40 Years of Restless Invention WELCOME BACK, MR

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MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 • THEDEVILSTRIP.COM 6 What’s the big idea, Square Scullery? 24 FEATURE STORY: The Corner Pocket 30 Easy speak with Chef Ernest Cornelius

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40 Years of Restless Invention WELCOME BACK, MR. MOTHERSBAUGH — ARTIST, MUSICIAN, AKRONITE AKRON ART MUSEUM • One South High • Akron, OH 44308 • 330-376-9186 • akronartmuseum.org Akron Art Museum | Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia

EVENTS

Artist Talk Mark Mothersbaugh and curator Adam Lerner Saturday, May 28 at 2pm Akron-Summit County Public Library 60 S. High St., Akron 44326 Tickets: $10 for Akron Art Museum Members, on sale May 2, and MOCA Members, on sale May 9; $20 for general admission, on sale May 16. To purchase, visit AkronArtMuseum.org/eventregistration

Myopia: Free Opening Party Saturday, May 28 from 3–7pm Akron Art Museum

Energy Dome Planter Workshop with Amy Mothersbaugh Thursday, June 2 at 6:30pm Gear up for the museum’s soon-to-be-open garden with artist and Studio 2091 gallery owner Amy Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia Mothersbaugh by transforming a terracotta ﬂ ower pot into an energy dome and placing a plant inside. For tickets, visit AkronArtMuseum.org/ eventregistration May 29 – August 28, 2016 The Yoga of DEVO & Mark Mothersbaugh a shared exhibition presented by Thursday, June 2 from 6:30-8:30pm Grab your red energy dome hat and your yoga AKRON ART MUSEUM & MOCA CLEVELAND mat and join us for an evening of yoga and meditation with Maria Santoferraro. For tickets, visit AkronArtMuseum.org/eventregistration

Myopia is the fi rst retrospective of the work of Mark Mothersbaugh, spanning the Mothersbaugh-Inspired Sun Catcher with Amy Mothersbaugh beginning of his career in the early 1970s through the present. Born in Akron, OH, and Thursday, June 23 at 6:30pm What shines with beauty and glows with more co-founder of the New Wave band DEVO, Mothersbaugh has been making art for natural Akron energy than a red glass DEVO more than forty years—since before the band’s inception in the early 1970s. This body dome inspired suncatcher? Learn basic soldering techniques as you create a sun catcher with of work presents a unique combination of cultural criticism and personal expression a decidedly Akron fl avor. For tickets, visit AkronArtMuseum.org/eventregistration through drawings, fi lms, paintings, sculpture and music. But more than that, his work provides a missing link in the history of contemporary art and culture. At once an artist, Art Talk: The Beginning Was the End Thursday, June 30 at 7pm musician, and tinkerer, he o ers a key to understanding the current state of art, with Jade Dellinger and David Gi els, authors of the defi nitive band biography Are We Not Men? its hybridity, subjectivity and fl uid boundaries. Mothersbaugh’s work reveals his unique We Are Devo! talk about the many worlds of artistic voice and also asserts his role in the intersecting legacies that have formed Mark Mothersbaugh. contemporary culture. Zine Workshop with Amy Mothersbaugh Thursday, July 7 at 6:30pm Join the zine craze and learn about Mark Myopia at the Akron Art Museum turns its attention on Mothersbaugh’s visual art Mothersbaugh’s early adventures in zine making. Participants are encouraged to bring images and practice, including installations of recent sculpture, prints, rugs, and a collection of scraps to personalize your zine, but materials will also be provided. For tickets, visit 30,000 postcard-sized drawings the artist has created and utilized for inspiration and AkronArtMuseum.org/eventregistration exploration throughout his career. The Akron Art Museum is partnering with MOCA Everything Is Awesome: Cleveland to jointly present Mothersbaugh’s work in simultaneous exhibitions across Mark Mothersbaugh Painting Party Thursday, July 14 at 6:30pm Northeast Ohio. By visiting the exhibition in both venues, audiences will get a wide- Join smARTStudio to paint a portrait of Mark ranging perspective of Mothersbaugh’s prolifi c output of artwork, music, ideas, restless Mothersbaugh on canvas. Learn the process of photo transferring onto canvas and painting invention, and distinctive sense of humor. FUNdamentals. For tickets, visit AkronArtMuseum.org/eventregistration Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Its presentation at the Akron Art Museum is generously sponsored by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, John P. Murphy Foundation, Audio- Technica and EarthQuaker Devices. Special thanks go to the Department of Print Media & Photography at Kent State University and TKM. Media sponsorship is provided by Western Reserve Public Media and 91.3 The Summit.

