, art, and so much more. Just look for the for the last two decades. bright yellow mural in the West Hill neighborhood.

For those Akronites in pursuit of the best vintage and thrift finds, you’re in the right place. The Rubber City is one of the best treasure troves by far. I make a point to visit at least one vintage, consignment or thrift store anywhere I travel and have yet to find any city that comes close to Akron’s prices and hidden treasures.

In order to get the most out of your treasure hunt, it’s important to know the difference between vintage, consignment, and thrift stores.

Vintage / Antique / Retro stores carry a collection of items that are 20 years or older. Some vintage stores accept donations and others may purchase an item from you for resale.

Consignment stores sell items on behalf of the original owner. In turn, the store receives a percentage of the sale. Here you’ll find many designer and name brand items in great condition.

Prices are typically higher at consignment stores because they curate their collections to achieve a boutique-like shopping experience so many will only accept specific items for resale. Surprisingly, Akron doesn’t have many consignment stores.

Most of the area’s consignment stores are in neighboring cities of Fairlawn, Green, and Cuyahoga Falls.

Thrift stores are a hodge podge of everything vintage and secondhand with less organization and structure than a consignment store but with better prices. Almost all thrift stores, both nonprofit and for profit will accept donations. When you shop at a nonprofit thrift store, a percentage of your donation and/or purchase typically help support a program. Many thrift stores nowadays offer a small selection of new and unused clothing.

The majority of everything I own either came from a thrift store, garage sale, vintage store or someone’s trash. My list of favorite places is always growing and changing based on my needs and interests but these Akron staple locations have never failed me:

Salvation Army Thrift Store

Category: thrift, vintage Neighborhood: North Akron 1634 Brittain Rd, Akron, OH 44310 salvationarmyusa.org This specific Salvation Army location carries a lot of vintage clothing and furniture and is rarely picked over. Plus, their housewares are organized by color so you can beeline to your favorite color to cut back on time.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Village Discount Outlet The Bomb Shelter

Category: antique, retro Neighborhood: East Akron 923 Bank Street, Akron, OH 44305 thebombshelterstore.com With 18,000 square feet of the most unique retro and antique finds in the city, The Bomb Shelter is easily one of the best vintage stores in the city and arguably the nation. Whether you’re a collector or occasional antique shopper, The Bomb Shelter has something for everyone.

Category: thrift Neighborhood: South Akron 193 East Waterloo Road, Akron, OH 44319 villagediscount.com It’s no surprise that the Village Discount Outlet received the Akron’s Best Thrift Store award from Akron Life & Leisure magazine. Typically referred to as the VDO or The Village by Akronites, this location carries thousands of items for everyone in the family. Their dollar and 50 cent sale days should be considered national holidays for avid thrifters.

Ohio Discount Thrift Store

Category: thrift, vintage Neighborhood: North Akron 1739 Brittian Rd, Akron, OH 44310 ohiodiscountthrift.com One of Akron’s newest thrift stores, Ohio Discount Thrift Store is the equivalent to a treasure chest.

Unless you cleared your entire afternoon, packed a snack, and wore your comfiest shoes, there’s no way you can browse the entire store at once. Ohio Discount Thrift carries clothing for the entire family, including tons of designer and brand name items. (continued on page 37)

Boardwalk Thrift

Category: vintage, antique, thrift Neighborhood: Firestone Park 1501 Aster Ave, Akron, OH 44301 facebook.com/Boardwalk-ThriftStore-532845273517592 The Aster Avenue business district in Firestone Park boasts several hidden gems, including Boardwalk Thrift. The mural outside will draw you in and the deals will hold you hostage for hours. Here you can find everything from retro knick knacks, toys, to antique furniture.

Land of Plenty

Category: Vintage, antique, retro, mid-century modern Neighborhood: West Hill 339 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303 landofplentyakron.com I dare you not to buy everything in this store.

From the handmade terrariums to the collection of vintage affordable clothing there’s no way you can leave empty handed. Land of Plenty carries a

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culture club

Things To Do

With Kids

by Katie Jackson

“Mom...I'm bored.” “ There's nothing cool to do, Dad.”

