Toledo Free Press STAR - Nov. 27, 2013

INSIDE: ‘War Horse’ n Hotlix n Remembering Marlon Harris

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Three wise men MIGHTY WYTE, CHRISTOPHER STOLL and LARRY MEYER

are ‘secret weapons’ behind Make-A-Wish holiday CD.

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‘War Horse’

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 27, 2013 n 3

Stars of Broadway favorite gallops into Stranahan. the Week

By Vicki L. Kroll

Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer vkroll@toledofreepress.com

Horse power — that’s the specialty harnessed by the Handspring Puppet Company.

Behold Joey, the beautiful, majestic star of the theatrical production “War Horse.”

Standing 24 hands high (about 8 feet), the puppet weighs 120 pounds with a frame mostly made of stained cane.

It takes three puppeteers to put Joey through his paces onstage. “[Handspring Puppet Company is] very much adamant about giving puppets breath and making sure all their puppets breathe,” said Jon Hoche, puppet captain with the U.S. tour of the play. “They want to give the horses breath, and it takes all three of the puppeteers to do that.”

Hoche oversees the equine’s head, while another mans the heart and front legs, and the third controls the hindquarters. The creature’s spine is tethered to the backs of the two puppeteers so that their movements mimic breathing.

“Handspring Puppet Company tries to find emotional indicators on all their projects, and they really stress the importance of not only stillness in their puppets, but also micro-movement within their puppet,” Hoche explained.

“The horses are larger than life and it’s one thing to have them galloping across stage and doing all these amazing things like full cavalry charges, but there are real magical moments where you see this horse standing in the stable just breathing; you’ll see just a very small flick of the ear. Those kind of moments really bring the audience into the play and really have them investing in the characters like they’re real horses.”

Based on Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel, the National Theatre of Great Britain’s play has generated unbridled excitement since premiering in London in 2007. It opened on Broadway in 2011 and won five Tonys, including Best Play and a special award for Handspring Puppet Company.

The book also inspired Steven Spielberg’s 2011 movie.

“War Horse” tells the tale of an English boy, Albert, and his beloved horse Joey. At the start of World War I, the two are separated when Joey is sent to be part of the cavalry. Although too

Andrew Veenstra (Albert) with Rob Laqui (Joey) in ‘War Horse.’

PHOTO BY Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

young to enlist, Albert is determined to find his four-legged friend.

“It’s a great story that we can all find ourselves in, a story of friendship. Many of us have had a pet or an animal that we’ve had a great affection for growing up and we’d do anything for that animal,” Hoche said. “It’s that great story of friendship and loyalty, and it’s an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows and what we’ll do to keep that friendship alive.”

During a call from a tour stop in Louisville, Ky., Hoche said he saw the show, fell in love with it and auditioned. Luckily, the actor had puppetry skills in his stable.

“One of my favorite parts is when Joey is a foal at the beginning of the show, specifically because the three puppeteers that operate the puppet are all on the outside of the baby foal,” he said. “We’re showing the audience that yes, this is a puppet; yes, there are puppeteers here that are not dressed in black, they’re dressed in period pieces; and we’re not making excuses and we’re not trying to ask for forgiveness or anything about it. We’re just being very upfront: This show has puppets and they’re very amazing.

“I think it gives the audience an opportunity to see and recognize it and then they kind of forget about it by the time they see Joey all grown

up, which I think is one of the most exciting parts of the show when he officially grows up.”

“War Horse” trots into Toledo for seven shows Dec. 4-8 at the Stranahan Theater. Tickets range from $33-$68.

“There’s never been a show like this before where the lead of the show is not only an animal, but an animal that is in fact an animal — it doesn’t sing or dance or talk, and it doesn’t understand English or French or German. It’s completely an animal,” Hoche said. “And that’s never been done before and it’s really exciting, and the use of the puppetry complements that and also brings an organic feel to it.” O

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“Oh, what a Christmas to have the blues” — Nine Lives, “Holiday Wishes 3”

From left, Christopher Stoll, Larry Meyer and Mighty Wyte.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR PHOTO AND COVER PHOTO BY CHRISTIE MATERNI

Meyer, Stoll and Wyte are behind-the-scenes secrets of holiday CD

By Jay Hathaway TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR STAFF WRITER star@toledofreepress.com

With the purchase of the “Holiday Wishes 3” benefit CD, listeners will get the chance to sample some of Toledo’s finest musicians, all of whom donated their time and creativity.

With all proceeds going to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, many artists and media personalities wanted to get involved in the benefit project. With a project this size — two discs and 45 tracks — quite a bit of coordination and studio time is required to produce an album with a coherent flow.

Behind every ambitious project are men and women who work behind the scenes to make sure things run smoothly and come together as intended. In other words, there is a lot more to producing any album — let alone one this size — than just playing songs.

For “Holiday Wishes 3,” three of those behind-the-scenes gurus have been a part of the

project since its beginning in 2011. Christopher Stoll and Mighty Wyte returned to take care of recording and mixing duties while attorney Larry Meyer secured music licensing.

Stoll, owner/engineer at Audioflare Productions and Zeta Recording Studio in Holland, handled recording about 20 tracks for the CD. Stylistically, the tracks range from jazz, pop and vocal to choir and funk, including artists like Ramona Collins, Ear Candy and Voodoo Libido. “[There were] all these very interesting groups that haven’t recorded before to groups that I’ve worked with before,” Stoll said. “I like the variety. It keeps it interesting to me.”

Stoll, like others involved in the project, donated his studio time and mixing talents free of charge. He said he is glad to be able to make a contribution to such a noble cause.

“It’s very satisfying to be able to work with so many people for a good purpose,” he said. “Every single person that I work with is always just very gracious with their time and very patient making

sure everything is right.”

Additionally, he finds that the project presents a personal challenge to him as an engineer, which is something he relishes.

“For me, I just try to do something better every time, and try to outdo myself, if I can,” Stoll said. “I’m kind of obsessed with trying to figure it out and get the right sound for things.”

While it’s no secret that a fair amount of studio work goes into a recording project, other less obvious, but nonetheless vital, tasks must be attended to as well.

Legal eagle

On any compilation album with cover songs — songs recorded by performers other than the original artists — a certain amount of legal and licensing work must be done in order to ensure no copyrights are violated.

