Toledo Free Press STAR – December 19, 2012

INSIDE: Ashley Rose Norris n Edmund B. Lingan n Tegan and Sara

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“Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.” — Anonymous

By Brigitta Burks Toledo Free Press Star News Editor bburks@toledofreepress.com

Many of the artists on “Holiday Wishes 2,” the benefit album for Make-A-Wish Foundation, are veterans when it comes to recording. However, Ashley Rose Norris, who sings “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” is new to the business.

“I’m really excited to be a part of [“Holiday Wishes 2”] and I can’t think of a better way to support a great cause,” Norris said.

The two-disc set features 44 tracks by local artists and is available for $15 at local Panera Bread stores and select shops at Levis Commons. All proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to help grant wishes for Northwest Ohio children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Norris serves as the Monday night bartender at Manhattan’s (in addition to being jack of all trades at the restaurant). During open-mic nights, she often sings with the bands. A friend noticed her skills and recommended that she lend her voice to “Holiday Wishes 2.”

Jeff Williams, an “amazing blues artist,” helped arrange the track for Norris, she said.

The result is a slow, bluesy version of the popular track.

“We just kind of played it and went for it,” Norris said. “We just jibed really well together.”

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” was first sung by Judy Garland in the film “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

Norris said she chose the tune because, “It’s a classic Christmas song. It’s one of my favorites and I have always remembered that I enjoyed singing along to it.”

She moved to Toledo from Indiana at age 10.

She grew up singing in church and with family.

“My dad and his family, they’re all singers and it was kind of me and my dad’s thing that we always did together,” she said.

Norris said she enjoyed meeting other musicians and exchanging business cards at the Make-A-Wish benefit concert earlier this month.

“This entire experience is completely new for me,” she said. “I had a great time getting to meet different people.”

Still, Norris said she has no concrete plans for her career — yet.

“I enjoy taking it a day at a time. I’m excited about what we’ve accomplished this far. I’m hoping that it does open up some more opportunities.

I would love to be able to make a career out of singing and music, but right now it’s at the beginning,” she said. O

photo courtesy ashley rose norris

Christmas Rose

Newcomer brings bluesy spin to Make-A-Wish CD.

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / DEC. 19, 2012 n 3

Star of the Week

4. n DEC. 19, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.”— T.S. Eliot

Getting closer

Tegan and Sara to play at Eastern Michigan University on Dec. 20.

By Vicki L. Kroll Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer vkroll@toledofreepress.com

Warning: When you hear Tegan and Sara’s new single “Closer,” all you’ll want to do is play it repeatedly.

The ultra-catchy, upbeat pop song is from the identical twins’ forthcoming disc, “Heartthrob,” due in January.

“I had been listening to a lot of Kate Bush, and I also love a lot of Ace of Base and weird dance music from the ’90s that I loved when I was a teenager, so I was really trying to emulate that,” said Tegan Quin, who wrote most of “Closer.”

“Emotionally, I was trying to capture the idea [of] long before you’re an adult and have serious relationships, breakups and unrequited love, and frustration and rejection, and all that — which is what I usually write about — way before that, when I was in my late teens, at that point I was just in love with everyone I knew; I was in love with all my friends,” Tegan said during a call from her home in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“I was just spiritually trying to visualize the most romantic moments that I could imagine, but they were all pre-even telling someone you like them. I mean, the idea that if you never told them you liked them, it wouldn’t feel like rejection because you were so enamored that just being around them was enough. That’s what ‘Closer’ is about.”

For their seventh disc, the sisters updated their sound.

“We lost a lot of the guitar or just buried it more and allowed our keyboards to come out,” Tegan said. “We did that to really pump up the pop part of what we do.

“I think of songs from our past like ‘Walking With a Ghost’ or ‘Back in Your Head,’ I mean, these are really catchy pop songs; we recorded them in an indie rock manner. And so this time around, we just sort of beefed up the pop side.”

The Canadian duo has been making music

Tegan and Sara have a new CD, “Heartthrob,” due in January.

PHOTO BY Lindsey Byrnes

together since 1995.

“We joke that we’re, like, so old now, and we know we’re really not that old — we’re 32 — but we’ve been making music since we were 15 years old together, and I think that over the years, each of our records tells a story,” Tegan said. “‘Heartthrob’ is a very important chapter in our story. I think that we’re very confident, empowered, and I think we’re at a very important point in our career where we didn’t want to re-

cycle any ideas that we’ve had in the past.

“And I think because we’ve covered so much ground in our past from making folk records to rock records to indie records, that we really felt like it was time for us to lose a lot of the guitar and just focus on the keyboards.”

Fans can hear a few new tracks when Tegan and Sara open for The Killers at 8 p.m.

Dec. 20 at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center in Ypsilanti. Tickets

range from $32.50 to $59.50.

“We’re playing one of my favorite tracks from the record called ‘I’m Not Your Hero,’ which Sara wrote,” Tegan said.

“Being gay, we sort of get lumped in with a certain sort of political belief system and political party, and I think Sara really wrote a beautiful song about sometimes feeling like a stranger amongst the people we are so closely aligned with. It’s really powerful live.” O

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TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / DEC. 19, 2012 n 5

The Glacity Theatre Collective announces new artistic director Since its founding in 2007, the Glacity Theatre Collective has helped foster a spirit of modern creativity in Toledo’s theatrical community, often working with new cutting-edge talent.

