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Barenaked at the zoo
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n . 3
Pop group returns to Amphitheatre on July 6.
Stars of the Week
By Jeff McGinnis
Toledo Free Press Star Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com
As the bass player for Barenaked Ladies, Jim Creeggan has played to a wide variety of audiences in cities around the globe. But he remembers playing for one unique audience member in particular during the band’s last appearance at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre. “I have fond memories of entertaining the tiger,” Creeggan said in an interview with Toledo Free Press Star. “I don’t know how the animal could stand our music, but I’m sure it’s nothing like he appears to get at home.” Whether the big cats are ready or not, Barenaked Ladies will return to the Zoo Amphitheatre on July 6, for a show that also features Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd & the Monsters and Cracker on the bill — a stop on the optimistically named “Last Summer on Earth” tour. For Barenaked Ladies (BNL), the latest tour comes after more than 22 years as a group. Creeggan remembers the early days as a bit of an uphill battle. “When we started, our kind of music was really, really scarce. It was hard for anybody to do anything without having the support of a record company — a traditional record deal. And we came out with a tape that did really, really well, and it sort of sparked a little movement — in the independent scene in Canada in 1991.” One thing that has remained fairly consistent in the ensuing two decades is the band’s alternative, playful sound — a style that came early in BNL’s existence, as the members struggled to form a group identity Creeggan said. “The sound of the music was acoustic — we weren’t really a garage band or a basement band, we were a living room band. We didn’t even have a full drum kit at the beginning. My brother played congas, and I played the double bass — I still do, something that’s held through,” he noted. Creeggan credited drummer Tyler Stewart with solidifying much of what became BNL, noting he gave the group a bigger sound “one drum at a time. Just kinda slowly, each gig. When we first met him, we invited him onstage and said, ‘Just bring a snare drum.’ And the next gig, he’d bring a snare drum and a highhat. ‘Is this okay, guys?’ ‘Yeah, sure.’ Eventually, after like 12 gigs, he had a full drum set.” Throughout a history which has seen such hits as “If I Had a $1,000,000,” “One Week,” “Pinch Me” and others, BNL’s fun and playful tone has always stood somewhat counter to mainstream pop music culture.
Barenaked Ladies have been together for more than 20 years. PHOTO BY Raisin’ Records/EMI
“It’s not necessarily on purpose,” Creeggan said. “I think each member brings their own influence to the band. We follow our own interests, and whatever comes out at the end, after the four-member washing machine gets to it. I think it is reactions [to modern music], but I think we also try to be ourselves.” Barenaked Ladies’ members have also had a major readjustment to deal with in recent years, as founding member and lead singer Steven Page left in 2009. But Creeggan said that the remaining four members of the group have taken the opportunity to grow as collaborators as a result. “I think in some ways, when Steve was in the band, Ed [Robertson, BNL co-founder] and
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Steve wrote a lot of the material, so that was the bulk of where we’re at, writing-wise. And I think that now it’s even more collaborative. While that was going on, Kevin Hearn and I were writing our side projects. So our material would get overflown into other projects, and now we’re bringing that into the group.” Among the current projects the band is working on is a score for the highly anticipated Broadway musical version of the classic comedy “National Lampoon’s Animal House.” The band will work with director Casey Nicholaw, who also directed the wildly successful comedy “The Book of Mormon.” Creeggan cites the show as a great opportunity to show the band’s skills in a completely new medium.
“It’s a blast. I love working with Casey Nicholaw — it’s really clear why ‘The Book of Mormon’ is so awesome,” Creeggan said. “In some ways, he’s the best producer we’ve ever had, and it’s not a record. He’s really, really great at getting everybody at their best and encouraging everybody to come up with anything that comes to mind, you know? He really is a great collaborator.” The band is also at work on a new album, Creeggan noted. But for now, BNL’s focus remains on the “Last Summer on Earth” and their return to the Zoo Amphitheatre. “Tell the tigers that we’re coming back,” Creeggan joked. “I don’t know how you communicate with them — that’s a Toledo thing; I’ll leave that up to you.” O
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“This guy wears a mask, like an outlaw.” — Capt. Stacy, “ The Amazing Spider-Man”
Big Head Todd and the Monsters.
PHOTO COURTESY Red Light
Feeling blue By Vicki L. Kroll Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer vkroll@toledofreepress.com
To answer the obvious question: No, Todd Park Mohr doesn’t have a ginormous cranium. “Seven and three-eights is my hat size, so it’s pretty average,” said the frontman of Big Head Todd and the Monsters. His passion for music, however, is anything but average. Consider the inspiration for the Colorado band’s name. “There was a blues artist by the name of Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson,” he said during a phone interview from his Chicago home. So it was a natural that Mohr, bassist Rob Squires, drummer Brian Nevin and keyboardist and steel guitarist Jeremy Lawton paid tribute to another blues legend with last year’s disc, “100 Years of
Big Head Todd and the Monsters on bill with Barenaked Ladies.
Robert Johnson.” “It was his 100th birthday last May 8 [in 2011], and it just seemed like the right thing to do to acknowledge him, and I don’t think there was anybody else doing anything,” Mohr said. For the CD, Mohr and the Monsters had the honor of jamming with B.B. King, Hubert Sumlin, David “Honeyboy” Edwards and Charlie Musselwhite. “It’s extremely terrifying and humbling [to play with those blues legends], but it was also really thrilling to be able to spend time. We all went on the bus together, and those old guys don’t sleep; they talk all night long. It was just a thrill to be a fly on the wall and get some firsthand accounts of those experiences,” Mohr recalled. His favorite story? “Hubert Sumlin has a hysterical story about hitting a jackpot at a casino, and those were the days
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where it just spat out silver dollars. He stuffed his pants full, tucked his socks in, walked out of the casino, and was taken at gunpoint to jail because they thought he robbed the gas station next door,” Mohr said and laughed. The singer-guitarist said working on the disc was educational. “I learned about the blues from the ’60s and ’70s blues artists, Chicago and Detroit, and I didn’t know much about the Delta blues or the blues that came from the ’20s and ’30s,” Mohr said. “What surprised me was just the incredible variety of the song structure and lyrical tenderness that I found in that music. A lot of what I thought about the blues was more of a macho guitar thing à la Stevie Ray [Vaughan] and that tradition, but I ended up with much more of a folk tradition, and I really have been turned on by that.”
Warehouse disTricT
On the road, the band known for “Bittersweet,” “Broken Hearted Savior,” “Circle” and “Resignation Superman” has been playing some blues and new music. “‘Black Beehive’ is one we’ve been playing a lot. It’s about Amy Winehouse. I wrote it when she passed away,” Mohr said, adding the group plans to go into the recording studio this fall. Big Head Todd and the Monsters are part of Barenaked Ladies’ “Last Summer on Earth Tour,” which will be at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre at 6:30 p.m. July 6. Blues Traveler and Cracker will also play. Tickets range from $35 to $58.50. “The Mayans came up with that [tour name],” said Mohr, who doesn’t believe in the doomsday prediction. “I guess they didn’t figure on a leap year.” O
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“You’re a wanted man, Peter Parker.” — Gwen Stacy, “The Amazing Spider-Man”
Guilty pleasures By John Benson Toledo Free Press STAR Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com
Among the many people who apparently weren’t suckered into seeing Tom Cruise sing in the ’80s nostalgic hair-metal homage flick “Rock of Ages” was Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell. “I’ve seen the play, and I absolutely loved it,” said Campbell, calling from Los Angeles. “We were invited to a couple of private screenings of the movie but I have kids and family commitments.” Not only is the movie named after the popular Def Leppard song, but the band is hitting the road this summer on, the “Rock of Ages” tour alongside Poison and Lita Ford. The tour will stop at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena July 6 at 7 p.m. and in Clarkston, Mich., at DTE Energy Music Theatre July 7 at 7 p.m. For tickets, call (888) 894-9424 or (419) 474 - 1333 or visit theQarena.com or www.ticketmaster.com. In the past, the Def Leppard members have gone out of their way to distance themselves from the ’80s hair metal zeitgeist, but apparently this time the free cross-promotion was too good to pass up. Campbell defends Def Leppard as being a band that was more about the music than its image, something the group’s ’80s peers can only blush about (Warrant and Dokken, we’re looking at you), but calling its current tour “Rock of Ages” is a bit on the nose, right? “Obviously the movie raised the profile of the band’s music, which is great,” Campbell said. “And we’re shamelessly hitching our wagon to it calling it the ‘Rock of Ages’ tour. Why not, you know? I do think that there’s a reason to celebrate that kind of music.
ntura’s ve
Maybe in the ’90s there wasn’t, but now it’s kind of OK to see if you like those guilty pleasures again.” During the past 30 years, Def Leppard has sold more than 65 million albums worldwide based on the success of radio hits like “Rock of Ages,” “Foolin’,” “Hysteria,” “Photograph,” “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Bringin’ on the Heartache.” For Campbell, his tenure in the band came exactly 20 years ago after founding member and guitarist Steve Clark died of an overdose. 1992 was an interesting time to join Def Leppard. A sea change in the music industry was already taking place with grunge music tarnishing hair metal’s sheen. At that point the band had just released “Adrenalize,” which, to its credit, did hit No. 1 on the charts in a post”Nevermind” world. In some ways Campbell is like a Forrest Gump for the hard-rock world. He’s witnessed more than his share of notable moments. Not only did he join Def Leppard at such a unique time but he was also a hired musician for Whitesnake during the summer of 1987 when the David Coverdale-led band enjoyed “Here I Go Again” momentum. He said the experience was surreal and brief, which makes him enjoy his Def Leppard gig that much more. “Obviously there’s an originality to the band, myself excluded,” Campbell said. “It’s about the music, it’s about those songs and there’s a lot of quality in them. A lot of the other music that came from that genre, even with Whitesnake, was very image driven at the time and of the moment. Despite the bombast of some of the Def Leppard productions with huge, huge drums, it’s still the quality of the tunes. That’s why people are still coming to hear us after all of these years.” O
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Tour with Def Leppard, Poison, Lita Ford hits Cleveland and Detroit.