This is where Larry Meyer steps in.

Meyer is a partner at Manahan, Pietrykowski, DeLaney & Wasielewski. Though music law is not technically his specialty, he has fine-tuned

his knowledge and skills in the field, often traveling to attend seminars on the subject and further educate himself.

“I wish I could practice nothing but music law, but the reality in this market is that is unlikely to occur,” Meyer said.

For “Holiday Wishes 3,” Meyer obtained “mechanical licensing,” which grants permission to use cover songs.

Meyer said the Harry Fox Agency represents a vast majority of music publishers, and that most songs can be licensed through them.

However, some are represented elsewhere, which can present problems in tracking down the applicable publisher.

“It can be easy, but it can also be very difficult,” Meyer said. “You look it up, you find information on a website, and you find out that the information is stale. They’ll give you the name of a publishing company, only to find out that the company no longer exists or the rights have been sold. n CD CONTINUES ON 5

“A child is born” — Lori Lefevre, “Holiday Wishes 3” n CD CONTINUED FROM 4 “It can take a fair amount of time to unravel and uncover the appropriate publisher. If you’re lucky, one publisher controls all the songs.”

Though many compositions are open for free use, that area can also be tricky, Meyer said.

“Part of the confusion sometimes with holiday music is that if it’s old enough, it will fall under public domain,” he said. “However, it is conceivable for someone to copyright a unique arrangement for a song.”

Meyer, a musician with the band Old State Line, has been involved music fundraising events such as Raise Some Cash, and said that is what led Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller to request his services.

“Michael rang me up — I think I was recommended by a mutual friend — and the whole thing just seemed like a good fit. I had performed similar projects before, specifically for the Toledo Jazz Orchestra,” he said.

Meyer said that, despite occasional difficulties, he was happy to donate his time and knowhow to the project.

“Michael’s enthusiasm for the project was pretty overwhelming, and Make-A-Wish is pretty easy to get behind.”

Sound engineer

Mighty Wyte, a sound engineer, producer, and musician based in Point Place, is familiar with the intricacies of making music sound “just right.” He was put in charge of taking all the recordings given to him from various sources, and making them gel together coherently.

“I put everything together, trim the tracks, then make sure, from track to track, that everything sounds consistent,” Wyte said. “Basically, it’s just quality control on my end. It’s not mastering, per se, but what I’m doing is making sure that everything makes sense.”

Considering that he had to deal with nearly 50 songs recorded in many different places, it seems that a laborious task was set in front of Wyte.

“When dealing with that large of a volume, I didn’t have that much time to pay attention to [the songs], other than correcting what needed to be corrected,” he said. “We had like 40 or 50 tracks, and it was my job to turn it around in, basically, two days.”

Wyte used equalizing software to adjust frequencies, and went through each track to trim dead space off the front and back, maximizing space for songs on the CD. “My portion of putting together the CD is probably the least glamorous,” he said.

Wyte is also a Toledo Free Press contributor.

‘Indispensable’

Miller said the project would not happen each year without the three men.

“They’re the dream team,” Miller said. “To find people who can do the many things I can’t do, and to have them understand the charitable aspect, is overwhelming and wonderful. Each of them is indispensable.”

Like Stoll and Meyer, Wyte said that he looks forward to seeing “Holiday Wishes 3” raise money for a good cause, and to future opportunities to get involved.

“We have a pretty good system down now, and there’s any shortage of people to contribute,” he said. O

Clockwise, Mighty Wyte (seated), Christopher Stoll and Larry Meyer.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR PHOTO BY CHRISTIE MATERNI

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 27, 2013 n 5

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‘‘

Josh Whitney of The Eight Fifteens wrote “If You Believe” back in 2011, or maybe 2010. He can’t remember anymore. But the local band has been performing the song, featured on its debut album, ever since.

The original song will be featured as the title track of “Holiday Wishes 3: If You Believe,” this year’s Make-A-Wish Foundation benefit CD. Whitney said reviving of the track was fun.

They remixed it in a recent two-hour recording session with producer Chuck Mauk.

“We made it a little more upbeat, I guess you’d say,” Whitney said.

The band originally submitted tracks in April to be featured on this summer’s Toledo Free Press American Red Cross benefit CD “Red, White & You,” but “If You Believe” was held for the Christmas collection.

Whitney said the song is about relationships and was written about his wife.

“I think it’s general enough that everyone can relate to it,” Whitney said. “It’s a darn good song, I think.”

Whitney said it’s not much of a Christmas song, but it’s “applicable in all situations.”

“Nobody wants to lose somebody that they love. You do whatever you can to enjoy the time you have with them while you have it,” Whitney said. “The Make-A-Wish Foundation is there to help [children] with their dreams and if you believe hard enough, anything can happen.”

Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S.

Nobody wants to lose somebody that they love.

You do whatever you can to enjoy the time you have with them while you have it.”

Josh Whitney The Eight Fifteens

’’

Miller, who produced the CD, said the song may not be about the holidays, but it captures the spirit of the season.

“If any sentiment encapsulates the spirit of Christmas, it’s ‘If you believe’,” Miller said.

“Because the season is meaningless unless you believe in something. If you believe in the birth of Jesus. If you believe in Santa Claus.

If you believe in family and the precious gift of life.”

Whitney said he is excited to be involved with the album because this is the season for giving, which is something the album promotes. A little thought is all anyone needs, he added.

“For the CD in general, I hope listeners get a sense of a giving spirit. Hopefully, they’ll take the message and take it with them all year long,” he said. “Just try and believe every day that you can help somebody do something to some capacity.

“That can change the world.” O

“O night divine” — Candice Coleman and Chris Brown, “Holiday Wishes 3”

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Nine Lives, The New Fashioned share music, members, themes

By Matt Liasse Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

Nine Lives and The New Fashioned share three of the same members, and both have featured songs on “Holiday Wishes 3: If You Believe.”

The two tracks have similar themes as well — spending the holidays with the people you wish to the most, said Jake Pilewski, lead vocalist for Nine Lives and the lead vocalist, songwriter and producer for The New Fashioned.

“We kind of made that connection recently,” Pilewski said. “I don’t know if it’s on purpose or subconsciously, but we all laughed about it.”