It has pushed boundaries and taken our local stage in many colorful new directions, always looking toward the future while paying homage to the past.

It is in that same spirit of creative progress that it has announced the appointment of Edmund B. Lingan as the company’s new artistic director.

LINGAN Lingan, who is an assistant professor of theater at the University of Toledo, replaces Cornel Gabara. Gabara will remain a creative force within the company, focusing more energy on directing.

“Cornel just had some projects that he wanted to work on and announced that he was looking to step down and I offered to step in and thankfully everyone thought that it was a good idea,” Lingan said. “We’ve had very good community response over the years and so what we do won’t really change. We’ve always arrived at things very organically within the company. I do plan to look at things on a project by project basis and not so much on the season model. We will continue to

be an open venue for more current playwrights, both from within our region as well as those who are a part of the national stage.”

Lingan previously served as the company’s literary dramaturge and will continue to serve in that role in addition to his new duties. This past season he directed Glacity’s production of Janusz Glowacki’s “Hunting Cockroaches.” He has directed a number of other productions across both the United States and Canada, including the Toledo Rep’s “Pass the Butler” and the University of Toledo’s “Labyrinth,” as well as “King Oedipus.” He has brought in an assistant artistic director, Megan Aherne.

“Our next production will be Annie Baker’s ‘Circle Mirror Transformation,’ which is being directed by Holly Monsos,” he said. “One of the things we’ve always done is experiment with different spaces and audience configuration.

This time we’ll be at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. We’re also planning a number of other projects, including an interdisciplinary cabaret that we’re calling Glacity Underground, which we hope to have every three or four months. It will be a more edgy, more free-form way of getting artists of all mediums to come together in the name of community. We have a lot of great things in the works.”

For more information, visit www.glacity.org. O — John Dorsey

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“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past, and thank God that it can go.” — Brooks Atkinson

Holiday WisHes 2: RiveR of staRs

A greAt stocKing stuffer or corporAte gift!

local musicians✯ 44 tRacks ✯ $15 Holiday Wishes 2

Executive Producer: Michael S. Miller

(Traditional: 25. The First Noel 5:04 Denise and Michael arr. by TAPESTRY — estryduo.com), Used Grupp-Verbon (www.tap s Time Again 3:48 (Pat Dailey; Island

by Permission) // 26. Christmaby Permission) // 27.

1. River Of Stars 5:16 by Permiss ion) // Phillips; Used Ohio artists unite for Used (John ‘Butch’Northw est House Music BMI, ne;

By A Reindeer 3:23 (Randy n 4:13 (Sheri LaFontai Grandma Got Run Over // 2. Toledo, My Hometow g) // 28. Must Be Santa Used by Permiss ion) Brooks; Alfred Music Publishin Fredericks; Hollis Music, LaFonta ine Music, BMI, Miller; Claus 3:56 (Michael S. (Hal Moore and William Kings 4:42 (John Henry 3:20 Santa With 3. Interview Three 4:52 (arr. // 4. Fum Fum Fum Intuitive Music) // 29. We Rodebaugh.) // 30. Lighthouse s Used by Permission) Christma ller Jonathan by n) // 31. The Hopkins Jr.; arr.

“Mannheim Steamro

by Chip Davis, from LLC © 1988 Franzen; Used by Permissio Nash; 1942) Christmas 2:40 (Russ American Gramaphone Reserved.

Extraordinaire” © 2001 Santa Claus 2:54 (Ogden Anderson;

by Permission. All Rights Boy Who Laughed At 3:17 For Christmas 2:10 (Derek4:06 (Butch Dots and Lines, Ink. Used r.com) // 5. Winter Holidays // 32. A Million Dollars Ball 33. At The Christmas www.mannheimsteamrollePermission) // 6. Have Yourself A g Group, Used by Permission) // by ; Universal Music Publishin Blane; (Tatiana Owens; Used Thompson, F.W. Longshaw 34. Christmas Time 3:47 (David (Hugh Martin and Ralph s 2:59 as Christm // Merry Little s 2:45 BUG MUSIC 1942) // 7. Looks Like Christma n) // 35. Blue Christma MGM Inc., EMI Feist Catalog) Used by Permission) // Mohr; Winfree; Used by Permissio Athanas; Xaver Gruber and Josef Is Here 3:54 (Steven J. 1917) // 9.

(Daniel Charles, Franz Publishing, Guest, Music (Edgar EMI Ltd., 1:41 g 8. At Christm as Kobalt Music Publishin Xaver Gruber; arr. by g LLC, Universal Music Silent Night 3:25 (Franz Xmas (War Is Over) On Sony/ATV Music Publishin Music Corp.) // 36. Up Joe Boes) // 10. HappyYoko Ono; EMI Music arr.

Publishing Group, Demi 1864; Hanby, in and (Benjam // 3:42 (John Lennon The Housetop 1:45 Roof Music Publishing LLC.) el) // 37. Party On The Publishing, Sony/ATV 5:36 (Harry Connick Jr.;

By Wesley J. Linenkug

by Permission) // as (Chuck Riepenhoff; Used Home) 3:10 (Jeff 11. Pray On Christm 2:56 Killarney In as Come 12. Christm Papa’s-June Music) // Frank 38. Christmas (Baby Please Bertha James Cavanaugh and Ellie Greenwich; Mother pt 3:00 (John Redmond, Barry, Phil Spector and Music Inc., Windswe hase Music and Malt Shoppe 4:02 Weldon; Warner/Chappell Music, Trio Music, Steeplec 39. Deck Home For Christmas with ABKCO Music) // Music Holdings) // 13. I’ll Be Music by arrangement Used by and Buck Ram; Alfred al: arr. by David Saygers; (Johnny (Kim Gannon, Walter Kent The Halls 1:30 (Tradition 2:12 (James Lord Pierpont; 1850) Christmas Baby 4:15 g Bells Publishin Publishing) // 14. Merry Jingle Wells; MPL Permission ) // 40.

