Toledo Free Press STAR – June 1, 2011

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“POP MUSIC IS ASPIRIN AND THE BLUES ARE VITAMINS. “ — PETER TORK

FESTIVALS: Old West End gets its Wamba on 4 EXHIBITS: Nate Masternak at Secor Studios 5 CLUBS: Murphy’s Place closes 6 COMICS: DC approaches ‘Flashpoint’ 7 JURICH: A place to call home 8 THE PULSE: Calendar of events 12 ON THE ROX: My Sister’s House benefit 14 McGinnis: Carlos Mencia at Connxtions 18

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Carlos Mencia at Connxtions • Paul ‘Rockstar’ Sagert • Tom Guyton of the old west end festival JUNE 1, 2011 • Episode 2 Chapter 22 • Toledo Free Press Star, Toledo, OH: “The Blues — the sound of a sinner on revival day ” — William Christopher Handy

The Get Up Kids play Headliners with Saves the Day

By Jason Mack Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer jmack@toledofreepress.com

The Get Up Kids is touring with a new album for the first time since the band broke up in 2005.

“I was just over it,” lead singer Matthew Pryor said. “I quit the band. I wanted to stop touring and be home with my family. I totally intended for it to be a permanent thing. It was a foolish decision. We really just needed an extended break away from each other. We’d been touring for 10 solid years with no break.”

The band reunited in 2008 for a tour commemorating the 10th anniversary of its breakthrough album “Something To Write Home About.” The album sold more than 140,000 copies, making Vagrant Records one of the top indie labels and sending the band on a worldwide tour.

“We try not to live much in the past unless we have to,” Pryor said. “It’s weird to think that was so long ago. I still remember everything about that album really clearly.”

Reuniting went so well the band decided to start writing together again.

“We had gotten together and played a handful of shows,” Pryor said. “We were getting along really well, which was part of the reason we got back together. It just spawned off as a spur of the moment decision backstage at a festival. We said we’d try again, and if it sounded good, cool. If not, nobody had to know.”

People know now after the release of “There Are Rules.” The band took a democratic approach to songwriting for the new album with contributions from Pryor, lead guitarist Jim Suptic, bass player Rob Pope, drummer Ryan Pope and keyboardist

James Dewees. After four albums with The Get Up Kids, six with The New Amsterdams, two with The Terrible Twos and his solo album “Confidence Man,” Pryor welcomed the change of pace.

“It’s a lot less pressure on me, except for lyrical stuff,” he said. “It’s cool because almost everyone in the band is a songwriter. Now the band doesn’t sound like the individuals. It sounds like the homogeny of all five of our inputs. We’re really happy with it. We challenged ourselves creatively, and some really cool things came out of it.”

“There Are Rules” is the band’s first record apart from Vagrant since its debut “Four Minute Mile” was released by Doghouse. The Get Up Kids continued evolving by creating its own label called Quality Hill Records to self-release the new album.

“We wanted to try and take that plunge and next step to become completely independent artists,” Pryor said. “We always had great relationships with our labels over the years. It wasn’t a reflection on them. It’s like we wanted to drive our own car as opposed to being driven around all the time.”

While Pryor is glad to be performing again, the band is limiting its time on the road to avoid getting burned out again.

“I really enjoy playing music,” Pryor said. “We try to keep it so we have enough time off in between tours to recuperate. We try not to keep the tours very long. Our tour with Saves the Day is only 10 days. We try to keep it like that.”

The band is co-headlining 10 shows with Saves the Day from June 2-12 then taking two months off before touring Australia.

“I’ve done a bunch of shows with [lead singer Chris] Conley before,” Pryor said. “We’ve toured with them overseas before and have known them for a while. It’s a natural fit.” O

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“I like blues but it is music I am too ignorant to understand.” — BARRY GIBB

All hail King Wamba

Old West End Festival features tours, art, music and more.

By Kathryn Milstein Toledo Free Press STAR Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

The 40th annual Historic Old West End Festival will feature tours of five houses built no later than 1913. The homes range from the Reynolds-Secor Home Mansion View Inn with 18 rooms to the Anthony J. Gallagher House with four bedrooms and terrazzo on the front porch.

“They’re all absolutely fabulous houses and are definitely worth the tour,” said Kent Illenden, the festival publicity chair. “Every house on the tour has had a lot of restoration or updating on various parts of the house.”

Also at the festival, June 4 and June 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be an art fair surrounding the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion with about 100 artists. About 10 food vendors will sell carnival-type food.

Illenden said he expects about 10,000 people to attend the festival, similar to last year.

June 4 will also feature the King Wamba Carnival Parade at 10 a.m. and a car show under the trees of Toledo Spain Park. The parade will include floats, art cars, performance art and musical presentations.

The Old West End/Toledo Symphony Stampede is a 5K run that will take place June 5, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m and the race starting at 9 a.m.

“The route is all through the Old West End and then the symphony provides little combo groups,” Illenden said. “They have a half-dozen or more of these groups set so that as you walk or run this route, you hear these groups.”

Tom Guyton, the race committee chair, said he expects to see about 150 runners this year, an increase from last year’s 125 runners, but could see up to 200 runners.

The 5K began last year when Dan Schmitt, the festival committee president, asked Guyton to be the race director.

Festival proceeds will go to the Historic Old West End Association (OWE), which uses the

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funds for architecture preservation, education scholarships, music in the park community concerts and several committees.

Registration will cost $15 for children 12 and younger and $25 for those 13 and older.

Proceeds from the 5K will be split between the

symphony and the OWE. A tour of one home costs $4, and all-house tour tickets costs $12. Advance tickets are $10, and children younger than 12 are free.

Donating four canned goods or canned pet food goods at the festival will reduce the tour

tickets to $10.

The canned goods will benefit “Feed Your Neighbor.” The canned pet food goods will go to the “Humane Ohio Pet Food Bank.”

For more information, visit the web site www. toledooldwestend.com. O

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“I like the blues a lot. I grew up on it.” — MORGAN FREEMAN

By John Dorsey Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

Nate Masternak’s latest exhibit is more than a portrait of an artist as a young man; it is a journey into the creative process. Masternak’s “Analytical Odysseys 2011” marks his solo debut.

The exhibit is set to open at 6 p.m. June 3 in The Secor Studios sixth floor gallery.