The first disc of the two-disc CD benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation features Nine Lives’ rendition of “Please Come Home For Christmas.” The second disc begins with “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by The New Fashioned.

Pilewski said every member of the bands has someone they wish they could spend the holi-

days with, be it someone who has died, lives far away or is fighting overseas.

“We can all relate to that,” he said. “You don’t start realizing how unimportant the commercialization of Christmas is until you spend it without the people you love. I think it’s great to have all these artists on an album, donating their time.”

Nine Lives has been together for four years while The New Fashioned is a new project.

Pilewski said the bands were excited to participate with the CD because of the cause it supports.

“Make-A-Wish is, even on a national level, something that I’ve always been a fan of,” he said.

Pilewski produced The New Fashioned track.

Nine Lives recorded its contribution at Firefly Studios with producer Brett Dennison, whom they met and collaborated with for a track on this summer’s American Red Cross benefit CD “Red, White & You.” “Now that I’ve produced and recorded a lot of stuff with The New Fashioned myself, I give Brett a lot of credit,” Pilewski said. “I knew production was a heavy thing to take on. … It was like learning how to play an instrument all over again. It’s a whole different art form.” O

“It’s the funky Santa robot” — Winfree, “Holiday Wishes 3”

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 27, 2013 n 9

The final curtain

The Sanderlings bow out with holiday recording.

The band originally planned to record a cover of Vampire Weekend’s “Holiday” for the album, but ran out of time.

“I’m a little bummed,” Rodebaugh said. “I think that could’ve been fun.”

The Sanderlings appeared on last year’s “Holiday Wishes 2,” and this year’s “Red, White & You” benefit CD supporting the American Red Cross, both sponsored by Toledo Free Press. Rodebaugh said he likes being part of the compilations.

“I like what Make-A-Wish does,” Rodebaugh said. “[My son] was born extremely premature. … He was born [weighing] 1 pound and spent three months in an incubator. Putting that into perspective, that really plays things differently for me.”

He also likes the local flair the albums bring.

“Since we haven’t been out playing much in the last three years, it’s kind of interesting to see some people and hear from some people that we haven’t heard from in a couple of years and also to see some of the new talent that is out there that we haven’t been exposed to,” Rodebaugh said. O

By Matt Liasse Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

The Sanderlings’ “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” carries special meaning to the band — it’s the last track they recorded.

In September, guitarist and vocalist Josh Evans, who lives in Bend, Ore., visited the area for the band’s last show at The Village Idiot in Maumee. During the two-week stay packed with rehearsals, the band squeezed in studio time for the track.

The band members are all transitioning into new projects: Bassist Jonathan Rodebaugh is working on solo material, guitarist and vocalist Ben Masters is leading worship at a church and drummer Jon Kynard is involved in a number of projects as well.

Rodebaugh said he is excited for the new song to be heard on “Holiday Wishes 3,” which benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“If it wasn’t for Make-A-Wish, I don’t think we would’ve done a Christmas song, so it’s fun to have the experience,” Rodebaugh said.

The Sanderlings are moving on to other musical projects.

PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN RODEBAUGH

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“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you” — Voodoo Libido, “Holiday Wishes 3”

‘December Substitute’

By Jeff McGinnis Toledo Free Press Star Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com

There is a wonderful duality to the poem “December Substitute,” which features prominently on this year’s Make-A-Wish benefit CD. The piece, about a teacher who moonlights as a shopping mall Santa Claus, is funny and engaging enough for any child to enjoy. But there’s also a bit of world-weary cynicism about modern economic reality tucked into the humorous verse — enough to make adults chuckle, too.

That’s exactly the kind of duality that Kenn Nesbitt thrives on. The reigning Children’s Poet Laureate in the United States, Nesbitt is the author of “December Substitute,” one of many poems in his body of work that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.

“I don’t want to write books that only children are going to enjoy and appreciate. If I wanted to write books that only kids were going to love, I would write books about nothing but boogers and underpants,” Nesbitt said with a laugh, in an interview for Toledo Free Press Star. “But I want to write books where there are even jokes for the adults that the kids are not going to necessarily get.”

“December Substitute” originally ap-

peared in a collection titled “Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney,” by Nesbitt and co-author Linda Knaus. Local theater legend Jennifer Rockwood found the piece while she was looking for a selection to perform for “Holiday Wishes 3.”

“I had originally talked to Michael [Miller, Toledo Free Press editor in chief] about a bunch of different poetry, and I was actually looking through some old English stuff, but I couldn’t find anything that really resonated or really made it work. I found another poem by Nesbitt that I kind of liked, but I thought that this was the one,” Rockwood said.

“I’m not a great believer in all the mythology of Christmas, but I think that that poem sort of speaks to the humor in it.”

Indeed, finding humor is part and parcel of Nesbitt’s work. His goal is to make reading so fun for his young audience that they forget that they’re actually, you know, reading.

“My goal, really, is to give kids books and stories and poems that are so much fun, that they feel absolutely compelled to read. That they can’t not read another one,” Nesbitt, calling from his Washington home, said.

Nesbitt said he was delighted to learn his poem was being presented in a collection that raises money for a charity like Make-A-Wish.

Children’s poet brings laughs — and insight — to ‘Holiday Wishes 3.’

JENNIFER ROCKWOOD “I have two children who are teenagers now, and ever since they were born we have always made sure that during the holiday season, we go out and we volunteer for something that’s going to help people that otherwise wouldn’t have as good of a holiday. Whether it’s some sort of fundraising drive — we have gone out and rung bells for the Salvation Army, and we’ve collected donations — it really is the best time of year for people to come together, whether it’s family or whether it’s community.” O

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“God bless us, every one!” — Tiny Tim (Sean Miller), “Holiday Wishes 3”

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 27, 2013 n 11

12 n NOV. 27, 2013 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

“It’s the end of the season/It’s gonna be freezin’ again” — Mike “Mad Dog” Adams, “Holiday Wishes 3”

((((((((((((( THE PULSE

NOV. 27– DEC. 3, 2013

What’s what, where and when in NW Ohio

Compiled by Matt Liasse Events are subject to change.

The Ark

MUSIC

This intimate venue showcases acts from the A-list to the lesser known. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor.