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“My dad has 500 officers looking for you.” — Gwen Stacy, “The Amazing Spider-Man”
Andrew Garfield in a sticky situation. PHOTO COURTESY SONY PICTURES
Truly amazing By James A. Molnar The Gold Knight jmolnar@toledofreepress.com
The formula is the same: teenage boy gets bitten by a radioactive spider and his already complicated life gets even more complex. Yet the way in which the writers and director go about “The Amazing Spider-Man” is remarkable. It’s as if they lived in a world where a SpiderMan movie didn’t already exist, a world where Tobey Maguire was just a racehorse jockey. This new adaptation takes audiences away from the 2002 film version and erases their memory. Maguire who? From the start of the 136-minute film, viewers are in for a better experience: no extensive credits. The pacing is impeccable. The story is given room to grow and breathe. The introduction of the cast of characters is slow and deliberate. Peter Parker is a young boy playing hide-and-go-seek with his father and discovers someone has broken into his office. His parents leave and whisk him away to his aunt and uncle’s house. The relationship between the boy and his new parents is more developed and the chemistry between them — played to perfection by Sally Field
and Martin Sheen — is heartwarming. The story that unfolds is familiar, the major plot points from the first adaptation still there. A few things are missing. This Peter Parker seems to light up the screen more. Andrew Garfield is the real star here. He shines as the masked vigilante in the Spidey suit. Gone is Mary Jane. Emma Stone plays the new high school crush role of Gwen Stacy, daughter of New York police captain George Stacy (Denis Leary). And no Green Goblin here; Rhys Ifans plays Dr. Curt Connors, who turns into The Lizard. The visuals for said Lizard, along with the 3-D, is very impressive. The Lizard looks frightful on screen. Spider-Man also flies around with a pragmatic realism — it’s not always a smooth ride. Webs don’t appear out of nowhere from his wrists, but from well-engineered bracelet devices. And all the action occurs with delightful scoring by James Horner. This was late-movie producer Laura Ziskin’s last film. She would have been proud. Director Marc Webb, known for “(500) Days of Summer,” puts the emotion into the movie and the characters. Comparing this amazing film to the 2002 adaptation is inevitable and ultimately refreshing.
Marc Webb-directed reboot raises the stakes for Spider-Man franchise.
STAR @ the movies
STAR is looking for your movie reviews, 50 words or less. Send them via Twitter @toledofreepress. They could appear in print. For more reviews and news: www.toledofreepress.com/movies
‘Brave’
James A. Molnar, TFP Film Editor: ”This is the first Pixar film with a leading lady and the animation studio does well to take advantage of it. Little girls can look up to her. The story is ripe with mythology and purpose. The movie is fun to watch. The animation, as is the Pixar tradition, is breathtaking at times. Princess Merida’s curly hair is perfectly and precisely animated, the orange-red tufts glowing off the big screen.” The 2012 iteration is surprisingly good. Ten years later, audiences are treated to an even better film, breaking the general reality that remakes can never quite live up to their predecessors. Be sure to stay during the credits for a bonus scene. And note: this movie is not appropriate for young children. O
/5 Toledo Free Press Lead Designer and Film Editor James A. Molnar blogs about all things Oscar at TheGoldKnight.com. Watch him discuss movies on “WNWO Today” around 5:50 a.m. on Fridays.
“Five hundred? That seems a bit excessive.” — Spider-Man, “The Amazing Spider-Man”
Spidey swings into new film, new sagas By Jim Beard Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com
“Does whatever a spider can”? Try “does whatever a comic book/film superstar will do!” The Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Comics’ 50-year-old legendary hero, swings into a new film this week, but also manages to juggle several storylines in print. How does he do it? And how well does he do it? Glad you asked, true believers, because we went to a local Spidey expert to fill all the web-head’s fans in on his latest amazing adventures. Monarch Cards & Comics manager Ed Katschke said that not only is the web-slinger facing off against his old foe The Lizard in “The Amazing Spider-Man” film, but also in the pages of his long-running comic book. “I’m sure that it’s strictly coincidence that the Lizard is also the Big Bad for the new movie,” said Katschke, tongue planted firmly in cheek. “As per usual, writer Dan Slott does a wonderful job at tying up the loose threads from his previous story arc, pushing along various subplots involving supporting characters and giving us a slam-bang opening to this new arc, ‘No Turning Back.’ Ably assisted by artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, Slott has crafted a singularly creepy story and, unlike a lot of telegraphed plot twists, the surprise ending lives up to its promise.” But wait, that’s not all! Marvel is also pushing a mashup between not only Spider-Man ... but Spider-Man, too. “Spider-Men” brings about the
long-awaited team-up between the wall-crawlers of two worlds. “Last year, the ‘Ultimate Universe’ Peter Parker heroically sacrificed himself to save his friends and family and he was quickly replaced with a new teenage Spider-Man by the name of Miles Morales,” Katschke said. “Well, after years of purposely keeping their two distinct universes separate, writer and ‘Ultimate Universe’ architect Brian Michael Bendis has finally brought the ‘regular’ Marvel Universe Peter Parker across the dimensional divide to team up with his younger counterpart. ‘Spider-Men’ has so far been a fun and entertaining comic and Bendis is clearly having a blast showcasing this historic meeting. Regular Ultimate Spider-Man penciler Sara Pichelli’s manga-esque style is perfectly suited to the story and Bendis has crafted a clever explanation as to how these two characters can meet and detailed the unexpected connection the two worlds have in common.” O
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n . 7
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“Your father and I were going to change the lives of billions.” — Dr. Connors, “Amazing Spider-Man”
Meet Zach Fishel
I
want introduce you to Zach Fishel, a young poet who has just recently become part of the Glass City poetry scene. Several months ago I was sitting in the newly opened Ukazoo Books after a poetry reading presented by a group of university students. I noticed a young guy with a lumberjack beard talking rather loudly about censorship and how the host JOHN was telling him to tone down the language in a poem he had read before I came in. I sat there fascinated because I hadn’t seen or felt that kind of passion for a long time. The poet in question made a beeline for me and started telling me his story. That was my first introduction to Zach Fishel, University of Toledo graduate student and as it turns out, widely published poet. I first heard Fishel in passing at some coffeehouse
reading; he later tracked me down on Facebook to ask about local readings, but it wasn’t until Ukazoo that I really took notice. Since then he has been published alongside old friends of mine, been offered a post as an editor with Red Fez.net, taken a position as the summer writing clinician for the Arts Commission’s Young Artists at Work (YAAW) program and read for Michael Grover and me at the Collingwood Arts Center. All this and I still don’t think that Toledo has really offered him a proper hello, but I guess that goes both ways, so let me do the introductions. Fishel is a graduate of Lock Haven University of Pennsylvani. He is a poetry editor for www. jumpingbluegods.com and an associate editor for Girls with Insurance Magazine. His work has recently been published in MadSwirl, Yes,
DORSEY
Glass City
MUSE
When You Leave a Woman Behind By Zach Fishel
Poetry, Words Dance, the Boiler Journal, and far too many other publications for me to mention. That’s just standard bio stuff. For a true look at Fishel’s work, I recommend just going online and looking up his kickass poems, which offer more insight into his literary passions than I have space to talk about here. You can find an interview with Zach at curlyredstories. com/zachary-fishelcr-stories-interview/. FISHEL When someone new comes to the scene, we should do our best to embrace them because we were once that fresh face in the crowd, too. So on behalf of the city of Toledo, I say, “Hello, Zach Fishel. Welcome to the Glass City, and keep that passion coming, because we need all the new voices we can get.” Until next time … keep your pencil sharp. O John Dorsey resides in Toledo’s Old West End. His work is widely published and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.
I walk steadily like the rowing of an oar in the ocean, going nowhere, but stretching limbs out like saltwater taffy. My teeth smell like new toothpaste, that we supplemented by the French kiss of dental floss and dollar brand mouthwash. Today is a memory waiting to be creased and kept in your khakis. The moon is a smashed obelisk left to hang over the arching brows of your drunken yells. We fight for five blocks your heels clicking the cement like a metronome made out of cheap rum and shoddy eyeliner. I leave you on the corner to catch the first bus out of here as if we both don’t know you already have a round trip ticket. Pockets resting like cadavers in my jeans, wishing to hug you. The taillights are a harmless smolder of the fire I left behind.
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TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 9
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This Outfit
Protection
By Matthew Sradeja, Toledo
By Cheryl A. Rice, Kingston, NY
The jacket is too big The shirt is itchy and rough And the tie is too short Mom this is stupid! I want out
Late night eclipse of uncertain moon, veiled in a lace of clouds, celebrates a subtle solstice, another holiday to get through. I wish you’d been there beside me in that grass covered hollow under the bushes of my second house as a child. Too deep to mow, a cool nest feathered with dandelions, sheltered by chains of forsythia,
Divinity
By R.L. Raymond, London, Ontario, Canada You don’t believe in god – not really But when the cab pulls up you start to wonder: Enormous sunglasses dangle from a rosary on the rearview; When he drives and speaks the cabbie uses his hands – a lot; When he laughs he closes his eyes – for too long; With that blindspot you could drive a truck through… You figure he’s just going on faith And that JC himself is in the passenger seat running the ghost brake
Editor’s Note
For this edition, I primarily decided to go with pieces by authors I had worked with before that I felt deserved a second glance. I am still looking for work for a special Michigan-poets-only edition. As always send questions, comments and concerns to glasscitymuse1@ yahoo.com. We are currently seeking submissions. — John Dorsey
I read there, curled in that green womb. I would have made room. I always do. We could have talked baseball. You could have clued me in about the joys of winter, making the most of what you have. We could have dozed off in a ring of acorn cups, lilacs incensing the brief spring breeze. I am trying to remember all you said now in our hotel chatter, content forgotten, soothing sound of your voice all that’s left, the friends we were before our bodies developed minds of their own, spilling like coffee from an off-balance pot. To join in with the cold, embrace the icicles, kiss back the breeze bite for bite, would remind me of more, of April avenues, of yellow infant flowers stumbling towards the sun August nights when the skies twinkled brighter than any halogen imposters, crates of Christmas clementines to pass around, sharing the sweetness inside the bitter peel.