“This is honestly the first solo show I’ve had in a real gallery space. The subject matter of the work in the show is thoughts, feelings, ideas, and logic. That’s where the title comes from. The best thing about working in the Secor is all of the connections I’ve made with other artists, before I came here I was working alone out of my parents’ basement,” Masternak said. “I’ve been drawing since I was very young, painting came later, but it wasn’t until I was in the Arts Commission’s Young Artist at Work program that I was pleased with what I was doing. That program was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life.

Up until then I wasn’t really sure how far my talent could take me.”

Masternak’s talent has been showcased in

group shows at highly respected venues such as the Parkwood Gallery, the Sanger Branch Library, Artomatic 419!, 20 North Gallery, and the Toledo Museum of Art. He has also been involved with a number of community projects such as the mural for Cherry Street Mission, created with Ben Miller through Dr. Lorna Gonsalves’ Community HeArtbeats organization in 2007 and the Arts Commission’s mix twenty10 fundraiser.

“One of my biggest influences as an artist is Terry Burton. He taught me about art and when I started to see him selling his work, that’s when I started to think that being an artist was something that I could do. I have a number of things coming up, including a group show at the Arts Commission’s Parkwood Gallery and I’m looking to get involved with Prizm. I’m also currently working on getting my own website going.

There’s just a lot going on.”

The opening will also feature live music by Stephen Masternak and will run until 11 p.m.

The Secor Studios are located at 425 Jefferson Ave. in Downtown Toledo. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

For more information on display dates visit the Secor Artists page on Facebook. O

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Nate Masternak exhibit to open at Secor Studios

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”Go ahead and play the blues if it’ll make you happy.” — Dan Castellaneta

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Murphy’s Place closed following its final performance May 31. Owner and bassist Clifford Murphy performed along with pianist Claude Black and several other local musicians before the landmark Toledo jazz club shut down after more than 20 years in business.

“He’s happy and relieved,” said Clifford’s daughter Deborah Murphy. “The only sad point will be missing the various ones coming in, all the people he’s been singing with down through the years. He set the platform here at Murphy’s Place for many high schools, jazz clubs, the school of the arts and universities.

He’s a teacher by heart.”

Deborah said the closing is bittersweet for her as well.

“I have mixed feelings, but my first one would be relief,” Deborah said. “I’m happy that my dad is happy. I’m close to him, and I want what’s best for him. Music is his medicine. I want him to continue to get as much medicine as needed.”

Clifford plans to continue performing after the closing of his club.

“That is the one thing he wants to do, and he wants to do it without the responsibility of owning a club,” Deborah said.

Clifford and his partner Joan Russell opened the club in 1991. Russell, who man-

aged the club’s business operations, died from complications of a stroke Jan. 5. Since Russell’s death, Deborah and her brother Kevin Murphy have run the club.

“We love Toledo and we love our supporters,” Deborah said. “We want to thank those who have supported us down through the years, the singers, the waitresses, the musicians and the loyal customers. We truly want to thank them.”

The club featured live music six days a week with performances from the Clifford Murphy Trio along with local and national musicians.

“This was the last premier jazz club in Toledo to close its doors,” Deborah said. “There is a great history that will be looked at and admired for years to come.”

The club’s lease runs through the middle of June, but it began vacating the premises on June 1. Employees were notified of the closing May 28.

“This is a great location for a music venue, and we hope a new owner might step in and give it new blood,” Deborah said.

“All we did was close the book on one chapter, and we’ll open it for another. Life moves on. The music will always be there.” O — Jason Mack Ca C rry ate ou ring t a an va d ila ble !

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By the end of summer, the DC Comics universe you know and love could be gone forever. The venerable company has no titles solicited past August, and has reportedly put a gag-order on its creators, having them sign confidentiality agreements regarding what’s to come next. Is it a complete reboot of its 75-year history? A re-setting of the numbering on its entire line? What’s up? One word: “Flashpoint.”

Some longtime DC fans aren’t too thrilled at the prospect of change, which puts the company in the precarious position of freshening its material and risking the alienation of older readers with money to burn. It could be all hype, but DC marketing slogans like “Everything You Know Will Change in a Flash” are hard to ignore. Retailers have already found the unprecedented barrage of “Flashpoint” tie-in titles — almost two dozen at last count — to be something of a strain on their traditional ordering practices. So, for them, the event could be a game-changer ... or a flash in the pan. “‘Flashpoint’ is almost completely built around the last few years’ worth of DC Comics

continuity,” said Ed Katschke of Monarch Cards and Comics. “Plot twists and character changes which may present wide-eyed shock to the regular followers of DC Comics are going to be difficult for the ‘civilian’ reader to comprehend.

The example I would use is that in the world of ‘Flashpoint,’ Citizen Cold is apparently a great hero, while in the regular DC Universe he is the leader of a group of supervillains. I can’t help but wonder how much impact his change in circumstance is going to have on the casual or new reader. “‘Flashpoint’ gives us an alternate DC Universe that has been apparently brought to the brink of ruin by its superhuman populace. Writer Geoff Johns is usually quite good at incorporating obscure bits of DC history into his stories and this plot is no exception.

As a reader myself, I must admit I always think that it’s fun to be dropped into these alternate situations where beloved characters are transformed and warped into new and weird configurations.”

Come fall, those configurations may just prove too alien for some DC fans, threatening a backlash for the company. But, with a shrinking industry and characters burdened with decades of continuity, sometimes chances must be taken when a “Flashpoint” has been reached. O

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“Hearing the blues changed my life.” — VAN MORRISON

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”I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.” — DUKE ELLINGTON

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A place to call home Through stories, we can nurture relationships.

I

was at a Mud Hens game last week, enjoying a sunny day in Toledo in first-row seats behind the catcher with the best company. We lingered after the game talking to two older gentlemen who had driven down from Detroit.

They asked, “Why do they call it the swamp?” referring to the Swamp Shop, and the word “SWAMP” written on the back of some stadium employees shirts. I answered, “because it STACY [Toledo] used to be a swamp.”

Our daily lives and the place and community we live in were shaped by a history of people and nature, whether we know it or not. To bring this history, our stories, and a sense of place into our awareness deepens our relationships with each other, our ecosystem and our city.

