Feb. 2016 - The Evolution of Natalie Grace Martin

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2 • THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

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Date Night in the Rubber City How to become a Human Paintbrush Remembering musician Kevin Junior

FREE

The Evolution of

Natalie Grace Martin How this Akronite found home with her family, the local music scene and herself

Publisher >> Chris “staying the hell away from Manitowoc Co., Wis.” Horne chris@thedevilstrip.com Art Director >> Alesa “doesn’t sleep” Upholzer, Talented and Patient Visuals Editor >> Svetla “The Balkan Comrade” Morrison Copy Editor >> Jessica “My name is not Jecca” Cherok 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

NOT Wasted

Martenitsa is more than just Bulgarian

friendship bracelets Page 11

Page 10 Find Hidden Gems in Ellet Page 13

Pg 19 From the Rubber City to the Emerald City

The Wanderer Gets her grob on at El Gato Page 15

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

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

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 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

Bakeries Page 16

Music Editor: Brittany “Sass Master Flash” Nader

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

Akron’s Must-Visit

DIY

we say goodbye to

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the Rulepage Breaking29

Kevin Junior Evolution of Natalie Grace Martin Pg. 28

A Portrait of an Awesome aRtist

by Jason Willis

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All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

About the Cover Ilenia Pezzaniti is one of the most interesting people I've met in Akron. She can be quiet and easygoing and she is kinda wee, so if you're not careful, you could overlook her. That'd be a mistake because she has a big, joyful personality to match her big heart. And of course, her talent is impossible for us to ignore. She's an excellent photographer and videographer with a deep passion for the work, and she can wield the pen too. She is, as her website declares, a storyteller, but it's not just that she can tell stories.

What grabs me most is whose stories she tells. Ilenia explores life's cracks and crevices, where she often spots -- and puts a spotlight on -- the extraordinary in everyday, regular folks. She meets people where they are, with compassion instead of judgment, and finds those little miracles that make all our lives worth living. This is probably her most powerful talent and she's putting it to regular use in a series of photographs of young women first thing after they awake. It's called iwokeuplikethis, which you can see at tumblr.com/blog/iwultohio or facebook.com/iwokeuplikethisakronohio. I believe you'll be as delighted as I have been every time I look at these photos of the charming Natalie Grace Martin, whose moving story is well-told by the gifted Brittany Nader. Enjoy more of Ilenia's work at ileniapezzaniti.squarespace.com. - Chris H. (PHOTO: Ilenia Pezzaniti)

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2 /

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Pub Notes 330.434.4722

They are who we thought they were Permit me to ask you a question, please.

If you wanted to let the University of Akron’s Board of Trustees know how you feel about a topic — any of the many to have surfaced on and around campus over the past year — how would you reach them?

There are no direct emails publicly available. No phone numbers. If you go to a Board of Trustees meeting, you won’t be allowed to speak. If you go to protest, they will threaten you with arrest if you make enough noise that the trustees might actually hear you inside their chambers of solitude. These are not elected officials so they do not have to face you on the campaign trail and they do not fear losing your vote.

Let’s put a pin this for a moment to address this fact too: You absolutely have a right to voice your opinion, whether you attend or attended the university, teach or taught, work or worked—or just pay taxes to the State of Ohio. I would argue that living within 20 miles of the university entitles you to an opinion that’s worth sharing.

The Board of Trustees are the governing body of the university. As President Scott Scarborough has referenced before, they are his boss. He takes orders from the trustees.

Who do the trustees take orders from? Short answer: Not you.

All the same, the outcome directly affects you, Akron, as much as it does the 25,000-someodd students enrolled there and the nearly 5,000 people employed there in full- and part-time work.

to academic support services that have been cut dramatically?

See, the university was making strides in retention up through the unnecessary introduction of success coaches, an initiative that — until Dr. Scarborough arrived — had not surfaced in any public efforts to help students stay in school and graduate. Many of those programs have been gutted because many of the people who were working in them are gone.

More positions were cut in Student Success than anywhere else on campus. That should tell you plenty.

Just as the Board of Trustees allowed Dr. Luis Proenza’s seemingly unchecked construction spree that led to UA carrying massive debt, the Board of Trustees has allowed the emphasis to shift so heavily to boosting enrollment that the academic mission of the university is being ignored. When that happens, Akron suffers.

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

I’d never suggest the trustees are horrible, calloused people. Far from it, from what I understand. However, I don’t think there’s any doubt that they’re holed up in a sort of ivory tower without a way to truly represent the people who are most invested in the University of Akron. That must change.

Here’s a fun fact: Even if Dr. Scarborough leaves UA, this Board of Trustees doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. So what are you going to do about it?

But that’s the problem! What can you do about it? Unless you’re a pal of a trustee and have a cell phone number or know you’ll see them at Portage Country Club, the only chance you have of them hearing you is sending an email to a generic address: BoardOfTrustees@uakron.edu

The six-year graduation rate at the University of Akron stands around 41 percent, which falls below the national average and near the bottom of the region for large, public universities. That means nearly 60 percent of the students who start taking classes full time at UA leave with significant debt instead of a degree. For black students at UA, almost 88 percent will drop-out instead of graduate.

Of course, there is a guy in charge of the trustees and he’s running for President. Maybe you could start bugging the folks up in his office in Columbus about what’s happening up here in Akron. Will he care? Would the state legislators?

How many of your family, friends and neighbors have attended UA hoping to better their circumstances? How many really needed but didn’t get that degree to improve their standing in life?

How many were lured to attend with promises they could become a “game changer” and were accepted despite not being prepared? How many could have made it if they still had access

Take care,

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RubberCityClothing.com • 18 N High St, Akron

Opening February 5th Best Animated Feature Academy AwardTM nominee

BOY AND THE WORLD Directed by Alê Abreu

I don’t know. But it couldn’t hurt to try. At the least, maybe they’ll let you make a little noise at the next board meeting.

Chris

| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

SHOWTIMES AT

NIGHTLIGHTCINEMA.COM

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

agenda

Is UA headed for a deal with ITT Tech?

Officials quietly negotiating with for-profit company Higher Education Partners

by Chris Horne

In other news…

by Roger Riddle

As Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan takes office and his Blue Ribbon Panel dig into the particulars of the challenge ahead of him, the sole member of The Devil Strip’s Purple Pants Panel, Roger Riddle, has concluded his investigation into ways to describe The State of the City.

The State of the City may be solid, but it is not: on fleek banging on point rad dope af tight to death turnt lit, fam yaaaassssss copacetic crunk 2 legit 2 quit

Yes, University of Akron President Scott Scarborough says, officials are talking with Higher Education Partners on a deal that could create a nationwide network of satellite campuses.

involved ITT Tech, citing the nondisclosure agreement he says he and others had to sign when talks began. The NDA itself indicates a different arrangement than the kind of outsourcing contracts UA has with Academic Partnerships and Aramark.

However, when reached on his cell phone recently, Scarborough cautioned the deal is not done. In fact, he says, “It could fall apart tomorrow.”

The satellite network model is part of his plan to remake UA into a national university, a vision he articulated in his State of the University address last October and in more detail the next day in a 90-minute interview with The Devil Strip.

But how could a university that seven months ago, under the banner of a “$60 million financial problem,” cut 216 positions, eliminated the baseball team, outsourced student success and gutted multicultural development — that is, a university without the requisite capital — establish even one new satellite campus, let alone enough for a network?

That’s where things get interesting. Two sets of rumors converged recently, one about working with HEP, which Scarborough confirmed is a possibility, and the other about troubled for-profit college chain ITT Tech, which has 135 locations in 38 states, looking for a buyer.

HEP already has 20-year deals with two Ohio community colleges which grant the company 15 percent of net tuition for fronting the money to purchase and renovate buildings that became satellite locations in Middletown and Youngstown.

sat campus global - A slide from Dr. Scarborough’s presentations that depicts plans to expand with satellite locations throughout the world.

Could the same arrangement play out with the University of Akron, albeit on a larger scale?

In the interview last October, Scarborough described how he imagines public universities like UA would begin to expand nationally.

“The way you’ll know whether it’s accelerating or decelerating is just reading the newspaper everyday, and see what new partnerships get formed. Because entities like a lot of the private liberal arts colleges, I think, will get in financial trouble and they’ll either close their doors, which is very hard to do, or they’ll end up partnering with another institution. When you read about more partnerships, that’ll be your clue, your cue, that this thing is speeding up.”

ITT Tech is a publicly traded company that has been charged with fraud by the Securities Exchange Commission and is under restrictions by the US Department of Education. A recent whistleblower lawsuit claims the company intentionally deceived students and has bilked the government of millions in federal student aid. Just a few reasons the company’s stock has fallen from a high above $128 per share in 2008 to below $3 now.

A nondisclosure agreement would be useful for a company negotiating a sale to avoid having those directly involved benefit by purchasing stock at its low, which would violate securities laws.

In an emailed statement, ITT Tech spokeswoman Nicole Elam wrote, “We do not confirm or deny any rumors about our business or any transaction that we may or may not be contemplating. That said, as with most organizations and as a normal part of our operations, we regularly explore opportunities that we believe could benefit our organization. However, we have nothing to report today on that front.”

Scarborough is singing a similar song, noting the university is talking, and has talked to, “multiple partners” about opportunities to expand its By phone, Scarborough declined to comment about services. He wouldn’t elaborate on those the deal being negotiated with HEP and whether it (continued on page 33)

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

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2 /

THE Devil Strip |

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agenda

HIGHLAND SQUARE *All concerts ARE FREE!

Live Music Schedule

Friday, 2/5 • 9pm – Midnight Sausalito – Jazz and R&B Saturday, 2/6 • 9pm – Midnight D.T.C. – Eclectic Sunday, 2/7 • 12 – 3pm Sonny Moorman – Blues Guitar & Vocals Friday, 2/12 • 9pm – Midnight Brian Lisik – Acoustic Rock Saturday, 2/13 • 9pm – Midnight Jazz Shepherds – Valentine’s Day Jazz Sunday, 2/14 • 12 – 3pm Bob Niederriter Trio – Harlem Jazz

Adoptable Pets

Saturday, 2/20 • 9pm – Midnight The Angie Haze Project – Indie/ Folk/ Cabaret/ Gypsy Sunday, 2/21 • 12 – 3pm Turner & Williams – Eclectic Soft Rock Friday, 2/26 • 9pm – Midnight Mo’ Mojo – Zydeco, Cajun, and Louisiana-spiced Rock & Roll Saturday, 2/27 • 9pm – Midnight The Blackberry Bushes Stringband – Acoustic Americana & Bluegrass Sunday, 2/28 • 12 – 3pm Little Steve-O Blues Duo – Blues

Friday, 2/19 • 9pm – Midnight Kaylah Eylon – Vocalist

HIGHLAND SQUARE LOCATION: 867 West Market Street Akron, Ohio, 44303 330-434-7333 www.MustardSeedMarket.com

7 C 9 A D F L E O

We know that white rabbits with pink eyes seem to wait longer for homes but we really did not think that Mya would be overlooked for so long!

She’s been waiting for over six months! Mya was purchased as a baby and then discarded once her family decided she wasn’t a cute baby anymore. She had not been spayed and had an awful infection in her uterus that was successfully treated at PHSGA. Mya is a FANTASTIC bunny! She is spayed, around two years old and is super social, doesn’t mind being held and has done well with other animals.

All Mya wants is a home and her chance to give love and be loved. Are you the family for her? Her adoption fee is $40. Meet her today at PAWSibilities, Humane Society of Greater Akron!

Meet Baneberry! This beautiful girl arrived at PAWSibilities, Humane Society of Greater Akron after being found with a severely injured back leg.

She received immediate medical care but due to the extent of Baneberry's injury we were unable to save her back leg. Despite all she went through, Baneberry’s demeanor remained affectionate, friendly and sweet! Baneberry has adjusted just fine to life with 3 legs and enjoys cuddling up next to you for lots of pets and love! She prefers to be the only feline family member, but does show good potential to get along well with dogs. Baneberry is one sweet girl and we hope you stop by PHSGA soon and ask to meet her today!

PAWSibilities Humane Society of Greater Akron 7996 Darrow Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087 1.888.588.8436 | 330.487.0333 info@summithumane.org | www.summithumane.org www.facebook.com/summithumane

Love Bites...

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked our readers to submit their worst pickup lines. Here are our favorites.

Voted #1 Best Irish Pub

“Hey baby, are you the abyss, because I've been staring into you all night.” — Constance Plumley

"Hey girl, later tonight, let's use rubber in honor of Akron." — Maxarmando Rivera

“You must be a librarian cause you have 'fine' written all over you.” — Samantha Wright

“My friend over there [points to wingman] is a little shy. He wanted me to come over and ask you if you think I'm cute.” — Bob Williams

“Hey girl, you ever rode on a blimp? I’m not talking about a dirigible, but it does have a rigid structure.” — Roger Riddle “Hey girl, are you a broom? Because you swept me off my feet.” — @HoochMagooch

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.

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

"I lost my number, can I borrow yours?"

— Jessica Lofthus "Rachel. You look like trash. Can I take you out?" — Rachel E. Stoneking

“Hey baby you give me a burnin' deep down that's stronger than the Cuyahoga.

Wait, no, I'm clean, come back please.”

— @tdfischer_ So a guy on tinder told me "Hey girl, my doctor just recently prescribed some vitamin U." — Sarah Stubbs

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community & culture

11 INTERNATIONAL REACH: DO THE MARTENITSA 15 THE WANDERER EATS EL GATO

Photo courtesy of Lindsay Bye

CULTURE CLUB

10 THEIR WORK IS NOT WASTED

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

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community & Culture

Y T I N U M M O C TS EVEN

AKRON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS PSYCHIATRIST AND PIANIST DR. RICHARD KOGAN Saturday, February 6 at EJ Thomas Hall, 8 pm The Akron Symphony Orchestra is challenging the stigma surrounding mental illness with a unique concert featuring Dr. Richard Kogan, Harvard Medical School-trained psychiatrist, acclaimed pianist, and artistic director of the Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program in NYC, who is renowned for his lectures and concerts exploring the role of music in healing, and the influence of psychiatric and medical illnesses on the creative output of composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, and others.