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What to bring and where to find it cheap.
O
h, the joys of packing. During the summer, most people take the time to travel. The summer months allow families to enjoy a trip to the beach or amusement parks, long weekends with girlfriends or getaways with our loved one. The actual idea of going somewhere is exciting — that is, until we have to think about packing. Packing seems to be one of the most dreadful parts of a vacation-it probably ties up LaUREN there with actually leaving the vacation and then having to unpack when we get home! As women, we tend to over pack. We want options in case we stay in, go out, in case it’s extremely hot or chilly. The process can be quite overwhelming. I have learned that there are only a few essentials that any woman needs when traveling. To make it easy on any woman traveling this summer, here are the top packing essentials, and just in case you do not have one of them, here’s where to find them cheap! A bathing suit that you feel good in. Most women don’t live in their bathing suits, unless she is a surfer or lifeguard for a living so don’t fret over wearing one on vacation. It’s your time to catch some sun, and relax so pack a bathing suit that you feel comfortable and confident in. Also, only pack one suit. Yes, one! There is no reason to stress yourself out over which one looks better on your shape over the other so just pick the one that you like best and stick with it. If you don’t like any of the suits that you own, then check out Old Navy. Old Navy’s swimsuits
are cut for real women so they fit and look nice and best of all are inexpensive. A dress that transitions from day to night. A summer dress that can look casual or dressy is ideal not just for vacation but for adding to your everyday wardrobe. The idea of being able to slip on a comfortable dress for the beach or for lunch and then being able to transition that for drinks or dinner at night is perfect for you and your light packing. During the day throw your dress on over your bathing suit and for at night dress it up with fun jewelry and a pair of wedges. Target has the perfect transition dress for $19.99. It is strapless so perfect for the beach, but can also look sultry for at night. Wedge sandals. Perfect for night, or day. Wedge sandals are a must when traveling because they are cute and comfortable. Wedge sandals can be played down with a pair of cute shorts, or can look dressy with a flowy dress. Either way, the look is always clean, cute and comfortable. Modcloth.com has an tan and black pair 00 adorable $ of wedge sandals for $43. The tan and black make your looks more tranWedge sandals: sitional and much tan and black easier to work with. wedges sandals at Statement acModcloth.com cessories are a must when on vacation. Statement accessories can instantly change your look from relaxed and beachy to upscale and formal. Statement accessories
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choosing shorts, choose a pair that has some added detail or choose a pair that it is a fun, bright color. This will make them easier to dress up at night. Romwe.com has a great turquoise pair with tuliped detail and cream bow belt. Pair your bright shorts with a bright top like the yellow H&M blouse for only $12.00. The colors make a statement yet look put together. Tie the look together with a pair of sassy wedges like the grey and yellow wedges from Target for $29.99. We have enough stress in our day-to-day lives that the last thing we should be stressing about is what to pack for our getaway. A getaway is supposed to be a time for escaping the stress, so choose items that you not only feel comfortable in, but feel good in. Next time you travel, cheers to packing light, spending little and looking fabulous. O
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A bright colored top and shorts: Shorts from romwe.com, H&M blouse and Target wedges
include belts, 50 sunglasses, ear$ rings, bracelets and necklaces. If you are trying to pack light, bring a maximum of two each. This will give you options without have overload. For fun jewelry, belts or sunglasses go to places like Forever 21 or H&M. The options are endless and extremely cheap. A fun bright top with shorts. A great top with a pair of shorts is always a go-to outfit when traveling. What I love Lauren blogs about fashion about this look, is that at www.mypinmoneyfashion. it can also go from cacom. Email her at lauren@ sual to night time sexy mypinmoneyfashion.com. in minutes. By adding Tune into Star 105 every belts, jewelry or shoes 95 Monday morning the look can transi$ tion without looking Statement accessories: at 6:30 for weekly fashion advice. overdone. When H&M clutch
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A comfortable bathing suit: Old Navy top and bottoms
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Transitional dress: Target strapless dress
O’NEILL
FASHION
99 9 1
3664 Rugby Dr. Toledo, Ohio
419-385-2121 Hours Mon-Fri: 6:30a-5p. Sat: 7:30a-3p
Plate21.com
Try our traditional espresso drinks, brewed coffee, whole leaf teas, 100% fruit smoothies, breakfast, lunch and much more.
“All these souls, lost and alone, I can save them! I can cure them!” — Dr. Connors, “Amazing Spider-Man”
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 11
12 n JULY 4, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
“Ready to play God?” — Dr. Connors, “Amazing Spider-Man”
THE PATIO IS NOW OPEN
ALL SUMMER LONG! agé Jazz Caf g é D
é
Black Pearl
301 River Road Maumee
full-service patio seats 35 and exudes
(419) 794-8456 www.historiccommercial building.com/degage.php
the atmosphere of a French sidewalk café, said operations manager Nick Davis. Located in a building listed on
Open: 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday,
4630 Heatherdowns Blvd. Toledo
(419) 380-1616
the National Register of Historic Places, Dégagé offers a seasonally changing menu, extensive wine and martini lists, four locally crafted beers on tap and live jazz five nights a week. O
C
®
relaxing atmosphere, half-off bar and
7723 Airport Hwy.
Jazz Café & Fine Dining Restaurant
patio specials Thursdays starting at 9 p.m., said general manager Brad
Holland, (419) 491-0098
Open: 3:30–9 p.m. Monday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Sunday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Waterville, (419) 878-9105
www.chowdersnmoor.com
casual yet upscale dining experience perfect for catching a meal before a
Open: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday (Holland); 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday (Waterville)
show, Holler said. Catering and a private room are also available. O
Loma Linda Celebrating 56 years.
Manhattan’s
Manhattan’s brings the taste of New York to Toledo with menu items like Manhattan
1516 Adams St.
Clam Chowder and Staten Island Salmon.
Toledo
The restaurant features live jazz and blues music Monday through Saturday with an open-air patio and free Wi-Fi. Warmweather Wednesday evenings on the ails patio are dedicated to Yappy cockt Hour after work with
relaxed urban chef-made doggie treats. Reservations re spheare atmo
recommended on weekends. o’s best jazz toledO
Patrons enjoy Loma Linda’s fullservice patio because its location offers
a clear view of both inside and outside the restaurant so diners are able to watch what’s going on all around them, said manager Jeanie Kunzer. The patio also
features a fireplace. Loma Linda serves e, authentic Mexican and American cuisin including lunch specials, margaritas, nachos, appetizers and more. O
and blues music, thursday to sunday
Loma Linda
10400 Airport Hwy.
(419) 243-6675
www.manhattanstoledo.com Open: Lunch starts at 11 a.m. Monday-Saturday;
a n ’s t t Monday-Saturday; a p.m. n h5–10 Dinner, Brunch, M a and relax. Join us for
kick back is the perfect place 10 toa.m. to 2thep.m. Sunday ct cocktail. Try our perfe with lunch or end your day g your friends. s or stay for dinner. Brin tizer scrumptious appe time. are sure to have a good You . ones new some t Mee
lunch dinner cocktails nstoledo.com parking • www.manhatta o • 419.243.6675 • free 1516 adams st., toled
Swanton
(419) 865-5455
www.toledostripletreat.com/loma Open: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Along with nautical décor and its famous white chicken chili, Chowders ‘N Moor in Holland offers rain or shine patio seating for 135 people
with music Mondays and Fridays starting in June, said owners Tom
312 South St.
Holler. Known for its prime rib and fresh seafood, the venue offers a
www.blackpearltoledo.com
rs ‘N Mo e d w o ho
r
Black Pearl
The Black Pearl’s patio overlooks Stranahan Theater and features a
With a name meaning “to feel free, easy and relaxed,” Dégagé’s cozy,
and Tina Kuron. Waterville’s smaller patio seats 40. The menu features
homemade soups, grilled sandwiches, salads and seafood. Specials include Margarita Mondays with $2 margaritas and 99-cent tacos. O
y’s at the Park b m i Qu 25 S. HToluredoon St. (419) 244-7222
p.m. (lunch) Open: 11 a.m. to 2 Tuesday-Friday, er) nn (di se and 5 p.m. to clo day, tur Sa se 5 p.m. to clo nday closed Sunday and Mo sa Quimby’s at the Park offer facing patio red cove ially casual, part d Thir Fifth to ance entr the main postField, perfect for watching orks, game or Fourth of July firew said general manager Tony about Murawski. The space seats
ty of 40 people and also offers plen ice bar, serv fulla , room ding stan ials and daily drink and food spec al live sion a platform stage for occa yone music. “In the summer, ever ” , patio the for goes straight ty of Murawski said. “There’s plen ”O room to sit, eat and drink.