Baxter; Universal Music 3:12 (Mel Torme, Robert Dudley Moore and Lou Music Inc.) // 15. Santa Baby 3:06 (J. // 41. The Christmas Song Tunes) // 42. Snowed In With You First Group, Warner/Chappell Tamir Music) // 16. That Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Maluchnik, M. Culp, J. Almaguer; M. Javits, P. Springer, T. Springer;Eddie Boggs Productions, Used Like 5:05 (J. Aossey, K. Clay, Boggs; MOMA Groupe) // 43. Run Morbid; Snowfall 3:05 (Eddie To Bethlehem 2:14 (Dinty Used by Permission courtesy To Town 4:58 (Roger Waters

by Permission) // 17. Soon Santa’s Got A Jump Jet! 3:00 ta Claus Is Comin’ Floyd Hell/San 18.

Pink // and on) Music e Permissi Waters Used by

by Permission) // 19. Wintertim Lang and David Gilmour; Rogers on) // (E.J. Wells (ASCAP); Used Feist Catalog) // 44. Auld Roberts; Used by Permissi Music, J. Fred Coots; EMI by Jerry Knorr).

Holidays 1:49 (Joel al: arr. By Timothy (Traditional; arr.

(Tradition 1:53 1:49 Syne aum 20. O Tannenb 34, n) // 21. How The Grinch 15, 23, 25, 28, 29, 33, Pecsenye; Used by Permissio Tracks 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, (Theodore Geisel; Random , Mixed and Mastered by Stole Christmas 9:55 35, 37, 38, 44: Recorded

by Permission) // 22.

Recording Studio House Publishing, Used Patrick Clark; Used by Christopher P. Stoll at Audioflare m// Track 24: Hope Grows 4:12 (Kerry Toledo OH, www.audioflare.co Mariasy, Christmas 4:34 (Jule Permission) // 23. This and Mixed by Dave l Music, Recorded Universa Cahn; Toledo OH// Styne, Sammy Inc., Sony/ATV AudioMatrix Recording, Mixed Warner/Chappell Music, and EMI Music Tracks 18, 41: Recorded Music Publishing LLC, d 2:39

by E.J. Wells at Happylan Publishing) // 24. The Gift Recording, Toledo OH (Jon Hendric ks; Used

by Permission) //

Publishing Credits

Jon Hendricks Mannheim Steamroller Pat Dailey Ramona Collins Kerry Patrick Clark Tatiana Owens 38 more local artists

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BRINGING THE FLAVORS OF

Manet exhibit ends Jan. 1 Those who have been meaning to check out Toledo Museum of Art’s (TMA) “Manet: Portraying Life” exhibit have until Jan. 1 before it leaves the country.

Toledo is the exclusive U.S. venue for the exhibition, which drew from more than 30 public and private collections worldwide to comprise the first exhibit focused on the portraiture of 19th-century French painter Édouard Manet.

After TMA, the works will be shown at London’s Royal Academy of Arts.

Born in 1832, Manet painted his family, friends and the literary, political and artistic figures of his day, often in casual settings rather than traditionally posed portraits, according to a news release from TMA. Often credited as “the father of modernity,” Manet’s style inspired

many well-known Impressionists, including Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet and Edgar Degas.

Upcoming museum programming related to the exhibition includes: O Noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1: Family Center activities, including hat making, photo ops with props, decorating a frame for photographs, 3-D clay portraits and paper cuts.

Admission to the exhibit is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older and students age 6 to 22 and is free for TMA members and children 5 and younger with a paid adult admission. An audio tour is available for $3. General admission to TMA is free.

For more information, call (419) 255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org. O — Staff Reports

Levis Commons offers toy drive The Town Center at Levis Commons will collect toys for needy children on Jan. 5 at its fourth annual Play It Forward Toy Drive.

Gently used, working toys can be dropped off in front of Rave Cinemas at Levis Commons from 12-5 p.m. Jan. 5, according to a news release. The toys should be clean, in working order and have fresh batteries installed if possible.

“Play it Forward is a simple concept with an extraordinary impact,” said Casey Pogan, marketing director for The Town Center at Levis Commons.

“By collecting the outgrown toys we are essentially recycling them and keeping them out of landfills.

Toys are essential to creativity and imagination development and Play it Forward helps to make sure children who may not have toys receive them.”

From now until Jan. 5, batteries for the toys can also be donated at Second Sole, Lily’s at Levis and the Levis Commons management office.

Batteries of all sizes will be accepted.

Cousino Harris Disaster Kleenup and Penta/ DECA Community Service Team are also helping support the toy drive, according to the release.

For more information, visit www.shoplevis commons.com. O — Staff Reports

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“From New Year’s on the outlook brightens; good humor lost in a mood of failure returns.” — Leonard Bernstein

Gazebo gears up Band plans new album, gig at Howard’s in BG.