The performance, highlighting the works of Rachmaninoff and Berlioz, sets the stage for a long-term partnership between the orchestra and Summa Health—a program called Music and Mental Health, in which Akron Symphony Orchestra musicians will perform weekly in several

Date Night Digs Looking for a different kind of date night?

Check out these ideas.

10 x 3 Songwriter / Band Showcase at Musica Every Wednesday at 8 pm (except Feb. 17) Brent Kirby may have moved around a bit, but he believes in bringing good ideas with him. Starting a showcase by the same name in Cleveland nearly five years ago, he modeled it after those he attended while living in Nashville. Performers register beforehand for 10 time slots. Each performs three songs, but at least two have to be their original work. “There’s so many great people doing great things, each night is a completely unique musical experience,” says Kirby. Performers can register at brentkirby.com.

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inpatient behavioral health settings at Summa Health. The program, generously supported by the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, will aid the clinical integration of music and mental health care in the hospital setting, and will promote music as an effective but underutilized tool in recovery from a range of medical conditions.

The evening will conclude with a performance of Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, which tells the story of an artist’s self-destructive passion for a beautiful woman. The dramatic work is inspired

by Berlioz’s own demons as the troubled composer struggled to gain the attention of Irish actress Harriet Smithson.

Single tickets for the concert on February 6 range from $25-$55, with senior and child/student pricing available. For additional information about the Akron Symphony’s 2015-2016 concert season, or to purchase tickets, visit akronsymphony.org or call the ticket office at 330-535-8131.

THE AKRON RUBBERDUCKS JOB FAIRS The RubberDucks will be holding two job fairs for the upcoming 2016 season. Both job fairs will take place at Canal Park and Run from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Candidates should enter Canal Park through the

Rethinking Race Trolley Tour boarding at the College Street Circle off E. Buchtel Ave. Feb. 12 at 2 pm We are taught lessons in school, build knowledge through our experience and grow by challenging what we thought we knew. The Summit County Historical Society is once more sponsoring the Rethinking Race Trolley Tour at the University of Akron as part of Black History Month. According to The University of Akron Department of Student Life, “The Trolley Tour will highlight African American landmarks around the City of Akron, while exploring the legacy of abolitionist John Brown." History was written by many and influences us all.

“Love, Wesley”: Valentine’s Date Night with Wesley Bright at BLU Jazz+ Feb. 13 at 7 pm and 9:30 pm You may remember Wesley Bright and the Hi-Lites from when they rocked the streets as the closing band for Porch Rokr last year. He’s taking the stage and debuting his new sound just as he did in Sweet Mary’s Bakery last month. Rumor has it that a talented ensemble of musicians will be joining him.

Tribute to Heinz Poll at Akron Civic Feb. 19 at 8 pm Don’t be fooled into thinking this is some sort of ketchup or steak sauce show. Heinz Poll founded

| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

administrative office entrance at 300 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44308.

Resume is recommended and prior experience is preferred. For more information about either job fair, candidates can call 330-253-5151 or go to akronrubberducks.com, where they can print and complete the application before coming to the job fairs.

• Food and Beverage Job Fair Tuesday, February 16. Positions available: Bartenders, Cashiers, Catering Servers, Cooks, Food Runners, In-Seat Waiters and Waitresses, In-Seat Vendors, and Concession Stand Managers for the ballpark; Bartenders, Hosts and Hostesses, and Restaurant Servers for The Game Grill + Bar. • Akron Baseball Job Fair Monday, February 22. Positions available: Clean Team, FunZone Attendants, Gate Security, Merchandise Associates, Suite Lobby Attendants, Ticket Takers, and Ushers.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER’S PHOENIX AWARDS Thursday, Feb. 25 at Fairlawn Country Club, 5:30 to 8 pm In an effort to shine a light on just a few of the amazing people who work tirelessly on behalf

of those struggling to overcome addiction, Community Health Center has created The Phoenix Awards—an annual appreciation dinner for people who are working to save lives and reduce the stigma associated with addiction. Audience members will have the opportunity to join the fight by directly contributing financial support through a Fund-a-Cause Auction—all proceeds will go toward funding the addiction recovery services provided by Community Health Center.

RSVP at bit.ly/CHCAkron

2016 Honorees: Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio............. Summit County

Juvenile Court Rock + Recovery Radio - 91.3................The Summit Dr. Garry Thrasher......................... Medical Director,

Oriana House, Inc. Dee Price.......... Volunteer for CHC’s Project PANDA

Akron's Ohio Ballet back in 1968, then retired as the artistic director in 1999. In honor of what would have been Poll’s 90th birthday, Verb Ballet is presenting this concert of his work. The executive artistic director of GroundWorks DanceTheater, as well as the producing artistic director have worked with and danced under Poll's leadership. Although the Ohio Ballet no longer exists, Poll's influence continues to resonate throughout Northeast Ohio.

Hey Mavis! with opening act Cody J. Martin at Akron Civic Feb. 20 at 8 pm Creating a cabaret setting, the Civic has pulled Hey Mavis, a group from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park artist-in-residence program, for an evening of Americana-folk. They’re opening with Massillonnative, singer-songwriter, Cody J. Martin, whose skillful guitar playing and imagery weaving abilities wow crowds across Northeast Ohio.

The Electric Pressure Cooker XIX at none too fragile theater Feb. 20 at 8 pm It might be hard to believe, but this thing is knocking on the door of 20. In 2014, the anything goes open mic outgrew the basement of a flower shop and in 2015, it soon stretched the seams of the None Too Fragile theater in Pub Bricco. This past January, it gave Aqueduct Brewing a go, but the Pub Bricco annex missed it. Performers begin registering for time slots at 7:30 pm.

It’s a Wild World Animal Show at Akron Civic Feb. 21 at 2:30 pm Programming at the Civic has gone to the dogs!

Or on this night, you might say to the monkeys, tigers and snakes. Akron Children’s Hospital is rounding off a packed weekend by having the Akron Zoo showcase some of their creatures on the big stage. They’re saying you can “discover amazing animals… combined with music, video and audience participation.” The stagehands had better have shovels.

Chapatti at Greystone Hall Feb. 25 - Mar. 13 at 8 pm (2 pm on Sundays) What would you call a story about a woman, a man, a dog and 19 cats? You might just call it romance.

Photo credit: Megan Combs

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community & culture

New / Native new

Name / Age: Roger Riddle, 40 Occupation: Unbox Akron, Chief Curator Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Current neighborhood: Highland Square When did you first fall for Akron?

When I was DJing the Porch Rokr Silent Disco last summer. It was my first time DJing in Akron, and seeing all the people dancing and having a good time really touched me. That was when I first thought, "I'm going to really like living here."

Where in Akron do you like to escape?

I really like to sit down and have dinner at Thai Pho on Tallmadge. The food is great and it is a cozy spot. My biggest worry is that as people find out about it, I will have to find a new place to escape to. However, I won't mind if that is the case, they deserve to be busy all the time.

What is your recommendation for a truly Akron first date?

I just went in City Tavern in North Hill for the first time, and I loved it. The walls are covered with Akron-centric artwork. Some of the items on the menus are Akron-ly named. The atmosphere of the place is warm and inviting, and the staff is friendly.

I think it would make a great first date.

What makes Akron lovable?

I have fallen in love with the fact that every Akronite that I meet has a passion that they work just as hard for as they do their day job. It is refreshing to see people dive fully into something they love and to share it with everyone around them.

Who or what do you wish was more on Akronites' radar? Why? Musician Eriq Troi. Someone pointed me in the direction of his music and I was blown away that there was someone making funk, soul, R&R and hip-hop, and at such a high caliber here. Plus once I met him, he turned out to be a nice guy and a lot of fun to talk to.

Which Akron restaurant knows its way to your heart, and why?

Nepali Kitchen, hands down. I could eat there twice a week and I doubt I would get tired of it.

The quality of the food is so good and the place is simple. It has a feel like you are hanging out at a friend's house.

How do you think Akron will be different in five years?

I see all the effort that people are putting in on

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

their passions now starting to pay off in 5 years. I also want to see Akron's love of the arts and music stepping into the spotlight and playing a regular role in the lives of the people who live here and a draw for people who live elsewhere.

There is still time to enjoy skating and all our winter attractions & activities through February 15th at Lock 3.

Thank you North East Ohio for a great season!

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

F

native

Name / Age: M. Sophie Hamad, 32 Occupation: Student, Writer,

and Editor for The Devil Strip Hometown: Akron Current neighborhood: Highland Square When did you first fall for Akron?

When I moved back after almost a decade away.

I was probably at the lowest point in my life. I desperately needed a community, and I found one pretty much immediately. I was no longer in contact with most of my childhood friends, but the people I met in the first couple months back welcomed me and showed me kindness and generosity and compassion like I had never seen before. Hiking the trails of CVNP with my newfound friends helped me get through the toughest part of my recovery.

i

E S TA

Arctic Adventure $

10 Unlimited All-Day Pass

Enjoy unlimited skating, putt-putt, entrance to Children’s Museum and one sled ticket.

Wristband good for entire day.

All You Can Eat TACO & DESSERT Bar, Unl imited Skating and more !

Unbox Your Cabin Fever 2.12.16 5-9pm

Skating • Sledding • Craft Beer • Camp Fire Food

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2 skate rentals, 2 games of putt-putt, $10 giftcard to Barley House*and 2 Dairy Queen ice cream cupcakes.

Reservations recommended. *Quanties limited. We reserve the right to substitute.

Check out our website for updated events and information or call us at 330-375-2877.

Where in Akron do you like to escape?

Virginia Kendall Area in CVNP. Those trails were a big part of my childhood and an even bigger part of my twenties. There’s nothing like spreading out a blanket in the big field by the ledges and reading a book or just sleeping.

What is your recommendation for a truly Akron first date?

Grabbing a coffee at Angel Falls or Mustard Seed and walking the brick streets of Highland Square.

What makes Akron lovable?

Not the potholes.

Who or what do you wish was more on Akronites' radar? Why? Green building and alternative energy, because I think that could be the missing link—the thing that brings conscious people here from other places to live and work and learn and grow. And stay.

Which Akron restaurant knows its way to your heart, and why?

Sushi Asia Gourmet, because they deliver SUSHI to my FRONT DOOR. How do you think Akron will be different in five years?

I think we will see a growth in environmental sustainability—especially in the downtown area.

lifesourceyoga.com • 330.835.9945

community & Culture

Finding a Woman’s Intrinsic

Value How one organization is helping Akron women get back on their feet and into the workforce.

by Megan Combs

10

After two years in prison for a drug violation, Kelly Bolyard, 26, found herself sleeping on her father’s floor with her then 8-year-old son. She didn’t have a home or a job. While in prison, she prayed that she would get away from her old hangouts and start fresh with a life full of meaning.

While attending church, Bolyard learned about Not Wasted, a job skills training program of Truly Reaching You (TRY) Ministries on Baird Street in Akron. Not Wasted invites incarcerated or addicted women to attend daily sewing classes to not only learn how to sew but also what employers expect of their workers, including basic workplace etiquette and work ethic.

made from watch faces, bicycle gears and chains, and clock parts.

As program coordinator, Bolyard sets up the sewing room each day and prepares orders. She said the work is rewarding, and even though sewing isn’t a job that’s in high demand, she still learned a valuable skill and got to form relationships she’ll cherish forever.

“Coming home, I knew I would be high risk [for committing another crime] if I didn’t have a job,” Bolyard said. “But being here, I don’t feel the need to [repeat my violation] because I’m with people who understand, and it’s a loving community. If I have a need, I bring it to the group and we pray or talk about it.”

“I came in needing help,” said Bolyard, who is now employed with Not Wasted as the program coordinator. “I’ve learned so much, and now I get to give back to other women and help change their lives.”

Not Wasted Director Lindsay Bye said you can find about a dozen women in the sewing room on any given day. They range from 20 years old to 60-plus. It’s basically one big therapy session, she said.

When the women are sewing, they’re creating bags and wallets out of recycled billboard vinyl. The straps on the bags are recycled automobile seatbelts that the women gather themselves from local junkyards. They also create rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings

“This is a voluntary program, and it’s not court ordered, with the exception of community service,” Bye said. “We set recovery goals with each woman, and those can look different for each one.”

| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

For example, one woman who is physically unable to work set a goal to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Another woman’s goal is to find steady employment.

“This isn’t a forever program,” Bye said. “It’s meant to be an eight- to 12-month program where you move on and move up.”

Women can graduate the program, but Bye said they don’t graduate until Not Wasted administrators think they’re ready to work.

The goal is to learn skills that will lead to “sustainable employment and dignifying vocation,” she said.

“No matter how my day began, when I walk in here, I’m filled with peace and love,” Bolyard smiled. “Sewing is so therapeutic.

When I sit down and start, it instantly eases my mind. And when I finish an order, it’s such a sense of accomplishment.”

Gwnetta McCloud, 59, moved to Akron in 1987 after being incarcerated in Detroit. After she was released, she began using cocaine.

Her life went off the rails and she bounced from one halfway house to another. She said she used drugs for about 20 years until one (continued on page 13)

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community & culture

International Akron Martenitsa: A Bulgarian Spring Tradition Words by Svetla Morrison

I am from Bulgaria. But my husband isn’t. And so, when we joined our lives together, it seemed only natural to also join traditions from the two cultures that shaped us into who we are.

welcoming spring tradition and received their name from the name of the month March in Bulgarian, which is Mart - Martenitsa.