AKRON ART MUSEUM • One South High • Akron, OH 44308 • 330-376-9186 • akronartmuseum.org table of contents The Devil Strip 12 E. Exchange Street 24 2nd Floor 24 FEATURE: Akron, Ohio 44308 The Corner Pocket: Publisher: Chris “has all the best words” Horne When a neighborhood Email: [email protected] is a neighborhood Cell phone: 330-555-NEVER-ANSWERS unto itself Art Director: Alesa “doesn’t sleep” Upholzer

Managing Editor: M. Sophie “Has Many Names, Wears Many Hats” Hamad Email: [email protected]

Visuals Editor: Svetla “The Balkan Comrade” Morrison 30 6 Big Idea: Copy Editor: Jessica “My name is not Jecca” Cherok The Square Scullery Sales Director: TJ Masterson Email: [email protected] 10 43 10 New column: Not Lost in Translation The Editorial Team THE ARTS 15 Indie Link levels Lead Editor...... Bronlynn “Space Kitty” Thurman Asst. Editor...... Megan “Oxford comma slayer” Combs the playing field Literary Arts Editor...... Noor "Nervous Poodle Poet" Hindi

COMMUNITY & CULTURE 17 The League of Lead Editor ...... Katie “Miss Jackson if You’re Nasty” Jackson Asst. Editor...... Jessica “Spreadsheets!” Cherok Extraordinary Women Asst. Editor...... Ilenia “Our Short, Tired Garbanzo Bean Eatin', . WTF Video Girl Writer” Pezzaniti

21 Rollin’ deep in MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT Music...... Brittany “Sass Master Flash” Nader 27 New Blimp City Music...... Clay “Needs a Whimsical Middle Name” Chabola Entertainment...... Andrew “Has a Mighty Fine Beard” Leask

Staff Writers, Columnists & The A/V Club: 23 Power of the Pen Emily “Lady Beer Drinker” Anderson; Holly “The Wanderer” Brown; Emily “Potty Perfectionist” Dressler and Marissa Marangoni, Bathroom Culture Enthusiast; “Lost in an Altered Realm” Dan 40 27 The Small Business Gorman & Brian Dunphy; Paul “I don’t write” Hoffman; Chris “the Film Freak” Kessinger; Jacob Luther, the Towny Townie Toonist; Chronicles Theodore “Quieter Days” Mallison; TJ “Don’t Call Me Shirley” Masterson; Mary “not so contrary, in fact, quite easy to get along with” Menzemer; the absolutely real and totally non-fictional 30 Chef Ernest’s Georgio Pelogrande; Roger Riddle, Wears the Purple Pants; The Shane Wynn Supremacy; Gabe “Softballin’” Gott Northside Kitchens table of contents Contributors: Allie Angelo, Rick Bohan, Dominic Caruso, Mary Menzemer, Shelby 31 Wander into the Front Heitzenrater, Brit Charek, Craftiest Staff Writer/Maker of Empires; Jessica Conti, Says She’s Not That Clever But Must Be Lying; Porch Cafe Heather “Doctor, Doctor” Braun; Eric Morris, Was Abducted By Jojo 21 Pizzaface’; Scott Piepho; Bert Stevens 34 Bar Crawler taps PLX 23 ———————————————————— CONTACT US: 40 Standing Room: Office ...... (330) 842-6606 6 Bands to Know General Info ...... [email protected] Advertising ...... [email protected] Distribution ...... [email protected] Website ...... www.thedevilstrip.com 43 On the Record with Facebook ...... Facebook.com/thedevilstrip The DREEMERS Twitter ...... @akrondevilstrip Instagram ...... @thedevilstrip

———————————————————— 46 Urine Luck’s first re-review 6 Thinking about life after Scarborough by Chris Horne

The Devil Strip is published bi-monthly by Random Family, LLC. Akron If you think you have Scott Scarborough Fatigue (new syndrome, totally made it up), imagine how I we feel. Distribution: The Devil Strip is available free of charge, limited to one copy Then quadruple that and you’re close to understanding the on-campus antipathy shared by most faculty, per reader. Copyright: The entire contents of The Devil Strip are copyright 2016 by Random Family, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without according to the latest Akron AAUP survey. But whether he should stay or go isn’t really the question written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume bugging me these days. any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above. Instead, I’m worried that the anti-Scarborough sentiment has gone so far that everyone will think everything is awesome at UA if he’s ousted. There were, as he’s rightly pointed, serious issues when he arrived. There are, I think, more now — some worse than before. So the really big question, which needs to be addressed regardless of who is in office, is “What will it take for the University of Akron to grow again?”

Starting the first week of May, we’ll post those stories online at thedevilstrip.com, addressing roadblocks to that growth with questions like: Why don’t the trustees want the public to see their evaluation of Dr. Scarborough? And, what made Scarborough think the former Akron Beacon Journal publisher was the right fit for the university’s vacant Chief Diversity Officer position? If there are layoffs coming because of the fall’s enrollment plummet, what happens when Stark State opens its downtown campus?

I hope it’s obvious that we all want a healthy, vibrant university. It’s foolish to believe in a single bullet solution but if we look, we might just find a roadmap.