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west Ohio is our ecosystem, and our area is often referenced as Western Lake Erie and also the Black Swamp. Until the 1850s when draining began to make way for farmland, this region was a swamp and wetlands carved out by glaciers.

Part of our locally unique biosystem remains in the designated Oak Openings Region, where approximately 6,000 acres is protected by a biological and recreational corridor or “ribbon.” The Oak Openings Region is an ancient beach ridge where the western prairie meets the eastern forest.

It’s home to 180 rare plant and animal species whose survival depends upon the region’s combination of wet and dry, sand and clay, forest and prairie. n JURICH CONTINUES ON 9

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“When you’re young, it’s hard to sing the blues. Nobody believes you.” — Nick Lowe

‘‘

n JURICH CONTINUED FROM 8 It is a natural community as rare and significant as the rainforest. The Green Ribbon Initiative (GRI) is an organization dedicated to saving this globally distinct ecosystem, which has been designated by The Nature Conservancy as “One of the last great places on earth.”

Julie Auger, Transformational Change Consultant, and Ann Krause, member of the GRI and biologist, are currently focusing their efforts on the Green Ribbon Initiative. Auger works with The Powers of Place Initiative, which is grounded in the belief that “places are alive”. She says, “By partnering with place and becoming placemakers we begin to reconnect to ourselves, each other and nature.”

Nature, design and community add elements to our view of where we are and ultimately who we are. Auger is facilitating the Oak Openings Community Collaborative, where all members of the greater Toledo area are invited to share stories, ideas and opinions in order to build and preserve a sense of community.

Through stories, we can nurture relationships and develop a rooted sense of place and shared purpose. Oftentimes our purpose, identity and sense of self-worth can be lost because of expectations of our culture and society. We can get wrapped up in trying to fulfill certain roles and seeking what we can get or what we can become in the eyes of others, instead of giving our unique individual gifts.

Through dialogue within the community, and an awareness of our interconnectedness in

We can get wrapped up in trying to fulfill certain roles and seeking what we can get or what we can become in the eyes of others, instead of giving our unique individual gifts.

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place, we can eliminate expectations and create new perspectives and energy for the benefit of all.

The Oak Openings Community Collaborative is on June 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lial Renewal Center, 5908 Davis Road, Whitehouse.

Visit the website www.oakopenings.org for more information.

I personally would like to invite all of the artists and activists who participated in our roundtable discussion in April. This community forum will allow us to broaden our scope and incorporate nature into our concrete jungle, in a way that allows the ecosystem in and around Downtown — including Swan Creek and the Maumee River (estuary) to be as much present in our awareness as is Fifth Third Field, The Secor Studios, the paved roads we ride on and the cement buildings we drink in. O

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“BLUES IS EASY TO PLAY, BUT HARD TO FEEL.” — JIMI HENDRIX

The House of Rock

‘The ... Building’ offers space for musicians to jam out loud.

By Patrick Timmis

Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer ptimmis@toledofreepress.com

Paul “Rockstar” Sagert, 45, lives a double life. From the time he steps on a plane Monday morning to the time he returns to Toledo Thursday night, he’s a suited-and-tied salesman and marketing consultant. The rest of the week, he’s the proprietor of the House of Rock at 335 N. Superior St. Peeling white letters above the entrance spell “The … Building,” the name between the two words blotted out with gray paint. Up the first flight of stairs in the six-story apartment Sagert calls his “palace,” a wooden door with a “House of Rock” sticker leads to a floor devoted to jamming rooms and hangouts for local rock bands.

It’s an eclectic scene. Posters of Van Halen, The Beatles and Bob Marley are plastered around a large cutout of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

Cymbals and broken drumsticks cover another wall. Orderly stacks of Entrepreneur and Fast Company magazines lay beside issues of Playboy.

“Welcome to the House of Rock,” Sagert said.

“No cops. No parents. No tenants to bitch.”

Sagert has run the House for two-and-a-half years. When he bought it, bands played on the first floor, without heat.

“I took it to the HNL. You know what that means?” he asked, then shouted, “A whole ‘nother level!”

Jeremiah Geis, guitarist for the band Measure the Redshift, said Sagert has improved the House from a “mediocre hole-in-the-wall place” to somewhere he enjoys hanging out.

“It’s a hell of a place down here, I’ll tell you what,” Geis said. He has buzzed blonde hair and large twin spikes jutting from his lower lip. “I just like it because you can do basically whatever you want.”

The House is home to nine bands. For about $175 per month, they come to play as loud and as late as they desire in rooms with the bands’ own locks, filled with their equipment and decorated as they choose. Even the restroom has a

Paul ‘Rockstar’ Sagert offers safe harbor for local musicians at ‘The ... Building.’

STAR PHOTO BY LISA STANG

distinct feel — a urinal in the shape of the classic Rolling Stones mouth logo.

Dustin Smith, vocalist for Truth Ascension, said he has played at the House for about two years. That’s fairly typical, Sagert said, but he still has room for three more bands. The House

smells like paint; there is dark paint on his hands from work he is doing in one of the empty rooms.

He also has bigger changes in store, as he wants to turn the first story of The ... Building into a similar home for visual artists.

“I put every dime I make back into this

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Sagert grew up in the Toledo area. He has spent time in Chicago and Hollywood, but he is back here to stay. And for The ... Building, he said, “I would not take $5 million. I would not take $10 million. It’s priceless to me.” O

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TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JUNE 1, 2011 n 11

The Devil is an angel, too Blues diva Janiva Magness to headline blues festival.

By Vicki L. Kroll

2011 Blues & Jazz Festival

Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer vkroll@toledofreepress.com

The title of Janiva Magness’ 2010 disc says it all: “The Devil Is an Angel Too.” “I knew instantly I needed to do the song,” she said. “It was not only going to be the title cut, it turned out it was the theme of the record.”

Twelve tracks explore darkness and light.

One of the singer’s favorite songs is “Walkin’ in the Sun.” “It’s an old Percy Sledge tune that I first became aware of in the ’70s from a cover by a band called Rufus, and the lead singer for Rufus was a woman named Chaka Kahn,” Magness said.

“I have been carrying around that tune for that long, hoping one day that I might have the opportunity to sing it.

“And I just don’t know anyone who has had the experience of being beat up by life and then coming out the other side — I don’t know anyone who has had that experience and not known that feeling of what it’s like to walk from darkness into light; it’s beautiful.”