Honestly, what else is left for one to do during the cold months after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day have checked out than to open the door and say, “Bye, bye!” to her However, what my husband didn’t see coming from Highness Great Winter of Snow in a (better be) this initially appealing arrangement was that every festive way. year, from March 1, for at least a couple of weeks, he’ll need to wear a bracelet made from white and And so, people used to get together during the red yarn called Martenitsa, typical exclusively for long dark hours of winter to create their white and the Bulgarian region. red spring promises to their close ones for the first day of March. Nowadays though, if you were in Now, as a loving husband, he hasn’t objected Bulgaria, you’d simply buy your Martenitsi. Shapes one bit for over 10 years now. But I also know he and sizes have changed too. Anything could pass has grown to love and anticipate the approach of for Martenitsa these days. As long as it is red March 1 with a great desire (not only because it’s and white. his birthday month).

But their main properties persist. The white And who wouldn’t!? color symbolizes purity and honesty, and the red one – life and passion. From its very origins, the Martenitsi (“i” is for plural) are related to a gift of Martenitsa was used as a reminder of the We then found ourselves celebrating double holidays year-round. What a deal, ah?!

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

constant cycle between life and death, which today has translated as a wish for good health for its recipient. The balance of the red and white colors are also associated with the male and female beginnings and the need for balance.

So, every year on March 1, one would collect (or wish for) a countless amount of Martenitsi on their wrist, for the shared knowledge of their value, fused with the crisp March air, produce the excitement of starting anew. Folks will faithfully wear them for a few weeks, religiously taking them off and putting them on for shower and bed. It takes determination to bring spring, you know. I’ve always seen this group persistence as a collective attempt to visually resurface the sense of hope and appreciation for life in all its forms.

“But what happens with the Martenitsi after the couple of weeks you mentioned?!” you ask.

Great point!

and figuratively) to see either a blooming tree or a migrating bird, and to finally have your wrists back to yourself as well as your bed and shower routine.

And when the lucky day comes (Halleluiah!), you simply slip those pretty gifts off, tie them on a tree and have a wish. Better make it a big one! // Svetla Morrison favors the use of various (auditory, linguistic, visual) methods of communication to interact with the audience. She likes to think of herself as a creative. You can find her on facebook, instagram and twitter.

If interested, join my FREE, annual Martenitsi making workshop this year, at the end of February. For details email InternationalAkron@gmail.com

By the third week you are itching (both literally

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2 /

THE Devil Strip |

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community & culture

“What do you wanna do?” “I dunno, what do you wanna do?”

THE INDECISIVE COUPLE'S GUIDE TO DATE NIGHT

by MacKenzie Mehrl

DAY OR NIGHT DAY BIRD

ADRENALINE RUSH

SUMMIT METRO PARKS

I WANT TO DANCE

DRIVE-IN DINER

SKY ZONE

Sky Zone www.skyzone.com/bostonheights If the cold is a bit too much to bear, try out Sky Zone, where the floors are coated in trampolines and the inner child within us all comes out in a burst of joy! They have “open jump” but you can join them for Ultimate Dodgeball or Sky Slam.

Hours vary. Prices go up in increments of $4 for every 30 minutes added to your jump time. Prices begin at $11 for a 30-minute jump, and end at $23 for a 1-½ hour jump time.

Sweet Pea Café www.sweetpeacafe.moonfruit.com A quaint café with delicious options for everyone.

The prices are low and the plates are loaded!

The perfect spot for a quick bite and a quiet atmosphere for you and your loved one to enjoy.

THEME

SWENSON'S

SWEET PEA CAFE

Summit Metro Parks www.summitmetroparks.org Enjoy various winter fun including: sledding, ice skating, skiing, or even ice fishing! Hours vary depending on which location is chosen for your day of slopes and snow.

by Katie Jackson

PARTY OR PRIVATE

KEEP IT CASUAL

HIT THE HILLS LET'S BOUNCE

of Valentine’s Day

NIGHT BIRD

ADVENTURE OR LOW KEY

CLUB

A QUIET CORNER CANDLE-LIT DINNER

DUSTY ARMADILLO

SQUARE

DINNER FOR TWO DANTE BOCCUZZI

BEEF TENERLOIN & BALSAMIC TOMATOES

begin! Located in Highland Square, it is neighbored by a handful of bars worth peeking into.

The cook time is 25 minutes from start to finish, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the final results.

Dusty Armadillo www.dustya.com If you’re feeling like dipping your toes from the norm and leaving the beautiful comfort of all that is familiar to us in Akron, Dusty Armadillo is a bar well known for its country music and line-dancing!

Many will gather in groups to go spend a night at “The Dusty” and come back with a stack of new memories full of laughter and new friendships.

Ingredients: 1 2 / cup Balsamic vinegar 1 3 / cup Coarsely chopped, seeded tomato 2 tsp Olive oil 2 Beef tenderloins steaks, cut ¾ inch thick

(about 8 ounces) 1 tsp Snipped fresh Thyme

Dante Boccuzzi dba.danteboccuzzi.com This high-end restaurant is known for its private dining and impeccable food. If requested, you and your love one can reserve a table where cascading cream curtains can be pulled for further privacy during your meal together. Dante Boccuzzi also offers dinner at the Chef’s Table, which can seat up to 10 guests, and serves a variety of courses depending on the selection made.

Directions: 1. In a small saucepan bring vinegar to boiling.

Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Stir tomatoes into hot vinegar reduction.

2. Meanwhile, trim fat from steaks. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add steaks; reduce heat to medium. Cook to desired doneness, turning once. Allow 7 to 9 minutes for medium-rare (145° F) to medium (160° F).

3. To serve, spoon vinegar reduction over steaks.

Sprinkle with thyme.

Swenson’s www.swensonsdriveins.com One of the most popular drive-ins around the Akron area, and for good reason! Swenson’s is a classic can’t-go-wrong joint for a hearty burger and some fresh, hot fries. Top it all off with a shake and you’ll quickly find yourself in flavor paradise.

Nutritional Facts (per serving): 275 kcal cal., 12 g fat (3 g sat. fat, 1 g polyunsaturated fat, 6 g monounsatured fat), 76 mg chol., 80 mg sodium, 12 g carb., 0 g fiber, 10 g sugar, 26 g pro. (Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Recipe and photo courtesy of bhg.com.

Square www.yelp.com/biz/square-akron This bar/club with its checkered floors and retro lights sets the funkiest tone for a night of dancing.

Its carefree environment sets the crowd in a lighthearted mood and soon the bops, jigs and drops

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THE KINKY ORIGINS

Candy hearts. Roses. The “Every kiss begins with Kay” jingle on constant repeat every time you turn on the T.V. or radio. And pink!

Pink everywhere!

You know what time of year it is: Valentine’s Day. Or, Singles Awareness Day. Depending on which end of the spectrum you fall.

But did you know that the day of love has some pretty dark origins? Check this out, Romeo.

The Romans celebrated the pagan Feast of Lupercalia each February 13-15th. And by “celebrated” I mean that they got drunk and naked, sacrificed a goat and a dog and then whipped women in the streets with the hides of the slain animals. That’s right. And women actually lined up to receive this treatment, believing it increased their chances of fertility.

How romantic.

In addition to this brutal display of affection, the festival also included a matchmaking lottery where women’s names would be chosen from an urn by prospective suitors, and the pair would be coupled up for the duration of the festival or beyond. Take that, Tinder.

Scholars speculate that sometime around the 5th century the Catholic Church got involved and decided to give sainthood to two men named Valentine to expel the pagan rituals of yore. As years went on, the holiday became more and more romanticized in literature, gaining popularity and eventually becoming the Hallmark business we know it as today.

Although we lost the sacrificial elements, at least the best part of the holiday withheld the test of time: getting your freak on with the object of your affection.

So gentlemen: take solace in knowing that your last-minute effort is at least more chivalrous than your ancestors. And ladies: when he hands you that drugstore teddy bear and candy, know it could be so much worse. // When she’s not working on her 1868 farmhouse remodel, Katie can be found sleeping or traveling.

Beef Tenderloin & Balsamic Tomatoes Avoid the hustle and bustle of the streets at night by staying in and make a delicious meal for two.

| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

Sometimes both. Turn ons: sincerity and humor. Turn offs: shorthand text and Donald Trump.

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community & culture

Kelly Bolyard sewing a bag (Photo by MCombs)

value,” Bye said. “After coming here and talking to other women, some leave toxic relationships, not because we asked them to, but because they realize their own worth.”

Besides learning workplace skills, Bye said Not Wasted is the best opportunity most women get to form meaningful relationships.

“There are very few opportunities for real relationships in our lives these days,” Bye said. “These relationships are just as important for the staff and volunteers as they are for the women. We’re in here, getting our hands dirty with people we may not have normally interacted with. Not Wasted puts everyone on the same page and at the same level.”

(continued from page 10) day she decided she was tired of the pain. “I prayed to God and he heard my cry,” McCloud said. “I’ll be sober 10 years in August.”

McCloud now serves Not Wasted as a volunteer, but she gets just as much out of it as the clients.

She teaches the women how to sew, but she also helps them in their recovery and accountability.

“When I’m here, it means I’m not sitting at home,” McCloud said. “It keeps a lot of women from getting in trouble. Once you walk through this door, you’re alive. It’s very spiritual.”

Bye said two things holding women back from joining the program is the intimidation factor of both a sewing machine and religion. While Not Wasted is housed in a ministry and is faith-based, women are not required to participate in prayer or claim a denomination. As for the sewing machines, many of the women walk in without a clue about how to work one and now are so happy when they finish a bag.

“It’s all about women learning their intrinsic

There is no fee for women to join Not Wasted, and the only requirement is that they work the program. They have to show up, be willing to participate and accept that there are parts of them that need to change in order to have a better life.

Later this year, Not Wasted will have their products for sale at three Pop Up Crafty Marts during Akron’s Art Walk on Feb. 6, March 5 and May 7.

You can also buy products in Rubber City Clothing on High Street.

URBAN EXPLORER Adventures in Ellet

.....

words and photos by Kristina Aiad-Toss

When you think of Akron, what comes to mind? The exciting downtown scene, the simple glory that is Swensons, the architectural legacy of the old Goodyear HQ, or the hipster haven of Highland Square? It’s easy to overlook some of the other unique locations around the area. A perfect example is the close-knit neighborhood of Ellet, which boasts a small-town feel that masks some of the hidden treasures that lie within its borders. That’s why we go exploring... needed coffee shop is one for the more refined java fiend with it’s cozy yet upscale atmosphere. With a phenomenal variety of espresso drinks, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads, Artisan Coffee is the perfect place to sit by the fire, read a good book, and drink outstanding coffee from a handmade mug.

Second Shot Finds 1155b Canton Rd., Akron, OH 44312 (330) 322-5836 • facebook.com/SpringfieldGeneral Hours: Wed-Sun 11am-6pm The sign outside of this tucked away thrift store promises “Retro, Vintage, and Beyond” merchandise and the inside certainly gives shoppers that and more. From fancy antique dishware to one-of-a-kind vintage furniture, this venue is teeming with rare, yet reasonably priced items sold by local vendors.

Bye will also be working to form a relationship with administrators at Northeast Reintegration Center in Cleveland who want a Not Wasted sewing program in their facility.

To learn more about the program or to donate, visit trynotwasted.net. // Megan believes everyone is recovering from something.

Be kind.

The Lamp Post 2081 E Market St., Akron, OH 44312 (330) 733-5308 • facebook.com/ElletLampPost Hours: 24 hours Craving a breakfast taco at 3 am? Venture to the home of the finest breakfast food in Ellet. With an eclectic menu—of both breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections—The Lamp Post screams Waffle House meets hometown family diner. Whether the time is 2 pm or 2 am, grab a friend and head down to this small town gem for spectacular service, mouth watering food, and even to take on the famous “He-man” dish if you dare.

Artisan Coffee 662 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312 (234) 334-6105 • artisancoffeeshop.com Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-9pm, Sat 7:30am-8pm A new addition to the community, this much-

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Staff Music 610 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312 (330) 784-1213 • staffmusicakron.com Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-6pm In the words of the shop owner, this grungy, underground music supply store has served “rock and rollers and hillbillies” alike for over 50 years.

If your looking to purchase a used guitar or learn how to play one, check out this off-the-radar store that also offers repairs and buys and sells used instruments, related accessories, and computers.

Stacked Akron 1187 Canton Road, Akron Oh, 44312 (330) 604-1781 • stackedakron.com Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30am-3:30pm, Sun 8am-1pm If the wall of old school rock and roll vinyls doesn’t catch your eye as you walk in, maybe the plethora of deliciously decadent desserts and pastries will.

From customizeable cakes and specially created deserts, this charmingly compact bakery will serve your needs—whether you're searching for wedding cake or a cozy space to enjoy a heavenly homemade cookie.

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2 /

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community & culture: food

Lady Beer Drinker

We have a new hero on Twitter: @ohiobeergirl (aka Lady Beer Drinker). See how she got our attention?

Yeah, we love photos of beer, especially when you pair it with the cool, crisp refreshing image of your copy of The Devil Strip. Now, every issue, we'll highlight some of her favorite brews so you can test your palate while you explore the town.

NEWS AND NOTES

The Beer Gods are smiling on Akron. Yeah, we lost the old Akron Brewing Building is coming down but Thirsty Dog saved the stone sign outside and R.Shea Brewery, which has more than filled the void from Trailhead Brewery's closure (Eli and his family moved away) has preserved the look with a wall-sized photo of the old building. But it gets better. There are at least two new breweries lined up for Akron, with one planned for Tony Troppe's Cascade Lofts right off the Towpath at Mustill Store and another in Cuyahoga Falls. One more is rumored a little south of us, but we'll save that for next issue. In the meantime, tickets are on sale for the 2nd Annual Rubber City Brew Fest on March 19 at Lock 3. Admission includes 20 beer samples (2 oz) each. Find them on Twitter: @RubberCtyBeer

BREWERY

FULL MENU

in Februar g n i n e y~ Op ~

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

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

| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

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community & Culture: Food

The Wanderer

Fighting The Frigid Fight: Tacos For the Win

by Holly Brown

When I eat a taco, I feel as if a bit of the sun has been sent down from space to warm me from the belly.