“If you’re going to steal cars, don’t dress like a car thief.” — Spider-Man, “Amazing Spider-Man”
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 13
facebook calendar July 5-6
July 7-10 The Northwest Ohio Independent Film Festival
SPINESHANK wsg -The Agonist
Friday, July 6, 2012 until Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 10:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center of Lima/Allen County 7 Town Square, Lima, Ohio
Saturday, July 7, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Headliners
Spineshank wsg-The Agonist, Mureau, Truth Ascension, Demonshifter. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door night of show.
DEFY EXPECTATIONS! The Northwest Ohio Independent Film Festival will primarily emanate from the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center from July 6-8, 2012! Be part of several screenings of the top Independent Feature, Short and High School Films from around the world! Meet the filmmakers as they share their thoughts during Q&A sessions after each screening! The Festival will also host several Panel Discussions during the weekend, including “COMICS AND CINEMA” hosted by Wapakoneta native and producer of last year’s Opening Night Film, SUPERHEROES at Alter Ego Comics, and “UNDER 21” — a panel hosted by young filmmakers as they share their experiences.
SuGarBoxX with Crashdollz and special guests The Black Order Saturday, July 7, 2012, 9:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. Woodchuck’s Bar & Grill, 224 S. Erie St., Toledo
Toledo’s very own SuGarBoxX is a band that stands out.Why? Because they play rock music that’s fun,melodic,you can sing along and it kicks ass. No doom, no gloom, and no bad ass act... Just music that makes you smile,rock and shake your ass! This will be one of the only times you’ll catch Sugarboxx locally all summer long, and its a headlining show, so look for surprises musically and visually that you have not been treated to before. 9PM Doors. $5.00 21 & Up. $7.00 Under. Rock under the stars — weather permitting show will be outside.
Visit www.nwoff.org or email info@nwoff.org for more information! See you in Lima! Long live Independent Cinema!
Adrian First Fridays — Star-Spangled Friday Friday, July 6, 2012, 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Downtown Adrian, Michigan
Foxy Shazam
Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 8:00 p.m. Mickey Finn’s Pub, 602 Lagrange St., Toledo
Join us for art, music, food and fun as we observe Independence Day a few days late ... on Friday, July 6, in downtown Adrian.
Bad Veins wsg- Kansas Bible Company @ Mickey Finn’s on 7/6
wsg- Stars on Stereo, Cadaver Dogs, ROMANS. After recent tours with Panic! at the Disco and The Darkness, Ohio rock ‘n’ roll sensation Foxy Shazam return to Toledo in support of their bombastic new record, Church of Rock N Roll.
Bad Veins wsg- GOLD, Kansas Bible Company. Tickets are $5.
Tickets are $12 in advance, and $15 at the door night of show. Tickets can be purchased at online at ticketmaster.com.
Friday, July 6, 2012, 9:00 p.m. Mickey Finn’s Pub, 602 Lagrange St., Toledo
Events subject to change. Information posted on Facebook.
THE PATIO IS NOW OPEN H
With a family-friendly atmosphere by day and a tavern atmosphere by night, Home Slice Pizza offers two partially
covered patio areas — a first-floor deck -floor with stairs leading to a smaller second spaces Both bar. rs upstai the off balcony just views offer several tables, graffiti murals and d of Downtown and Fifth Third Field. Owne by brothers Eddie and Jamie Knight the eatery serves subs, pizza and salads, and
features live entertainment on weekends, host happy hour 4-7 p.m. daily and plans to
ALL SUMMER LONG th End Grille u o S
Slice Pizz a ome Toledo
(419) 724-7437
Toledo
Open: Kitchen hours are noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, 5-10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday
(419) 385-3080
www.southendgrille.com Open: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon to midnight Sunday-Monday
le
Ro
talia is e’s I n Gril
606 N. McCord Road Toledo
(419) 866-5007
www.rosiesitaliangrille.com
Patio Party June 29 9 p.m.
ANTS!
5105 Glendale Ave.
28 S. Saint Clair St.
monthly patio parties. O
HEL SUPPOPR T OUR RESTAULOCAL R
Open: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, 4–9 p.m. Sunday
Rosie’s offers two patios: A 30-seat front smoking patio features two large tables each fully enclosable into a personal gazebo, smaller tables and a group of cushioned chairs, while a nonsmoking back patio features a
half-enclosed 50-seat room available for private parties and an outside seating area, featuring a waterfall. Wine bottles are $5 or $10 off on Wednesdays. “It
feels like an Italian villa,” said owner Phil Barone. “People say, ‘It feels like we’re on
vacation,’ and that’s what we want.” O
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
LIVE DJ Friday and Saturday es an b food and featur serves upscale pu a.m. to 7 This casual eatery 11 ur ho include happy th a bar. Specials esdays Tu on outdoor patio wi s ng wi s boneles ngs and 45-cent wi nt -ce 50 ily, eral manager p.m. da at $9.99, said gen specials starting d foo nd eke we and O and Saturdays. plays on Fridays Chris Felix. A DJ
14 n JULY 4, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
sunday
“Peter, what’s going on?” — Aunt May, “Amazing Spider-Man”
JULY
monday 1
DOLLAR DAYS
tuesday
wednesday
3
2
FR ADMISEE SION E VERY R ACE DAY!
thursday
4
friday 5
saturday 6
7 Two $500 Sporting Goods Gift Cards Ryan Dunlap
CLOSED
8
DOLLAR DAYS
10
9
11
12
13
14
Professional Football Game 50-yard line Tickets
Acoustic Magic with Zak and Eddie
CLOSED
15
DOLLAR DAYS
17
16
18
19
20
21 Laptop and wireless printer bundle East River Drive
CLOSED
22
DOLLAR DAYS
24
23
25
26
27
28 $500 Cash
Hoozier Daddy
CLOSED
29
DOLLAR DAYS
30
31
CLOSED
No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years of age or older. One entry per person. Live Harness Racing Saturdays at 7p.m. & Sundays at 6p.m. now to September 16th.
“Do you have any idea what you really are?” — Dr. Connors, “Amazing Spider-Man”
JULY 7
SPORTING GOODS GIFT CARDS Two Sporting goods gift cards valued at $500 each.
JULY 14
Enjoy a Professional Football game with seats at the 50-yard line.
JULY 21
LAPTOP AND PRINTER BUNDLE 500 GB 15.6” AMD DUAL Core laptop, with a wireless multi-function printer.
JULY 28
CASH Win $500 in cash.
Ryan Dunlap Acoustic Magic with Zak and Eddie
July 21 July 28
East River Drive Hozzier Daddy
WINNERS EVERY WEEKEND!
2012 Party at the Park Summer Concert Series at Raceway Park. Live music every Saturday starting at 5p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to the end of the Live Racing Season! July 7 July 14
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 15
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“I’m in trouble.” — Gwen Stacy, “Amazing Spider-Man”
((((((((((((( THE PULSE
JULY 4-11, 2012
What’s what, where and when in NW Ohio
Compiled by Whitney Meschke Events are subject to change.
MUSIC The Ark
This small venue offers a showcase for lesserknown acts. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. (734) 761-1451, (734) 761-1800 or www.theark.org. O Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams: 8 p.m. July 5, $20. O Detour: 8 p.m. July 6, $15. O Janiva Magness: 8 p.m. July 7, $21. O Diana Lawrence, Phoebe Hunt: 7:30 p.m. July 8, $15. O Adrian Legg: 8 p.m. July 9, $17.50. O Johnny Clegg: 8 p.m. July 10, $25. O James Vincent McMorrow, Abigail Stauffer: 8 p.m. July 11, $15. O Edwin McCain: 8 p.m. July 12, $20. O Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds: 8 p.m. July 13, $15.
Bar 145°
This new venue features burgers, bands and bourbon, if its slogan is to be believed. $5 cover. 5304 Monroe St. (419) 593-0073 or bar145toledo.com. O Longreef: July 5-6. O Pop Rocks: July 7. O Dan Fester: 9 p.m. July 11. O Arctic Clam: 10 p.m. July 12. O Tricky Dick and the Cover-Ups: July 13.
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 Arctic Clam: July 4. O Rick Whited: July 5. O Skoobie Snaks: July 12. O Calen Savidge: July 13.
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 Ishka, Is He Real? Professor Megablown, 947 Crew, Crack City: 9:30 p.m. July 5. O Ann Arbor Soul Club, Brad Hales, Breck T: 9:30 p.m. July 6. O Dirty Deville, Tree Hut Kings, East Harvest: 9:30 p.m. July 7. O EL-P, Killer Mike, Mr. Motherf***** Exquire, Despot, Bedroxx: 8 p.m. July 8. O Professor Cat, EVBP, the Basement People: 9:30 p.m. July 10. O Evans Blue, State Your Cause, Kaleido: 8 p.m. July 11. O The Deep End, Indigo Sun, Newday Dreamers: 9:30 p.m. July 12. O Dragon Wagon, Match by Match, Nickie P.: 9:30 p.m. July 13.
Bronze Boar
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 Open mic: Thursdays and Mondays. O Stonehouse: July 6. O Beg to Differ: July 7. O Mojopin: July 13.
Caesars Windsor
If you have your passport, consider hopping the Detroit River for this casino’s entertainment offerings. Starting 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 The Tragically Hip: 8 p.m. July 5, $55.
Cheers Sports Eatery
This family-friendly eatery dishes up live perfor-
mances … and Chicago-style pizza. 7131 Orchard Centre Dr., Holland. (419) 491-0990. O Chris Shutters: July 7.
Sponsored by:
Dégagé Jazz Café
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.degagejazzcafe.com. O Gene Parker & Friends: 7-10 p.m. July 4 and 10-11. O Leo Darrington: July 5. O Straight Up: 7:30 p.m. July 6-7. O Ramona Collins: 7:30 p.m. July 13-14.
Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com. O The Eight Fifteens: 9:30 p.m. July 13 and 8:30 p.m. July 14.