Magness knows. Growing up in Detroit, she lost both parents to suicide by the time she turned 16.

“I went through 12 foster places in two years. That’s not an uncommon story, sadly,” she said during a call from her Los Angeles home. “[Carrie] was an unlikely candidate to be a foster parent, yet she ended up being the one that was willing to truly stand up for me when no one else would. She wasn’t willing to let me go back out on the street again. She was a kind and loving and generous adult that had boundaries.

“What great luck it was to have found her.

It didn’t just change one thing in my life, it ultimately changed everything; it changed the end of the story for me.”

She credits the right foster parent and the

I

Centennial Terrace in Sylvania Gates open at 3 p.m., June 11

O The Swamp Kings 4 p.m.

O Ron Yarosz & The Vehicle 6 p.m.

O Tony Monaco 8 p.m.

O Janiva Magness 10 p.m.

O Tickets $25, VIP tickets $75

Show raises funds for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank blues with saving her.

“The music has carried me through, given me hope. It helped me in some of the darkest times to understand that I’m not alone,” Magness said. “It lifts my heart, it soothes my soul; it always has.”

These days she offers comfort and hope by sharing her story as a national spokesperson for Casey Family Programs and as an ambassador for Foster Care Alumni of America.

“It turns out the purpose of the early part of my life and the struggles — and also the fact that I’ve come through it and come out the other side and most days I’m a pretty happy person — to be able to say that to youth that are still in foster care is huge,” she said. “[Sharing] helps it make sense for me; maybe I’m going to be able to help someone else.”

She added, “My job is about human connection: The gift is the music.”

Magness — the second woman to win the Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year besides Koko Taylor — will headline the 2011 Blues & Jazz Festival at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania at 10 p.m. June 11. O

On the web

visit www.janivamagness.com for more information.

Toledo’s original sandwich maker and the home of “The Reuben.”

www.hungryitoledo.com 419-517-5570 1 0 | 6060 RENASSANCE PLACE TTOLEDO Holland-Sylvania just North of Sylvania Avenue

Magness is one of two women to win the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award.

PHOTO BY JEF JAISUN

Join us for Half-Off Thursdays!

Half Off ALL Appetizers & Drinks on Th ursdays.

(Bar & Patio Only)

Father’s Day Special

Bring Dad in on Father’s Day and receive Half Off his meal.

Buy one Entrée and get Dad’s for half off!

Live Music from Lance Horwedel on June 2nd & 16th.

Every Wednesday

Prime Rib 99 $14

Not valid with any other promotion.

Black Pearl

Specializing in Prime Rib & The Freshest Seafood

Appetizers Salads Pastas Sandwiches Desserts Full Bar Great Wine List

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

3:30 - 9:00 11:30 - 9:00 11:30 - 9:00 11:30 - 11:00 11:30 - 11:00 11:30 - 11:00 11:30 - 9:00

419.380.1616 4630 Heatherdowns

(across from the Stranahan)

blackpearltoledo.com

12 n JUNE 1, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

Compiled by Whitney Meschke Events are subject to change.

MUSIC The Ark This small venue offers a showcase for lesser-known acts.

316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. (734) 761-1451, (734) 761-1800 or www.theark.org.

O Gaelic Storm: 8 p.m. June 1, $22.50.

O Suzanne Westenhoefer: 8 p.m. June 3, $26.

O Lipbone Redding & the Lipbone Orchestra: 8 p.m. June 4, $15.

O Stacey Earle, Mark Stuart: 8 p.m. June 6, $15.

O Joe Ely Band: 8 p.m. June 7, $25.

O The Hillbenders: 8 p.m. June 8, $13.50.

The Blarney Irish Pub Catch local acts while taking in the pub’s modern Irish and American fare. 601 Monroe St. (419) 418-2339 or www. theblarneyirishpub.com.

O Rick Whited: June 2.

O TwinPfunk: June 3.

O Tru Brew: June 4.

Blind Pig A variety of rock, soul, pop and alternative acts perform at this bar. 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor. $3-$20 unless noted.

(734) 996-8555 or blindpigmusic.com.

O Cash Harrison & the Terrible Decisions, Del Brutto, Alexander Silver, Jim Cherewick: 9:30 p.m. June 1.

O Ras Kente, Tonei: 9:30 p.m. June 2.

O Ann Arbor Soul Club, Robert Wells, Brad Hales: 9:30 p.m. June 3.

O Algernon, Inkflow, Who’s This We? 9:30 p.m. June 4.

O Sniff Test, Billiards Music, the Elevens, the Samsquanch Mafia: 9:30 p.m. June 7.

O Othello, Two Worlds Apart, Lyric’ Lee, Omega the Majestik, Hi Potent C, Young Clever Kids: 9:30 p.m. June 8.

”Audiences like their blues singers to be miserable.” — JANIS JOPLIN

Bronze Boar

degagejazzcafe.com.

Headliners

Be sure to check out this Warehouse District tavern’s namesake, overhead near the entrance. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www.bronzeboar.com.

O Jerod: Wednesdays and Thursdays.

O Open mic night with Chris Knopp: Mondays.

O Crucial 420: June 3.

O Gin Bunny: June 4.

O Luke James: June 7.

O Gene Parker & Friends: 7-10 p.m. June 1 and 8.

O The Silverbacks: 7:30-11:30 p.m. June 3-4.

All ages, all genres are welcome. 4500 N. Detroit Ave. Ticket prices vary between $5 and $15, unless noted otherwise.

(419) 269-4500 or www.headlinerstoledo.com.

O The Human Abstract, Scale the Summit, This or the Apocalypse, Let Live, No Bragging Rights, Measure the Redshift, Trust Me I’m a Doctor: 6 p.m. June 3.

O The Get Up Kids, Saves the Day: 6:30 p.m. June 4, $18.50-$21 (free afterparty show featuring The F***ing Cops, Words After and Little Black Mess at Frankie’s).

O Blaze and Boondox, Sixx Digit: 7 p.m. June 5, $15-$18.

Caesars Windsor Consider hopping the Detroit River for this casino’s entertainment offerings. Ticket prices, in Canadian dollars, are for the cheapest seats; attendees must be 19 or older. Caesars Windsor Colosseum, 377 Riverside Dr. East, Windsor, Ontario. (800) 991-7777 or www.caesarswindsor.com.