(734) 761-1451, (734) 761-1800 or www.theark.org. ✯ Matt Watroba: Nov. 29. ✯ Mr. B: Nov. 30. ✯ Gemini: 1 p.m. Dec. 1. ✯ Tom Paxton: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. ✯ Mississippi Heat: 8 p.m. Dec. 2. ✯ Lee Murdock: The Christmas Ship Concert: Dec. 3.

Bar 145º

This venue features burgers, bands and bourbon, if its slogan is to be believed. $5 cover. 5304 Monroe St. (419) 593-0073 or bar145toledo.com. ✯ Flabongo: Nov. 27. ✯ Rock Capitol Karaoke: Nov. 28. ✯ The Bridges: Nov. 29. ✯ The Bridges: Nov. 30. ✯ Live Jazz – Lori Lefevre Johnson Trio: Dec. 3.

Barr’s Public House

“Our House, Your Pub” focuses on craft beer, hand-crafted specialty drinks and martinis, a wellrounded wine selection and an eclectic food menu.

3355 Briarfield Blvd., Maumee. (419) 866-8466. ✯ Paper Planes: 9 p.m. Nov. 27. ✯ The New Fashioned: 9 p.m. Nov. 29.

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. ✯ Arctic Clam: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 27. ✯ Beg To Differ: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 29. ✯ Dave Carpenter: 8:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

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.

✯ Open mic: Thursdays and Mondays. ✯ Steve Kennedy: Nov. 28. ✯ Last Born Sons: Nov. 29. ✯ Bush League: Nov. 30. ✯ Steve Finelli: Dec. 2.

Cheers Sports Eatery

This family-friendly eatery dishes up live performances … and Chicago-style pizza. 7131 Orchard Centre Dr., Holland. (419) 491-0990. ✯ Dos Dudes: Nov. 27.

Chuck’s on Monroe

Started as Nick’s Hungry I years ago, this venue has taken a twist into a new era. The bar is open until 2:30 a.m. daily. 4477 Monroe Street. (419) 720-3370 or chucksonmonroe.com. ✯ Steve Woolley: Dec. 3.

Clazel Theatre

This venue has been rocking BGSU students (and others) for years. 127 N. Main St., Bowling Green. (419) 353-5000 or www. clazel.net. ✯ Club Kiss: Fridays and Saturdays. ✯ 365: Saturdays

The Distillery

The mic is open on Sundays, but paid entertainers rock out Fridays-Saturdays. 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www. thedistilleryonline.com. ✯ Live Trivia with DJ Brandon: Tuesdays. ✯ Nathan Cogan: Wednesdays. ✯ DJ Rob Sample: Thursdays. ✯ Guitar-eoke with Zack Ward: Sundays. ✯ Johnny Rocker & The Hitmen: Nov. 27. ✯ Breaking Ground: Nov. 29, 30.

Doc Watson’s

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. ✯ Stephen Woolley: Nov. 29. ✯ Dan Stewart and Frank May: Nov. 30.

Dorr St. Café

Grab a reuben or some fish while bobbing your head to some tunes. Southwest corner of Dorr Street at Reynolds Road. (419) 531-4446 or

www.dorrstreetcafe.com. ✯ Don Coats: Nov. 29.

Evolution

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. ✯ Feel Good Fridays: Fridays. ✯ Sensational Saturdays: Saturdays.

French Quarter J. Patrick’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. ✯ Candice Coleman and the Chris Brown Band: Nov. 29-30.

H Lounge

The Hollywood Casino offers musical distractions from all the lights, noise and jackpots.

777 Hollywood Blvd. (419) 661-5200 or www. hollywoodcasinotoledo.com. ✯ DJ Rob Sample: Nov. 29. ✯ Rodney Parker & the Liberty Beach Band: Nov. 30.

Hamway’s on the Main

Live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights gets a side order of steak, seafood and prime rib at this 30year area institution. 5577 Monroe St., Sylvania. (419) 885-0290 or hamwaysonthemain.com. ✯ BJ Love: Nov. 30.

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. ✯ Phoenixphest Marathon (acts include Rodney Farrar, Creative Arts Trio, Matthew Ball – The Boogie Woogie Kid, Jom Hee Kim, Gabe Bolkosky and Joel Hastings): Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. ✯ Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts Fundraiser: Dec. 2.

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. ✯ Boogie Matrix Mechanism: Nov. 27. ✯ Five Horse Johnson, Boogaloosa Prayer,

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Hound: Nov. 29. ✯ “Shredmageddon” Society’s Ugly Son, Contricted, Swingy Beats, King Ruth: Nov. 30.

MGM Grand Detroit

Live music rings out over the slots and croupiers on the weekends in the INT ICE lounge. 1777 Third St., Detroit. (877) 888-2121 or www.mgmgranddetroit.com. ✯ Double Vision Fridays: Fridays. ✯ Volume Saturdays: Saturdays.

Motor City Casino/Hotel

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.

Chromatics ✯ Dueling Pianos: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27. ✯ Marc Joseph: 9 p.m. Nov. 27. ✯ Marc Joseph: 7 p.m. Nov. 28. ✯ Marc Joseph: 5:15 p.m. Nov. 29. ✯ Vinyl Underground: 10 p.m. Nov. 29. ✯ Marc Joseph: 5:15 p.m. Nov. 30. ✯ 2XL: 10 p.m. Nov. 30. ✯ LoveSick: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1. ✯ George Brothers: 7 p.m. Dec. 2. ✯ Sheri Gold: 7 p.m. Dec. 3.

Radio Bar ✯ Paul Martindale: 4 p.m. Nov. 27. ✯ Surab Deb: 8 p.m. Nov. 27. ✯ Surab Deb: 4 p.m. Nov. 28. ✯ Kim James: 8 p.m. Nov. 28. ✯ Paul Martindale: 2 p.m. Nov. 29. ✯ Linda Lexy: 6 p.m. Nov. 29. ✯ Kim James: 10 p.m. Nov. 29. ✯ Earl: 2 p.m. Nov. 30. ✯ Linda Lexy: 6 p.m. Nov. 30. ✯ DJ Short Stop: 10 p.m. Nov. 30.