When I am enjoying tacos, despite the fact that they are not necessarily hot temperature-wise, I am metaphorically warmed. Perhaps it is cilantro that reminds me of warmer weather, perhaps it is the smoky mix of peppers that comprise both the flavor of the meat and sauce. No matter what it is that momentarily transports me to summer, I am grateful for it, and happy to believe in the myth of the sun if only for a few seconds (I can eat tacos very fast).

Now, flash to a Saturday. the kind of Saturday that is not only cold, but blistering, cloudy, windy, and a whole manner of other unpleasant things associated with winter. I get it, we’re lucky, I don’t deny that. We had an extremely mild fall and even early winter. I do not despise the cold entirely. For instance, I love how I appreciate the warm after I have been cold. I also am no stranger to

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

the invigorating snap of a walk or jog on a winter’s morn. BUT. I love summer, and spring, and I’m pretty sure I’m all around more pleasant when it is not ten degrees.

So, on a Saturday in early January, I am cold, I don’t exactly want to leave my apartment at all. It seems way nicer to get under a blanket and pretend I am a vegetable. THAT, my dear readers, is precisely when I decided not to succumb to the winter blues.

Instead, I decided to combat them, with (as you may have already guessed) tacos.

New year, new places to eat. Not only did I want tacos, but I wanted something new, something I hadn’t tried before. Lucky for me, one of my jobs is to do just that (Thanks, again!). There had been whispers on the winter winds of a new Taqueria, El Gato Taqueria to be exact. I was intrigued to say the least.

Energized by the prospect of tortillas, guacamole, salsa, etc. we traipsed downtown. I ran from the car, down sidewalks and across streets, to El Gato both to get out of the cold and with the promise of tacos as a reward. We stepped inside to a wave of warm air, spices wafting under my nose, and warm, stucco deep orange walls. We walked to the counter, greeted by two very friendly and informative taco artists. As I read the menu, I was sold on the street tacos. At $2 a pop you can indulge often and without (continued on page 32)

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

community & culture: food

Sure Smells Sweet...

Akron’s Must-Visit Bakeries words by Rick Bohan

Few businesses are able to pull us in just to look around, like bakeries. We go to the butcher when we need meat, to the grocer when we need produce or canned goods, to the fishmonger when we need, well, fish and to the ethnic food store when we need an exotic, otherwise hard-to-find ingredient or spice.

We go into bakeries, though, just to look. And, of course, to smell. All those lovely confections, some as plain as elephant ears and sugar cookies, others as elaborate as petits fours and tiramisu, arrayed in those glass counters, stretching for 15 or 20 feet are difficult to resist. We all have memories of those neighborhood bakeries of our youth and hope that they’re still around. At the same time, we’re also on the lookout for new bakeries where the cupcakes delight us or the scones are the flakiest and freshest.

The Akron area has its share of bakeries, new and old—more than we can cover here (one of which— Sweet Mary’s Bakery—we covered in December’s issue). We’ve listed a select few of the bakeries that you just need to go visit: the old fashioned and new age standards. And that’s the key to this list. Nearly any bakery will take your order for a wedding cake or that assortment of five pies you want for Thanksgiving. We’ve tried to focus on those bakeries that are just fun to visit, fun to look up and down the counter, fun to talk to the friendly folks behind the counter…and fun to eat that cannoli or pumpkin cookie, the likes of which you didn’t think existed.

Crest Bakery and Coffee Shop

880 N Main St, Akron We all need someplace to go early on a Saturday morning. Some place to get a great donut, drink some good coffee and read our paper or e-reader.

Crest Bakery and Coffee Shop, open every day at 6am (yes, Sunday, too), is that place. North Hill’s Crest Bakery is an Akron standard. Since 1939, the bakery has been providing its array of cakes, donuts, and cookies to the city. Any given morning will find Crest’s counters full of a wide selection of pastries and confections. Akronites are especially fond of the cronuts and “turtles”. You’re welcome to enjoy your newly purchased pastry with coffee at the booths there in the bakery.

Pallotta’s Pastries

2120 Byrd Ave, Cuyahoga Falls You might have passed Pallota’s Pastries and Gifts any number of times without really noticing it. The store is in CF, right across from Grace Cathedral, but it’s a quick turn onto Byrd Avenue. The store is neat and there are a few tables for enjoying the lunch items. The bakery items will keep you coming back. A variety of tea cookies, scones, and muffins fill the counters. Pallotta’s has breads and rolls as well. You’ll have to make a visit just for the pepperoni rolls, like pepperoni bread but in the form of dinner rolls.

Vincent’s Bakery

2038 Bailey Rd, Cuyahoga Falls Vincent’s has been a CF mainstay for over half a century. Its specialty is Italian cakes and pastries, including strudels and nut rolls of all sorts. Italian (of course) and other varieties of bread are available behind the counter. “Eat it quickly or put it in the refrigerator, because we don’t use any preservatives,” I was told during a recent visit. The shop is cozy and the counter selection is just what we browsers like to see: old familiars like plain and stuffed elephant ears, and donuts, and other items to ask about, like the “caramel nut breakfast pastry that has some cinnamon in it.” There is a cooler with slices of tiramisu and, naturally, there are cannoli. Filled on order, of course. There are lots of things you can special order…including those Italian cakes.

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| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

Our Daily Bread

270 West Ave, Tallmadge You might think you’ve walked right into the middle of the bakery operations when you first go to Our Daily Bread. It’s a no-frills storefront to be sure. ODB makes its goods for wholesale distribution to stores like Kreiger’s, so the shop is devoted to making the goods and getting them out. But take a moment to look around; you won’t be disappointed. The staff might be at a desk, working an adding machine, totaling up the day’s shipments, but ask questions anyway; they’re all very welcoming and eager to tell you about their goods. There’s the bread, of course, but you’ll also find the largest selection of biscotti in the area.

Pies and cookies are another specialty. Looking for something to eat right now? You’ll come back again and again for the fruit or pecan-cinnamon pastry roll-ups.

West Side Bakery

2303 W Market St, Akron This Northwest Akron bakery has won a number of national awards in the past few years and is a regular favorite of Akron Beacon Journal and Akron Life readers. West Side Bakery is a good place to look for those confections not regularly found in other shops, like scones, small pies and cakes, and out-of-the ordinary cookies. There’s a cooler with excellent lunch sandwiches and salads. The staff is friendly and eager to answer questions. When you find something you like (and you will), you can enjoy it right there in the store. There are a few tables in front so that you can enjoy your coffee and muffin there.

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The Arts

EXPLORING THE ARTS IN AKRON

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

19 FROM THE RUBBER CITY TO THE EMERALD CITY 21 IN REVIEW: 'THE BOOK OF PHEONIX' 22 ART EDUCATION IN AKRON

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2 /

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arts

Music Festival Checklist üBring Guitar üPack Camper Van üBring AAA Card

Hit the Road & Rock on

the devil strip 1ST ANNUAL

St. Patty's Day Birthday Box Social Throw down. Dance. Make friends. Embarrass yourself. Wake up on the devil strip of a street you've never seen before. Call in sick to work the next day. Blame us. Mark your calendar for next year's jam.

Thurs., March 17

Happy Hour at 5 pm Shindig at 8 pm

E T T E L A P E TH ‘Tails from the Witch’s Cauldron’ Thurs., Feb. 4 to Sat., Feb. 6 at SageRock (15 Broad St. Akron) The Akronist says the play, which is subtitled “Stories of Blood, Sex and Rock n’ Roll,” takes “unconventional theatre to a whole different level.” What’s that mean? It’s an nontraditional venue (the conference room of the business run by former mayoral candidate Sage Lewis) and leans in to the audience for “wacky, interactive, vaudevilleflavored fun.” It’s a collaborative effort by Benjamin Rexroad, Kyle Jozsa and Nici Romo that showcases their skills, including some delightful stage time for Rexroad who is usually a player behind-the-scenes.

Tickets are available at watheatre.com/boxoffice for $15, or pay-what-you can. (Pictured: Nici Romo and Kyle Jozsa onstage for “Witch’s Cauldron”. (Photo courtesy of Wandering Aesthetics)

“The Lyons” Weathervane Playhouse Feb. 4-14 This comic drama about death, written by Nicky Silver and directed by Fred Gloor, definitely isn’t suitable for kids. New York magazine put it best: “The Lyons isn't trying to make a case for freshness or formal innovation. It's simply trying tell a funny, furious little tale of family annihilation with honesty, savagery, and humanity, a story about how we all, ultimately, pick out our own urns. It succeeds marvelously." Tickets online at weathervaneplayhouse.com Crafty Mart’s Pop Up Market Sat., Feb. 6 at Summit Artspace, 5-10 pm While you’re getting your Art Walk on this month, swing by the latest Pop-Up Market to grab some hand-crafted goodies for your sweetheart. Choose from a long list of vendors, including Not Wasted, Made by Mike Treats, The Robot Consortium, Palladian Palette, Walterwerks, Champaign Paper and Rebecca Graves Pottery, among others.

Admission, as always, is FREE and you can also satiate your tastebuds with Norka sodas, craft brew from Thirsty Dog and delicious Greek food from Western Fruit Basket.

“In the Shadow of Women” The Nightlight Sat., Feb. 6 at 5 pm Sun., Feb. 7 at 2 pm A close look at infidelity, Variety calls Philippe Garrel’s new film, “A tightly focused romantic drama that exudes the narrative terseness of a good short story and the lucid craftsmanship of a filmmaker in full command of the medium.”

Tickets at nightlightcinema.com Elton John and Tim Rice’s “AIDA” Rubber City Shakespeare at Summit Artspace Thurs. through Sun., Feb 12-28 is an epic musical tale of love, loyalty, and betrayal, chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her county, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm.

Tribute to Heinz Poll presented by Verb Ballet Fri., Feb. 19 at Akron Civic Theatre Verb Ballet will honor what would have been the 90th birthday of celebrated choreographer Heinz Poll, founder of Ohio Ballet. This eveninglength concert will select from the panorama of Heinz Poll’s work to present the diversity of his choreographic style and enduring legacy to Northeast Ohio and the dance world including the revival of full company classics Elegiac Song, Songs Without Words and Bolero. Tickets at akroncivic.com

Cirque Ziva featuring the Golden Dragon Acrobats Sat., Feb. 26 at Akron Civic Theatre Hailing from Cangzhou, Hebei province, in the People’s Republic of China, the Golden Dragon Acrobats have been recognized as the preeminent Chinese acrobatic company in the US, touring continuously since 1978. The group averages 200 performances each year and has toured through all 50 states and in over 65 countries across the world.

The 25 acrobats are athletes, actors and artists who have trained since childhood. They will amaze you with acrobatic feats they perform using their bodies and simple props including everyday objects like plates, jugs, bicycles, umbrellas and more.

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arts

ap arnie’s public house

From the Rubber City to the Emerald City Former Akronite and costume designer Paul Tazewell shares his inspirations for NBC’s “The Wiz Live!”

Words by Andrew Leask

Some of us who were 18 and finishing high school in Akron often dreamed of booking it across the country the day after graduation and never looking back. We often complained about the bad weather and the paucity of ways to entertain ourselves with ‘Stuck in Ohio’ stickers proudly yet sardonically displayed on the bumpers of our cars. Strangely enough, there were only a few people who actually did something about it.

One of these people was Paul Tazewell.

This is not to say we aren’t proud of our hometown. Those of us who still reside in Akron after high school have grown to love it. Some, like Tazewell, aspire to achieve larger-than-life goals, to

pursue a passion with so much dedication that it whisks them away like a tornado.

A graduate of Buchtel High School in 1982, Tazewell attended university at the North Carolina School of the Arts and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts for costume design.

One of his most recent works was designing the costumes for the live TV special “The Wiz Live!” which aired on NBC on Dec. 3, 2015. An adaptation of the 1975 Broadway musical entitled “The Wiz,” the TV special starred Queen Latifah, Shanice Williams, Ne-Yo, Amber Riley and Mary J. Blige. It is an urban, African-American-inspired, soulful retelling of the classic musical “The Wizard of Oz.” “The Wiz Live! taps into much of what we experience as modern people and a collective consciousness of storytelling,” remarked Tazewell. “In the 1930s, the original movie was made, but it was made in a much different America.

The way we connect to music and a variety of contemporary visual elements has become much more cohesive

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

and integrated since then.”

Tazewell has been nominated five times for a Tony Award for Best Costume Design and won four Helen Hays Awards for Outstanding Costume Design. He has designed costumes for over a dozen Broadway productions including “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk,” “The Color Purple,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Dr. Zhivago” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” He has designed costumes for the Boston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.

The art of storytelling can be assimilated into many different mediums, and designing costumes is a major way Tazewell is able to indulge.

“Before starting a design, I conduct research, whether it’s historical or from literature,” he said. “I figure out how to report the story visually with the costume. I do that largely by reading things online, books, or magazines depending on the pieces and specific historic period. With The Wiz Live!, it’s creating both an original world and one out of a fantasy. I find something in each of the projects that I can make a connection with and make it appeal to everyone.”

The vibrant, avant-garde, yet beautiful costumes of The Wiz Live! are definitely eye-catching, and look as if they’re from another galaxy entirely. Tazewell said, however, that much of his inspiration behind (continued on page 32)

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arts

ART

ON HIGH A familiar space gets a new identity at 22 High Street Gallery words by Andrew Leask, photos by McKenzie Beynon

On Saturday, January 16, a lively crowd gathered to sip wine, listen to live music and nibble on hors d’oeuvres in the small art gallery that occupies the entrance area of Uncorked Wine Bar in downtown Akron. The evening marked the soft opening of a new exhibition, WINTERLAND, a collection of murals painted directly onto the gallery walls.

WINTERLAND, which runs through February 6, features the work of local artists Maggie Duff, Laine Keener, Cody Knepper, Jeff Schleis, Dillon Sedar, Meagan Smith and Melissa Urian, who collaborated on the large-scale artwork.

The evening also marked a new beginning for the gallery itself. Starting this year, the space has undergone a rebranding and is now 22 High Street Gallery at Uncorked Wine Bar. In addition to its new name and logo, the gallery has a new director in McKenzie Beynon, a photographer and Akron native. For Beynon, who is 25 and also works for the Akron Art Museum, this is her first time serving as a gallery director. It is a challenge, she said, but it’s an exciting one.