O Martina McBride: 9 p.m. June 4, $45.

Centennial Terrace This venue next to a quarry hosts dance parties, swing bands and rockers. 5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania. (419) 882-1500 or www.ticketmaster.com.

O Sylvania Mania featuring the Madison Avenue Band and 2 hour Delay: 6 p.m. June 3, $22.50.

Information: (419) 824-8656.

O Night Session Big Band: 7:30-11 p.m. June 4, $10.

Cheetah’s Den A different band performs each week. 702 E. Broadway St. (419) 754-1903.

O DJ Lamont: Tuesdays.

O Devious: Thursdays (also open mic night)-Saturdays.

Club Soda This university hot spot from back in the day hosts entertainment Fridays and Saturdays. 3922 Secor Road. (419) 473-0062 or www.toledoclubsoda.com.

O MAS FiNA: June 3-4.

Bretz Bar

Dégagé Jazz Café

2012 Adams St. (419) 243-1900.

O Deja Dellataro and Felaciana Thunderpussy: Thursdays-Saturdays.

Signature drinks, such as pumpkin martinis, plus live local jazz performers. 301 River Road, Maumee. $5 weekends for cafe seating. (419) 794-8205 or www.

The Distillery Karaoke is offered Tuesdays, but paid entertainers rock out Wednesdays-Saturdays. 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www.thedistilleryonline.com.

O Nathan Cogan: June 1.

O The Bridges: June 2-4.

O Gregg Aranda: June 7.

O Dave Carpenter: June 8.

Fat Fish Blue Serving blues and similar sounds, as well as bayoustyle grub. Levis Commons, 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com.

O Tantric Soul: 9:30 p.m. June 3 and 9 p.m. June 4.

This local, family-owned enterprise offers food, drinks and music in a sleek atmosphere. 405 Madison Ave. (419) 2463339 or icerestaurantandbar.com.

O Jesse Coleman: 6 p.m. June 2.

O Dan and Don: 7 p.m. June 3 and 10.

Frankie’s

Kerrytown Concert House

Toledo’s venue for rock. 308 Main St. Tickets vary between $5 and $15, unless noted. (419) 693-5300 or www.

FrankiesInnerCity.com.

O Auto Tune karaoke: 9 p.m. Mondays, free.

O My Ticket Home, the Way West, Beneath the Sands, Away the Ashes: 6 p.m. June 2.

O Freezepop, Prussia, Radio Broadcast: 9 p.m. June 3.

O Molotov Solution, Legend, the World We Knew, Betrayal, a Violent Perfection: 6 p.m. June 4.

O The Taken, Grindline, Tri-Nebulous: 9 p.m. June 4 O The F***ing Cops, Words After, Little Black Mess: 9 p.m.

June 4, basement.

O Ryan Started the Fire, Jeff Bugert, the Shame Game, Exceed the Limit: 5 p.m. June 5.

O BAMF, Until Forever: 9 p.m. June 7.

O People at Parties, Vanity Theft: 9 p.m. June 8.

This venue focuses on classical, jazz and opera artists and music. 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. $5-$30, unless noted.

(734) 769-2999 or www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

O The Phil-Arbor Consortium: 8 p.m. June 3.

O Ben Jansson Trio: 8 p.m. June 8.

French Quarter J. Pat’s Pub Live entertainment after 9:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Holiday Inn French Quarter, 10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg.

(419) 874-3111 or www.hifq.com.

O Green Eyed Soul: June 3-4.

Famo us White Chicken Chili New England Clam Chow der Ho mema de So ups Panini Grille d Sandwiches 7723 Airport Highway • Holland 419.491.0098

ICE Restaurant & Bar

Lair Lounge Live music is offered on Saturdays. 3332 Glendale Ave. (419) 385-7850.

O The Good, the Bad & the Blues: June 4.

Mainstreet Bar and Grill Ronn Daniels performs weekly at this pub. 8-11 p.m. Thursdays, 141 Main St. (419) 697-6297 or www.toledomainstreet.com.

Manhattan’s This “slice of the Big Apple” in the Glass City provides entertainment most weekends. 1516 Adams St. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com.

O Vytas and Steve: 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays.

O Open mic with Bread and Butter: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays.

O Blue Flamingo: June 3.

O It’s Essential: June 4.

LI(RVAIE MUSIC! N OR SHINE)

IDAY MONDAY & FR P.M. 6 P.M.-10

TEMBER JUNE, JULY, AUGUST & SEP

ON ONLY! HOLLAND LOCATION THE PATIO)

(SMOKING IS PERMITTED

DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS

www.chowdersnmoor.com

MARGARITAS

$2.00 FRESHMADE MOJITOS

312 South Street • Waterville e erville 419.878.9105

(REGULAR ON O LY)

“All the classic jazz players all sang and a lot of ‘em sang blues.” — MOSE ALLISON Mickey Finn’s A variety of genres to wash your drinks down with. Open mic nights, 9 p.m. Wednesdays, no cover; $5-$7 cover other nights.

602 Lagrange St. (419) 246-3466 or www.mickeyfinnspub.com.

O Justajunkie Films: 8 p.m. Thursdays.

O Randy Jackson: 8:30 p.m. June 3.

O Wind & Sail, Pillow Talk, Bourbon Street: 8:30 p.m. June 4.

Mutz @ The Oliver House This pub offers handcrafted brews … and live entertainment. 27 Broadway St. (419) 243-1302 or www.oh-maumeebaybrewingco.com.

O Open mic hosted by Breaking Ground: 10 p.m. Wednesdays.

O Karaoke: 10 p.m. Thursdays.

O DJs Dirty Baby, APB, Russell Jones: Saturdays.

O Breaking Ground: June 3.

pany the fishy dishes. 7130 Airport Hwy. (419) 720-9333 or spicytunasushi.com.

O DJ Jimmy James: 10 p.m. Fridays.

O Karaoke: 10 p.m. Saturdays.

Tequila Sheila’s A corner bar-type hangout with DJ-provided tunes on Saturday nights. 702 Monroe St. (419) 241-1118.

O Open mic with Jason Kelley: 9 p.m. Thursdays.

O Hip-hop night: 9 p.m. Fridays.