WETry ou SP E r EC KLY IA LS

“We’ll frolic and play/The Eskimo way” — Kelly Broadway, “Holiday Wishes 3”

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“All I really need is just your love� — Chris Shutters and Scott Fish, “Holiday Wishes 3�

Motor City Casino/Hotel (cont.)

STAR @ the movies

âœŻ Lutalo: 8 p.m. Dec. 1. âœŻ DJ Short Stop: Dec. 2. âœŻ Lutalo: 8 p.m. Dec. 2. âœŻ Earl: 7 p.m. Dec. 3. âœŻ Surab Deb: 8 p.m. Dec. 3.

tiple happy hours (4-7 p.m.) on weekdays, plus salads, soups and sandwiches, accompany live entertainment four nights a week. 2 S. St. Clair St. (419) 243-2473 or www.yeoldedurtybird.com. âœŻ Open mic: 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

EVENTS

One2 Lounge at Treo

Live music starts at 7:30 p.m. 5703 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 882-2266 or treosylvania.com. âœŻ Swingmania: Nov. 29. âœŻ Old State Line: Nov. 30.

‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ James A. Molnar, TFP film editor:

�The girl on fire is back in theaters and this movie is better than the first. The pacing is incredible and the translation from book to big screen is impressive.

Hope versus fear rules this adventure as Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) share the screen as they try to survive again.

Great casting also rules this film, with appearances by Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Make sure to see the first film before watching this sequel.�

Movies at the Box Office:

Ottawa Tavern

Casual meals and bingo and trivia nights with weekend entertainment. 1815 Adams St. (419) 725-5483 or www.otavern.com. âœŻ Smartypants Trivia: The Sharon Jones Tournament – Week 2: 8 p.m. Nov. 27. âœŻ Boogaloosa Prayer, Jack & the Bear: 10 p.m.

Nov. 27. âœŻ Thanksgiving with DJ Jeff Loose: 10 p.m.

Nov. 28. âœŻ Last Minute Dance Party: 10 p.m. Nov. 30.

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. âœŻ Jaime Mills: Noon-2 p.m. Fridays.

Stella’s

Looking for a movie to see during the Thanksgiving holiday? Here are some films opening Nov. 27: O “Frozen�: Critics are raving about Disney’s newest 3-D animated fairy tale about a princess trying to break an icy spell.

O “Black Nativity�: An all-star cast, including Jennifer Hudson and Forest Whitaker, gives a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes’ 1961 retelling of the classic Nativity story.

Nouveau cuisine gets a helping of music Thursdays through Saturdays. 104 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. (419) 873-8360 or www. stellasrestaurantandbar.com. âœŻ Meghan Roberts: Nov. 29. âœŻ Tom Turner: Nov. 30.

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. âœŻ Bob Rex Quartet: 6 p.m. Sundays. âœŻ Frankie May and friends: 10 p.m. Mondays. âœŻ John Barile & Bobby May: 8 p.m. Tuesdays. âœŻ Andrew Ellis Music: Nov. 27.

Ye Olde Cock n’ Bull

Watch James discuss movies on FOX Toledo around 8:45 a.m. and WTOL -11 around 9:15 a.m. on Fridays. Also, listen to James discuss movies on “Eye on Your Weekend� on 1370 WSPD every Friday at 6 p.m.

For more: toledofreepress.com/movies

At one of Toledo’s newest gathering places, customers can find 30 draught beer selections and daily drink specials. They promise live entertainment seven days of the week. 9 N. Huron St. (419) 244-2855 or facebook.com/cocknbulltoledo. âœŻ Danny Mettler: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 27. âœŻ Captain Sweet Shoes: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 28. âœŻ Arctic Clam: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 29. âœŻ The Rivets: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

Ye Olde Durty Bird

A full bar featuring frozen drinks and mul-

full orchestra, the group provides music for all occasions. (419) 708-0265, (419) 874-0290 or www.swingmania.org. âœŻ Trotters Tavern, 5131 Heatherdowns, (419) 381-2079: 8 p.m. Tuesdays. âœŻ One2 Lounge at Treo: 7:30-11:30 p.m. Nov. 29.

Two Buck Yuks

The Art Supply Depo

29 S. St. Clair Street. (419) 720-6462. âœŻ Kid’s Acrylic Painting: Learn how to mix colors and properly use brushes to create different types of line and compositions on canvas. All materials are provided; ages 7 to 12. $20. 12-2 p.m. Nov. 29. âœŻ Kid’s Fall Color Trees: Learn about the color changes and use tracing of your arm and hand as the basis for a paper tree picture. All materials are provided; ages 5-8. $15. 12-1:30 p.m.

Nov. 30. âœŻ Kid’s Kandinsky Color Studies: Learn to make an oil pastel picture while exploring the concepts of color and how it relates to music.

All materials are provided; ages 9-12. $15.

2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 30. âœŻ Printing with Gelli Plates: Learn how to apply and manipulate paint on a Gelli Plate to create one-of-a-kind papers and prints, which can be used for greeting cards, books, gift tags, gift wrap and more. Ages 10 and older. $20-50. 2-4 p.m. Dec. 1. âœŻ Make a Gift: Paint a Holiday Ornament: Paint a three-inch ornament ball to decorate your tree or give as a gift. The class is limited to ten participants only, RSVP to reserve a spot.

6:30-8 p.m. $20. December 3.

Elixir

This two-man band (consisting of Dave Rybaczewski and Walter Guy) performs Beatles songs acoustically. www.beatlesebooks.com/elixir. âœŻ Mancy’s Italian Grill, 5453 Monroe St. 7:3010:30 p.m. Nov. 29.

Keith Bergman has brought his comedy showcase “Two Bucks Yuksâ€? to The Blarney Event Center every Wednesday night. There will be a $2-cover for the shows and open to anyone ages 21 and older. The shows will be 90 minutes. 601 Monroe St. (419) 418-2339 or www. theblarneyirishpub.com. âœŻ Owen Thomas, Lindsey Martin, Kamari Stevens, Leslie Battle, Tracy Schillaci, Chris Tiefel, Gad Holland, Mike Szar, Bob Pope, Steve Wherry: Nov. 27.

Holiday

Crafts for Christmas Show

This event features a winter spectacular with two days for shopping. It is a showplace of handmade crafts. For more information, contact Dave Grabarcyk at (419) 874-6367. Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key St., Maumee, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29-30.