4 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 pub notes

My mom and I were yelling dictator-y Hugo Chavez. What changed was my Speaking of, take a look at this issue’s New/ at each other again when story of Macon. Native for a glimpse of why our arts editor I said it. It’d been awhile Bronlynn Thurman and entertainment editor since we’d gotten along, The old story had been of a city without Andrew Leask are among my favorite people. Pub Notes >> so the arguments weren’t a opportunity, one where I’d get stuck working They remind me of a Mos Def line from “Oh surprise but I can’t shake how this one went. I in the same damn zipper factory as my dad No”: “The kids better buy my rookie card now/ was a high school senior and had just moved had (or worse), one where I’d never get to be Cause after this year the price ain't comin back in with her for the summer after living for creative for a living or make the kind of friends down.” I mean, the Browns wish they could a couple years with my dad, which is another who’d both accept my weird, grumpy ass and draft talent with this kind of upside. Fortunately story altogether. However, he was heading to still challenge me. The new story emerged for Akron, some of our best organizations Atlanta to start a business with his brothers slowly, reluctantly as the city gave me a cadre have recognized the opportunity. Andrew and I needed somewhere to stay before college of irreplaceable friends, like Roger Riddle; a just joined United Way of Summit County as started in Nashville. creative outlet in (and then employment with) their Marketing Manager and Bronlynn is now The 11th Hour, our spunky start-up arts and Program Associate for the Knight Foundation in “I can’t wait to get out of this shithole town!” I culture mag; and eventually my darling bride. Akron, as well as the GAR Foundation’s contract said, echoing every angry teenager on TV or in program assistant. a movie (or in a TV movie). Soon, I was carried by the natural gravity of giving myself to the city and getting more back, This won’t be the last shout-out I give for “Why?” Mom asked, her voice breaking. She which made me give more, and so on and so members of our little family, especially sounded vulnerable, which never happened forth until one day my story about the future considering what all they’re already doing — when we fought. Maybe that’s why this sticks of the city changed too. Macon looks now a lot Svetla Morrison’s “Hi Neighbor” project, Noor with me. “All I ever wanted for you and like the city I hoped it’d be. Story can’t be the Hindi’s Nervous Poodle Poetry blog, Shane your sister and brother is to feel like you have only thing that changes, but it can (and does) Wynn’s Knight Arts-winning #overlooked and a home.” lead change. M. Sophie Hamad graduating then coming on soon as our full-time managing editor. These Recalling it now makes me collapse a little Creative placemaking — using the arts, culture people — all our contributors, the folks we still. My eyes water, my throat catches. What a and creativity to transform public spaces — can write about and those we’re going to write brat. My mom was the second youngest of ﬁ ve change the place and then change story. Think about — are the story of Akron, the one I knew kids in a family run by a conservative Christian about Inside/Out and the winning projects was here when I ﬁ rst visited. My mom may hate missionary. They grew up in southeastern of the Knight Arts Challenge. Of course we that we’re not in Macon anymore, but I have Africa, untethered to any place until she was love that, but I think of what we do at The found a home because she taught me how to ready for college. As a kid, the way I saw it Devil Strip and Unbox Akron as narrative look for it. was my mom had adventures. She’d been placemaking. We’re telling a story of the Akron to London and stood at the foot of Egypt’s we see right now so we can all collaborate, as Take care, About the Cover pyramids. The way she experienced it: She a community, on the city we Chris wasn’t from somewhere. No lasting friends. No want to become. way to build real relationships. Mark Mothersbaugh: I love my fellow newbies and Myopia My wife says I get my smarts from my mom, the natives who never left, which I think is an insult to my mother’s but I have a real fondness for

Mark Mothersbaugh, intelligence, but I do believe I’ve inherited a repatriated Akronites. They, “School Days — My ﬁ rst pair of glasses,” few things from her. Aside from sarcasm and a as Johnny Cash once sang, courtesy of the artist. distaste for housekeeping, she gifted me with “went out there in search of the longing for sense of place. After I pulled experience — to taste and to Do you understand how important it is that a six-year stint in Nashville, I moved back to touch and to feel as much, Mark Mothersbaugh is coming home — to Macon, practically against my will. But a decade as a man can before he Akron — for this exhibit? Not that he’s shied later, I’d completely rebuilt my self-perception repents,” and then, like me, away from his roots, but it’s a big deal. Not around intense civic pride. returned home, changing just that he would be willing to do it, but that their story. there’s a place like the Akron Art Museum Thing is, Macon didn’t change a whole lot (and MOCA in Cleveland) where he can. My in the time between leaving it at age 17 to Once you change your story, hometown of Macon, Georgia, birthed Little coming back at 23. In some ways, it got worse. you change what’s possible. Mom, it hasnt always been this easy and fun, but Richard, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers, The biggest employer shut down and the That’s why we do what I know you always have my back and I will always love you. among others like REM’s Mike Mills and Bill already controversial mayor was doing crazy we do. Berry, but until recently, you probably wouldn’t stuff like offering letters of support to the Your boy, Chris have known it because outside of a couple of named bridges and streets, there were few markers to note these world-class musicians and little infrastructure for it either.

None of them, however, were artists in the same sense as Mothersbaugh, whose career began in visual art and carried over into music with Devo, then movie scores, postcards and even eyewear. Hell, my kid knows who he is because he taught her to draw on “Yo Gabba Gabba.” There aren’t a lot of creatives with the varied resume that Mothersbaugh boasts. Personally, I hope this exhibit, which runs from May 29 to August 28, 2016, only brings Akron another step closer to embracing its greats so they can return the favor. - Chris H.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 5 agenda New / Native: The Devil Strip Staff edition Compiled by M. Sophie Hamad and Ilenia Pezzaniti