The Village Idiot

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JUNE 1, 2011 n 13

Party at the Park

Jeff McDonald’s Big Band All Stars

The track hosts concerts before the evening’s harness races. 5 p.m. Saturdays, Raceway Park, 5700 Telegraph Road. $2. (419) 476-7751 or www.racewayparktoledo.com.

Dancing is encouraged. 8-10:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trotter’s Tavern, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 381-2079 or (419) 708-0265.

Lunch at Levis Square concert series Downtown Toledo Improvement District sets lunch to music. Noon-1:30 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 26, Levis Square, North St. Clair Street and Madison Avenue. (419) 249-5494.

O Rob Storm: June 2.

Live music starts at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 5703 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 882-2266 or treosylvania.com.

O Andrew Ellis & Lucky Lemont: June 3.

O Dick Lange Trio: June 4.

Tunes combined with pizza and booze, some would say it’s a perfect combination. 309 Conant St., Maumee. (419) 8937281, (419) 740-2395 or www.villageidiotmaumee.com.

O Bob Rex: Sunday afternoons.

O The Eight Fifteens: Sunday evenings.

O Frank May, Ben Barefoot: Mondays.

O Mark Mikel: Tuesdays.

O Wilbur Shaw: June 2 and 9.

O Jeremy Porter and the Tucos: June 3.

O Bliss, James Leg Band: June 4.

Ottawa Tavern

Wesley’s Bar & Grill

Casual meals with weekend entertainment. 1815 Adams St. (419) 725-5483 or www.otavern.com.

O APB: 10 p.m. June 2.

O Chris Bathgate: 10 p.m. June 3.

A huge variety of beers helps wash down the entertainment.

1201 Adams St. (419) 255-3333 or wesleysbar.com.

O DJs Folk, Mattimoe and Perrine: Fridays.

O Todd Perrine & guests: June 4.

Pizza Papalis

Woodchucks

Get slices with a topping of entertainment. 519 Monroe St. (419) 244-7722 or www.pizzapapalis.com.

O Don Coats: June 3.

O Brynn & Emma: June 4.

The place to go for an eclectic mix of people and music. 224 S. Erie St. (419) 241-3045.

O Karaoke with Georgia Peach: Wednesdays.

Grab your ham (or veggie) sammiches and listen to some tunes while you digest. Vendors will be on hand for those who forget to pack! 12:15-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays, north lawn of Toledo Lucas County Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St. (419) 259-5207 or toledolibrary.org.

O Just Kiddin’ Around: June 8.

Spicy Tuna

Zia’s

Jeff McDonald’s Big-Band Revival

20 Main Street, The Docks O Sunday Magic Night with professional magician Andrew Martin.

8 p.m. Thursdays, South Briar Restaurant, 5147 S. Main St., Sylvania. (419) 517-1111 or (419) 708-0265.

One2 Lounge at Treo

This sushi bar offers occasional entertainment to accom-

LevisCommonsSummerConcertSeries Northwest Ohio musicians will entertain near the boulevard fountain. 6-8 p.m., Town Center at Levis Commons, 3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-8888 or www. shopleviscommons.com.

O Kerry Clark: June 3.

Courtyard Concerts Rock while you eat rolls at this series of lunchtime concerts.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Latham Courtyard, downtown Findlay. (419) 422-4624 or www.artspartnership.com.

O J.D. Owen: June 7.

Brown Bag Summer Concert Series

Club Friday: Clark Brooks Trio Some of the city’s most talented performers entertain museumgoers during TMA’s It’s Friday events. 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 3, Cloister, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or toledomuseum.org.

Soul Venture This Christian group blends contemporary Christian, modern country and progressive southern gospel music; the performance is part of the Ottawa County Relay for Life. 7:30-9:30 p.m. June 3, Oak Harbor High School football field, 11661 W. Route 163, Oak Harbor. www.soulventure.org.

Collage IV Quick changes in “musical fabrics and textures,” from classical and modern instrumental songs to dance and vocal performances of any genre, will be highlighted. Featured organizations include the Ballet Theatre of Toledo and Masterworks Chorale. 8 p.m. June 4, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St. $20-$30. (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

Michael Bublé The Canadian crooner’s latest album has sold 7 million copies, and he’s performed for half a million fans for the corresponding tour. Now Toledo can be part of the “Crazy Love” insanity. 8 p.m. June 7, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave. $65-$85. (419) 321-5007, (800) 7453000 or www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com. O Classified Hot Local Singles: 419-873-1200 Browse & Respond FREE Gay/Bi 419-873-3000 Use FREE Code 7744, 18+

Toledo It’s Finally Here!

Now Open for Lunch and Dinner.

419.724.5844 4400 HEATHERDOWNS (CORNER OF KEY ) • www.BURGERBAR419.com

14 n JUNE 1, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

“THE BLUES WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND. PEOPLE NEED IT.” — JOHNNY WINTER

TOLEDO DENTAL ACADEMY T CA ADEM “TDA's number one priority is providing the high quality education and experience necessary to continue excellence in the profession. I highly recommend this school for anyone interested in learning exactly what it takes to have a successful career as a Dental Assistant.” –Jerri Weiss

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TFP_LCT_Toledo_4.8x5-111.indd 1

My Sister’s House

54/88010310

he season of music and charity is in the air!

A nonprofit group for girls is the focus of the upcoming event, “One Mic For Every Girl.” The concept is derived from Cleveland’s well-known Hip-Hop event “Queens of the Iron Mic,” an event which features musically talented women from around Ohio.

“One Mic” is a female showcase that will feature women from the community with various artistic skills.

Among the artists scheduled to perform are Toledo singer Yasu, Krystal-Monique, DNay (Detroit), rapper EB, poet Lethal and saxophonist Katrina Barnhill.

“One Mic for Every Girl” is June 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at ICE Restaurant and Bar, located Downtown at 405 Madison Ave., hosted by myself and my fellow Toledo Free Press Star contributor, lilD. The goal of the event is to showcase various mediums of art and musical talent contributed by women in the community while raising funds for the day-today operational expenses of My Sister’s House.

My Sister’s House consists of a team of women dedicated to empowering young women of all ethnicities and backgrounds, ages 12-17. They are looking to use the money for activities and supplies that help further their teachings of selfesteem, self-respect, etiquette and accountability.