Holiday Lantern Tours at Sauder Village

Experience Christmas at Sauder Village. 4-8:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Sauder Village, 22611 St. Rt. 2, Archibold. www.saudervillage.org.

Holiday Light Parade

Lighted floats will cruise uptown from the Ford Field. Presented by the Maumee Uptown Business Association. 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30. For information, contact Brenda Clixby at 419-794-1090.

KeyBank Pops: Rockapella Holiday!

Firenation Blow Your Own Bulb

Blow your own bulb every Saturday until Dec. 21.

Firenation Glass Studio and Gallery, 7166 Front St. (419) 866-6288. 10 a.m. to noon.

Presented by the the Toledo Symphony.

Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.

8-10:30 p.m. Nov. 30. (419) 381-8851 or www. toledosymphony.com.

Owens Community College

The Nutcracker

30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg. (567) 661-2787 or www.owens.edu. âœŻ Owens Voices: 2 p.m. Dec. 2. âœŻ Owens Jazz Express Concert: 3 p.m. Dec. 3.

Presented by the Ballet Theatre of Toledo. Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St. 7 p.m. Nov. 29, 7 p.m. Nov. 30, 2 p.m. Dec. 1. (419) 242-2787.

SWINGMANIA

Enjoy the historic venue lavishly decorated for the season. 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday until Dec. 29. 1035 River Road, Maumee.

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

Wolcott House Christmas Tours

If you would like your event in The Pulse, contact Matt Liasse at mattliasse@gmail.com.

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“Hurry down the chimney tonight” — Arctic Clam, “Holiday Wishes 3”

A Christmas Light Carroll, Steele read poems by Alan Harris for CD.

By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR MANAGING EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

Longtime local radio hosts Suzanne Carroll and Harvey Steele both contributed readings of Christmas-themed poems to “Holiday Wishes 3.”

“A Christmas Light,” read by Carroll of 101.5 The River’s recently ended “The Jazz Brunch,” and “Listening to Christmas,” read by Steele of K100’s “Shores and Steele,” were both written by 70-year-old poet Alan Harris of Tucson, Ariz.

In more than 50 years of writing poetry, Harris has deliberately never pursued publishing his poems. He prefers to post them on his website where they are free to be read by all.

That’s exactly where Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller stumbled across Harris’ work and approached him about using two of his poems for 2013’s Make-A-Wish Foundation benefit CD. Harris said he was happy to give permission.

“That’s a very worthy cause and I think at Christmastime especially it’s a good time to share like this, so I’m glad to be donating my poems for

the CD,” he said.

Harris said he enjoys writing about spiritual topics and also likes to inject humor in his poems. He said he tends to write about commonplace scenes and objects, but looks at them from “an unusual view.”

“I like to see what’s behind things,” he said.

Harris grew up in Illinois and discovered poetry while attending Illinois State University.

“I just liked the intense thought behind some of the poems I read,” Harris said. “I just really enjoyed seeing words that meant a lot packed into small places like poems.”

About 10 years ago, Harris retired from a career in computers and moved from Chicago to Tucson to be closer to family.

‘Listening To Christmas’

Harris said he wrote “Listening to Christmas” about 30 years ago after walking in the woods near his Wisconsin cabin.

“It was just a snowy night. You could hear snow falling on snow and I decided to write a poem about it,” Harris said. n POEMS CONTINUES ON 17

Early-bird shoppers we’re here for YOU!

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours vary by location.

Poet Alan Harris, 70, lives in Tucson, Ariz.

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n POEMS CONTINUED FROM 16 “I put it in spiritual terms that one could really appreciate Christmas if they are silent and meditative. That’s when the meaning of Christmas seems to really come through.”

Steele recorded the track at his radio station booth, but said the process was much different than hosting “Shores and Steele.”

“The challenge with that particular poem was to get quiet at certain times and use inflection in your voice. It’s not just a poem you can read in a monotone, especially when there’s so much imagery there.

You can’t just use your regular voice to read it,” Steele said. “You have to really use the STEELE best vocal skills to convey the quietness, something I don’t normally do. I’m not very quiet, unfortunately.”

Steele said the poem prompts inner reflection.

“You’re not thinking of what kind of present you’re going to get or buy; you’re thinking of the quietness of the season, which is really how it should be,” Steele said. “The commercialization goes away real quick when you read something like that.”

Steele said his personal experience as a liver transplant recipient has made him particularly sensitive to helping those with health issues. “[Make-A-Wish] is obviously a great organization and it was my pleasure to help out in my own small way,” Steele said.

‘A Christmas Light’

Harris said he wrote “A Christmas Light” while thinking about the moon.

“So often we think of the star [over Bethlehem] at Christmas time, but the moon is much more commonplace and accessible to people because we don’t see the star anymore, but the moon is with us all the time in one phase or another,” Harris said. “So I

wanted to nominate the moon for a part in the Christmas story.”

Carroll said she loved the poem from her first read-through and never considered reading anything else.

“I felt after reading it the author was trying to say that many of us lose our way and are looking for answers. Sometimes those answers come from within,” Carroll said. “He reminds us that we are all gifts that shine upon the Earth, and the moon, with her gentle light, can be a reminder of that every single day.

“I chose to read it with the deep gentle meaning that I felt the writer was trying to portray. I tried to add as much warmth and strength to my read as possible, as I feel this type of poem can reach people’s hearts and souls.”

Carroll worked with longtime “The Jazz Brunch” contributor Mark McLaren to find and lay music under the reading and add a sound to represent the moon’s light.

Carroll said her own serious health issues, including complications from multiple sclerosis that recently forced her to retire from her 18-year career as host of “The Jazz Brunch,” have given her particular empathy for Make-A-Wish children and their families.

“Knowing how difficult it can be, my heart truly goes out to children who are facing down some of the toughest stuff life can throw at them,” Carroll said. “I wish for every child facing challenges — and their families — the ability to keep reaching for those wishes large and small because they really do come true.

“This has been such an honor to be involved in this project this year as I step away from my radio career. I have never been more aware of the preciousness of life, and the mission to help young children realize their sweet wishes while they can is simply heartwarming.