We've heard it before. We know the trill sound that comes out of your kid’s mouth, especially on those cold winter afternoons when cabin fever is kicking in. Here's a list of some things to get you out of the house this winter, and a few more to look ahead to this summer.

Akron Children’s Museum

Pop-Up Site at Lock 3 200 South Main St., Akron, OH 234-901-0423 • akronkids.org While the fully-established children’s museum is still in the works, families can still enjoy interactive exhibits, games and activities at the pop-up site at Lock 3 through February 15th. The museum is open Wednesday - Saturday 11am-7pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Admission is $3 (infants 12-months and under are free).

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Peninsula Depot 1630 West Mill St., Peninsula, OH 330-439-5707 • cvsr.com All aboard! Ride a historic steam train in the heart of our National Park aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Day trips between the Northside Depot in Akron and Peninsula are a great way to spend the afternoon and explore the natural scenery that surrounds us. During the summer, CVSR offers a Bike Aboard program to encourage riders to bike the towpath trails one-way and take the train back to their starting point. CVSR also offers special programs for adults including wine and beer tasting excursions and mystery theater.

Round-trip day excursion tickets are $18 per adult and $13 per child ages 3-12.

Hale Farm and Village 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, OH 330-666-3711 • wrhs.org/plan-your-visit/hale-farm Step back in time to experience life as it was on the Western Reserve nearly 200 years ago through the legacy of the Hale family. Visitors experience the hand-crafted way of life by visiting historic buildings and tradesmen, including a blacksmith, glass blower, and candle maker among others.

This living history museum offers workshops and educational programming and many seasonal events including a Maple Sugar Festival and Civil War Reenactment. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-12, and children 2 and under are free.

Akron Art Museum

1 South High Street, , Akron, OH 44308 330-376-9185 • akronartmuseum.org Oh, it only looks like a place for grown-ups. Truth is, from the Jessica Loftus carpet art installation in the lobby to the educational kids programming, the Akron Art Museum is a boon for children and their parents. They host regular Creative Playdates with yoga, hands-on learning experiences and storytelling events. They even have cool stuff for babies. Don’t forget the free admission on Thursdays either!

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Magical Theater Co. 500 Edgewood Ave, Akron, OH 330-375-2550 • akronzoo.org Get wild in your own backyard at the Akron Zoo! Explore family favorites like the penguin encounter and aquarium touch tank, visit with the snow leopard cubs, take flight in the Grizzly Ridge Aviary, ride the carousel and more for a fun-filled day with furry friends. The Akron Zoo is open year-round.

Winter admission rates are only $7 through April.

565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, OH 330-848-3708 • magicaltheater.org The Magical Theater Company located in Barberton is the only professional resident and touring theater for young audiences in Northeast Ohio. Providing both entertainment as well as educational shows, The Magical Theater Company encourages creativity and the cultural experience of live theater.

Seasonal programs are held at their resident stage at the Park Theater in Barberton. The troupe also performs touring productions at local schools and hosts summer camps and workshops. Upcoming public performances include Quoth the Raven and Lyle the Crocodile. Ticket prices range from $10 to $16.

Cafe O’Play

MAPS Museum

Akron Zoo

911 Graham Road #27, Stow, OH 44221 330-928-7517 • cafeoplay.com What do you do when it’s freezing outside and your kids are going stir crazy? Take a ride over to Stow for Cafe O’Play, which is one-half kids indoor playground and one-half calm, casual coffeeshop.

It can be a 100 percent sanity saver, especially for working parents with kids out of school on a snow day. Order a hot beverage, open up your laptop and watch as your little one burns off all that excess energy.

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2260 International Parkway, North Canton, OH 330-896-6332 • mapsairmuseum.org Ever wanted to sit in the gondola of The Goodyear Blimp? What about the cockpit of a F-14 Tomcat?

For a one of a kind experience, slip out of Summit on a road trip south and step into the hangar of the MAPS Air Museum. Here you will get up close and personal with historical aircraft and other artifacts, and learn about local folks who were a part of aviation history. In the gift shop you can even have your own set of personalized dog tags made. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 children ages 6-12, and children under 6 are free.