These are just a few of the major components needed now more than ever to guide the next generation of women in Toledo and beyond.

Many of the volunteers and workers for My Sister’s House were mentored by LaDonna Knabbs, who started the program in 1999. The growing pains of transitioning from a young girl to a woman can be difficult as a memory,

let alone as reality. Creating an environment where girls could learn the basics while expressing themselves came naturally to LaDonna, who considered herself to be what she calls “a borderline kid.”

She confesses to having had her own fair share of issues growing up; but because of her parents and the right mentors she found purpose in helping other young women the same way.

“I think the only way you can keep what you have is by giving it away, and that’s what I do and that’s what I’ve always done. To have a young lady say something that I’ve said or something that I have done has helped them be the young woman

that they are today ... that’s rewarding!” she said.

It is a reward she has lived to witness in Heather Hagans and Leigh Wizgen, former My Sister’s House mentors and youth specialists, both of whom LaDonna once mentored.

The two have paid it forward by putting it back into My Sister’s House and according to Wizgen, “Finding a mentor in LaDonna has changed my life forever. She has helped me through some of the toughest times in my life and I will be forever grateful to her for that.”

The obvious impact of women helping women! If you are interested in becoming a part of the movement, My Sister’s House is now accepting resumes for volunteers from women of all backgrounds who specifically want to help young women. Support a good cause, donations can be sent to My Sister’s House P.O. Box 712, Maumee, OH 43537.

Email MySisterHouse4Girls@gmail.com for more information.

As we continue on ... O

Martini

ON THE

ROX

12/29/10 12:36 PM

®

Jazz Café & Fine F in nee D Di Dining in nin ng gR Re Restaurant esta au urra an ntt

THIS WEEKEND: June 3-4th

The Silverbacks

Now Open N O att 5 p.m. - N No Cover C on Wednesdays Wd

301 River Road at The Historic Commercial Building Maumee

Patio Now Open!

Join us for S Sunday Brunch

Upcoming June U Jazz Schedule

June 10th:

Cynthia Kaay Bennett

June 17th:

BGSU Jazz Faculty Band

419-794-8205

degagejazzcafe.com

“PLAYING THE BLUES IS LIKE HAVING TO BE BLACK TWICE.” — B.B. KING

Johnny Knorr Orchestra concert June 5 The Johnny Knorr Orchestra is playing a free concert to celebrate founder Johnny Knorr’s 90th birthday as it opens its 51st season. The concert will be held June 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church.

Johnny’s son Jerry Knorr took over as director at the start of the year. He is the only original member of the band remaining, although the average tenure for a band member is more than 20 years.

“I’m quite excited about this concert,” Jerry said. “It’s the appropriate thing to do. Fifty years of the orchestra is an accomplishment. Living to be 90 is an accomplishment. He’s tied the two together. He’s spent his entire career in music.”

Johnny started the band in 1960, led by his tenor saxophone. Johnny Desmond, a vocalist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, once told Knorr, “You play tenor sax the way I like to hear it.” Johnny adapted the compliment into the band’s trademark: “The music you like, the way you like to hear it.”

The documentary “Satin Dolls, The Johnny Knorr Story,” by American Retrospects Films debuts June 4 on PBS stations. The DVD of the documentary will be on sale at the concert along with the CD “Just The Way You Like It.” The CD was recorded to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, and every song on the album was done in a single take.

“It’s a very exceptional group of musicians,” Jerry said. “Nowadays, you can go into a studio and can work miracles on a soundtrack with

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JUNE 1, 2011 n 15

mexico

BRINGING THE FLAVORS OF

to northwest ohio

experience the

Northwest Ohioans have always enjoyed the hot flavors of Mexico, and our warm hospitality.

Come to one of our restaurants and experience a delicious dining adventure tonight!

Loma-Linda’s

“BIEN VENIDOS AMIGOS”

Specializing in Mexican Food since 1955

419-865-5455

10400 Airport Hwy.(1.2 Mi. East of the Aiport) Lunch & Dinner, 11 a.m. to Midnight Closed Sundays & Holidays

JOHNNY and JERRY KNORR computer technology. You can do multiple takes and piece parts from one to another. All of our recordings have been the initial take. The musicians step up to the plate and play the arrangements the way they are supposed to be played.”

The event is free to the public with approximately 200 seats available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Christ Presbyterian Church is located at 4225 W. Sylvania Ave. O — Jason Mack

BARRON’S CAFE

Everything Mexican From Tacos to Enchiladas to Delicious Burritos

419-825-3474

13625 Airport Hwy., Swanton (across from Valleywood Country Club) Mon. - Thurs. 11-11 p.m.

Fri. - Sat. 11-12 a.m.

Closed Sundays and Holidays

• 20TH ANNIVERSARY •

THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTE & CANTINA IN TOLEDO

419-841-7523

7742 W. Bancroft (1 Mi. West of McCord) Mon. - Sat. from 11 a.m.

Closed Sundays & Holidays

ARTURO’S

FRITZ & ALFREDO’S Original Recipes from Both Mexico and Germany

419-729-9775

3025 N. Summit Street (near Point Place) Mon. - Thurs. 11-10 p.m.

Fri. - Sat. 11-11 p.m., Sun. 3-9 p.m.

Closed Holidays

Casual Dining • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

ParkSmart multi-level parking garages are conveniently located close to the Huntington Center, SeaGate Convention Centre, Fifth Third Field, Imagination Station, Valentine Theatre, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Promenade Park on the Maumee River. When you plan your next visit to downtown Toledo check out our website: www.parksmart.org Downtown Toledo Parking Authority • 227 North St. Clair Street • Toledo, Ohio 43604 • 419-242-7515

16 n JUNE 1, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

“IF YOU CAN’T PLAY THE BLUES, YOU MIGHT AS WELL HANG IT UP.” — DEXTER GORDON

Saves the Day to play Headliners

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA 419-724-7437

Patio Now Open

By Jason Mack Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer

JUNE SPECIAL:

28 South Saint Clair

jmack@toledofreepress.com

BLOODY MARY BAR SUNDAYS! STARTING AT 2 P.M.

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO

Welc Welcome W come t to

Family Owned & Operated!

Stop St t b by and check out our daily FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS! PATIO NOW OPEN

Be the mer of onth

ALL MEX I AN BEEC R $2

:

RELAX AND ENJOY Dinner and Drinks on our PATIO!