“I hope listeners of ‘A Christmas Light’ will understand how special each and every one of us is as we shine our own personal light upon the world.” O

Our

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 27, 2013 n 17

Toledo free press star photo by Sarah Ottney

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seemed fine with that.

Marlon and I left the CAC around the same time late last year to make way for a new administration and greener pastures of our own. Even after our time there, our friendship remained, and when she was forced to leave her home due to health concerns a few weeks ago, she moved in with former CAC resident artist and maintenance director Darcie Trame and me. It was our great honor to be by her side just one more time, just as we had been there for each other so many times in the past.

Marlon, who was raised an only child in Cleveland, was born Feb. 15, 1947. She is survived by two wonderful daughters and several grandchildren. She was a world traveler who lived in California, Atlanta and several places in between.

She was an avid reader and an artist in her own right, who was active in her community volunteering on several committees. During her time at the CAC she worked on revamping the long-defunct newsletter and starting a new arts education program. I think that’s the hardest part of Marlon’s death for me, she was a creative person with plans, but unfortunately illness was two steps ahead.

A memorial event is currently being planned at the Arts Center by Marlon’s longtime friend, Office Manager Manny Quintano. Interested family and friends can contact him for more information at (419) 244-2787. The Collingwood Arts Center is located at 2413 Collingwood Blvd. directly across the street from Scott High School.

Rest in peace, Marlon ... I’ll see you a little bit further down the road. O

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sk anyone around Toledo’s Old West End and chances are they probably have more than a few good things to say about Marlon Harris. I myself counted her among my best friends for close to a decade, so you’ll forgive me if I don’t talk about writing just this once.

When Marlon passed away at the University of Toledo Medical Center on Nov. 18, I had the natural response: feelings of grief, loss and sadness. But then I started thinking about the season. I started thinking not about loss, but about giving thanks for a friendship that was a safe harbor even in the darkest of times, even in times like this.

I first met Marlon when JOHN she was brought in as an office worker at the Collingwood Arts Center (CAC) though the Experience Works program in the summer of 2005. As anyone who has ever worked in the world of nonprofits will tell you, it can be a bit of a revolving door, and I honestly didn’t expect her to last. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

While artists and administrators went out in waves, there was Marlon, taking time to get involved in the lives and careers of artists who, more often than not, had nobody else to turn to when they were having a bad day or a bad life. She was a den mother in a frat house of creativity, a stabilizing force that kept the ship afloat.

Eventually, Marlon left Experience Works and was asked to stay on at the CAC as its office manager. After the untimely death of Interim Executive Director Brian Felster in 2011, she was asked to step into the leadership role, though don’t ask me what her proper title was, as she refused to be called the executive director. I often told people who called the office, where I was serving as program director, that she was the business manager and she

11/19/13 2:41 PM

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“Please have snow and mistletoe” — The New Fashioned, “Holiday Wishes 3”

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 27, 2013 n 19

TWO BUCK YUKS : Thanks given

By Keith Bergman Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

I am grateful for the art of self-expression.

The opportunity to take thoughts from my head, put them out into the world, and sometimes get a positive reaction to them is a trick that will never lose its novelty for me. I enjoy it immensely and I’m glad I get to do it.

I am grateful for funny people I can call friends, whom I’ve met through comedy. My friend Brad Wenzel recently won the Cleveland Comedy Festival’s competition, and got to take a picture while holding a giant check for $2,000. He also got handpicked by Ricky Gervais not that long ago as a finalist for a spot on Conan O’Brien’s show. Seeing someone half my age and 10 times funnier than me getting the recognition he deserves makes me feel like there is a process and that sometimes it works like it should. It’s a great motivator.

I am grateful for people like Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller and Bill Kline at the Blarney for taking a chance on comedy, and giving a forum (on stage and in the media) to talk about this sometimes maligned art form.

I’m grateful for all the stages, be they in bona fide comedy clubs around the Midwest or in VFW halls and dive bars in small towns on two-lane highways. I don’t know yet if these small venues will be a stepping stone for me, or the place I will end up spending my productive years in comedy, but I’m happy for the lights, the mic and the time.

I am grateful for a family that backs me even when they don’t fully understand the point of the endeavor. I literally would not be alive without my wife, my kids, my dad, my sister and my inlaws, and my extended family both blood-bound and otherwise. They form more of a support system than this wayward, frequently-wrong wanderer deserves.

I am grateful for my band mates and all the rock ’n’ roll casualties I spent so many years with in those trenches, and for the actors I met doing community theater. There are so many different ways to find the joy in a creative life well lived, and it’s been a privilege to do these things alongside people who are so determined and passionate about molding the world and making it more colorful and entertaining.

I’m going to work my day job on Thanksgiving, then have dinner with my family. I’ll be on the road the whole weekend, in a car with my friends, touring the Midwest telling dirty jokes and dumb stories, sleeping on couches and eating diner food and laughing like hell. It’s a privilege beyond compare to be who I am, when I am, doing what I do, and I appreciate it as much as I possibly know how.

Thanks, everybody. O Keith Bergman is the host of the Two Buck Yuks comedy showcase at The Blarney Event Center, 601 Monroe St., every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Owen Thomas headlines the show Nov. 27, while Mike Bobbitt tops the bill Dec. 4.

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“Have you ever heard snow?” — Harvey Steele, “Holiday Wishes 3”

Music for Life

By Logan Sander Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

The African Children’s Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Cornerstone Church, 1520 S. Reynolds Road in Maumee. The choir is comprised of young African children who have been giving concerts across North America during the past 10 months.

The children will perform children’s songs and traditional spiritual and gospel songs at the free concert.

A free-will offering will be taken to support the organization and its programs.

The African Children’s Choir is a nonprofit relief organization aimed at helping African children. All funds raised by the choir go toward education, care and relief programs instituted by the organization for African children and their families.

The program stems from the parent organization Music for Life, which works to help families in seven different African countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. The organization focuses on education in order to create new

leadership for Africa’s future. Music for Life has helped educate more than 52,000 children and reached out to more than 100,000 people, according to a news release.

The choir has been performing for 28 years, sending 40 individual choirs on tours all over the world, including places like Australia, Japan, Jamaica and Canada. The group performing in Toledo is giving about 200 concerts during its 16month North American tour.