By Mike Bauman Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer mbauman@toledofreepress.com

Despite having a mother who’s a chemist and a father who’s an engineer, Toledo native and Perrysburg High School grad Edward Bean has gone to the beat of his own drum.

“It started off just sort of, you know, like banging on pots and pans in the kitchen,” Bean said of his childhood musicality. “But I guess in a way that’s sort of the start to any music career and my mom let it happen, so thank God for that.” n GAZEBO CONTINUES ON 9

Gazebo, from left, Henryk Kress, Ryan Williams and Edward Bean.

PHOTO COURTESY EDWARD BEAN

“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.” — Irish toast

n GAZEBO CONTINUED FROM 8 Bean’s parents were supportive of his need to create, eventually moving him from his kitchen drum kit to piano lessons and buying a piano in their home.

Today, Bean is 19 years old and living in Manhattan, studying classical musical composition on scholarship at New York University. And though Bean is studying music, it’s not solely an academic pursuit.

Together with Ryan Williams and Henryk Kress, Bean is part of the band Gazebo. Combining elements of experimental, new wave, art rock, pop and jazz, Gazebo will perform Dec. 21 at Howard’s Club H in Bowling Green.

“You’ve got three different people with three different influences, but there’s a ton of overlap,” Bean said of Gazebo’s sound. “For instance, I am definitely the more sort of progressive rock or classical-based guy. Henryk takes more of the jazz side of things, and then Ryan enjoys more of the modern alternative rock scene.

“So it’s three different approaches, but it always somehow does blend and it sort of functions [well].”

Gazebo’s roots go back to Bean’s time in high school when the original trio — which included Bean and Williams — was in the Perrysburg Jazz Band together. Gazebo got started during the summer of 2008, with Kress joining in 2010.

The band’s latest lineup is a studious bunch. Kress is studying both classical and jazz guitar at University of Toledo, while Williams is studying music education at BGSU and is also active within the percussion department, according to Bean. Together, the trio released the full-length “Lawn Structures” in 2010 and “(T)here” EP in 2012.

“We’re all multi-instrumentalists,” Bean said.

“So on our recordings, you hear, like, 12-20 instruments, but most of them are being performed by one of the three of us.”

Though its core is Bean on vocals, Williams on drums and Kress on guitar, Gazebo does not have a stripped-down sound.

On the band’s recordings thus far, Bean has also tackled bass, keys, ukulele, trombone and piano.

Kress, meanwhile, has played electric and acoustic guitar, cello, trumpet, mandolin, pedal

effects and done vocals. Williams has done vocals and played the drums, marimba, cymbals, tubular bells, timpani and gong.

“He plays it like it’s an actual classical instrument, which is — I think — fantastic,” Bean said of Williams’ drumming style. “It gives us a looser sound, and that’s been a critique we’ve often had, is that it’s not really like [a] driving rock kind of sound.

“But at the same time, we enjoy the music we make. And since we all have either classical or jazz training, it sort of brings a nuance to our approach.”

Because all its members are in school, Gazebo also has a unique recording approach.

The band exchanges ideas and music online while at school, then splits the actual recording of its music between a couple of different spots in Northwest Ohio when all the members are together.

Lately, Gazebo has been busy working on its forthcoming double album, a concept record that started with the song “Flight to Babylon” off “Lawn Structures.”

The storyline for the double-album, “The Living Sun,” is about a character who starts in California, moves through Joshua Tree Forest and makes his way east.

The concept is inspired by the band members’ respective travels and primarily is about moving forward in life.

“Obviously, we write from our perspectives and experiences, but it is supposed to be a universal message, which is one of just sort of ‘Who am I?’” Bean said. “It’s about identity and just moving to new places.”

The first part of “The Living Sun,” “The Warming Sun,” is scheduled to be released in January.

Until then, Gazebo is eager to get back together in Northwest Ohio to finish recording and perform at Howard’s.

“We’re playing [with] a six-person set,” Bean said of the show. “It should be a lot of fun and really good.”

On Dec. 21, Gazebo will perform at Howard’s, 210 N. Main St. in Bowling Green.

Gazebo’s performance will also include Connor Leupp (vocals, keyboard, percussion), Vince Chiaverini (bass) and Tyler Fowler (tenor saxophone).

For more information, visit howardsclubh. com or call (419) 352-3195. O

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From its two-piece setup to its genre-bending tunes and multitude of online releases, Bowling Green-based Tree No Leaves is a unique local music act.

“That’s by design, I think,” said Tree No Leaves’ Dustin Galish. “A lot of us live in this kind of ADD culture, so it’s hard to keep an interest in one type of thing, you know?

There are bands that I follow who have a very specific sound, and I appreciate that. But for myself, I’ve always liked the approach of

trying lots of different things.”

Tree No Leaves is more than just Galish handling vocals and guitar and drummer Jared Schneider taking care of the rhythm and beat. Both also play keys and a wide range of other instruments, including electronic drums, bass, autoharp, omnichord and kalimba, among others.

“We try to cover the whole gamut,” Galish said. “And so it’s electronic-based rock music because we don’t have a big drum kit. There’s not huge amps on the stage. It’s more of an electronic experience, but certainly the ambient and the trip-hop kind of ideas [are present]. n TREE NO LEAVES CONTINUES ON 11

“Let each new year find you a better man.” — Benjamin Franklin n TREE NO LEAVES CONTINUED FROM 10 “That’s a lot of the stuff that we listen to, and so we try to bring that influence into, like, kind of a rock-pop song.”