3302 Glanzman Road Toledo (419) 380-0411

www.mihaciendatoledo.com

Saves the Day is touring with three new members after completing part three in a trilogy of albums, “Daybreak.”

“The trilogy was such a massive undertaking having taken five years to complete,” lead singer Chris Conley said. “It’s quite sweet now that it’s finished. I’m so proud of the entire three-album arc. I can’t wait for people to hear how it all resolves on the third album.”

The trilogy began with the 2006 release “Sound The Alarm” and continued with “Under The Boards” in 2007. It started as a method for singer, guitarist and writer Conley to work through his inner angst.

Conley describes “Sound The Alarm” as an expression of discontent, “Under The Boards” as reflection and remorse, and “Daybreak” as acceptance.

“I was lost and filled with anger, confusion and sadness,” he said. “Much of it was for the state of the world. I realized the world was kind of sick. I was teased and tormented as a kid and wound up poorly adjusted. When things started falling apart around me, I realized I need to say yes to life and learn to accept the way it is and I am. If I don’t do that, I’m creating my own hell. It wasn’t a musical idea. It was an idea in my life to save myself. It became a work of art in the process.”

Get

Conley is the only remaining original member of Saves the Day. The band has been a revolving door with 14 members leaving since the first album in 1998.

However, Conley feels the band is finally complete with the addition of guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma and drummer Claudio Rivera.

“I love playing with them,” he said. “They are really good friends. I love that they are extremely gifted musicians. My favorite part about them is they work well in a group. There is never tension. When we’re deciding things while recording, it’s easy and it’s about making the song better. It’s the most healthy Saves the Day has ever been. We click in a way I’ve never clicked before with band members. We all are sort of on the same wavelength. Working with them on this album has been the most fun I’ve had in all 14 years.”

Saves is the Day is co-headlining 10 shows with The Get Up Kids from June 2-12. Conley has always looked up to the band and has become close with lead singer Matthew Pryor.

“I love The Get Up Kids,” he said. “They were rock stars to us when we were going to shows in high school. I’ve known them for so many years and done so many tours with them.

Matt and I do solo tours together and we go camping in the woods with our kids. It’s bizarre to me that I’m friends with them, because I look up to them and idolize them so much. It’s a treat. I can’t wait for the tour.” O

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Comedy matters

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omedian Carlos Mencia doesn’t have a lot of specific memories of the last time he played in Toledo, where he will appear at Connxtions Comedy Club on June 3 and 4. When you’ve been on the road for more than two decades, places, gigs and shows tend to blend together.

“I’ve been touring for a long time. I mean, I’ve been playing JEFF for going on 24 years. It’s been a while, brother,” Mencia said in an interview with Toledo Free Press Star. Then he started singing a Johnny Cash song he feels a special kinship to: “I’ve Been Everywhere.”

“When he sings that song, and he says all those cities, I’ve been to all those cities,” he said with a laugh.

But for all the stops the famous comic has made, one specific performance will always remain firm in his memory. He had been studying at California State University in Los Angeles when one night he decided to perform at an open mic night at the famous Laugh Factory.

“I remember it exactly. I remember the fact that, you know, my entire life, my parents were very strict about not saying stupid things in front of other people. My mother was always catching me, saying, ‘Hey, you better not say that here, and you better not say it now,’” Mencia said.

“I said in this one show what I had been thinking. And everybody laughed. And I realized, Oh my God, this is the place where I can say the things that I’ve been thinking my whole life.”

From there, Mencia said, he knew that he was onto something. “I’m one of those people that doesn’t believe in ‘try.’ I believe that, if you have the talent to do it, you gotta do it. It’s like watching an athlete. The difference between the greatest athletes and the guys that are really good is in between their head. It’s not physical. As soon as I got laughs onstage, I knew I could do this.

And at that point, it’s all up to me.”

It was that competitive nature that drove him in his early years, though looking back now, Mencia noted how as a result, his early material was tinged with a lot of anger.

“It’s probably why the earlier 22 years of my career were very aggressive when I was onstage.

Because I didn’t want to fail. And I knew I had to work hard, and I knew I had to do whatever it took. It’s funny how, as a comedian, I’ve changed.

It seems when I’m onstage, I’m not as aggressive anymore. And it seems to be funnier than it used to. It’s just a different perspective.”

It took more than a decade of toil on the road and in clubs before Mencia got his biggest break with the Comedy Central show “Mind of Mencia.” He said that, generally, he had creative

control over the show’s content but his network always had a hand in reshaping and filtering what was presented.

“Most of the time, because of the type of show that I did, and the material that we were talking about, and the edginess of it, yeah, they were always, ‘Well, don’t say it like that, say it like this. Don’t do it like that, do it like this.’ Massaging. It was annoying.

But it’s the process, that’s all it is.”

In addition to the pressures from the network, there was a different kind of pressure from fans who channeled their aggression toward Mencia after the departure of Dave Chappelle, as “Mind” was seen as a replacement for Chappelle’s much-loved sketch comedy.

“I didn’t feel any of that pressure until I started getting the emails, like, ‘Who is this f*****

mCGINNIS

POP GOES THE

CULTURE

Comedian Carlos Mencia to perform at Connxtions. a****** who replaced Chappelle? Why did they replace Chappelle with this d***?’

And I’m like, hey, guys, I’m not replacing anybody, man. This is my show, his show is his show. Matter of fact, I got shafted in the process, because I was supMENCIA posed to follow Chappelle.

Then there wouldn’t have been any comparisons whatsoever. But it is what it is, and you just gotta do the best you can.”

“Mind of Mencia” was canceled in 2008. Now, his focus is on his stage show, which, he said, is a full, polished evening of comedy that he has been working on for a long time.

“Most comedians, what they do is ‘try out’ their material. I had two and a half hours of material that I had to whittle down to about an hour. So, for me, the response is really different.

100 percent of the jokes work, 100 percent of the time. Now, I’m getting to the point where I’m not, ‘Do these work?,’ but, ‘How can I make them all, on a scale of 1-10, at least a nine?’ And that’s where I’m at.” O Email Jeff at PopGoesJeff@gmail.com.

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”Blues and jazz are the great American contributions to music.” — Edgar Winter