Fortunately, Beynon feels a special connection

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to the space. As a photography major at the University of Akron, she had her senior exhibition there. Unsurprisingly then, Beynon is committed to showcasing not just the work of established artists, but that of student and developing artists as well.

talented musicians. And I think the most important thing is that everyone is really supportive of each other here.” // Andrew Leask spends his spare time plucking ineptly at his electric guitar, while his wife, Amy, and their two cats

“I really want to keep blending those two worlds,” cover their ears. she said, “because I don’t think labeling artists as students is really all that important. Eventually, they’re going to graduate, and they’re going to become the new established artists in Akron anyways.”

Interested artists should keep an eye on 22 High Street Gallery’s social media pages for information on how to apply to have their work featured.

Notable upcoming shows include a showcase of printmaking by members of Rubber City Prints in March and an exhibition by ceramic artist Mary Wilson Clark in May. Looking ahead, Beynon is excited to work together with the creative community in Akron. “I’m really grateful for the arts and music community that we have here,” she said. "There’s so many creative minds, there’s so many talented artists, so many

22 High Street Gallery at Uncorked Wine Bar 22 N High St., Akron facebook.com/22HighStreetGallery instagram.com/22highstreetgallery Open: Monday-Saturday 5 pm to 10 pm

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arts

H A M I LT O N

Reviewing the soundtrack of the critically acclaimed musical, Hamilton, that portrays famous Caucasian historical figures as mostly people of color.

by Bronlynn Thurman

A

lexander Hamilton. You may know him by the face on your $10 bill, but do you know his history? Do you know how he became one of our famous founding fathers?

Deeply rooted in Hip-Hop, R&B, and Jazz, the musical soundtrack of the hit Broadway show Hamilton, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the story of one of the most influential writers of our fledgling nation. Starting with a quick review of Hamilton’s time in the Caribbean, Miranda goes on to weave the story of how he graduated college (although he was penniless), met and married Eliza

Schuyler, gained public office, created the Federalist held several different views on a number of Papers and worked his way up to the side of our diverse issues. country’s first President.

After the first listen, my initial reaction was that Split into two acts, this powerful piece of art although it was long (clocking in at two hours, 22 takes historically Caucasian figures and replaces minutes and 16 seconds), it could entice young them with people of color. By doing this, Miranda people to learn more about this nation’s history. It finds a way of engaging with more contemporary was compelling, fun and incredibly well-written. audiences. People tend to connect easier with The wordplay and blending of present day those who look like them and America has colloquialisms with the lexicon of the 18th century changed drastically since the time of Jefferson and was phenomenal.

Hamilton. Presenting history in a manner reflecting present day America while singing familiar styles After the second listen, I realized how cleanly the of music allows the audience to see them as story unravels. I was in awe by the way each main more than just dead, old white men. They were character had a musical style unique to them. immigrants from a variety of backgrounds and Washington’s style was more prim and proper while

THE ARTS

Step 2: Grab four strips (you can use more to create a bigger heart, but it’s best to start with four until you get the hang of it). Cut each strip an inch shorter than the one before it. What you’ll end up with is four strips of different lengths.

Step 3: Take each individual strip and fold it in half.

Step 4: Using your thumb and index finger, clip the bottom of each folded strip.

Make sure the shortest one is at the top, and the longest is at the bottom.

Step 5: (This is where it gets tricky) Starting with the shortest strip, begin folding each half strip into a heart. Be sure to push each strip into your thumb and index finger. Otherwise, the heart could unravel before you get a chance to staple it together.

Step 6: Now that you’ve formed the shape of a heart, carefully staple the base of the heart (your thumb and index finger are holding it). Steps 5 and 6 may take a few tries if the heart shapes unravel. Stay patient.

Step 7: (Repeat steps 1-6). After you’ve completed a few hearts, use the hemp to form a string of hearts. These can be hung on a windowsill or door as decoration. // Pat Catan’s frequently vomits on Noor’s desk at Kenmore Branch Library.

Join Noor on Thursday, February 11th at 1pm at Kenmore Branch Library to make the Valentine’s Day Book Heart.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

is no different. Check out what she’s listening to at @_Bront_ on IG & Twitter.

Cincinnati author immerses readers in her post-apocalyptic world.

words by Noor Hindi with photos by Svetla Morrison

Step 1: Tear out a page from your book. Using a ruler, draw a few straight lines from the beginning to the end of the page, and then cut across these lines to make them into strips.

// Elves are known to enjoy a good musical and Bronlynn

THE BOOK OF PHOENIX

Feel the love with these Valentine’s Day book hearts

Supplies you will need: · Book · Ruler · Pencil · Stapler · Hemp · Scissors

This is a soundtrack that is pleasing to the ears from beginning to end. If you aren’t heading to New York or Chicago any time soon, check it out on iTunes, Spotify and most other music streaming services.

BOOK REVIEW

Get Crafty:

A few weeks ago, when I made my first book heart, I probably squealed louder than is appropriate in the library. I’m fairly cynical about Valentine’s Day (edit: I’m fairly cynical about life in general), but holding the adorable book heart in my hand made me excited about the 14th of February. If you’re looking for a cute craft to make for your bookish significant other (or for yourself whilst drinking wine and eating away the pain with clearance chocolate hearts), follow these steps.

Hamilton’s style was that of a hungry, ambitious young man. The unique motifs of each character are returned to throughout the musical, further fleshing out their personalities and defining their roles in the story.

by Bronlynn Thurman

The Book of Phoenix, a prologue of the award winning novel Who Fears Death, touches on the story of Phoenix Okore, a genetically engineered SpeciMen who is 2 years old but has the body of a 40-year-old. She has never known life outside of Tower 7 but dreams of escape when her lover, Saeed, dies after witnessing something that shook him to his core.

Written in first person, the book can be matter of fact and overly detailed at times. This actually works well for the voice of the main character, who has spent her short life in a sterile environment reading all manner of books. The writing style is also reminiscent of other novels that I’ve read featuring African characters.

This futuristic world that Cincinnati-native Nnedi Okorafor weaves is not so far off from our own.

Science has made leaps and bounds resulting in longer life, convenient living, cybernetic capabilities and a new wave of diseases that were once eradicated.

This is a story that does not hide behind allegories to convey its truth. Africa is still reeling from the effects of colonization and it is taken a step further here. The Big-Eye, as Phoenix and other SpeciMen like to call the organization holding them captive, spend their time experimenting on African people and animals (mentioning historical atrocities), capturing those with mutant-like abilities and

“studying” (weaponizing) them for the advancement of civilization.

Some central themes are life, death and identity.

Phoenix, like her namesake, knows the two former ideas firsthand, like old friends, while slowly learning the latter throughout the novel. From my experience, people of African descent often have this complex relationship with identity. Those from the diaspora may crave that strong sense of pride in knowing their origin country or tribe that African-born people experience. But there is still some kinship inherent in the knowledge of common experiences faced.

In the end, hard choices are made that shape the fabric of the world and Phoenix is the catalyst.

I think that I enjoyed this novel more for the ending and the way it fleshes out the mythology of the following book. I read Who Fears Death last year and as I reached the end of this novel, dots were connected. Not only that, it doesn’t shy away from stating some of the main inherent flaws of humanity: the tendency to manipulate stories and seek control of others.

I’d suggest reading Who Fears Death first and then giving this novel a whirl.

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arts

10 Places for a DIY Arts Education

by Mary Menzemer

The act of learning the arts comes in all shapes and sizes-here are some cool places for you to expand upon your arts knowledge or to try that thing you have always wanted to (even Irish dancing).

The Art Center on Tusc (ACoT) 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton With an open gallery floor plan, as well as smaller studios available for rent, this brand new arts center in Barberton is sure to quickly become a hotspot for up-and-coming artists. ACoT offers both winter and spring workshops as well as opportunities to work with local artists on their creative projects.

Other perks of this place include the proximities

of the elegant Nine Muses Art Gallery and Kave Coffee Bar. Akron Center for Art, Music and Performance (ACAMP) - 118 W. Market St., Akron ACAMP is Akron’s newest arts center which hosts a variety of events and workshops ranging from live music, live theatre and wine and canvas nights. You can even take yoga classes from trained professionals. Located above The Time Traveler record store, ACAMP brings together a wealth of art and wellness that truly make it a gem of Akron.

Akron Glass Works 106 North Main St, Akron Glassblowing seems like an art unobtainable to

those who are underexposed to it. However, at Akron Glass Works, you can watch free demos and even partake in workshops if you’re interested. Last month, folks made their own glass ornaments for the holiday season. The next workshop schedule will be available in mid-January, so keep an eye out for the next cool thing you could make for your home.

Cuyahoga Valley Arts Center 2131 Front St, Cuy Falls CVAC offers classes in watercolor, collage making, portraiture, oil painting, pottery, calligraphy, printmaking, and even journaling. The workshops are designed for all skill levels. This Swiss Army knife of an arts center is also a mini art gallery and artists café, to which any artist can submit their work.

Entrance to the café is free of charge to the public.

Jack Richard Studios 2250 Front St, Cuy Falls The legacy of the late Jack Richard, commissioned to paint portraits of famous people such as Bob Hope, Arnold Palmer, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and Bing Crosby, lives on at his studio in Cuyahoga Falls. Richard’s former protégé, Mark Giangaspero teaches classes here. For the hardy artistic individual who’s inspired by more classic pieces, this is the place to be.

MacConmara Academy of Irish Dance 2760 S. Arlington Rd, Akron No, it isn’t too late to try your hand, or foot, at the classically inspired art of Irish dancing. Not a child? Don’t have a history of dance lessons? No problem. Adult classes are offered on Wednesdays, and are taught by a staff with impressive resumes -- many of whom who have qualified for the World Irish Dance Championships. The academy puts on shows throughout Akron as well such as for First Night and for the Akron Symphony’s Celtic Nights.

Martell School of Dance 788 W. Market St., Akron Looking at this studio from below in Highland Square, this school seems hardly big enough to host as much as they do. Martell packs a lot into a small package-beginner to advanced level classes for kids and adults in dance styles like ballet, jazz, modern, tap, lyrical, musical theatre, fusion, yoga fusion, and Pilates. Private instruction is also available upon request.

Palladian Palette 106 N. Main St., Akron This quaint venue offers canvas and wood palette painting classes. You’ll also find a little shop called The Stamp Pad, fully stocked with all the stamping equipment one could want. You can even host private parties here. The real attraction may be its BYOB policy, which means you can kick back with wine while you draw inspiration during a threehour painting lesson with a local artist.

Quirk Cultural Center 1201 Grant Ave., Cuy Falls The Quirk Cultural Center offers a smorgasbord of activities, from the elusive art of chair caning to mahjong, bocce and ceramics classes. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to use stains, glazes and firing tools all for $5 per class. It’s a large venue with seating for 200 in their banquet room with many … quirks. For seniors and older folks, there’s the chance to get involved with the Falls Travel Club, a group who travels to cool events like holiday concerts, comedy performances, and trips across the country.

Riverfront Ballroom and Latin Dance Center 137 Portage Trl., Cuy Falls The true charm of this place comes from not only the traditional dance classes one can take such as waltz, foxtrot, and the tango, but those of more foreign influence like salsa, rumba, cha-cha, mambo and bolero. The Riverfront offers private and group lessons as well as practice parties to brush up on the week’s dance moves in a low pressure setting. Group classes are also pretty affordable, ranging from $5 to $10 per person.

Weathervane Playhouse 1301 Weathervane Ln., Akron Acting classes are great for getting out of one’s everyday comfort zone. At Weathervane, one can take either youth or adult acting classes and even participate in performances upon completion.

Lessons available include Shakespeare, improvisation, comic timing, actor’s voice, and even public speaking. // Mary Menzemer is mostly uncoordinated, but pretends she's graceful when sliding around the floor in socks.

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Don Matis. Photo by Thomas Simon

arts

Human Paintbrush Beard Art and a Bar Ministry

by Denise Henry

Don Matis dips his purple beard into a paper plate filled with gold paint. He spreads the color onto paper in slow, easy strokes. He shifts over to a plate of blue paint, sops it up with his whiskers and stipples it onto the canvas with quick dabs.

a bar — where Matis, a former drug addict and sexual abuse victim, displays his paintings in miniature form.

Sipping hot tea laced with cream, Matis sits beside a wooden display box containing his “eye Matis’ “paintbrush” isn’t just affixed to his chin, poppers,” which are 3-by-3-inch original paintings. he says. “It’s deep-rooted into my imagination, my Although he has no formal art training, Matis mind, my body and my spirit. It makes a connection says his paintings earn positive reviews from art between the paint and paper,” says Matis, who professors and other aficionados. Matis is also paints in the Stow apartment he shares with his the subject of a documentary film titled “Human close friend Monica Baird.

Paintbrush,” part of The Amerikans web series of portraits of Northeast Ohioans.

As unconventional as the artist to whom it’s attached, Matis’ paintbrush grew as a symbol of What really keeps him painting, though, are the solidarity for his former wife, Crystal, who was relationships his art fosters. “Art helps me connect brutally murdered in 1998. “It’s all I could do,” says with people,” says Matis, who sets up his mobile Matis, referring to the helplessness he felt when he gallery Thursdays through Saturdays from midnight learned of Crystal's death and his decision to grow to 2 am at Brubaker’s Pub in Hudson. his beard until her killer is found.

“It’s great to be alive,” he says to a wave of curious Four years after Crystal’s death, Matis still waiting, callers who stream by. Some give him hugs. Others still growing his beard and still left with his kiss the large crucifix dangling from his neck chain. feelings unsettled. He turned to art as a medium They ask him to tell his story. They tell theirs. for projecting his pain, peace and life story. “The first time I painted, I painted all night. All of these “They see me and wonder, ‘Who is that crazy emotions — anger, serenity, rage —were coming dude?’ They talk with me about being in jail, out of me,” he says. “My life was coming out of stealing, lying, drug dealing, most things I’ve me on paper.” experienced,” says Matis.