On Dec. 21, concert-goers will get to experience Tree No Leaves’ wide scope of sound when the band performs at Ottawa Tavern. Formed in early 2008, Tree No Leaves may never have existed if it weren’t for “Guitar Hero.”

“I’ve always been a video game nerd,” Galish said. “And so I was just like, ‘Wow, I actually have very good rhythm,’ which really in [“Guitar Hero”] it’s what it’s all about. I was just kind of seeing that I had some coordination there that I wasn’t aware of. I was like, ‘Well, I guess I’ll try the real thing,’ which is way harder.”

Nearly seven years after that popular video game inspired him to pick up the guitar, Galish has helped create an extensive catalog with Tree No Leaves. Including live recordings, the band has put out 17 different releases since 2008, all of which are available for free on its website, treenoleaves.com.

“I love that aspect about music,” Galish said of making Tree No Leaves’ music available for free. “I can be honest in saying I don’t really pay much for a digital album. I mean, I have physical albums that I love. That’s still there.

“But I think online music, if you really want to get it out there, just present it as art. Just put it up for free. People will go after it.”

That willingness to share Tree No Leaves’ music for free has also helped the band gain an international following. The song “Civil

War II” off the band’s latest album “Tragick Magick Mystics” will be the featured song for the month of January in Speak UP, a Brazilian magazine which features various articles on Brazilian and international entertainment, culture and tourism to help natives learn English.

“People actually kind of learning English through the music of Tree No Leaves, it’s kind of like the dream for me because you’re communicating with people that don’t even speak your language,” Galish said. “The fact that we recorded the album and that happened within two to three weeks after we released it, that kind of came together; that’s really exciting, as well.”

Galish is particularly excited for the Dec. 21 show, and not just because Tree No Leaves is performing with one of his favorite bands, Mr. Gnome. On what some believe is the day of the apocalypse, Galish will be celebrating his 31st birthday.

“Honestly, part of me is like, ‘Maybe something cool will happen,’” Galish said of the Dec. 21 show. “Maybe while the show’s going on some crazy creature is summoned when we’re just rocking out to the apocalypse. That would be wonderful. But ideally, it’s probably just going to be a great night and there’ll be people celebrating the solstice.”

At 10 p.m. Dec. 21, Tree No Leaves will perform at a show that also features Silent Lions and Mr. Gnome at the Ottawa Tavern, 1817 Adams St. For more info, visit otavern. com or call (419) 725-5483. O

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / DEC. 19, 2012 n 11

Batgirl writer fired by DC Comics

By Jim Beard Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

Once the only female writer at DC Comics, fan-favorite and often outspoken scribe Gail Simone has reportedly been summarily fired from her gig on Batgirl — by email. While it’s not unusual for creators to be removed from titles, the nature of this pink slip and the decided lack of female writers in mainstream comics make this a real head-scratcher.

Add to it the fact that BATGIRL Batgirl had received critical acclaim and was actually a good seller and you have a mystery worthy of the Dominoed Daredoll herself.

DC rebooted its entire line of titles more than a year ago as “The New 52” and with it came a resurrection of sorts of the original Barbara Gordon incarnation of Batgirl. Shot in the spine by the Joker and subsequently confined to a wheelchair in 1988’s Batman: The Killing Joke, Barbara became a different sort of hero as Oracle, and won the hearts of readers as a true example of a handicapped warrior.

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Simone was given the job of pulling Babs out of the wheelchair in 2011, fearlessly and in the face of potential outcry from Oracle fans.

But, that said, she pulled off a miracle; Batgirl was up on her feet again and embraced anew as a costumed heroine with vim and vigor. And the sales backed that up.

So, why the firing? No one involved is talking, or at least not much. Simone has expressed sadness over the sacking, but also feelings of fortune over the collaborations she’s shared at DC — a company she no longer works for in any capacity. DC also hasn’t been forthcoming, but that’s not much of a surprise as companies rarely discuss internal workings in public. Fellow writers have come out since the firing to commiserate with Simone and express their own disdain for DC’s tactics, but, in the end, it’s a done deal. Whatever the reasons, Batgirl will receive a new writer and, most likely, a new direction … again.

For Simone, this might be a launch pad to even bigger things. With creator-owned projects in the works, she can perhaps put the work-for-hire world behind her for good. One thing’s for sure: She takes a healthy group of fans with her as she departs DC, a good thing to have when striking out into the wilderness of independent comics. O

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“New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.” — Charles Lamb

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

DEC. 31, 2012

What’s what, where and when in NW Ohio

Big Band New Year’s Eve Gala

Compiled by Maggie Dziubek Events are subject to change.

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra, under the direction of the late band leader’s son Jerry Knorr, will offer music for dancing plus a buffet dinner, ballroom dance show and champagne toast. A new CD, “We’ll Meet Again,” will be available for $15.

Doors 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Stranahan Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. $60. Reserve tickets by Dec. 28. (419) 697-7612 or johnnyknorr.com.

New Year’s Eve B.Gump’s 101 Restaurant and Lounge

The B/Charmers blues and jazz band will perform at B.Gump’s 101 Restaurant & Lounge on New Year’s Eve. $20. Admission includes an hors d’oeuvres buffet and champagne toast. Lounge opens at 4 p.m. Dec. 31; show begins at 8 p.m.

5147 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 517-2199 or bgumps.com.