Pump It Up

4111 Hudson Dr., Stow, OH 330-945-7867 • www.pumpitupparty.com/stow-oh When you’re a kid, nothing says fun like an inflatable bounce house. Now imagine an inflatable bounce house-filled warehouse, complete with an obstacle course and 3 slides. A kid’s dream come true is happening at Pump It Up in Stow. Open Jump, Glow Jump, and private parties are available.

Admission is $8 per child and parents are always free.

SkyZone

6217 Chittenden Rd., Boston Hts., OH 234-249-3030 • skyzone.com/bostonheights A few miles north on Route 8 you can experience one of the best forms of healthy fun while bouncing around in an enormous indoor trampoline park. Experience weightlessness while bouncing into a pit filled with 10,000 foam cubes. Play ultimate dodgeball with your friends.

Challenge your inner Air Jordan while attempting the SkySlam. Attend a workout class that feels more like fun than exercise. Or host your kids very best birthday party ever. If you’re looking to release some cabin fever this winter, this is where it’s at.

Jump sessions are priced from $11 for 30 minutes to $23 for 2 hours of fun.

smART Studio

678 Payne Ave, Akron, OH 330-703-6505 www.smartstudioakron.com Educator Jennifer Davis creates magic for artists of all ages at smART Studio in Akron. Classes emphasize discovery, problem solving, creativity and experimentation in a mix of mediums. In addition to her in-studio workshops and classes, Jennifer hosts pop-up events at local museums and other locations around town. Private classes and pARTies are also available.

Water Works Aquatic Center

2025 Munroe Falls Ave, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 330-971-8433 cfo.cityofcf.com/web/parks-and-recreation/waterworks-aquatic-center Have a splashing good time with your friends and family at Water Works in Cuyahoga Falls. Whether you like to swim laps, speed down a flume slide, relax on a lazy river, or sit poolside in a cabana, your summer days will be well spent here. The zero depth pool is welcoming to children of all ages. Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy the treats at the snack bar, and spend a day in the sun. Admission is $15 for non-resident adults, $10 for non-resident children, and season passes start at $100.

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culture club (continued from page 35) If you have a good thrift hunting eye, you can spot vintage apparel mixed in with the thousands of other items.

Goodwill Industries of Akron

Category: thrift Neighborhood: South Akron 570 East Waterloo Rd., Akron, OH 44319 goodwillakron.org/shop/locations-hours You can always count on finding something at this Goodwill location, especially coats and furniture.

In addition to their regular weekly 50% off sales, Goodwill announces a Manager’s Special sale on specific items in their weekly e-newsletter.

Category: thrift, vintage Neighborhood: West Akron / Wallhaven 1690 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44313 akrondiscoveryshop.blogspot.com One of many Discovery shops nationwide, these stores house some of the most beautiful donated

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Category: thrift, vintage Neighborhood: Firestone Park 1491 Aster Ave., Akron, OH 44301 facebook.com/TheLostAndFoundThriftStore Located in the Aster Ave business district in Firestone Park, Lost and Found is the place to spot things you haven’t seen in years. Bring a friend to take a walk down memory lane while you shop vintage collectables, electronics, and more. The store also carries a handful of new items as well.

Stageoach Antiques

Category: vintage, antique Neighborhood: West Hill 449 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303 stagecoach-antiques.com There should be an “I Brake for Stagecoach Antiques” bumper sticker for Akronites. Whether or not you’ve ever been to Stagecoach, you know it’s there on West Market Street in the West Hill neighborhood because of the all the goodies displayed outside on the sidewalk. Stagecoach offers some of the most unique antique and vintage pieces at an affordable price, from furniture to hardware. Akron has voted Stagecoach as the number one antique store several times.

Abbey Anne’s The Discovery Shop

Lost and Found

treasures ranging from gently used clothing to the most charming antiques. If you're going to compare this to your favorite thrift shop, you will find that the prices are a little higher. With that being said, the prices are still extremely cheap, and keep in mind that the proceeds from the sales are used to support cancer research.

Category: thrift, vintage, antique Neighborhood: North Akron 198 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron, OH 44310 Abbey Anne’s is an Akron staple. This place is ideal for furniture. Check here first if you’re moving or redecorating your home for everything from beds to picture frames.