A devoted Catholic, Matis says his faith and prayer led him to his art just as it did to his sobriety 29 years ago. The two merged into a ministry — at

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Sure, the talk might be flowing in sync with the stout, but it’s all good, Matis says. He’s been there.

He’s still there, he says, recovering one day at

a time. “My job is to stay straight and sober, to be a living billboard for God and to try to make people happy,” he says. “I’m not here to fix, change or rearrange anyone.”

Matis' personality draws the attention of many.

“He stands out and you’re intrigued when you see him,” says Brubaker’s patron Matthew Henry. He’s the type of person you want to go up to and talk to. You want to know what his deal is.”

Despite oft-discussed heavy issues, Matis says he doesn’t take himself too seriously. He says his art simply opens the door to honest conversations that are good for his soul and others.

“I tell people I’m stoned on happiness,” he says, sporting a yellow, red and blue jester hat. “We’re all flawed. We’re all sinners. That’s why we have to help each other, bring joy to one another.”

Matis’ art serves as a smiling reception to his bar ministry. “It’s an expression of my insanity, of my recovery, of my service to God to do his will. If God wanted my art in a gallery, it would be there,” he says.

Besides at a local pub, Matis shares his ministry and art at StonedonHappiness.com

AKRON ART MUSEUM • THROUGH APRIL 24, 2016 Throwback Thursdays: Weaving Inspired by NEO Geo

Thursday, February 18 • 7:00 – 9:00 pm • $15 museum members / $20 non-members Grab a fancy cocktail and a friend and de-stress with a fun, monthly throwback art activity. These evenings are just for adults. Admission includes one signature cocktail and all crafting supplies for this artist-led experience. Register online: AkronArtMuseum.org/calendar.

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

music & entertainment AKRON'S MUSIC SCENE

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

26 THE DEVIL'S DOZEN LIVE SHOW PICKS 27 ON THE RECORD WITH COPALI 29 NATALIE MARIE GRACE BREAKS THE RULES

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music & entertainment

The Devil’s Dozen

and Dan Fernandez. Tickets are going fast, so grab yours for $20 before the show.

A Concert for Open M - Half Cleveland, Freezrburn and The Twanglers Friday, Feb. 5 at Musica, 5 pm To benefit a free health clinic run by Open M, a ministry of faith, health and hope, local selfproclaimed “hipster geezers,” Half Cleveland, will host a special night of new tunes and surprise covers. The downtown event will be chock full of rock ‘n’ roll and twang, along with appearances by members of The Help and The Hands. A donation of $10 is suggested upon entrance.

FEDS, TRUNK RIDE and WALLcreeper Friday, Feb. 5 at Annabell’s, 8 pm If gritty, heavy, beer-soaked punk rock fits your particular musical inclination, this lineup is right up your alley. While Punk Night is traditionally reserved for Mondays at Annabell’s, these local bands are bringing it loud, live and raw to kick off your weekend.

Music and the Mind Saturday, Feb. 6 at E.J. Thomas Hall, 8 pm What do a pianist and psychiatrist have in common? We’re not totally sure, but for Dr. Richard Kogan, there’s plenty of overlap. The renowned performer will bring a unique lecture-recital to E.J. Thomas that explores the role of music in healing.

His performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s most popular piano recital is dedicated to his hypnotist and will be conducted by Akron Symphony Music Director and Conductor Christopher Wilkins. Ticket prices begin at $25.

Red Rose Panic Saturday, Feb. 13 at Jilly’s Music Room Established in 2013 by frontman/songwriter Luminari, and guitarist/producer Styxx, Red Rose Panic is an Akron alternative collective, whose live shows span the musical spectrum from hip hop to rock, jazz to blues. The band’s unique style is illuminated through diverse and improvised stage performances. The band includes Dinareo Hill on drums, Cody Mansfield on bass, Marquis Brown on keyboard and Vinny Mansfield on guitar. All hailing from Akron, Red Rose Panic is etching its own distinct impressions within the city and beyond.

Roger Hoover Friday, Feb. 19 at G.A.R. Hall, 7:30 pm After years of involvement with local acclaimed acts the Whiskeyhounds, the Magpies and the Hurt, Hoover returns to the area with his timeless blend of folk, blues and Americana as part of the Peninsula Foundation’s Voices in the Valley performance showcase. Hoover delved headfirst into recording his new album, “Pastures of Plenty,” last month and is sure to debut a few original tunes at the show.

Sad Bastard’s Kevin Junior Tribute Sunday, Feb. 14 at Annabell’s To celebrate the life and prolific career of Akron born-and-raised musician Kevin Junior, a collective of “sad bastards,” a.k.a. local musicians, will perform a special anti-Valentine’s tribute dedicated to their friend. All money raised at Annabell’s that evening will be paid directly to Kevin’s family.

Anyone interested in performing a cover one of Kevin’s many inspiring songs can contact Jeff “Jck” Klemm via Facebook at facebook.com/thisisJCK.

Get On UP Friday, Feb. 12 at Jilly’s Music Room, 9 pm If you’re down to obey James Brown’s command to “get on up, stay on the scene,” then this is the event for you. The local group of funk-meets-soul musicians bring a party wherever they go and encourage audiences to hang up the 9-to-5, hit the dance floor and let loose.

The Allies, Pizza Ghost and The Dreemers Friday, Feb. 5 at Thursday’s Lounge, 8 pm If indie music is more your thing, Thursday’s is the place to be to begin the first weekend of February.

Reverb-soaked jams, lo-fi noise pop and eclectic garage soul will resound through the bar on East Exchange Street, proving Thursday isn’t the only night of the week to check out this Akron hot spot.

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"Love, Wesley": Valentine's Date Night w/ Wesley Bright Saturday, Feb. 13 at BLU Jazz+, 7 pm and 9:30 pm Akron’s honey-voiced soul machine hits the BLU stage for two special intimate performances, perfect for couples in search of Valentine’s weekend plans. Bright will be accompanied by Hi-Lights members Jimmy Parsons, Matt Garrett, Nathan-Paul Davis, Max Brady, Matthew DeRubertis

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Moustache Yourself Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Pub Bricco, 7:30 pm This 1930s-style gypsy jazz quartet will bring their unique sound and great facial hair to Pub Bricco for a free show. Moustache Yourself has been honing their sound and has a busy upcoming spring.

The Fifth Wheel Sunday, Feb. 14 at Thursday’s, 8 pm Back for their first Akron show in 15 years, local alternative rockers Josh Stone, Jeff Koval, Matt Coughlin, Ed Lewis, Joe McCormick and Jim Mizerock will be joined by special guest, John Finley, at the all-ages event. Tickets cost $8 at the door.

Hey Mavis Saturday, Feb. 20 at Akron Civic Theatre, 8 pm Born out of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park artist-in-residence program, Hey Mavis shot to considerable popularity after being discovered by producer Don Dixen of REM and Smithereens notoriety. The group will serenade audiences with fresh Americana/Appalachian music at an intimate cabaret set up inside the Civic Theatre. Local favorite Cody J. Martin will open the night with a set of folk, blues and country jams. Tickets for the event are $20. Seating is limited.

Interstates (etc.), Scare Words, Moltar, Dicpic and Limbs Bin Saturday, Feb. 20 at Hive Mind, 8 pm Send your February off on a warm, relaxing note with a night of noisy ambient soundscapes at Akron’s prime DIY space. New York’s Josh Landes will join the lineup of four distinct local creatives and their corresponding musical projects, creating an eclectic sensory collage of drone, distortion, industrial, glitchy beats and found-footage video.

A donation of $5 is suggested upon entrance, but none will be turned away for lack of funds.

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music & entertainment

Copali Serves Up Dynamic Funk with Debut EP

by Brittany Nader

Music has the ability to suspend a listener’s reality, transporting him or her to an alternate plane, a distant memory, or a some faraway, imagined place. Though the Akron streets and skies are painted with the dreary white-and-gray hue of winter, the sound of a local collective of musicians can instantly send city dwellers off to a warmer paradise where vibrant colors and timeless harmonies fill the landscape.

Just after the recent winter solstice, instrumental funk fusion band Copali released its self-titled debut album, lighting a match under the incendiary performers as they shot off like rockets to share their music with audiences in area venues.

Comprised of six prolific local musicians, the launch of the album put the group’s name on the map, their music adding a much-needed warmth and zest to this frigid season.

Copali spent the better part of the last year and a half perfecting its eclectic blend of bass-driven funk with calypso drums and breezy woodwinds.

Founded by The University of Akron percussion alumnus Blaine Klein, who serves as primary songwriter, and multiinstrumentalist Willow DiGiacomo, the group focuses more on creating an aural experience during on-stage performances than spending days holed away in practice spaces.

To document this organic type of methodology, the six musicians spent five straight hours recording the material live to get a feel for the audience’s experience with the music. The result of this, and recording sessions at Kenmore’s Just A Dream Entertainment Studios, is 11 fine-tuned tracks that expand the range of instrumental compositions to create a fluid, multifarious musical story.

The debut album kicks off with “Sax Funk,” showcasing — as the name suggests — saxophonist Lucas Rich’s skills, while the composition as a whole carves out a place for each piece of instrumentation to shine. Drummer Cameron Weichman and bass player Charles Klein

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

bring the rhythm section to the forefront of the listener’s mind with unyielding beats that carry the track through to the more theatrical “Rattle The Snake,” the second track on the disc.

This particular tune gives Blaine Klein’s otherwise tropical steel drums a more progressive sound, layered against an atmosphere of slow, steady rhythms. The addition of DiGiacomo’s clarinet lets the song play with the listener’s perception of time and dynamics, creating an eerie environment, especially as Mike Langman’s guitar slides in and out, leaving the audience alone with that sinister steel drum.

In the same track, Blaine Klein trades his drums for a jangly tambourine, turning the entire musical narrative upside down.

Each player drops his or her own instrument and creates a beat of handclaps midway through, calling upon classic call-and-response traditions and the childlike simplicity of making sounds with whatever one has got. The group is known to adjust its set to the particular venue the musicians perform in, scaling it back for smaller, intimate settings, or getting big, loud and fast with fiery songs like “Zapatos De Mantequilla” at large-scale music halls. The ability the performers have to adapt and create intricate, inventive compositions while building upon established rules and conventions highlights their skills and willingness to be a little funky and unapologetic in their style.

Each track on Copali’s debut album allows a particular musician to shine from the get go, from the moody “Dry,” which highlights DiGiacomo’s melodic clarinet woven with Rich’s smooth sax, to “What’s Next,” the circus-like finale. The song forms a question in the listener’s mind about where the music will take them, or what new, exciting and intricate compositions the players will think up next. The track flutters up and down, careful and steady, with a dash of unexpected vocal harmonies mixed in as it comes to a close. The result is an almost gospel-like chant, resounding as each instrument builds back up to join the lush texture of sound. Finally, the vocals grow louder, carrying

the audience to the end of the listening journey.

Curious listeners can check out the album for themselves at copalimusic.bandcamp.com, or

connect with Copali at Facebook.com/Copalimusic, Twitter.com/Copalimusic and Instagram.com/ Copalimusic. The group will perform at Jilly’s Music Room on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.

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music & entertainment

If you’ve frequented Annabell’s Bar and Lounge in the past few years, chances are you came across a fellow barfly and undoubtedly noticed him. A tall, pale figure with long, spiky razor cut hair, dressed in his signature uniform of tie, vest, black velvet jacket, pointy boots and tight dark jeans. In a bar full of punk rockers, young traveler kids and the PB&J-drinking regulars, Kevin Junior easily stood out.

remembering Kevin Junior

by Jason Willis

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| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

When I first started getting to know Kevin, there was a certain mysterious air about him, but what was most striking was how profoundly polite he was and how much he was genuinely interested in whatever you talked to him about. We first hit it off during a conversation about music, as musicians typically do, and he invited me to a solo set later that month in Annabell’s small upstairs bar. Seeing him perform for the first time revealed some of the enigma that was Kevin — a fantastic and unique voice, beautifully crafted songs and a commanding stage presence.

At times, hints of Kevin’s past would slowly come out in passing conversations about different musicians he had run with in New York and Chicago or tours he had done overseas. When he invited a friend and me to come see his band, the Chamber Strings, open up for Paul Weller of The Jam at the House of Blues in Cleveland, it started to dawn on me, “Wow, this guy is kind of a big deal.”

Kevin was modest though, so these trinkets of information didn’t come out randomly or in a bragging manner. They only came out slowly when related to something we were already talking about, and though it seemed so natural to him, it would be mind blowing to me. One example of these particular moments was when I was wearing a GG Allin button and he told me, “GG would have loved that.” I only knew GG Allin as the king of the most vile form of punk rock and disgrace, and I could only speak to how his art and his lifestyle had become one. GG fell into the character he created and lived out the role. Kevin told me he didn’t see his friend like that; he saw him as the person he had gone to the movies with, talked about music with and the tragedy that became GG’s life.

The way Kevin felt about GG was the way I, and many others around town, felt about Kevin. I didn’t know him as a rock star, or any sort of public figure honestly.

I just knew him as a friend I could count on seeing at the bar. In a similar sense, I didn’t understand the complexity of what brought Kevin to that point in his life.

During this time, I was aware of the Chamber Strings.

What I was not aware of was the fact that this was the Chamber Strings reincarnated in Cleveland only recently, the first formation of the band established

by Kevin in Chicago in 1997. The band had flown under the radar in terms of the mainstream but had great success as far as the indie world is concerned.

The acclaim of the group’s second album, “Month of Sundays,” and stints of rigorous touring landed them on stage with such acts as Wilco, The White Stripes and the Brian Jonestown Massacre — just a small list of bands and musicians Kevin was affiliated with throughout his career.

After his band’s demise, Kevin fought similar battles as so many musicians, including depression, drug addiction and its subsequent related health problems.

Kevin landed on his feet, however, and spent time in Europe writing and playing solo until he found his way back to Chicago, where the original Chamber Strings reunited in 2007 for their first show in five years.