Blarney Irish Pub

Bar 145 will offer three packages for New Year’s Eve. The Night Out package ($20 per person) includes a champagne toast, party favors, hors d’oeuvres and admission after 9 p.m. Dec. 31. The Dinner Package ($30 per person) starts at 6 p.m. and includes a four-course meal and a bottle of champagne. The Dinner and Night Out package includes a four-course meal, bottle of champagne, party favors, hors d’oeuvres and all-night admission starting at 6 p.m. Call (872) 2-BAR145 for reservations. bar145toledo.com.

Bretz

New Year’s Eve at Bretz will feature a midnight balloon drop and champagne toast, more than $1,000 in cash and prizes, two drag shows and more. 2012 Adams St. (419) 243-1900 or Bretz Bar on Facebook.

The Dance Clinic

The Dance Clinic will be hosting a New Year’s Eve dance and dinner party, beginning with a dance lesson followed by a dinner buffet provided by La Scola Italian

The Bang will be returning to The Blind Pig at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31. $15 (21+). 208 N.

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Danny Mettler & the New Year will be playing an acoustic guitar set at The Bronze Boar in the Downtown Warehouse District, where party hats and champagne will be provided. Doors open 6 p.m. Dec. 31; show starts at 9 p.m. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www. bronzeboar.com.

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Toledo cover band Nine Lives will play Downtown at The Blarney on Dec. 31. Prime rib or fish and chips will be served for $25 per person or a champagne toast and party favors for a $10 cover charge. Call for reservations. 601 Monroe St., Toledo. (419) 4182339 or www.the blarneyirishpub.com.

Bar 145

Bar Louie will offer a $75 all-inclusive New Year’s Eve package, which includes cocktails from 9 p.m. to midnight, a champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast buffet from 12:30-2:30 a.m. Jan. 1. 4105 Levis Commons Blvd, Perrysburg. (419) 8749774 or www.barlouieamerica.com.

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First St., Ann Arbor. (734) 996-8555 or www. blindpigmusic.com.

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Grill and dancing throughout the night. $55. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.

Graystone Hall, 29101 Hufford Road, Perrysburg. (419) 475-3055 or www.thedanceclinic.com.

Dégagé Jazz Café New Year’s Eve Dance Party

Laurie Swyers and her blues band will start their first set at 7 p.m. Dec 31. The dance floor will open at 9 p.m. Party favors and champagne will be provided at midnight. There will also be a set menu for $65 per person or $120 per couple.

Reservations are recommended. 301 River Road, Maumee. (419) 794-8205 or www.degagejazzcafe.com.

The Old Road Dinner Train

The Old Road Dinner Train will pick up passengers for a New Year’s Eve celebration at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31, returning at 10:30 p.m.

301 E. Adrian, Blissfield. (888) 467-2451 or www.murdermysterytrain.com.

The Distillery

Cover band Arctic Clam will play Top 40 and alternative songs at The Distillery in South Toledo. Show begins after 9 p.m. Dec. 31 (21+). 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www.thedistillery online.com.

H any avai Gift olida of lable Car y our d locnow as atio t ns!

2013

“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” — Oprah Winfrey

STAR @ the movies ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ James A. Molnar, TFP film editor:

”Fans of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ series will very much enjoy this movie, which can feel more like a director’s cut at times.

However, ‘The Hobbit’ suffers slightly from gorging on every minute detail, which casual fans may find slightly arduous. But while the story may drag at times, the visuals more than make up for Peter Jackson’s indulgences.”

Read the full review and watch the trailer: Watch James discuss movies on “WNWO Today” around 5:50 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

Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball

Dancing, drinks, champagne toast, fortune tellers, balloon drop, desserts and giveaways from the Beauty Bar along with 10 percent off masquerade wear from the Costume Holiday House are included in admission to the Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball in Downtown Toledo. $25 presale. Limited tickets available. Doors open 8 p.m. Dec. 31. 35 N. Huron St., Toledo. (419) 410-4769 or newyearsevetoledo.com.

Fat Fish Blue Party

Toledo rhythm and blues band Bourbon Street will play at Fat Fish Blue at Levis Commons on New Year’s Eve. A cover charge ($10 in advance, $15 day of show) includes admission, a champagne toast and party favors. Reservations by phone (21+). Event begins at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31;

band starts at 10 p.m. 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com.

Funny Bone New Year’s Eve Buffets and Shows

The Toledo Funny Bone in Levis Commons will host comic Billy D. Washington for its New Year’s Eve shows. A dinner buffet will be served with the first show at 7 p.m. Dec. 31.

Washington will perform again at 10 p.m. and appetizers will be served. Tickets are $60 for the first show, $45 for the second (21+). 6140 Levis Commons Blvd, Perrysburg. (419) 9313474 or funnybonecentral.com.

Hollywood Casino Toledo

A chance to win $2,013 or more in free slot play is a one reason to ring in the new year at Hollywood Casino Toledo. A Marquee Rewards card member will win $2,013 every hour from 9-11 p.m. followed by the grand prize drawing — $12,013 in free slot play — at 1 a.m. DJ Rob Sample and house/ pop/funk band Disco Inferno will play in the

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / DEC. 19, 2012 n 13

H Lounge starting at 8 p.m. Party favors will be handed out at all entrances starting at 10 p.m., while supplies last. The countdown at Times Square will be shown on televisions across the casino floor starting at 11:45 p.m. 21+. (877) 777-9579 or hollywoodcasinotoledo.com.

souvenir cups. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31. Free with zoo admission. 2700 Broadway St., Toledo. (419) 385-4040 or www.toledozoo.org.