What do you wish was on more Akronites people who are devoted to making this city since I moved here. There’s the salted caramel radar? I grew up in Puerto Rico. Although a great place to live in. After getting to see macarons at Sweet Mary’s Bakery. I usually my wife and I usually visit the island during Akron through their eyes, it wasn’t long before I roll my eyes at food fads, but those macarons the holidays, what I miss most between visits started to fall for the place myself. turned me into a salted caramel believer. I (besides my family) is the cuisine. Alas, there’s love the massaman curry at Cilantro. It’s my nowhere in Akron to get Puerto Rican food— Where in Akron do you like to escape? favorite Thai curry dish, and Cilantro makes which, by the way, is nothing like Mexican food. It’s not a specifi c place, but in the past year, it differently—thicker and richer—than other Until that changes, I may have to resign myself I’ve gotten into taking long walks. It gives me places I’ve had it. And I love the carrot cake to only getting my mofongo fi x once a year. an opportunity to think, listen to music or an they sell at the Mustard Seed Market. I live just audiobook, and get some exercise all at the across the street from the Highland Square What is your favorite local cultural asset? same time. On most days, this means walking location, and my struggle to keep from eating it Two come immediately to mind, and down Market Street from my apartment in every day is very real. new fortunately, they’re within a block of each Highland Square. I’m sure it doesn’t sound other: the Nightlight Cinema and Blu Jazz+. particularly exciting, but it gives me the Maybe it’s a cop out not to name one Andrew Leask They’re wonderful, intimate venues that provide opportunity to be inside my own head for a restaurant, but that’s part of what I’ve grown Age: 30 entertainment that’s hard to fi nd elsewhere. while, which I fi nd very useful as a writer. to love about Akron. There’s a lot of people— Occupation: Marketing Manager, United Every city, not just Akron, could use those. artists and businesses alike—that are working Way of Summit County Why should everyone try your favorite to fi nd their own niche, and the excitement of Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico When did you fall for Akron? I started local restaurant? I can’t bring myself to pick being new to Akron comes from seeing how Neighborhood: Highland Square writing for the Devil Strip last October. Since just one favorite restaurant, but I’ll gladly list they are succeeding. then, I’ve met with and spoken to a lot of some of my favorite things I’ve eaten in Akron

What do you wish was more on Akronites' know) and the creativity, the art, the likeminded radar? Our art scene is growing and thriving. individuals just blew me away. native I wish Akronites outside of Downtown, West Akron, and Highland Square were more aware Where in Akron do you like to escape? The Bronlynn Thurman of it. Nervous Dog on West Market is my go-to spot Age: 26 when I want some quiet time. Occupation: Contracted Program Assistant What is your favorite local cultural asset? for Knight Foundation and The Metro Parks. Hands down. Why should everyone try your favorite Contracted Program local restaurant? The Blue Door in Cuyahoga Associate for GAR When did you fall for Akron? It was the Falls is a gem. It uses local, farm-fresh Foundation Spring of 2014. I had just moved back to Akron ingredients, its menu is always new, creative Hometown: Ak-rowdy after living in Virginia for a year and Kent for and delicious, and it stays away from corn Neighborhood: Downtown more than 4 years. I believe that it was my syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc. ﬁ rst time visiting Highland Square (I know, I

WHAT’S YOUR BIG IDEA? and family thought we were a little crazy to Our big idea is to provide the streets and events throw everything that we had into doing this. of Akron, as well as the rest of Northeast Ohio, However, we do know that Akron is an amazing with chef-inspired, locally-sourced modern city where the opportunity to thrive is present. comfort food. We will offer ever-changing When we started talking to everyone around us seasonal menus to highlight the best of what about what we were setting out to do the ex- Ohio has to offer citement and support just came pouring in. We have taken every opportunity to show people WHY PURSUE IT? what we create and have had nothing but the Matt Ulichney: Because I crave it! We've desire to want more. gotten this far in life by taking major risks, to pursue our dreams, so why would this be any HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR BIG IDEA HELPS BIG MATTHEWIDEA J. ULICHNEY different? There is nothing more gratifying to AKRON GROW? Age: 29 me than feeding people. Whether it’s family, We hope to help Akron grow by showing the Occupation: Chef, Catering Chef, Cook, food truck owner friends or complete strangers. I love everything people in the community what all their city has operator and everything else in between. that comes with what I do. The blisters, burns, to offer. We want to not only purchase as much Hometown: Norton, Ohio sweat, long hours, living life in a constant state as possible from local providers but promote Home Now: Akron Ohio, Highland Square, The 330! of chaos. It is something that is addicting. With them as well by letting people know where Contact: 330-760-9123; [email protected] the love and support of my wife and two boys, their food is coming from. We also will be I am always searching to do the next bigger and giving back to our community by once a month HEATHER ULICHNEY better thing. When the opportunity to make a providing meals to people in need as well as the Age: 27 long term goal a reality we had no other choice people that help keep Akron as great as it is. Occupation: Professional Photographer/Owner operator of Retro but to dive in head ﬁ rst. Peacock Photos. Right hand boss lady of Square Watch for The Square Scullery’s kickstarter Scullery Food Truck WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOUR BIG IDEA campaign to go live later this month at Hometown: Akron, Ohio WAS A GOOD IDEA? kickstarter.com/proﬁ le/squarescullery Home Now: Akron, Ohio, Highland Square, The 330! We still don't know if it was a good idea, but Contact: 330-907-9755; [email protected] we do know it’s a big one. (haha!). Our friends // Photos by Retro Peacock Photography

6 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM agenda Adoptable Pets WHAT I WISH I KNEW... What Akron's 427 Design has learned in a decade of graphic design, web-making, photography, animation and screen printing awesomeness.