Kevin returned to his hometown, Akron, and continued to play solo and eventually reimagined the Chamber Strings as a Cleveland act. As intrigued as I was by Kevin, I never thought to question him on his origins; his persona and history in music overcame me.

It wasn’t until his death on Saturday, Jan. 16 that I learned his full name: Kevin Bain Gerber, born Dec. 26, 1969. He was an extremely sweet, gentle and caring person, as many more who knew him better than I can tell you. I can say that it makes my heart swell with joy that I had the chance to know him at all. His legacy will easily live strong, because his music is timeless, and so rooted in human nature, that it speaks to us all.

(Photos by Jim Newberry)

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music & entertainment

“Rules Are for Breaking” Natalie Grace Martin’s Evolutionary Debut Words by Brittany Nader and Photos by Ilenia Pezzaniti

As any artist knows, evolution is an inevitable and important part of the process of creation. For Natalie Grace Martin, this evolution has become more than just an expected step in her work as a musician. The journey of finding herself and her voice quite literally saved her from driving her van off of a bridge. At that time, Martin was living a double life — one as Chris, the name she was given when assigned male at birth, and one as Natalie, the woman she knew she had been all along.

Martin grew up in Northeast Ohio, befriending local players like Alex Hoyt and Chris Baker while performing in the rhythm section of Wadsworth High School’s jazz band. Martin would become a prolific instrumentalist and vocalist around Akron, singing lead in a reggae band, Mr. Maze, with her “dream lineup” of Baker, Dan Kshywonis, Andy Cyphert and Joe Golden while also filling in as a bass player for groups like The Ruthless, Twin Atomic and Greenleaf during their reunion show at Annabell’s.

Moving west to study at the Musician's Institute of Hollywood, Martin lived in Los Angeles for six years, picking up several high-profile gigs – one as the keyboardist and backing vocalist for Avril Lavigne – and falling in love with an actress named Chandra in the process. While in the Hollywood Hills, Martin scored and co-directed a full-length musical before traveling back to Akron to work as a karaoke DJ around bars in the city. It was during the five years along the karaoke circuit, however, that Martin began to experience intense feelings of depression and anger.

“I had to be surrounded by drunk people all the time, every night, five times a week,” Martin says. “When people are drunk, it brings out the extremes in their personalities… By the end of a single night, I was just full of hate. Then I realized that none of that hatred was really about other people.”

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

An inner turmoil was swelling inside Martin, which she thought was a result of working in an environment full of belligerent, over-exaggerated men and women on a nightly basis. She realized that something very different was going on while experiencing a stifling and debilitating writer’s block. This was after years of creating music, signing to a record label and recording two albums as solo artist C. Mardo Martin.

“After that second album — brick wall,” Martin says. “I was like, ‘What’s wrong with me? I’ve been writing something every day for 13 years, and now, nothing.’”

Martin’s first thought was that she had tapped out all of her creative resources to their fullest extent and was exhausted from long days and nights creating new material and playing out as a solo performer. The writer’s block lasted two years.

Martin recognized something was wrong that she hadn’t been addressing for a long time.

“That’s when everything started to come to light about all the things I had been repressing my entire life,” Martin says.

“That’s why I hid myself in the arts and music,” she says. “Because it was the one area of work where men can be emotive and not shy away from feeling something.”

Escaping into her creative endeavors is an important lesson Martin teaches her contemporary vocal performance students at the Fairlawn School of Music, where she now works, having handed her karaoke gig off to her wife. People, she says, assume she gave up her DJ career when she came out, and while it’s true that she struggled with the concept of living as Natalie during the day while she taught her students, and Chris at night when she worked in the bars, she has been busy much of the last year working on her own solo material as a vocalist and keyboard player.

“People live vicariously through singers – particularly guys,” she says. “In a society where emotion is taboo, guys are so repressed when It comes to any emotion. But what they can do is sit back and enjoy [listening to] a man pouring his heart into a microphone.”

With the new release and monthly performance slots at Uncorked in her schedule, Natalie still carries some anxiety about being accepted for who she is. She stresses that she doesn’t want the fact that she is a transgender woman to overshadow her work as a musician. Martin comes from a family of musicians and has accumulated years of varied experience learning and teaching a wide range of skills and instruments. After an encouraging outpouring of love and acceptance from her parents and wife, getting back into the Akron music scene was the biggest fear she had left after coming out as a trans woman, she explains.

“A huge misconception a lot of people have and don’t understand is transgender is a lifelong ordeal,” Martin explains. “It’s a biological condition that happens in the womb. This is how we are born.”

Martin’s initial challenge was in determining how she was going to continue doing what she loved without completely disavowing the huge body of work she had amassed as C. Mardo Martin. She realized the only way to proceed was to own it – this, she says, snowballed into many other things she realized she would have to own now that she was living her authentic life.

The musician, who chose her new legal name because it is “one letter away from ‘Not a lie,’” will In September 2013, Martin came out to Chandra, debut her first, full-length album as Natalie Grace her then-wife and the mother of the couple’s oldest Martin on Feb. 29. The leap day release will be child. At the time, Chandra was eight months titled “Rules Are For Breaking,” and Martin plans to // Brittany Nader studied magazine journalism and works pregnant with their second baby. Martin wrote celebrate the recording at a release show on March as a Content Marketing Specialist. She enjoys immersing herself in the local music scene and sharing others' stories long letters to her family, sat each relative down 2 at Uncorked Wine Bar. with the community. and read the written words aloud. She explained to her loved ones that she was a transgender woman, Martin says the album serves as a solid that all the work she had done as a musician up to representation of how her style and songs have this point wasn’t really her work, that it belonged evolved, with a track list full of contemporary pop to “Chris” and was largely responsible for her covers that have been flipped and turned upside Check out writer’s block. She explains she didn’t come to down. One may be a traditionally slow ballad that Natalie Grace Martin’s new sound: terms with her gender dysphoria before age 30, Martin performs with an upbeat funk flavor. Others facebook.com/cmardomartin mostly due to a brother who mocked and bullied are “evil sounding” renditions of radio hits, mixed reverbnation.com/nataliegracemartin her for participating in “girlish” activities or with unexpected mashups belted out by Martin’s acting in any way that was considered even signature, androgynous high tenor vocals. remotely feminine.

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music & entertainment

Sunday Games with the Ladies

WHAT HAPPENS IN A WOMEN-ONLY MEETUP.COM GROUP

by Mary Menzemer

For the first time in my life, I attended a Meetup. com event. For those who are unsure what Meetup is, it is a place online where people go to find others who share their interests. They can go to different local events and meet people similar to themselves. For some, attending Meetup events is a regular part of their social life. For so many others, such as myself, it is something they signed up for a long time ago and kept forgetting about.

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Meetup is great because it gives you a reason to go out and about and mingle with people while expecting each other’s presences. Walking up to a group of strangers and introducing yourself is not likely to reap the same result in any other random situation. On the flip side, Meetup is not so great because the fear of rejection or isolation holds many back from attending anything at all.

The Meetup I attended was for a group called Ladies Night Out and More, organized by Shirley Drayer, a native of Texas who is relatively new to Akron.

“There’s a lot more individually owned places here — small, unique places,” says Drayer. “Things you don’t find everywhere.”

She decided to hold the Sunday event at one of these unique places called The Malted Meeple, a nifty little establishment on Darrow Road that offers hobby gaming, craft milkshakes and beer, as well as other local eats and drinks.

Although I was the youngest of the crowd, which ranged more towards the 30-50’s range, I by no means felt excluded during any point in time during the Meetup. After chatting for the first hour or so, we decided to play a game called Snake Oil, which is in the same vein as Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity.

The players each picked six cards with random nouns written on them and had to combine two to make a product to sell to a particular type of customer. Products like “Death Rake,” “Animal Slide,” “Moon Music” and “Worm Tofu” were pitched to cowboys, tree-huggers, zombies or high school dropouts. Whoever made the best pitch for their product won the customer card.

Playing this kind of silly, yet imaginative, game was a great way to get people laughing and to help break the ice among the newer members. Eventgoers were also enjoying snacks, tea, hot cocoa and milkshakes during the game, all of which provided good conversation starters. (continued on page 32)

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FILM FREAK

music & entertainment

Spotlight: Ryan Renyolds But why buy the cow?

Fourteen years prior to becoming Deadpool, the world was just getting to know Ryan Reynolds from a supporting role that he had in 2002's “Buying The Cow.” Ryan only had a few small roles before then, but his role as Mike Hansen gave the world a sneak preview into one of the most charismatic actors of our time. Over the course of a stacked filmography, Reynolds went on to star in bigbudget blockbusters like “The Green Lantern” and “R.I.P.D,” while also offering a sensitive side in films like “Definitely Maybe” and “The Proposal.”

“Buying The Cow” centers around a commitment freak named David Collins (Jerry O'Connell) living in Los Angeles with his supportive girlfriend Sarah (Bridgette Wilson). When Sarah sees their future going nowhere, she gives David an ultimatum: commit or get out. David has two months to decide if he wants to stay with Sarah as she leaves town for a job in New York, or test the dating waters to see if he still has it. Following the advice

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

by Chris Kessinger from his more outgoing friends (Bill Bellamy, Ryan Reynolds), David hits the dating scene as he tries to find his one and only soulmate, a mysterious woman (Scarlett Chorvat) whom he sees again and again, but who always gets away before he can talk to her.

The film's well-known cast members each have their time to shine, but it's Reynolds who steals the show without ever giving it back. Mike Hanson is a character who has bounced from woman to woman over the course of his life, but is questioning his sexuality for the first time ever.

He has an epiphany after a mix-up that has him waking up to a man serving him breakfast: maybe the reason he can't get close to anyone is because he is “playing for the wrong team.” It makes for some truly gut-busting scenarios, while offering an informative social commentary on gay relations in the early 21st century. Reynolds commands the attention of the audience with his unique personality traits reminiscent of the late, great Jack Benny. The biggest surprise of Hansen's life is a misunderstanding, but what follows is pure comedy gold for any Reynolds fan. His quick-witted replies have the audience hanging onto every word of his dialogue, and you quickly notice that

Reynolds is probably the character this film should be following.

The material is a bit juvenile at times, but “Buying The Cow” has something to offer everyone based on its inside looks at the male psyche. The friendships feel honest in their portrayal, and that is sometimes the hardest thing to capture in twisted comedies. This is a group of friends who wants the most for their troubled leader, and it's nice to have that kind of entrance into their brotherhood.

Ladies will love this cast of characters, as many scenes showcase the kinds of dumb things a guy will do to go home with the one he desires. At 88 minutes, the film's plot is kind of limited in terms of its capabilities to branch out and seek something more than the predictable outcomes; however, the energetic enigma that is Reynolds keeps this film on track.

The soundtrack includes hits from every genre of the era. Some of my favorites featured are “Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band, “Freakin’ You” by The Jungle Brothers, and “Cars”

by Gary Numan, which accompanies a testicle-tuck scene involving Reynolds. Yes, you read that last part correct. These songs and many more suggest a

nostalgic fascination with the retro.

It's a happening, toe-tapping kind of soundtrack that reflects the good times to be had in this story.

Director Walt Becker knew he had a star on his hands-- so much so that he later cast Reynolds as the title role in the 2002 smash hit, “National Lampoon's Van Wilder.” Even though that film is more well-known, “Buying The Cow” is a gem that shouldn't be understated for its return value on one of Hollywood's biggest stars. It's a film that provides a look inside of ourselves and the relationships that we seek when it comes to exploring the most out of life. A deep-rooted message that not many buddy-comedies were providing for the time. I personally am looking forward to seeing “Deadpool,” and I hope it serves as a reminder that Reynolds can be that guy who carries a film. He just has to have the material that shines to his brand of humor and charm. // You can find more of The Film Freak's film reviews at Thefilmfreak.com

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misc. (continued from page 30) Those who do regularly attend Meetup events are a lot more likely to make lifelong friendships, Drayer says. “There are definitely people who get together regularly to do things who have met through this group,” she says. “I’ve stayed friends with people I’ve met through Meetup, and it’s great.”

Being a woman surrounded by other women, however, isn’t always the easiest thing, especially when a group of friends is prone to drama.

However, perhaps the Meetup world is different than the real world.

“I like women-only groups because women who go to women-only groups do not have any drama,” says Susan Madar, an attendee of the Sunday game event. “People are just looking to be nice and have fun. There’s no competition or anything weird.”

Drayer, if anyone, would know. This isn’t her first rodeo when it comes to organizing Meetup. com groups. She is also the organizer of the NEO Dating Games for Singles 40+.

“I don’t feel like women should feel like it’s a holiday they can’t celebrate because of their relationship status” says Drayer. “I think they should celebrate whatever relationships they have, whether it’s with friends, family, or children. I think it’s the time to celebrate whatever kind of love you have in your life.”

Madar says, “Culturally, we all prefer to do something romantic, but many of us aren’t in that situation. One of my favorite non-romantic things is just dinner and wine. In fact, a few years ago I had dinner and wine with this one woman I didn’t know that well, and it was such a riot. It was almost my favorite memory of a Valentine’s Day.” Whether you’re looking to meet someone special to spend Valentine’s Day with or just have fun sharing an interest with the ladies (or men), Meetup is a great resource that is never sapped of opportunities for entertainment. // Mary Menzemer wishes more people played Scrabble

“It’s a little different the way older people make friends and socialize,” says Drayer. “I want to get people in the group talking to each other instead of just sitting around and eating.”

themselves, unadorned, letting the real food speak for itself. Though I enjoyed both the carne asada and the carnitas, I am almost always partial to carnitas and this was no exception.

Get the carnitas.

NEO Dating Games group at the Blue Rock Café in Hudson. However, for those who prefer nonromantic Valentine’s Day activities, both Drayer and Madar have suggestions.

instead of Words with Friends.

Photo credits: Isaac Kelley

This is what Drayer hopes to accomplish with the Valentine’s Day Party she is organizing for the

We Get You ...