Frankie’s
Karaoke is offered Tuesdays, but paid entertainers rock out Wednesdays-Saturdays. 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www. thedistilleryonline.com. O DJ Mark EP: Thursdays. O Mark Would: July 4. O DJ Nune: July 6. O Moving to Boise: July 7. O Ear Regulars: July 13.
Toledo’s venue for rock. 308 Main St. $5-$15, unless noted. (419) 693-5300 or www.FrankiesInnerCity.com. O Brynn & Emma, Day Trip: 9 p.m. July 6, free. O Pieces of a Blackout: 9 p.m. July 7. O Evans Blue, 7th Cycle, State Your Cause, Edge Water Drive: 6 p.m. July 8, $12-$15. O Reign Supreme, Hollow Earth, Knuckle Up, Disconnected, React, Sawchuk: 6 p.m. July 11. O The Silent Age, Dinner and a Suit, Halero, the Lonely Friends: 9 p.m. July 13.
Doc Watson’s
French Quarter J. Patrick’s Pub
Evolution
Greektown Casino-Hotel
The Distillery
Named in honor of the owners’ forefather, this bar and restaurant serves a variety of dishes and entertainment. 1515 S. Byrne Road. (419) 389-6003 or docwatsonstoledo.com. O Andrew Ellis & Lucky Lemont: July 6. A club “for the mature crowd,” Evolution offers $5 martinis on Thursdays and the occasional live musical performance. 519 S. Reynolds Road. (419) 725-6277 or clubevolutiontol.com. O Tantric Soul: 9 p.m. July 13.
Fat Fish Blue
Serving blues and similar sounds, as well as bayou-style grub. Levis Commons, 6140 Levis
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 Moores Law: July 6-7. O Bush League: July 13-14. Three stages — at Shotz Sports Bar, Eclipz Ultra Lounge and Asteria — offer competition for gamblers’ attention. 555 E. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit. No cover charge, unless noted; guests must be 21 or older. (888) 771-4386 or www.greektowncasino.com. O Karaoke: 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Shotz. O DJ Zig Zag: 9:30 p.m. Saturdays, Shotz. O DJ Lee J: 9 p.m. Sundays, Shotz.
HALF OFF BREAKFAST Every Day until 11 a.m. 3 Toledo locations to serve you! www.CharliesofToledo.com
@ CharliesRestaurants @ charliestoledo
“I am issuing an arrest warrant for ... Spider-Man!� — Capt. Stacy, “Amazing Spider-Man� Griffin’s Hines Farm Blues Club
What started as house parties in a farmhouse basement evolved into Northwest Ohio’s legendary blues mecca. Johnny Rawls, 7 p.m. July 7, 3750 S. Berkey Southern Road, Swanton. $12. www.hinesfarm.com.
H Lounge
The newly opened Hollywood Casino Toledo offers offers “electrifying� entertainment 7-nightsa-week. 777 Hollywood Blvd. (419) 661-5200 or www.hollywoodcasinotoledo.com. O Venyx: 7 p.m. July 4. O Aaron Stark Band, DJ Rob Sample: 8 p.m. July 5. O The Homewreckers, DJ Rob Sample, DJ Kay Jay: 8 p.m. July 6.
 O Moon Dogs, DJ Robert Perkins, DJ Kay Jay: 8 p.m. July 7.
 O Moores Law: 7 p.m. July 8.
 O Tom Turner: 7 p.m. July 9. 
 O David Carpenter Duo: 7 p.m. July 10.
 O Rodney Parker and Liberty Beach: 7 p.m. July 11. O MAS FiNA, DJ Matt Lewis: 8 p.m. July 12. 
 O Dal Bouey, DJ Rob Sample: 8 p.m. July 13. 

Headliners
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 Pop Evil: July 6. O Spineshank, the Agonist, Mureau: July 7. O 12 Stones: July 12.
JJ’s Pub
Live music is on Saturday’s menu; the genre varies, along with the cover charge. Karaoke is on tap 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, and a DJ starts spinning at 9 p.m. Fridays. 26611 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg. (419) 874-9058 or jjsperrysburg.com. O John Barile and Bobby May: 8 p.m. July 10.
Kerrytown Concert House
This venue focuses on classical, jazz and opera artists and music. 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. $5-$30, unless noted. (734) 769-2999 or www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com. O Stephen Rush, Jeremy Edwards, Andrew Bishop: 4 p.m. July 8. O Louis Nagel: 8 p.m. July 11 and 14, free; 8 p.m. July 12; 4 p.m. July 15.
Manhattan’s
This “slice of the Big Apple� in the Glass City provides entertainment most weekends. Closed Memorial Day. 1516 Adams St. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com. O Open mic: 9 p.m. Monday nights. O Estar Cohen Quartet: 6:30 p.m. July 5. O Steven Woolley: 9 p.m. July 6. O MoJoe Bones & His Noble Jones: 8 p.m. July 7. O Steve Kennedy: 7 p.m. July 11. O Quick Trio: 6:30 p.m. July 12. O Blue Flamingoes: 9 p.m. July 13.
Mickey Finn’s
A variety of genres to wash your drinks down with. Open mic nights, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, no cover; $5-$7 cover other nights. 602 Lagrange St. (419) 246-3466 or www.mickey finnspub.com. O Open mic: 9 p.m. Wednesdays. O Bad Veins, Kansas Bible: 9 p.m. July 6.
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 17
O Foxy Shazam: 8 p.m. July 10, $12-$15. O Soft White Sixties: 9 p.m. July 12, free. O And So I Watch You From Afar, Zechs Mar-
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This casino’s Sound Board offers big names, big sounds and a big experience. 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit. Guests must be 21 or older. (866) 782-9622 or www.motorcitycasino.com. The casino’s Chromatics Lounge also features live performances. O Fabulous Soul Shakers: 7 p.m. July 4. O Cancel Mondays: 7 p.m. July 5. O Step 13: 5:15 p.m. July 6. O Larry Lee & Back in the Day: 10 p.m. July 6. O Diversity: 5:15 p.m. July 7. O Serieux: 10 p.m. July 7. O Nightline: 3:30 p.m. July 8. O Intrigue: 7 p.m. July 9. O 80’s Inc.: 7 p.m. July 10. O Hidden Agenda: 7 p.m. July 11. O Lil Stubby & Disappointments: 7 p.m. July 12. O L’USA: 5:15 p.m. July 13. O Phase 5: 10 p.m. July 13.
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Mutz
This pub offers handcrafted brews ‌ and live entertainment. 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Mutz at the Oliver House, 27 Broadway. (419) 243-1302 or www. TheOliverHouseToledo.com. O DJ Nate Mattimoe: 10 p.m. Saturdays. O Jeff Stewart: July 6. O Chris Shutters Trio: July 13.
One2 Lounge at Treo
Live music starts at 7:30 p.m. 5703 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 882-2266 or treosylvania.com. O Organized, Tim Tiderman: July 6. O What’s Next, Raq the Casbah: July 7.
Ottawa Tavern
Casual meals with weekend entertainment. 1815 Adams St. (419) 725-5483 or www.otavern.com. O Mira Loma and the Bad Vibes: 10 p.m. July 4. O F*** Knights, Muddy Udders, the Dead Sun: 10 p.m. July 5. O Little Elephant 1 Year Anniversary: 10 p.m. July 6.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
What began as an antique store in Chicago turned into a string of more than 200 eateries nationwide, including Toledo. All of the shops feature live music. 4038 Talmadge Road. (419) 725-5037 or www.potbelly.com. O Don Coats: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays. O Tom Drummonds: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
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Rosie’s Italian Grille
The home of Hot Mama Bread also hosts the occasional entertainer. 606 N. McCord Road. (419) 866-5007 or www.rosiesitaliangrille.com. O Elixer: 7-10 p.m. July 6.
*ULY s 4HE 3ODBUSTER "AR (AYMARKET 3QUARE . -AIN 3T 3YLVANIA /HIO
4:-7"/*" BRINGING THE FLAVORS OF
mexico
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
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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
Robinwood Concert House
A home for the avant garde and untraditional, this Old West End venue hosts artists on the experimental end of the musical rainbow. 9 p.m., 2564 Robinwood Ave. $5 donation, unless noted. www.toledobellows.wordpress.com. O Valerie Kuehne, Joey Molinaro: July 6. O Ralph White, Joshua Burkett, Matthew De Gennaro: July 11.
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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
18 n JULY 4, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
“If you want the truth, Peter, come and get it!” — Dr. Connors, “Amazing Spider-Man” Stella’s
Nouveau cuisine gets a helping of classic rock, R&B and jazz Thursdays through Saturdays. 104 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. (419) 873-8360 or www.stellasrestaurantandbar.com. O CJ and Company: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. O Eddie Molina: 6:30 p.m. July 5. O Greg Arranda: 8:30 p.m. July 6. O Pete “Big Dog” Fetters: 8:30 p.m. July 7.
Uptown Night Club
Rewired presents Goth Night at 9 p.m. Wednesdays and ’80s/’90s dance music on Mondays. 160 N. Main St., Bowling Green. No cover. (419) 352-9310 or uptowndowntownbg.com.
The Village Idiot
Tunes combined with pizza and booze, some would say it’s a perfect combination. 309 Conant St., Maumee. (419) 893-7281 or www.villageidiotmaumee.com. O Old West End Records: 8 p.m. Wednesdays. O Bob Rex Trio; the Eight-Fifteens: 6 and 10 p.m. Sundays. O Frankie May and friends: 10 p.m. Mondays.
Webber’s Waterfront Restaurant
This Point Place eatery hosts weekly entertainment on its patio with a river view. 3 p.m., 6339 Edgewater Dr. (734) 723-7411 or www.webbersrestaurant.samsbiz.com. O Johnny Rodriguez: July 8.