You may not have seen 427 Design's ofﬁ ce, which is amazeballs, or recognized their people when you saw them, but you probably have seen some of their work, which is among the most creative you'll ﬁ nd, here or anywhere. Now, this wild bunch is celebrating 10 years in the business, so their annual open house — May 26 at 4:27 pm, 190 N. Union St., Akron — is even more special-er than usual. To get this party started, we asked to Brad and Justin, the guys who started it all, to share something about the lessons they've learned the hard way. Visit them online at 427design.com.

BRAD HAIN (President ) is a very social, friendly Morris and outgoing guy who "I wish I would have known how gratifying and fulfi lling it is to be a business owner in a community adores being pet and being loved! Morris loves like Akron. Akron is full of hard-working, talented and gracious businesses and organizations who are everyone he meets and likes to greet you with doing great things. And we are lucky, and oftentimes inspired, to be asked to bring their ideas and a friendly meow when you approach him. He initiatives to life through great design, motion graphics, photography and the other services we offer. enjoys playing with cat nip fi lled toys, sitting in If I could change one thing, its that I would have started 427 Design sooner. laps and snoozing on comfy cat beds! Morris seems to get along with other cats and dogs. I also could have worked more to promote 427 Design early on. We have intentionally fl own under Morris is FIV positive but we know that will not the radar, relying on word of mouth and referrals to provide new opportunities for ourselves. Our hold him back from fi nding a forever home clients have always been my best PR and salespeople. Our subtlety has become a part of our brand soon due to his stellar personality! If you would and one of the things that make us who we are. We plan to engage more national accounts, and to like more information on FIV please call our make that happen we'll be marketing ourselves more aggressively in our next ten years." shelter at (330) 487-0333 and we would be happy to give you tons of information! Morris is hoping you stop by PAWSibilities, Humane Society of Greater Akron soon and ask to meet JUSTIN TOKOS (Creative Director) him today! "I wish I would have known, or perhaps better understood, the value and importance of community involvement and networking. I get a lot of enjoyment from local projects and it makes me feel great to see our work appear around town. That "hey we helped with that" feeling never gets old and now it's one of my favorite kind of project to work on. There's a lot going on in Akron, and we could have been more in tune to that in the early years."

OPEN HOUSE • SAVE THE DATE THURSDAY, MAY 26TH From those of you who "broke bread" with us in the beginning, to those who have joined the "ﬁ ght" along the way, we invite you to join us in is around 8 years old and celebrating a Decade of (427) Design. Jessie weighs about 25 pounds. Pictured right: We think this photo and Justin's Despite her age, Jessie has spunk!! She loves handlebar mustache speak for themselves. 190 N Union St, Akron toys of all kinds and is a self-entertainer. After a got a good play session, Jessie is ready to cuddle up and get some pets and belly rubs. She shows potential with the right dog but wouldn't mind being the only pooch in the palace either. Stop down and meet this lovely lady today at PAWSibilities, Humane Society of PROJECT SOAPBOX: Greater Akron! EDUCATION BROUGHT TO LIFE

by Greg Milo

One-by-one, a dozen 10th graders from Akron Early College stepped to the front and told the area’s leaders exactly what they think about the issues that matter to them — and their ideas for making Akron a better place. Teacher Brad Scott’s brainchild, Project Soapbox brought together an impressive list of guest judges PAWSibilities Humane Society for the competition: 34th Ohio House District Representative Emilia Sykes, Summit County Executive Russ of Greater Akron Pry, Akron City Councilman Jeff Fusco, former APS Board of Education President Lisa Mansﬁ eld, Akron Public Schools Community Relations 7996 Darrow Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087 Director Carla Sibley, Adam Motter-APS social studies curriculum specialist, Early College High School Principal Cheryl Connolly Akron and 1.888.588.8436 | 330.487.0333 senior class president Alexandria Couch. “My goal was to show students that they were important and their opinion was important,”Scott [email protected] told Greg Milo, “and that if they want their community or city to be great, it is up to them to make it great. No one will do it for them.” www.summithumane.org You can read about the power of Project Soapbox in Greg’s full story at thedevilstrip.com. www.facebook.com/summithumane

MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 7 agenda Urban Explorer: Firestone Park words and photos by Kristina Aiad-Toss

As much of Firestone Park’s population ages, too many storefronts and houses lay idle or vacant. However, among the “closed” and "for sale" signs, these hidden gems are breathing life into one of Akron's proudest neighborhoods.

Calhoun Records Miss Julie’s Kitchen Boardwalk Thrift Mod Salon & Gift Gallery 356 Reed Rd 1809 S Main St 1501 Aster Ave 357 Reed Ave Akron, OH 44301 Akron, Ohio 44301 Akron, OH 44301 Akron, OH 44301 330-212-5334 (330) 819-3834 (330) 835-7570 (330) 724-9040 Hours: Tues-Sat 12pm-6pm Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm Hours: Fri-Sat 11pm-5pm Hours: Tues-Wed 9am-9pm, Thurs 1pm-9pm facebook.com/calhoun.recordshop msjulieskitchen.com facebook.com/Boardwalk-Thrift- Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 8am-4pm Store-532845273517592/