Happy Hunting!

blue, A Goodwill Boutique

Category: thrift Neighborhood: downtown 355 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44308 goodwillakron.org/shop/locations-hours Akron is fortunate to have a store like blue. It’s a Goodwill store but carries the best of best, perfect for those who feel overwhelmed by the traditional thrift store experience. The boutique hand picks some of the most beautiful pieces and displays them in the store for a boutique-like shopping experience. Best part, the prices are still incredibly low and purchases at this store support Goodwill’s programs to help individuals prepare for, find and retain employment.

// An avid thrifter since age 13, Dina is a communications professional who started her blog, Dina’s Days, in 2009 to share her appreciation of thrift stores, flea markets and any place that might require digging to find that vintage treasure.

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culture club

UrineLuck:

Peeing with Poetry and Pictures

old cleaning equipment, a chain and other dusty artifacts. Two double rolls of toilet paper stacked on top of the toilet paper holder provide a small sense of decadence. Not just one roll, but a precarious stack! You will be pleased to know that the toilet works.

Poetry at Land of Plenty

by Emily Dressler Land of Plenty is a charming store on West Market Street. Whenever I’m there, I feel higher up from the ground than I really am, like I’m in a warm treehouse that smells good. I don’t know why; I can’t explain it.

The bathroom is charming also, in the same way that ruin porn is charming because of the risk of collapse or fire or some other calamity. The unlabeled door to the unisex restroom is right past the register. An obstacle prevents the door from opening completely, so you’ll have to squeeze in there to open the second door. Also, this seems like a place where you should ask to use the restroom rather than just making your own way.

The restroom consists of an out-of-order urinal, a sink, an empty paper towel dispenser, a bar of soap and a toilet. A sign above the urinal pleads with patrons not to use it, as it is stuffed with

Pleasant and uplifting graffiti scribbled about the yellowish, off-white walls make you feel like you’re peeing as all your weird friends watch, shouting silly phrases and poems at you all the while. My favorite is a sticker that reads, “Lipstick is warpaint.” There’s a ceramic container of sharpies on the toilet should inspiration strike. May the e.e.cummings book on the toilet help to guide you in your verse.

The most striking feature is, by far, the paring knife in the sink. Was someone standing there gripping the knife, staring vacantly into the mirror and saying softly, “i carry your heart with me(i carry it in / my heart)i am never without it”?

Land of Plenty gets 2 out of 5 toilets. One for effort and one for style. You could buy one of the awesome air plants for sale in the store and stick it in this bathroom. I bet it would survive — those things are resilient.

Land of Plenty 339 West Market Street Akron, Ohio 44303 (330) 703-5633 Thursday – Saturday, Noon to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.

Entrance in rear

floor here, but, overall, this bathroom does not scream Marc’s — until you see its decor.

Pictures at Marc’s

by Marissa Marangoni Anyone who has shopped at Marc’s won’t be surprised that I am not going to describe it as “charming.” Eccentric? Yes. Eclectic? That’s what Google says! Time suck? ...Have you ever stood in the checkout line? Marc’s features all your regular grocery store fare for much lower prices than the Eagle ever offers. Marc’s also sells a whole host of items that may or may not be manufactured in some local dude’s basement (shout out to the fauxstone crucifix yelling “THANKS” that I purchased for 50 cents last week).

The Marc’s bathroom is pretty much what you’d expect. Inconveniently hidden in the back right of the store between pens and duct tape, you must pass through the doors with portholes to access the women’s restroom. This facility is fully functional, with four stalls, two sinks and a single electric hand dryer that I was too afraid to touch because of germs. I’d never consider eating anything off the

I’ve accumulated a modest collection of $5 wall art from the Marc’s collection, and only a regular Marc’s shopper can truly appreciate the pieces featured in this bathroom. Two items hang on the wall — one, a framed painting of red flowers, and the second, well, that is the kicker. The second is a black and white canvas print of a lake with some docks on it. I’ve seen both these items in the store and maybe even considered purchasing them. The best thing about this is that the water canvas is in quite the state of disrepair. Its edges are unfurling and torn, and the damage is exposed for all to see.