Woodchucks
The place to go for an eclectic mix of people and music. 224 S. Erie St. $3. (419) 241-3045.
Custom, Corporate & Unique Gifts, P Private Parties, Glass Blowing Demos, Classes & Workshops.
O SuGarBoxX, Sweet Revenge, The Black Order: July 7.
Ye Olde Cock n’ Bull Tavern
Another drinking-and-dining option has opened up near Fifth Third Field and will feature occasional musical performances. 9 N. Huron St. (419) 244-2855. O Danny Mettler: 7 p.m. Sundays. O Joe Woods Band: 9:30 p.m. July 6. O John Barile and Bobby May: 6 p.m. July 6 and 13. O The Jaeglers: 9:30 p.m. July 7. O Distant Cousinz: 9:30 p.m. July 13.
Ye Olde Durty Bird
It’s back, and more entertaining than ever. 2 S. St. Clair. (419) 243-2473 or www.yeoldedurtybird.com. O Michael Whitty & Cliff Murphy: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.
Swingmania
With its focus on swing music, Jeff McDonald’s group of musicians provides a peek into another era, with music from bandleaders such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, the Dorseys and more. With combos from trio to full orchestra, the performers provide music for all occasions. (419) 708-0265, (419) 874-0290 or www.swingmania.org. O Swing Revival Party: 8 p.m. Thursdays, South Briar Restaurant, 5147 S. Main St., Sylvania. (419) 517-1111 or (419) 708-0265. O Big Band All Stars: Dancing is encouraged. 8-10:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trotter’s Tavern, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 381-2079 or (419) 708-0265.
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“I’ve got to stop him, because I created him.” — Peter Parker, “Amazing Spider-Man” Top of the Park
Part of Ann Arbor’s Summer Festival, these events feature lots of music and the occasional movie. Additional activities for kids (and their adults) are held at nearby locations. 5 p.m. (unless noted), University of Michigan’s Ingalls Mall, East Washington Street near Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor. $3-$5 donation. (734) 994-5999 or www. annarborsummerfestival.org. O Tumbao Bravo, Los Gatos, “Forrest Gump”: July 4. O Lightning Love, Charlie Slick, “Answer This!” July 5. O Taylor Fernandez, Khalid Hanifi, the Saints of Soul, Brother Joscephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra, DJ Joey D: July 6. O Jennie DeVoe, Nervous but Excited, Creolization, Thornetta Davis, DJ Chill Will: July 7. O Ariel & Zoey & Eli, Too; Big Bang Boom; George Bedard & the Kingpins; “Dirty Dancing: July 8.
Centennial Terrace
This venue next to a quarry hosts dance parties, swing bands, country singers and rockers. 5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania. (419) 882-1500, (419) 381-8851, www.centennialterrace.org or www. ticketmaster.com. O Bret Michaels: 8 p.m. July 5, $27.50-$67. O Get the Led Out: The American Led Zeppelin. 8 p.m. July 6, $16.50-$25. O Paradise Island Band, 2-Hour Delay: 6 p.m. July 13, $10; 21 and older only.
Lunch at Levis Square concert series
Downtown Toledo Improvement District conspires to set lunch to music. Noon-1:30 Thursdays through Aug. 30. Levis Square, North St. Clair Street and Madison Avenue. (419) 249-5494. O Grapesmugglers: July 5. O The Dan & Don Show: July 12.
Walbridge Park Summer Concert Series
Music will ring out across the river. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays through July 26, park bandstand, 2761 Broadway St. O Night Sessions: July 5. O The Kirbys: July 12.
Toledo Zoo Amphitheater concerts
Performers take the stage near Cheetah Valley. 2700 Broadway. (419) 474-1333 or ticketmaster.com. O Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Cracker: 6:30 p.m. July 6, $35-$58.50. O Santana: 7:30 p.m. July 11, $49.50-$89.50.
Music at St. Mary’s Park
This concert series offers tunes at a low price (free, that is, but donations are welcomed) on the bank of the River Raisin. 111 W. Elm Ave., Monroe, Mich. (734) 384-9156 or www. ci.monroe.mi.us/recreation_1.cfm. O Air National Guard Band of the Great Lakes: 7-8:30 p.m. July 6. O Lady Luck: 7-8:30 p.m. July 12.
Lunch in the Park
A local restaurant will be on-site offering nibbles while performers do their thing. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, Martin and Kiwanis shelters, Bowling Green City Park, 417 City Park Dr., Bowling Green. (419) 354-6223 or www.bgohio.org/departments/parks-and-recreation.
O Tapestry: July 6. O Ragtime Rick & Banjo Betty: July 13.
Club Friday
Some of the city’s most talented performers entertain museum-goers during TMA’s It’s Friday events. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Peristyle Terrace, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or toledomuseum.org. O Blind Bobby Smith & Princess Tiona: July 6. O Jack & the Bear: July 13.
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TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 19
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Party at the Park
The track hosts concerts before the evening’s harness races. 5 p.m. Saturdays, Raceway Park, 5700 Telegraph Rd. (419) 476-7751 or www.racewayparktoledo.com. O Ryan Dunlap: July 7.
Summer Concert Series
Open air weekend shows? Sounds like summer to us. 6 p.m. Saturdays, Glyn Smith Amphitheater, Ottawa Park. (419) 936-3887 or www. ci.toledo.oh.us. O Gray Devils: July 7.
Music Under the Stars
Toledo Symphony members play for people and polar bears alike at this free Toledo tradition. 7:30 p.m. Sundays, July 8-Aug. 12, Toledo Zoo amphitheater, 2700 Broadway. Parking, $6. (419) 246-8000, (800) 348-1253, www. toledosymphony.com or toledozoo.org.
Brown Bag Summer Concert Series
Grab your ham (or veggie) sammies and listen to some tunes while you nosh. 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 Jason Quick Trio: July 11.
Sunset Serenades: Bob Wurst
A summer series that capitalizes on Olander Park’s lake views and natural accompaniment (geese and ducks are known to sing backup). 7 p.m.-dusk July 11, Nederhouser Community Hall, Olander Park, 6930 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. $3 parking for non-Sylvania School District residents (or park at nearby Tam-o-Shanter and walk in). (419) 882-8313 or www.olanderpark.com.
Music at the Market
Weekly concerts will pierce the summer heat. 7 p.m. Thursdays, June 14-Aug. 23, Commodore Park, Louisiana and Indiana, Perrysburg. (419) 873-2787 or www.perrysburgarts.org. O Bumper Wallace: July 12.
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River Raisin Jazz Series
Musicians play at downtown restaurants as a psyche up for August’s River Raisin Jazz Festival. 6-10 p.m. July 12, Monroe Street Grill, 2 W. Front St., Monroe, Mich.; McGeady’s Town Pub, 39 S. Monroe St., Monroe, Mich.; and 129 Lounge, 129 E. Front St., Monroe, Mich. (734) 457-1030 or www.monroeinfo.com.
Jazz in the Square series
Regional be-boppers will perform in this sixth year of smooth sounds. 7 p.m. Fridays, July 13-Aug. 3, Loranger Square, Washington and East First streets. (734) 457-1030 or www. monroeinfo.com. O
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“So, tell us a little bit about yourself Mr.Parker.” — Capt. Stacy, “Amazing Spider-Man”
Celebration By Morgan Delp
Toledo Free Press Staff Writer mdelp@toledofreepress.com
Health care and education aren’t typically words that come to mind when someone says “festival.” But these are two key components of the annual African American Festival, which combines a fun, family-oriented atmosphere with community advancement initiatives. “We’re not traditional,” said Suzette Cowell, CEO of Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, which is presenting the festival for the eighth consecutive year. “If you’re putting something on for the community, you need to do something for the community’s needs.” COWELL The festival, which Cowell said is the largest event for the AfricanAmerican community in the area, is scheduled to take place July 14 and 15 at the University of Toledo’s Scott Park Campus on the corner of Parkside Boulevard and Nebraska Avenue. On July 13, a prayer breakfast will take place
African-American Festival celebrates history, health and education.
from 8-10 a.m. at Serenity Soul Food, 725 Nebraska Ave., and a parade will kick off the weekend’s festivities at 10 a.m. July 14. Ticket prices for the festival range from $5-$16, depending on age, time of day purchased and one- vs. two-day passes. Gates open at 1 p.m. both days. Food, rides, live entertainment and a host of vendors round out the event’s list of familyfriendly attractions. Last year, approximately 25,000 people attended the two-day event, and Cowell said she expects the same number, if not more.
Vision from God
The African American Festival was not merely the idea of a group of dedicated community members, although that is who made the festival a reality, but a vision from God bestowed upon Cowell, she said. In 2005, Cowell received a “Word from God” to organize a citywide festival with the purpose of bringing together the city of Toledo, according to a news release. Cowell is the CEO of Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, a financial institution founded July 1996 that serves individuals with low to moderate incomes in the Toledo area.
Bishop Duane C. Tisdale, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, along with Cowell, received visions and confirmations from God in 1992 to establish the credit union, which is currently located on Dorr Street. They worked with other religious and community leaders, including Rep. Marcy Kaptur, to make it a reality. The union’s purpose was to “be beneficial to the central city and do its best to address the concerns and the needs of their neighbors,” according to the release. Nelson Grace Park hosted the first annual festival in 2005, which drew about 600 people. In 2006, the credit union partnered with Mecca Temple 43 to combine their Shriner’s Day celebration with the festival, in response to a suggestion by former Mayor Jack Ford, the release stated. Every year, the nationally renowned Rance Allen Group has closed the festival with the last show on Sunday evening, and this year will be no different. Former performers include Smokie Norful, J Moss, First Creation, The Dramatics, Slave, Zapp, Shirley Murdock, The Manhattans, Nick Colionne and Joyce Cooling. In 2007, the festival outgrew Nelson Grace Park and formed a partnership with the Uni-
versity of Toledo, where the festival has occurred ever since. “When I look at the overall picture, it’s the families. Each year they bring another generation with them. I get to see the old and young enjoying themselves,” Cowell said. “To me, it’s like a family reunion.”