Signless for two years, this record store hides Permeating with hippy vibes and scents of Beckoning to visitors with a colorful mural Do you ever wish their was a place where nameless amongst the empty buildings of the heavenly sweet potato cake, this rare vegan consuming outside, intricate oddities and that styles hair and has a gift shop? From the neighborhood. Numerous colorful funk, soul, restaurant offers a cozy ambience and delicious charismatic antiques populate the inside of canvases baring sarcastic quotes to elaborately jazz, hip-hop, rock and rare records for sale at home-cooked food made from local organic this inviting and cozy thrift store. Amongst decorated mugs, this gift shop’s quirkiness a reasonable price vinyls adorn the walls, span ingredients. With a cuisine unique among other towering stacks of old framed paintings and shines through both its uncharacteristic the tables, and consume the ﬂ oor—ﬂ ashin Akron restaurants, this venue is perfect for arrangements of vintage furniture, treasures location and the oddball items it sells. This names of funk, soul, jazz, hip-hop, and rock enjoying a healthy meal while surrounded by lie waiting for the fortunate antique hunter to venue is painfully unique—offering traditional legends. The breakdancer owner, a veteran of the feeling of familiarity that bleeds both from discover. In addition to a diverses selection of salon services, like manicures and hairstyling, the business and a competitive breakdancer, the atmosphere and the friendly staff. rarities, the owners of the store are extremely in addition to a intriguing store offering has an in-depth knowledge of music that rivals friendly and offer an environment where merchandise teeming with personality. the store’s selection. customers will always feel welcome. WHY IS IT CALLED THAT? It’s not all black & white Kickapoo Avenue By Lenny Spengler by Amanda Sedlak-Hevener

Some street names are more unusual than the trend, one that continued in the city until others. To the casual observer, Kickapoo the post-World War II period when most of the damn! Avenue, located off of Eastwood Avenue (and houses in the Kickapoo Avenue area were built. near Brittain Road) in Goodyear Heights seems like just another street, full of post WWII era Another housing development trend follows houses. However, when you look at the names street names. It’s common to give all of of the streets around it, a story unfolds. the streets in a development names that follow along a particular theme. In the case The fi rst housing developments appeared of Kickapoo Avenue, that theme is Native in Goodyear Heights in the early 1900s. American tribes. Other streets that run parallel Just like with Firestone Park, the Goodyear to Kickapoo Avenue are named after the Ute, Rubber Company wanted to create affordable Cree and Shoshone tribes. However, none of housing for its employees – but with one those tribes have ties to Northeastern Ohio. The difference. Firestone Park housing was designed Kickapoo are from the Northwestern part of the specifi cally for employees, while Goodyear left state, as well as from the Ohio and Miami River its possibilities open, and allowed non-factory areas. The other tribes are from further west – workers to purchase their houses. When you proof that street names don’t necessarily need consider the fact that most well-known housing to have specifi c ties to their namesakes. developments began to appear around the U.S. in the late 1940s and 1950s, it’s amazing // Amanda Sedlak-Hevener is a local historian and a every time i wear white... 2016 Lenny Spengler Lenny 2016

to think that Akron companies were ahead of graduate student at the University of Akron. ©

8 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM agenda

The Mediterranean Revival style building was credits, and is currently applying to have the erected in 1924 as a vaudeville and silent building added to the National Register of fi lm theater, seating up to 1,000 patrons. It Historic Places. operated as such until 1962 when the theater was purchased by Loew’s Corporation and CIC has been working closely with developer converted to a modern cinerama with reduced Lauren Burge and her company, Coming seating of 630 seats. Many locals have fond Attractions Development, LLC, on a proposed memories of seeing iconic fi lms at the Loew’s $1.2 million dollar plan to renovate the former New Falls cinema, especially their weekly theater site. On March 28th City Council showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. approved legislation to help advance the The $1.2M Plan In addition to the theater, the building housed proposal to convert the building into a mixed two storefronts on either side of the theater use space that will include a brewery in the to Resurrect entrance and four apartments on the second former theater location, as well as reviving fl oor. However for the past 27 years the the original footprint of two storefronts and building site has remained vacant. four apartments. If the historical tax credits are the Historic received, the building will be sold to Coming The City of Cuyahoga Falls owned the property Attractions, LLC., and they hope to complete until recently when ownership transferred to the project by 2018. Falls Theater the non-profi t organization, Cuyahoga Falls Community Improvement Corp. (CIC). On This proposal is one of many exciting and words and photos by Katie Jackson March 1st, Cuyahoga Falls City Council voted upcoming changes to the Cuyahoga Falls unanimously to approve historic landmark Riverfront District, and a perfect example of the After years of interest and speculation, it designation to the building. The historical kind of local preservation and revival we hope appears that plans are fi nally moving forward designation is more than just a talking point to see more of in our communities. to renovate and repurpose the Falls Theater for the City though. With that designation, located in the Riverfront District in CIC was able to fi le for both state and federal // Photo credit: Katie Jackson Cuyahoga Falls. historic preservation and rehabilitation tax Akron HERstory: Jean Palmer By Ilenia Pezzaniti