(continued from page 15) the money shaming! I ordered two: one carne asada and one carnitas.

When I saw the description for disco fries, it was love at first sight. A bunch of fries smothered in sour cream, guacamole, and chihuahua cheese.

Like, do I even need to say anything besides that?

It speaks for itself. The fries went into the frier and I watched my street tacos come together. With the option of corn or flour tortillas, I always choose corn. I believe corn tortillas to be far superior; earthy and unassuming they do not mask flavors in a starchy wash, rather they enhance. My street tacos were presented to me simply and beautifully: two corn tortillas layered under a scoop of meat, cilantro, and onions. The very friendly and helpful taco artist who made my tacos also suggested the spicy salsa verde. In case you didn’t already know, salsa verde is my favorite kind of salsa, so once again, I was intrigued.

Special shout-out also goes to the burrito, which does not kid around. That thing has some weight (I will be getting one in the near future) and guac is a given (which is a game changer). There was plenty of meat, as well as everything else (beans, cheese, sour cream, rice, guac). I was lucky enough to be granted a couple of bites by Ryan, who ate the whole thing and loved every minute.

In the wake of our taco feast, we washed it all down with Coronas, and if only for a minute, I was warmed. // Holly Brown is getting her MFA in poetry through the NEOMFA. You can read some of her new poems at jellyfishmagazine.org (shameless plug). Her New Year’s resolution is to find as many different kinds of loaded french fry dishes as possible.

I grabbed my taco, gave it a squirt of salsa verde, and dug in. No flavors overpowered and everything worked together. I love street tacos for being totally

El Gato Taqueria 209 S Main St, Akron Tues-Sat 11-10

(continued from page 19)

away, far away from Akron. Though he is far removed, he is able to relate to the kids in Akron who are or were like him at one point - driven, imaginative and global.

the elaborate designs were found in his own backyard -- both the haute couture and street style of New York City.

“It’s important as a designer to stay current,” he said. “It’s important to know what’s happening with fashion and with urban people. People’s styles show how they live and what excites them, and that’s what’s truly expressive.”

For the rest of us, we click our heels together and say, well, there’s no place like home. // Mary Menzemer is a wiz at making terrible puns.

Tazewell also emphasized the importance of teamwork and the transfer of creative energies both in the beginning and intermediate stages of manufacturing designs for such a production.

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After I had begun my taco endeavor, I went for the disco fries. I don’t know what to tell you other than they are gloriously decadent.

Could I have eaten the whole order by myself? Yes. Also, disco fries? That’s a killer name.

Do not hesitate to also put salsa verde on the disco fries.

| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

For young artists who desire success, Tazewell gave this advice: “Find the thing that you love to do that you find yourself able to express creatively, and make it your life. The many interests I have in research, literature, history, anthropology, storytelling and working with my hands created a strong profession for me.”

By following his creative instinct, Tazewell was truly able to make his interests his life, and thus was carried

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Well, I hope you liked my first article on the mysteries of Space. The logical follow up to that topic is an obvious choice: Time Travel.

So, I’m going to call this little article, "I'll See You Tomorrow, Yesterday."

By Georgio Pelogrande (@GPelogrande)

(About)

About Things I Think

Misc.

What is time? What is travel? These may be questions that will never have an answer. Or perhaps these are questions that will never be answered with anything other than guesses and lies. For truly, no one knows the heart of a woman just as no one knows the mind of an Alaskan Wolfhound. But, even more mysterious is the science of time travel. Let’s explore.

Albert Feinstein once said that if a person were to ride a bicycle next to a beam of light (presumably traveling at the speed of light) and they were to glance upon the light beam, it would probably burn their eyeballs and cause them to go blind. So instead, they should look away from the beam of light, close their eyes and imagine they were riding a bicycle next to a beam of light. Then, time would neither stand still nor… I mean, then if the light beam were to have someone riding on it… Well, I forget what the point was. Anyways, you should never ever ride a bicycle next to a beam of light and

look at it (the beam of light, not the bicycle.)

Orville Redenbacher and Wilbur Wright invented the first bicycle in 1492; the same year America was invented in Nova Scotia. Little did they know that St. Brendan of Ireland had already been to the U.S.A. in approximately 500 A.D. But, he didn’t ride a bicycle on his epic journey because it hadn’t been invented yet. Instead, he drove a boat and when that boat sank, he rode on the back of a whale the rest of the way. Hence, the need for time travel became evident.

Indeed, if St. Brendan had such a device he could have used it to travel ahead in time and bought a bicycle and saved himself a lot of time and aggravation. My cousin Fippo and I were discussing this and he suggested that St. Brendan could not have done any such thing because (in my theory) I didn’t adjust for inflation over such a vast period of time. I quickly dismissed that objection with the following facts: Fact #1: The first bicycle tires didn’t have air in them (even though Fippo’s head is full of it.)

Fact #2: If the tires needed inflated, all he had to do is buy a tire pump.

Whether this deal with HEP takes place, Scarborough’s plan is still built on creating a “hub and spoke” system. This would eventually include a physical international presence and main campus programs engineered to attract more international students, who pay more than even out-of-state students. Coupled with a growing pipeline for high school students in dual enrollment programs and online classes, this is how Scarborough plans to increase enrollment above 31,000 within five years, which is stated goal.

Two of Scarborough’s controversial hires also seem specifically suited to support these efforts. (continued from page 5) discussions but told The Devil Strip he has taken the potential HEP deal to select constituents on campus and in the community to get their buy-in and feedback. Those who heard the idea were first required to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

At the time this story was originally published online, neither Summit County Executive Russ Pry nor Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan had spoken with anyone from the university about the possibility of a deal with Higher Education Partners. A couple days after the story ran, Scarborough called Pry and the two had breakfast at the Mustard Seed with Horrigan.

The cover letter to CAST Dean Todd Rickel’s debated CV touts his experience leading “online, dual enrollment and international offerings” and managing satellite locations during his time with for-profit colleges like Herzing University and the University of Phoenix. In addition to her global corporate and overseas teaching experience, Honors College Dean Lakeesha Ransom has degrees in international development education and international business.

While the two top-ranking elected local officials hadn’t been consulted, sources say Perik, who once ran The Princeton Review and co-founded SoftKey Education Software with Kevin O’Leary (bka as “Mr. Wonderful” on ABC’s “Shark Tank”), was in the room outside the first meeting of the business executives’ advisory council.

With an increased scale of students, Scarborough says the university could employ a “super professor” model for large online courses. As described in the president’s presentation slide deck, tenured professors would be in charge of a sort of mini-department, making them responsible for the curriculum that is turned over to an “instructional designer” to convert for use online so “course marketers” can shop the class to potential students all over the world. Meanwhile, part-time adjuncts and graduate assistants guide student instruction while success coaches check in with students.

Scarborough said Perik was not present in the meeting but refused to comment on whether Perik was in the building. “No, I can’t tell you that,” Scarborough said.

Ultimately, Scarborough says the increased revenue would result in more reinvestment in programs on the main campus that don’t pay for themselves..

“So all the high-end research and traditional

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Fact #3: Finally, if St. Brendan had a time machine he could go to any time and therefore would have bought a Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail and tricked it out with Beach Comber handle bars and Screamin’ Eagle exhaust pipes and just traveled that way. Duh. So, is time travel real? I don’t know. In fact no one does, but one thing is for sure: bicycles are real.

And no one ever thought of that before they were invented so anything is possible.

I will now leave you with my favorite quote about time travel:

“For if left only to the mind of the traveler who sits still, we shall never traverse space and time to come to a more perfect solution for discovery.”

— Georgio Pelogrande

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

student experience that has both intellectual and character development, that’s going to happen here,” he said last October, describing the impact on the main campus.

In the same interview, however, Scarborough struggled to explain how he plans to improve the University of Akron’s six-year graduation rate, which at 41 percent is the fourth lowest among large public universities in the Great Lake Region.

For UA’s black student population, the news is worse. Only 12 percent of those who enrolled in 2008 had graduated by 2014. With deep cuts in the academic support provided by the Office Multicultural Development, those figures aren’t expected to improve substantially.

This low graduation rate means thousands of students rack up thousands in student debt and then have to leave the university without a degree to help pay it off.

The university’s department of Student Success sustained the largest number of layoffs last summer and has seen several of its top talent take jobs at other colleges and universities. During the interview last October, he dismissed concerns about the high workload of students the university’s success coaches have, citing his own personal experience in a similar but volunteer role at DePaul University, where he was responsible for the sale of Barat College to Academic Partnerships, the forprofit that now runs UA’s online RN to BSN program.

“What I found is that I spent the majority—the preponderance of my time—on five students, out of the 50,” he said. “So, I walked away from that experience saying, ‘Even though we’re giving people, who have a full-time job doing this, 250 students, they’re going to spend the majority of their time on 25 of them.’ But if they can help those 25 through the process in a way that, um,

helps them graduate, that will be the marginal difference we can make that gets us up above the predictable success rate of, say, 46 percent.”

Scarborough says his hope for reaching the national average is doing nothing except offering success coaches and admitting fewer unprepared students.

“I would argue that even if we did nothing different, we will get to that 46 and here’s why: It is because we went from being an open enrollment institution in 2011 to a traditional enrollment so our graduation rate is going to improve, just by virtue who we’re not letting in anymore.”

For a deal with HEP and/or ITT Tech to move forward, Jeff Robinson, communications director for the Ohio Department of Higher Education, says it would have to be approved by the Board of Trustees.

“Our office would be involved only at the point of review and approval of the programs that would be offered and where they would be offered.”

Board of Regents Chair Vinny Gupta, who sources said had accompanied Perik to Akron, answered the first call made by The Devil Strip, paused for about 20 seconds when asked about HEP and then asked to speak later before hanging up. He did not answer subsequent calls.

A spokesman for the US Department of Education says the only oversight their officials would provide in an acquisition of an educational institution is to analyze whether any Title IV funding limits should be placed on the new owners.

“This would only be applicable to the eligibility for disbursing Title IV funds. Outside of that scope, the Department has no jurisdiction over the approval of corporate mergers and acquisitions.”

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2 /

THE Devil Strip |

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urine luck

UrineLuck:

Bakeries and Backs

inventory in working order (toilet, sink, a clearly labeled tiny trash can for feminine products, foam soap, and an automatic paper towel dispenser).

I wasn’t getting a lot of action on the foam soap dispenser, but don’t worry, everything turned out okay.

The men’s room at Minorik is clean and pleasantly decorated with a fake plant, two paintings, and quiet colors. From the few men’s rooms I have experienced in my life, this one is above par. One sink, one toilet, and a urinal. Everything was functional, though I cannot vouch for the quality of the urinal as I have never personally used one.

It did have two mystery hairs on it, but it was otherwise very clean. Men seem to make a lot of mystery hairs, so I doubt the hair presence is out of the ordinary, and, unless someone is cleaning this bathroom every five minutes, then rogue man hairs are to be expected. At least they weren’t in the damn sink. Not that I know anything about that.

I’m not criticizing the lack of a changing table, I’m just pointing out its absence because it is a thing I notice after toting a kid around for nearly two years now. Soon we won’t have to worry about diapers, and I’ll be back to not caring about changing tables. But a unisex bathroom is pretty awesome anyway: it’s a space for everyone. And the floor is clean enough that you could lay down a changing pad and change a diaper that way.

Sweet Mary’s Bakery on E. Mill Street Pee for Pie

by Emily Dressler We stopped in Sweet Mary’s on a cold Saturday morning for some sweets and savorys. I like a bakery that has both. I expected more of a bakery smell, both in the bakery itself and the bathroom.

Sweet Mary’s is relatively new, so I’m sure the bakery smell will permeate in due time. Admittedly, a bakery-smelling bathroom would be off-putting.

Especially a second-hand bakery smell, if you know what I mean.

The unisex bathroom, located in the back of the bakery to the left, has one of my favorite color combinations: white, bright yellow, and dark gray.

It doesn’t look like a football jersey, I promise. It looks classy, and the bright white tile makes the room sparkle. This remarkably clean and wellstocked bathroom includes standard bathroom

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The small can of gray paint keeping the door open is my favorite part. I’m guessing this door stop is meant to keep the bathroom warm when not in use? Whatever its actual purpose, it’s like that little can of gray paint was sitting there saying “Hey, don’t forget about me. I helped make that bathroom.” I put it back when I left. Doing my part.

I should have left my husband and toddler out front, where they were content to look out the window at traffic and the folks setting up shop in the new Rubber City Comics store next door. I should have left them there, taken my French Toast pie into the bathroom, and sat on the floor to eat it. The bathroom is that clean. If you don’t go to Sweet Mary’s for the bathroom, go there for the pie. Or both.

Sweet Mary’s Bakery gets my first ever 5 out of 5 toilets.

Sweet Mary's Bakery 76 E. Mill Street Akron, Ohio 44308 234.706.6608 M - F: 7 am - 2 pm Saturday: 10 am - 3 pm

| THE Devil Strip / FEBRUARY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #2

The paper towel placement over the toilet was a bit strange, but because they were not directly above the toilet, I don’t think splashback is a gigantic concern—except for the germophobes.

Manipulation in the Men’s Room at Minorik Chiropractic on West Market Marissa Marangoni You know what they say: step on a crack, break your mama’s back. And if this happens, you may find yourself at Minorik Chiropractic. If you do and are in need of more than just a cracking, there are two home-style bathrooms located down the hall from the lobby and to the right.

This bathroom gets a 4.5/5 toilet rating from me for meeting all manly needs while still offering a woman-friendly space.

Minorik Chiropractic 2620 W. Market St. Akron, OH 44313 330.869.6566 M - F: 8 am - 12 pm, 2 - 6 pm Saturday: 8 - 11 am

The other week when I showed up early for an appointment, I trekked from the lobby to the restrooms. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the women’s bathroom was occupado. I was faced with a decision that, perhaps, in other situations would have been more difficult to make, but at five months pregnant, that decision was quite simple: pee my pants or take the plunge into the unknown territory of the men’s room. I chose the latter.

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