Family first
Tina L. Hall has been attending the event for the last four years, and says she brings her grandchildren to enjoy the Kids Zone, which will have six or seven rides for children to enjoy both days free of charge, courtesy of State Farm Insurance, said festival chair DeLise Simmons. Simmons said this year, the rides will be able to accommodate smaller children and families as well. The Kids Zone will also have face-painting and representation from the Toledo Zoo, Cowell said. “It brings us together in a nice atmosphere where we can meet and greet with friends on a good note, not a sad one, like a funeral,” Hall said. “It brings the community together where we can enjoy and have a good time, listen to music, where we’re not fighting.”
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“Not much to tell really.” — Peter Parker, “Amazing Spider-Man”
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 21
n FESTIVAL CONTINUED FROM 20 While she has never attended the parade before, Hall said she would definitely consider attending this year. The parade route, which heads east down Dorr Street onto City Park Avenue, ending at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church, includes about 40 groups from the area and out of town, Simmons said. JJ Express Drill and Drum Corp. will participate, along with a drill team from the Dayton area. Fifth Third Bank and Owens Community College are parade sponsors, Simmons said. When people come from church on July 15, they are invited to enjoy Sunday dinner, complete with chicken and dressing, Cowell said. There is no alcohol served at the festival and people are not allowed to bring in their own coolers of food or beverages. Cowell said traditional African-American fare and festival staples will be sold by vendors such as Ruby’s Kitchen, La Vista Restaurant and Black Kettle Barbeque. Simmons said there will be fried fish, chicken, corn on the cob, tacos, hamburgers, gumbo, turkey legs, funnel cakes, fresh squeezed lemonade, cotton candy, ice cream and macaroni and cheese. All ages are invited to enjoy the variety of food and music, which ranges from jazz to gospel, among other genres. Guests are also invited to bring their own lawn chairs to the festival, although folding chairs will be provided. On July 14, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes are the main attraction and will play at 8 p.m. Vickie Winans will directly precede the Rance Allen Group on Sunday night at 6:15 p.m. July 15th’s musical line-up includes many religious groups, including the Cornerstone Church Choir, which makes its festival debut at 3 p.m. The approximately 55-member group has performed at other area festivals and church events in the past. “Basically, we’re just coming to do what we do as a ministry and a church,” said Alan Maxie, music director at Cornerstone. “We will be doing different styles, not all gospel. There will be some gospel, but some contemporary and other [styles].”
University partnership
The University of Toledo not only provides the location site, a sponsorship from Pepsi and free parking for the festival, but alsoeducational and healthcare resources for the community. Shanda Gore, associate vice president of External Affairs at UT, is in charge of the organization of the host site. Her duties with the university also involve leading the Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement, where she oversees the Minority Business Development Center and the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women. For the first year, both centers will have booths as part of the community access area. “It’s a way we fulfill our mission of … celebrating diversity’s core values and improving the human condition,” Gore said. “We are building awareness because many individuals don’t know some of the programs we have.” Gore said after the festival, people will contact the Eberly Center, which provides classes and training to enable women to pursue higher education or a career, and the Minority Busi-
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Now Open att 5 p.m. p m. - N p. Noo Cover Cov Co C ove ver Tues., ver Tues Tu T ues es.,., Wed. Wedd & Thurs. W 301 River Road at The Historic Commercial Building VICKIE WINANS ness Development Center, which serves as support for minority-owned businesses, after learning about the free, public opportunities both centers offer. Gore said the University of Toledo Medical Center will be represented with a group of students from the College of Medicine chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), which uses the festival to spread awareness and raise funds through a raffle. “One of the missions our chapter has is to go around to minorities and anyone interested in attending medical school at UT [or elsewhere] and help them with the process,” said Hermann Simo, a medical student at UT who attended the festival as an executive member of the SNMA last year. “We try to inform the community and minorities specifically about opportunities to pursue higher education and where to go and who to contact.” Simo said it’s important that when minorities consider the healthcare field as a profession, they know that people of their same background are already involved. He said it can be helpful for people to see others they can look up to as mentors and role models in the field. Gore said free health screenings will be provided at the festival from 2-6 p.m. each day. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks are two services that have been provided in the past. John Adams works in enrollment management and is the senior director for Early Outreach at UT. Adams said his primary function is to raise awareness about the value of higher education to students in pre-high school years. Information on pursuing higher education will be available at a table at the festival. Adams said that while the festival focuses on African-American culture, members of all cultures are welcomed and encouraged to attend. “It’s a great opportunity for people to get together, enjoy each other and have a good time,” Adams said. “It’s an opportunity for everyone in the Toledo community to come together and learn more. With any other festivals you would have throughout the city, like the Polish, Greek and Birmingham festivals, it’s a way to bring the community together and have understanding and respect for other cultures.” For more information on the Festival, visit toledourban.com. O
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“There’s a rumor of a new species in New York. It can be aggressive.” — Dr. Connors, “Amazing Spider-Man”
First Fridays
Adrian event features Dan Kesterke Band, art walk.
By Renee Lapham Collins Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com
If you haven’t yet experienced the Adrian First Friday event, this Friday is your chance. “A Star-Spangled Friday” will be in full swing July 6, according to Erik Gable, one of the founders of the event. Among the stars will be the Dan Kesterke Band, a group featuring local musicians. “This is a great band with local musicians who really get the crowd going,” Gable said. “It’s definitely our biggest draw. We also will have some street performers on site. What is really cool is the way people no one on the committee has heard of are coming out of the woodwork saying they think it’s cool and they want to perform at First Fridays.” Dan Kesterke, band director and music teacher at Adrian High School, leads the group which includes Dave Rains, Michael Bustos, Mike Williams and Natasha Ricketts. They will play from 7-9 p.m. in the city parking lot off South Winter Street, across from El Chapulin and Amedai Salon and Spa. A preview of the Aug. 4 Goodwill Workers on Wheels Car Show is slated for the evening as well, with several cars on display, and the Adrian Farmers Market will be open for business a few additional hours on Friday. Its usual hours are 8 a.m.-noon on Saturdays. Gable, a Toledo Free Press contributor, has been pleased with the turnout. Although he can’t say for certain how many people have attended First Fridays, “the numbers are definitely up. “We’re definitely seeing a lot more people on the streets,” he said. “We started in March with a handful of people coming downtown and it’s really taken off since then.” Don Taylor, who serves as the liaison between the committee and downtown businesses, agreed. “Each month we have had more businesses staying open and hosting artists,” he said. “The number of people coming down has increased despite some bad weather and we have more entertainment.” The “Open Mic” at Copeland Furniture Store also has taken off with the growing popularity of the First Fridays event. Jackie Koch, who was previously doing open mic nights at different venues, wanted to encourage others to embrace the opportunity of such an experience. She has been thrilled with the response. “The open mic is a supportive, welcoming event for anyone who wants to perform music, read poetry or sing,” she said. “We welcome first-time performers and those with a lot of experience. Several people have performed in public for the first time at the Adrian First Fridays open mic, and have been warmly received by the audience and the other performers. We have a lot of fun!” Gable said he first got the idea for First Fridays from an art walk he attended in Fairfield, Iowa, about 10 years ago. He contacted Koch,
Carlos Tobar, an artist from Adrian who does printmaking, demonstrated his art in June. PHOTO COURTESY JACKIE KOCH
who had been involved in open mic nights and the idea was born. Koch has been doing open mics for some time, including stints at the Dragonfly Artisan Tea Cottage in Sylvania and Plate 21 in Toledo. On July 6, about two dozen business will be hosting artists and musicians during the event. Two book signings are planned and everyone attending is invited to participate in the creation of a community one-stroke mural outside of Ink Fever, Gable said. Some venues are planning their own events to coincide with the celebration. These include a Christian music concert benefiting local charities from 6-10 p.m. at the Steele Carriage House and a comedy show at 10 p.m. at Mandy’s Uptown Bar and Grill. “People are appreciating the historic nature of our downtown and are intrigued by it,” Taylor said. “Oftentimes people don’t know what businesses we have downtown and are surprised by it. But the real plus is how much the business owners themselves have bought into the concept of First Fridays.” For more information, call (517) 264-4804 or visit facebook.com/adrianfirstfridays.