Being that Marc’s art is so very cheap, I wonder why this tattered item has not been replaced.

However, something about semi-wrecked art really works in this space.

Marc’s of Fairlawn gets a 2.5 out of 5 toilet rating.

Don’t go to Marc’s for the bathrooms — go to stick it to the MAN (Eagle) and give your wallet a seriously delightful break.

Marc’s Address: 2753 W Market St, Fairlawn, OH 44333 (330) 869-6272 Monday through Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

ABOUT THINGS I THINK (ABOUT) I am Georgio Pelogrande: an occasional radio personality who provides Sports, Traffic and Weather reports Saturday nights for The Altered Realm Radio Show on KRMA Internet Radio. My motto is #FactsChecked because I always make sure to offer accurate reporting. For this I have earned a staggering 32 followers on the social media platform known as Tweeter.

As you have undoubtedly already assumed, I am also a great thinker. Now, in an effort to bring the intricate inner-workings of my brain to even more Northeast Ohioans, I offer this column which represents the first of many, hopefully.

I’m going to call this little article “Universe: The Space of Life.”

Having seen “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” eleven times now, I decided to write a piece on what I think about Space. First of all, I have a lot of time to think about space. Living

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in my parents’ basement gives my mind room to wander, even if I don’t physically have much room to walk around. Also, the ceiling is low so I hit my head a lot. Naturally, seeing stars after bashing my noggin makes me curious about what lies beyond the observable night sky.

I started by reading two books by renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawkins. When exploring a new topic, I find it helpful to view the subject matter from the author’s perspective so I read both books aloud in his robotic voice, for effect.

His books cover many boring and confusing things. I will now review a few of the claims he has put forth.

--------------------------------------------------------------ASSERTION: The Earth is Round WHAT I THINK: Duh. Like we didn’t already know that for about a million years.

NOTE: My services are available for fact checking, Mr. Hawkins.

---------------------------------------------------------------

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ASSERTION: Isaac Newland discovered gravity by getting hit on the head by a falling apple.

WHAT I THINK: It’s a good thing he figured it out. Otherwise we’d all be floating around to this very day.

NOTE: Earlier in this article I explained how I also hit my head a lot. This cannot be coincidence.

--------------------------------------------------------------ASSERTION: Allen Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is the most important contribution to science, ever.

WHAT I THINK: I guess Mr. Hawkins has never heard of an iPod Touch, or dentures, or gel shoe inserts.

NOTE: I dropped my iPod and broke the screen, but I still think it’s a science breakthrough.

--------------------------------------------------------------I could go on like that all day but instead I’ll summarize. In short, Mr. Hawkins offered no credible evidence that space even exists.

Therefore it is up to amateur scientists like me and you to forge ahead. I, for one, have started

by Georgio Pelogrande

saving money to buy a microscope so that I can study the cosmos from the comfort of my uncle’s roof. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes about space: “For it is only through the curious scientific mind that we may crack the code to life, algebra, the imagination, space and thinking (especially thinking about space.)” – Georgio Pelogrande.

Until next time, I’m Georgio Pelogrande encouraging you to read, try math, be nice to people and do your best.

ON TWEETER: (@GPelogrande) EMAIL ME: (GeorgioPelogrande@gmail.com) LISTEN: (The Altered Realm Radio Show: 8 to midnight, Saturdays on KRMA Internet Radio)

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Business of Health

The

WKSU News will air a 7-part health series about healthcare as an economic driver, focusing on: • Competition created among Northeast Ohio health providers

• Magnet for entrepreneurs and innovation

• Responsiveness of health education to the marketplace • Finances of healthcare

Listen every Tuesday during Morning Edition, between 5am – 9am December 8th – January 19th

Listen at 89.7 or wksu.org

CHECK IT AND SEE WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. Live music, art shows, drama, fairs and festivals, nightlife, outdoor recreation — no matter what your idea of fun is, Summit County is full of doors you can open and events you can enjoy. And now, with the launch of summitlive365.com, there’s an easy, one-stop way to find something cool to do tonight, tomorrow, this weekend or next. Check it out today.

Because there’s always something going on in Summit County, and you don’t want to miss it!

Arts, Culture, Fun, every DAy.