Jean Palmer was a draftsman who worked for At Goodyear, a barely 5 foot tall Jean who American British Progressive League in the Goodyear in the late 1920’s, becoming the always wore 4-inch heels, was in charge of 1940’s, a program that helped immigrants fi rst female draftsman to work on Goodyear drafting the electrical wiring systems of the USS get citizenship here. In 1965, Jean retired as a airship plans. Akron and USS Macon (We fi nally got Akron drafts(wo)man at the Summit County Engineer’s and Macon in the same sentence!) Jean left Offi ce. She was 80 years old when she died of Jean was born in 1902 in Govan, Scotland Goodyear just before the USS Akron debuted, cancer in 1983. where she learned draftsmanship at a Glasgow but when World War II started, she went back shipyard and served four years as an apprentice. to work as a draftsman at Goodyear Aircraft, Pictured: Jean Palmer was the fi rst female draftsman She and her husband, John Palmer, moved where she worked on war blimps. to work on Goodyear airship plans like the USS Akron, to Akron in 1928. From 1929, to 1931, Jean pictured here. worked on blueprints for U.S. Navy dirigibles. Jean and her husband John started the

United Way of Summit County TOGEThEr wE caN rEwrITE ThE fUTUrE sTOry fOr ThE chILDrEN Of sUMMIT cOUNTy

United way’s imagination Library provides free books from birth to age five and improves early childhood literacy across summit County. fIND OUT MOrE @ UwsUMMIT.OrG

whaT ThIs pLacE NEEDs great things happen when we LIVE UNITED! Is EarLy rEaDErs. United Way of Summit County UwsUMMIT.OrG

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 9 agenda Not Lost in Translation by Steve Van Auken

The farming life was the backbone of this "Make hay while the sun country for centuries. It left us with a legacy shines." Invest as much as of practicality, self-reliance, inventiveness, you can in that promising new closeness to nature, and a sense of community. start-up before everybody Thank God it's gone. else finds out about it.

Most of us don't want the agrarian life back. "Don't put all your eggs in Life on the farm often meant being too cold, or one basket." too hot, bug-bitten, and tired. This is because crops and animals do not turn themselves into Don't invest your kid's food all by themselves. They require hard work, college fund in that every day. You could be the best farmer for "can't miss" oil stock miles around, do everything right, and still end your brother-in-law told up ruined if a big storm blew in one night. you about.

I try to think about that any time I feel upset "Don't look a gift horse because a client or a colleague doesn't fully in the mouth." appreciate all my special qualities. When your aunt buys you an Most of us are glad to be able to work in a iPhone6 for warm office, instead of mucking out the barn your birthday, early on a frosty morning. We are grateful to don't tell her be able to go to the store and buy chicken for you wanted dinner without having to chase it around the the iPhone yard with a hatchet. But as with all change that 6s+ instead. Unless is mostly good, there are also some good things you want nothing that are becoming lost. but socks and underwear

Our fore-mothers and -fathers acquired a lot of as presents Illustration by Paul Hoffman wisdom while they were working hard all those for the rest of years. They put some of their best thoughts into your life. pithy phrases to guide others toward success. Their wisdom survives and it would be a great "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." shame to lose it. But much of it is locked in If your software is working alright, don't trade it old-timey metaphors that don't speak to us in for the newer version. It might be a dog that think your seed corn will somehow anymore. We need to be able to translate from the sales guy is trying to unload so they can grow your business if it is floating their language to ours, to bring their hard-won bring in the really improved version. around the Caribbean on a yacht. knowledge into our lives. over social media, don't be surprised when "The time to fix the roof is when the sun is "Don't count your chickens before they're someone finds yours. Our ancestors lived close to nature, as most shining." You'd better get that software fixed hatched." Not every DOT.com start-up will ever of us do not. Many of their insights, their this week while things at the office are kind earn enough to move its headquarters out of With a bit of translation we can bring the aphorisms, refer to a natural world we no of quiet, because next week you will be on mom and dad's garage. wisdom of our ancestors into our own lives. We longer inhabit. They, on the other hand, did deadline for that big project. You won't have are not so far separated from them in place and not live in a world shaped by instant access to time to make the change then and you'll really "No sense shutting the barn door after the time that we can't in most cases understand information , or indoor plumbing. So it requires be up the creek without a paddle. horse has run off." Don't bother installing what they were thinking. Except maybe in a some reworking to allow their insights to come good virus protection the day after hackers few matters, such as why they thought the into our world in order to guide us in the lives "Don't get up the creek without a paddle." associated with the Chechen mafia have made two-seater outhouse was a good idea. Or what we live today. Here are some of their "old Use a little planning, or you'll end up walking off with all your data. they meant by, "Don't buy a pig in a poke." No saws", with translations. home through muddy water, or you'll have to one knows what this means. Perhaps it can't paddle your canoe with a stick. Have you ever "The early bird catches the worm." It was only be translated, or doesn't need to be. But to be "Shallow brooks are noisy." The people who tried paddling with a stick? No, I didn't think the very first investors in Microsoft who got to safe, the next time somebody wants to sell you send the most tweets are the people who have so. Or else you would have made that software be billionaires. Your missed that worm, and it's their pig and it is sitting there in something you the least useful things to say. fix by now. not crawling back. don't recognize but which might be a poke, just say no. "A new broom sweeps clean." When Apple "Don't eat your seed corn." Don't spend "People who live in glass houses shouldn't hires its new CEO she will cancel all the projects your research and development money on an throw stones." If your idea of a good time is the old CEO had started. executive compensation package. Unless you finding someone's flaw and denouncing it all