Catherine Wake, the tour leader, is one of the chaperones for the children, and helps ensure they remain happy and healthy. She first encountered the choir as a young girl, when her parents hosted a child from the choir in their home.

She decided to become involved once she heard about the choir again as an adult.

Wake said she recently received a teaching license, so she appreciates the organization’s focus on education and its role in the children’s lives.

“The organization itself has a real focus on education and that especially struck a chord with me. It’s really making a difference for these kids. Most of the kids here wouldn’t be able to go to school without the support of the

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choir. Now that they have the support of the choir, their education is covered to the end of college,” Wake said.

With that education, many of the children are realizing what possibilities lie before them, especially after witnessing life outside of the impoverished communities they come from. During the concerts, each child shares what he or she would like to grow up to be.

At first, the children were not very creative in their choices, but as they see more, that is changing, Wake said.

“It’s opening their eyes for them to see what life is like here without the kind of intense poverty they’re coming from. It expands their ideas of what’s possible ... Since they’ve been here, they’ve met people who are firefighters,

dentists or social workers. One girl wants to be an astronaut now, because she’s seen that that’s a possibility,” Wake said.

Wake visited Uganda in 2006, so she knows where these children are coming from.

“They’re coming from difficult backgrounds where they weren’t necessarily able to just be children and play. I think that it’s cool to see them individually open up and become more confident. They can play and have fun and just be kids,” Wake said.

She will remain with the children for the remaining six months of the tour, which will stop in numerous cities, including Austin, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit the website www. africanchildrenschoir.com. O

“With a little love, we could change the world” — The Eight Fifteens, “Holiday Wishes 3”

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 27, 2013 n 21

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Catch “Jedi of Pop Culture” Jeff McGinnis on Tuesday mornings on 92.5 KISS FM.

Hotlix lives!

C

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol.4, No. 48 Established 2010.

Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com Michael S. Miller, Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com EDITORIAL

James A. Molnar, Design Editor jmolnar@toledofreepress.com Sarah Ottney, Managing Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com Jeff McGinnis, Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com ADMINISTRATION

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ome back in time to the 1980s, the era of big hair, big shoulders and big rock ’n’ roll. In Toledo, if you were partying, there was only one band you were banging your head to: Hotlix, baby!

Formed from the ashes of a short-lived ’60s cover band, Hotlix — the best known line-up featured keyboardist Tim Tiderman, guitarist AJ JEFF Tscherne, bassist Steve Super and drummer Mike Lamb — rocked local nightclubs (including their own) with their brand of loud-playing, dirtyjoke-loving fun. For 17 years, Hotlix was the premier party band in the city.

Then, in 1996, the band found itself at odds with the new wave of music that was coming to dominate the market. An ill-fated move to a new location only hastened the inevitable — the members of Hotlix went their separate ways.

They would still get together for reunion shows once a year or so, reliving the good old days.

Then, when Lamb died in 2003 after a battle with cancer, it seemed the group had officially played its last lick.

But sometimes, little show business miracles happen. On Nov. 27, the surviving members of Hotlix will come together one more time for a reunion show at Forrester’s on the River, 26 Main Street. The proceeds from the gig will benefit Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

“Ten years ago, October, our drummer passed away,” Tim Tiderman said in an interview with Toledo Free Press Star. “And we just all kind of decided that it was a four-piece deal, and if everybody wasn’t going to be there, we wouldn’t play. So, the drummer’s wife called, and this was back in September, and said, ‘You know, it’s been 10 years, and I think Hotlix should play.’

“Prior to that, I hadn’t really thought much about that, and I would have thought that we wouldn’t do it. I just thought we were done with it. It was a place in our lives musically, and as people, that we’re all older than that now, and passed it by. I would have said that we would not do it. But then, she called with this particular request, and I thought, ‘Well, OK, we’ll do it.”

Tiderman has moved on with his life in the decade-plus since he last took the stage with his former band mates. Not only is he a successful commercial pilot, he has put together numerous other bands — a 10-piece swing band, a fourpiece jazz quartet, a gospel quartet — but because of his demanding work schedule, none of them get to play much. And certainly none of them scratch the anarchic, sophomoric, joyous itch that Hotlix did back in the day.

“And the really odd thing was, during the 10 years from the last time we played, you know, if

Legendary Toledo band reunites for benefit show.

I saw these guys once a year — if we see each other once a year, it’d be a surprise,” Tiderman said. “So we haven’t kept too much in touch, because we’ve all been busy doing other things. But as soon as we decided to do this, we all fell in just like it was last weekend.”

It’s amazing what you remember when you’re put in the right circumstances.

Tiderman said that even though it’s been ages since the group saw each other, to say nothing of playing together, they have fallen back into their old patter with little effort.

“Obviously, it’s been a long time, and some of the things require a bit of reminding of how they go. Fortunately, we taped a lot. I have tape of lots and lots of nights, and I was able to reassemble most of the stuff for us to listen to and get an idea of how it’s supposed to go.”

That documentation means Lamb’s memory will come along for the ride, too — Tiderman noted that they will be playing video of during

mCGINNIS

POP GOES THE

CULTURE

the show, as a tribute to their missing friend.

Still, don’t expect the group to get too sentimental — anyone who ever attended a Hotlix gig back in the day knows damn well that this group thrives on irreverence, lewd jokes and raunchy interplay between members of the band, and the band and the audience.

Tiderman said to expect nothing less from the Nov. 27 gig.

“The content of the show was always very risqué, and a whole lot of — let’s just call it what it is — a whole lot of dirty jokes and songs, not meant to embarrass anybody,” Tiderman said.

“And it turned out that it was funny, people thought it was funny, and they laughed at it and responded to it.”

As for the future — well, Tiderman said not to hold your breath for a full-fledged Hotlix revival. That whole being a grown-up with responsibilities thing really can be a drag on party time.

Still, for one night, he and his cohorts can take to the stage and take their audience back to an era where the music was loud, the bar was rocking and Hotlix ruled the Glass City. Tiderman will even have family there — including his 22-yearold granddaughter.

“I’m pretty sure when this is all over, she’s probably never gonna think about her grandpa in quite the same way,” Tiderman said, a wry grin in his voice. O

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“Nothing much changes when the weather gets cold” — Pat Dailey, “Holiday Wishes 3”