Participating locations
O Adrian Public Library: Photography by
Don Cellini. O A’lahna Studio Salon: Art by Siena Heights University students; music by The Happy Little Trees from 8-10 p.m. O Amedai Salon and Spa: Artwork from the Siena Heights youth art camp. O AMVETS: One-man band Phil Tolliver, 6 p.m. O Bellus Salon and Spa: Chair massages on the sidewalk from 5-7 p.m. O Book Abbey: Oil paintings by Dian Rentschler. O Chaloner & Co.: Woodturning by Bob Seeburger. O Copeland Furniture: Art by Brenna Toland and Edgar Frank; open mic night for poetry and acoustic music from 7-9 p.m. O Croswell Opera House: Summer salon show in the Lenawee Council for Visual Arts gallery; Broadway-themed open mic from 6-9 p.m. O Get Growing: Artwork by Sydney Wlodyka; musician Jeremy Blaska. O Governor Croswell Tea Room: Book signing with novelist Jim Kelly and poet Elizabeth Sanchez from 6-8 p.m. O Image Gallery: Photography by Mark Hutchinson; music by The Regular Band. O Ink Fever: One-stroke community mural outdoors. O Jeff Willet’s Powerhouse Gym: Life-sized
portraits by Michelle Leman. O Joe Ann Steele Insurance Center: Photography by Connie McComb-Brown; artists from Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan; music by The Paniagua Family starting at 6 p.m. O K&M Gift Shoppe: Silver jewelry by Janet Graham. O Lenawee’s Heart and Soul: Children’s author Joseph Pino reading from and signing copies of his book, “Nigel the Narwhal,” plus music by singer/songwriter Paul Davis. O Mandy’s Uptown Bar and Grill: Comedian Dave Jones performing at 10 p.m. Tickets are $10; for information, call (517) 920-9155. O Maple City Floral: Mixed media art by Jana Penrod. O Nova’s Scented Candles and Collectibles: Drawings by Trevor Hissong. O Persnickety: Beaded jewelry by C.J. Bauschka. O ReBicycle Lenawee: Bicycle-related exhibits. O Red Paint Printing: Ceramics by Ben Coffman. O Sauce Italian Grill and Pub: Live music. O Steele Carriage House: Christian music concert organized by Big Daddyz House of Praise from 6-10 p.m., with a freewill donation to benefit the Lenawee County Mission and the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter. O The Tailor’s Shop: Dimensional needle felting by Ann Chrysler. O
“Don’t get me into trouble. Do NOT touch anything!” — Gwen Stacy, “Amazing Spider-Man’
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JULY 4, 2012 n 23
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“I think he’s trying to do something the police can’t.” — Peter Parker, “Amazing Spider-Man”
Backstage pass T
he moment I stepped on the Black Carpet I knew Toledo artists had arrived! The 419 Music Awards was a classy musical affair centered on Hip-Hop, R&B and skills that aid music such as graphic designers, media outlets and promoters. Located at the beautiful and elegant Courtyard at the Docks, 2012 is the event’s inaugural year and press was present from Toledo to Atlanta. The event began at 4 p.m. outside with the Black Carpet, an event on its own complete with TV/ video shows conducting interviews between photographers for various media outlets. Inside, the award show began between 5-5:30 p.m. where I hosted along with D. Lorand Jackson from The Ohio Hip-Hop Awards. DJ Lyte N Rod provided music and big screen visuals keeping the show moving and on schedule. Stand out performances were provided by Cuntry who won 2 419 Music Awards, Chief Alone, Moss Da Beast, C.J. Dinero, K-Deezy, Marxman, PopOff and Locked and Loaded. Embrace Enterprises defied the odds and put on a wonderful representation of the music community and most notably Hip-Hop. Many of the nominees and their supporters dressed in their best attire and cheered each other on. The 419 Awards Show featured nominees from around Northwest Ohio’s 419 areas, which includes Lima, Mansfield, Sandusky and Bowling Green. Entertainment for the night included comedy from the LOL Comedy group who put on a great show with three comedians: Kool Keith, Mary Santora and Meco. Embrace Enterprises stressed the network aspect by providing a show and con-
ference that put area professionals from the same area in the same place. It was the first time many were hearing about a few of the winners and nominees from other 419 cities as they pulled together to support and vote for their own. Embrace Enterprises has braved the praises and the critism about the awards from the showcase to the conference, but she has made her intentions clear by the diversity of the winners. They outsourced the calculations of votes to eliminate speculation about the authenticity of nominees and winners. There are always going to be those who will have bruised egos about not having the fan base to gain nominations but for every sour grape there were 10 well wishers honored to be acknowledged by their fans. It was the people’s choice that determined each winner by voting through the 419 Music Awards website and Facebook page. There were winners that Embrace had never met, but their city voted in record numbers surpassing some of Toledo’s artist and shaking up the outcome of perceived “shoo-ins.” It proved to be a near flawless event aside from a few changes in performance scheduling that you wouldn’t have known about had I not mentioned it. A point was proven that not only is there enough talent in the city to acknowledge and celebrate it, but it can be a classy affair. The show ended a half-hour ahead of schedule with plenty of time for pictures with your favorite artists. Afterward, the guests headed over to Club Bable’on for the after party and returned the following day at noon for the
A look at the 419 Music Awards.
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Martini Rox and D. Lorand JACKSON main attraction, the conference. Panelists included recording industry professionals that provided advice and tips on how to present themselves and their music to themselves and other music professionals. The show’s motto, “Where Networking is Key and the Award is a Bonus” resonated throughout the weekend and through the weekends events, Embrace achieved setting up the perfect meeting of the best in Toledo. If you missed it I suggest you start shopping around for your outfit for next year because this can only get bigger as it expands to more
genres. It was an honor to co-host with Ohio Hip-Hop Awards own D. Lorand Jackson who was a huge supporter of the show/conference. He traveled from Cleveland to host an OHHA showcase the Friday night before Saturdays Awards show with winners to be announced once the showcase tour is over. For a full list of this year’s winners and information on how you can be a sponsor and/or become a part of this event next year visit the websites www.419musicawards.com or www. embraceenterprises.com. As we continue on … O
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Catch “Jedi of Pop Culture” Jeff McGinnis on Tuesday mornings on 92.5 KISS-FM.
Summer marvel
I A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol.3, No.27 Established 2010. Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com Michael S. Miller, Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com EDITORIAL
Mary Ann Stearns, Design Editor mastearns@toledofreepress.com James A. Molnar, Lead Designer jmolnar@toledofreepress.com Sarah Ottney, Special Sections Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com Jeff McGinnis, Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com Whitney Meschke, Web Editor news@toledofreepress.com ADMINISTRATION
Pam Burson, Business Manager pburson@toledofreepress.com CONTRIBUTORS star@toledofreepress.com Jim Beard • Amy Campbell • Zach Davis John Dorsey • Matt Feher Dustin Hostetler • Stacy Jurich Vicki L. Kroll • lilD • Martini • Jason Mack Rachel Richardson
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recently treated my father to a show of “Avengers,” which he hadn’t seen. It was nearly two months into its wildly successful theatrical run, and while attendance was winding down — about 25 people shared the room with us on that Saturday afternoon — it was still outdrawing many movies which had opened in the weeks following its release. JEFF Just the fact that it was still here while other summer “blockbusters” — “Dark Shadows,” “Battleship,” “Men in Black 3” and more — had opened and closed was a sign of its incredible popularity. We live in a front-loaded box office era. The ad campaign for most every movie is designed to get butts into theater seats in those first few days and then quickly fade out. The silly (and extremely shortsighted) obsession with naming a “winner” of each weekend’s box office only feeds that. So the average wide release draws good money its first week, is forgotten by the second and is gone by the third or fourth. But “Avengers” was different. It certainly drew an amazing amount in its first weekend — smashing all previous records with a $207 million opening salvo — but stayed strong throughout its run. It now sits at a solid third place in the all-time domestic box office with more than $603 million grossed so far (“Avatar,” with $749 million, remains comfortably in first place, while James Cameron’s other epic, “Titanic,” sits in second). Why? What drove this film to such dizzying heights? As always, there are a lot of reasons. Here are a few. O Four years of setup. “You’ve become part of a bigger universe,” Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury told Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark at the end of the original “Iron Man” back in 2008. The pronouncement after the credits would set in motion a set of films designed to build on top of themselves, crafting the Avengers’ world one movie at a time. Though a world of Marvel characters regularly mingle on the comics page, it had rarely happened in the movies, thanks to individual studios licensing individual characters. But with Marvel getting into making their own adaptations, a grand team-up became not only possible but inevitable. The next few years of Marvel movies fed into each other, acting almost as feature-length trailers for the eventual “Avengers” flick. Even the ones that disappointed somewhat at the box office — like last summer’s solid-yet-unspectacular “Thor” and “Captain America” — served the greater goal well. O Complex cast, simple story. One of the
Why was ‘Avengers’ such a roaring success?
questions leading up to the release of “Avengers” was how the movie would be able to balance so many characters and give them all enough screen time to do them justice. The answer was pretty straightforward — a simplified storyline. You won’t hear anyone praising “Avengers” for a complex plot. Bad guy has powerful McGuffin. Good guys look for it. And ... that’s basically it. But by streamlining the narrative, it opened up more running time for small character moments and gave them those wonderful bits of Joss Whedon dialogue. Speaking of which ... O Joss Whedon for the masses. I would be hard pressed to argue that Whedon — the creator of cult favorites like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” and more — turned in his best work with his “Avengers” script. In his small-screen projects, Whedon demonstrates
mCGINNIS
POP GOES THE
CULTURE
a mastery of building and maintaining a large universe of characters and mythology, complex stories and fascinating individuals, leading all his pieces toward a fever pitch of excitement. “Avengers” simply didn’t have the time or the patience to build to such dramatic heights. But it was brilliantly written to the audience he was aiming for — the summer blockbuster crowd — to give a taste of the rich complexity he is capable of, while still delivering on all the requirements of a great action film. And talking of the “A” word ... O The action was thrilling yet comprehensible. The climactic war on the streets of New York City sure seems like chaos while you’re watching it, with hordes of alien warriors invading and the members of the ultimate superteam all getting their moment to shine. But you realize that you’re never lost as you watch it, and that unlike many modern battle scenes, it doesn’t become so hectic that it’s impossible to follow. All the film’s battles maintain that pattern — exciting and involving without losing us with shaky-cam theatrics or incomprehensible events. It is a demonstration of grand, epic action done right — and a sign of good things for the inevitable “Avengers” sequel. O Email Toledo Free Press Star Pop Culture Editor Jeff McGinnis at PopGoesJeff@gmail.com.
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“Thirty-eight of New York’s finest versus one guy in a unitard.” — George Stacy, “The Amazing Spider-Man”