Port Clinton Walleye Drop

Alan Smith and the Blues All Stars will play at Manhattan’s in Downtown Toledo on New Year’s Eve. Dinner pre-seatings will be at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. A $15 cover for champagne and party favors will apply after 8 p.m. 1516 Adams St., Toledo. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com.

Festivities begin at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 with the Family Fun Center at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 109 E. Perry St., Port Clinton.

There will be an early Walleye Drop at 6 p.m. for kids. Also starting at 6 p.m. will be street vendors and music provided by Rock & Roll Express along Madison Street in downtown Port Clinton. The Walleye Drop will take place at midnight. www. walleyemadness.com or Walleye Madness at Midnight on Facebook.

Noon Year’s Eve at the Zoo

Yeeha’s

Manhattan’s

The Toledo Zoo will celebrate the New Year earlier in the day with a go-green themed event for families. Crafts and ice carving demonstrations will take place and special guests from Radio Disney Detroit will be broadcasting. At noon, guests can watch a ball made of recycled materials rise and toast with apple juice in

Yeeha’s in Oregon is offering a variety of New Year’s Eve party packages, which include dinner, drinks and hotel rooms as well as a champagne toast and shuttle services.

Packages $69-$269 (21+). DJ ADubb will play. 3150 Navarre Ave., Oregon. (419) 6918880 or www.yeehas.com. O

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“The new year begins in a snowstorm of white vows.” — George William Curtis

Johnny Knorr Orchestra brings back its New Year’s Eve party

By Brigitta Burks Toledo Free Press STAR News Editor bburks@toledofreepress.com

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra is bringing the big-band sound back to New Year’s Eve with its gala celebration. Last year was the first time in decades the party did not occur.

This year will mark the 27th New Year’s Eve Gala, said Jerry Knorr, the musical director.

Knorr’s father Johnny started the orchestra in 1960 and died in August 2011.

“The Stranahan Great Hall (the party’s location), they had booked another party [last year] and it was shortly after my father’s passing and it was just a little too much to handle. We’re pleased to be able to bring it back this year and resume a long-standing tradition,” Jerry said.

The party will feature a large dance floor, a buffet by Michael’s Gourmet Catering and a performance by the ballroom act “Strictly Show.”

There will also be a champagne toast to welcome 2013. “Ragtime” Rick Grafing and Dennis Williams will emcee the event.

And of course, The Johnny Knorr Orchestra will perform.

Jerry took over as musical director in early 2011 and has continued to lead the band since his father’s death. He joined the orchestra as a high school student.

“I’ve been with the orchestra since day one and have always been a part of it and this is just

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an evolution, continuing the tradition. As we approach our 53rd year, to me, it’s just been a natural transition of carrying on the orchestra,” Jerry said.

Michael Drew Shaw, a longtime friend of Johnny’s who also produced a documentary on the orchestra, said, “I think that it’s been a difficult year for Jerry. … These guys weren’t just father and son, they were business partners. They lived next door to each other out in Oregon. I know Jerry took the loss of his pop pretty hard, but I’ve been impressed with his determination to keep the band going.”

The reason the orchestra is so successful is because of its commitment to Johnny’s principles — and to pleasing the crowd, Jerry said. “[Johnny] grew up as what was known as a sideman and played with several different orchestras. And he thought he just wanted to do things a little bit better so he formed his own orchestra,” Jerry said. “[He] always was striving for a little bit better and I guess that’s what brought about the longevity (of the group). He always was observant and played for the dancers … we always played for the audience, the dancers, so they always wanted us to return.”

Shaw said the orchestra’s work ethic is why it has been on the Toledo music scene for so long. “[Jerry and Johnny] have a passion for the music they play. … The orchestra members have that same passion. They just love to get out there and play the music.

“It’s that collective passion they have for keeping big-band music alive,” he said.

Although they have the same work ethic, Jerry said there are differences between him and his father.

“Dad was a very stern taskmaster and I guess I’m a little more relaxed about it and achieve similar goals in a different manner” he said.

Like his father, Jerry plays the saxophone and the clarinet. His grandfather was also musical and played the piano.

Jerry has an engineering degree and also attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Today, his orchestra has 12 members and two vocalists. The average tenure of an orchestra member is 25 years, Jerry said.

“These are all professional musicians and they travel as much as 100 miles to come play with us,” he said.

The orchestra will release a new CD, “We’ll Meet Again,” at its New Year’s Eve party.

“We’re very excited about being able to have this new CD and have that be a part of the New Year’s Eve function. It’s been a few years since we did a recording, so we’re pleased to bring it out,” Jerry said, adding that the new album is “a little bit of the past, the present and the future.”

The CD will also be available for $15 at johnnyknorr.com.

The gala draws in people from all over,

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JERRY KNORR Jerry said.

“The event is sometimes quite amazing as to the following we have. I have people who have obtained tickets from Columbus and from as far away as Florida.”

Tickets for the gala are $60 per person and must be purchased by Dec. 28. Call (419) 6977612 to purchase. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 31 at the Stranahan Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. O

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“New year, same goal.” — Joe King

Empty Bowls event returns

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

It truly is better to give than to receive.

Just ask the organizers of the Empty Bowls Project of Northwest Ohio when the charity event makes its way to the Gathered Art Gallery and Studios on Dec. 23.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement founded by the Image/RENDER Group, a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina. More information on the project’s history can be found at www.emptybowls.net.

Each event features handcrafted bowls filled with warm, delicious soup that are sold and auctioned off to help those less fortunate. This year’s Toledo event is being spearheaded by Tobias Bird, who helped organize last year’s event at the Shops at Fallen Timbers in Maumee.

“This year there are a few changes. We are working with a number of professional artists that I met through the Glass Art Society Conference this past summer and others in the region,” Bird said. “I really just took more risks, it can be very intimidating to ask an artist who sells their work for thousands of dollars to contribute, but once they looked into the project and what we’re about, they were happy to help. We’re also going to have

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live demos in addition to the silent auction.

“Another thing is that we’ve lowered our donation amount from last year, even though response was really great, some people were buying two or three bowls at a time. We’re hoping that this will broaden both the amount of people that attend and those we are able to help.”

Attendees make a $10 donation and receive a light meal of soup and get to keep their own original bowl. All proceeds benefit the Seagate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio.

Event hours are 5-9 p.m. Participating artists include Laura Donefer, Boyd Sugiki, Lisa Zerkowitz, Jeff Mack, Nadine Saylor, Jill Allen, Clay Leonard, Adam Goldberg and many more. Soup is being provided this year

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

The night Santa came I

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol.3, No.51 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, Managing Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com Brigitta Burks, News Editor bburks@toledofreepress.com Jeff McGinnis, Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com ADMINISTRATION

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pulled into the Clear Channel parking lot at about 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, a full half-hour before our call time. It was already starting to get dark in Downtown Toledo. It’s usually the earliest of morning hours when I arrive at Clear Channel, a quick McDonald’s breakfast in my belly and sleep barely swept from JEFF my consciousness. On this day, I was wide awake — in more ways than one.

I turned off the car and saw with a start of surprise that Michael Miller, my boss and friend, was already there as well. He rushed over to me before I could even get out of the car, and I noted with surprise that there were tears rolling down his cheeks.

I had never seen Michael cry before. That unsettled me as much as anything had.

“How are we supposed to do this?”

Michael asked.

“I don’t know,” I replied.

We’d been planning this show for weeks. A special edition of “Eye on Your Weekend,” our pop culture discussion show on 1370 WSPD, where we would have Santa Claus as our special guest. We would spend the whole hour talking to that right jolly old elf, and kids from all over the area would call in with questions and to tell St. Nick their Christmas lists, live on the air. It would be a fun show, and maybe we’d give some children a beautiful holiday memory.

But mere hours after the Newtown, Conn., shootings hit the nation like a collective punch to the gut, going through with it didn’t seem so cut and dry. How could we maintain our composure? What would the kids ask? How could we do a silly Christmas thing at a time when the world is grieving? Were we being disrespectful by even trying?

There is much discussion in the wake of any tragedy of the media’s role in its coverage. Some things are pretty obviously wrong and disgusting — shoving cameras and microphones in the faces of kids who just survived the attack being one of them. Seriously, dudes, have some humanity.

But there’s a lot of gray area as well. There is much discussion about whether simply by giving the killer and his crimes this much airtime, those in the media are prolonging the pain of those who lost loved ones and perhaps even hastening the next crime of its sort.

“People will hate me,” Lee Harvey Oswald says in the final sequence of Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Assassins.” “They’ll hate you with a passion, Lee,” he’s told in response. “Imagine people having passionate feelings about Lee Harvey Oswald.” To those desperate for attention, commit-

ting a horrific act can seem like the quickest route to recognition. The sad thing is, it works.

We remember Oswald, Booth, Sirhan and Chapman almost as readily as we remember JFK, Lincoln, RFK and Lennon. By so thoroughly focusing on the crime and, by extension, glorifying the criminal, are we inspiring others to follow in his wake?

But we can’t ignore that something terrible occurred. We can’t ignore the 26 lives lost at the school. Maybe the solution is to focus on them — to think of the children and adults who will never see another Christmas and not the maniac who denied them that. All this passed through my head as I looked at Michael.

“I trust your judgment as much as anyone else I’ve ever met,” I said. “And maybe tonight will be a nice rest from everything that’s happened.”

mCGINNIS

POP GOES THE

CULTURE

TOLEDO

As Jim Beard and James A. Molnar, our partners in crime, arrived at the studio, a course of action became clear. We’d do the show as planned. We’d try to do a fun show.

We’d give some wonderful memories to some kids. We’d laugh, that we might not cry.

I hope we did the right thing that night — for ourselves as much as our listeners — by trying to do so. We weren’t ignoring what had occurred in Connecticut that day. Michael’s opening of the show (“This is Evan and Sean’s daddy. I know ... I know a lot of parents have heavy hearts tonight, but we have a special show planned for your kids and we’re going to carry it through to keep your Christmas spirits up.”) and when he threw it to me at the end to contribute a quote from John Lennon’s “Imagine” made it clear that the tragedy was not far from our thoughts.

But for the rest of the hour, we tried to live in a world where joy still existed, where the magic of the season lived unabated and where Santa would sit in a studio for an hour to listen to all the children as they called. Maybe sometimes, you have to believe in that world if you’re going to survive in the real one. O Email columnist Jeff McGinnis at PopGoesJeff@ gmail.com.

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20 n DEC. 19, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

”Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.” — Bill Vaughn