10 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM agenda

FARM Memories: The Curds in The Milk Of My Brain by Georgio Pelogrande

Anyways, I sleep in the basement at my parents' back and forcing him to talk by threatening not house. The ceilings are low so sometimes I to feed him if he didn't perform. Ironically, the 2016 hit my head, sometimes I don't. But what's "puppet's" name was also Carl. Coincidence? more interesting than that, is the fact that I'm Probably not. surrounded by Pelogrande family history. So I'm going to subtitle this little article, "Nostalgio Por 3. ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT FOR COUSIN F Georgio." Let's explore the relics found in the CARLO'S BEST SELLING BOOK: My grandpa's A darkest corners of this historic, often damp, and cousin's name was Carlo. In 1926, he wrote L E relatively smelly archive. C'mon. Let's go. a book called “Living With Gout, A Uric Acid Trip Down Memory Lane.” His original notes, STARTS ENDS 1. HOT TUB: For years, the subtle whir of hot outlines and the manuscript, which would 10AM MKT 2PM tub jets would lull me to sleep as my head lay become the West Parma best seller is still intact, ever so gently next to the asbestos insulated along with the photos that were professionally JOIN US ON THESE DATES! tub that was dutifully installed in the basement taken of him for the cover. He was a proud, JUNE 12 JULY 10 AUG 14 SEPT 11 by my uncle Roncito. I was truly blessed with handsome man (despite the gout). Located at Urban Eats / 51 E. Market St. blissful, baby-like sleep amid the dull hum of the SonoJet motor. He made quite a nice living just on the sales of his best-selling book and never really worked Unfortunately, one night about three months much after its release (which is good because ago, the electrical components caught fi re he was, of course, riddled with gout). To Music Festival and the whole thing went cajingo. Also, cement his legacy, in 1942 he founded what my mustache was singed and I lost my left would eventually become Pelogrande and Son eyebrow. Luckily my chest hair was saved Taste of Madrid Family Style Buffet, although he Checklist because it had been given a healthy never really worked at the restaurant much (on protectant coating of Manlay's Nighttime account of his gout.) Chest Hair Conditioning Sheep Slaw during my Bring Guitar bedtime routine. 4. AUNT MIRANDA'S HOLLYWOOD  SCRAPBOOK: Aunt Miranda was known as Pack Camper Van 2. GREAT UNCLE CHI-CHI'S VAUDEVILLE "failed child actress" in most Hollywood circles Bring AAA Card VENTRILOQUIST TRUNK: Old uncle Isman despite the fact that she only ever auditioned (stage name Chi-Chi) was still alive when I was for one fi lm. When she was six, she tried out a kid. He told stories of old Vaudeville that for the role of the title character in the movie harkened back to a simpler time. Tales of a “The Incredible Shrinking Child.” She lost budding entertainment business captivated us the part to one Shirley Temple. The fi lm was children and he recounted his interactions with eventually scrapped because the studio thought various singers, actors, dancers, puppeteers and it was stupid to shrink a child considering most magicians. children are already small. And that, folks, is the magic of Hollywood. He was often ridiculed in the Vaudeville Hit the Road community because of the hyper-realistic I shall now leave you with my favorite quote size and overall scary look of his puppet about nostalgia: "For if I only knew what the "Carl," but the family still considers him word meant, I would cherish nostalgia the way & Rock on to be an unrecognized pioneer in the fi eld an old person cherishes his or her prunes. For of ventriloquism. Being outcast from the prunes are truly nature's most disgusting fruit." entertainment world tore him apart and that -Georgio Pelogrande shameful sting stayed with him well into his old age. He died when I was seven of what the Be nicer than you were yesterday, and read a doctors called a "myocardial infarction," but we math book. Thank you and you're welcome. all know he really died of a broken heart. // Catch Georgio Pelogrande from 8 pm to midnight Years later it was discovered he was just most Saturdays on the Altered Realm Radio show on jamming a pistol into a very, very short man's KRMAradio.com.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE Your news feed is full of parenting advice.

So are our pediatricians.

To find a pediatrician near you, visit akronchildrens.org/achpediatrics.

12730-12_DevilStrip_9.55x12.75_v02AR_20160408.indd 1 4/8/16 5:39 PM 15 INDIE INKSLINGERS FINDING HELP FROM AKRON'S INDIE LINK

17 GET TO KNOW THE WOMEN’S ART LEAGUE OF AKRON the arts 18 AN EYE-CANDY SMORGASBORD EXPLORING THE ARTS IN AKRON OF LOCALLY CRAFTED COMICS

ACE EPPS Ace Epps reads to a packed house at the Cashmere Cricket in Cuyahoga Falls for an event hosted by ArtsNow and Collide, a collaborative organization dedicated to helping create a vibrant Cuyahoga Falls. (PHOTO: Svetla Morrison/The Devil Strip)

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 13 the arts í

ç ê The palette: May events Our picks for arts events in May by Noor Hindi and Bronlynn Thurman è ë å é ‹ Mom, The Masterpiece production called Lend Me A Tener, a rousing included photographing friends after they’ve Mothersbaugh’s work reveals his unique artistic Friday, May 6 at Summit ArtSpace, 6:30 pm comedy about an Italian opera singer who is had three glasses of wine. voice and also asserts his role in the intersecting Jennifer Davis of SmART Studio is back again drugged and replaced by an assistant. Mishap, legacies that have formed contemporary with another painting event. This time, in misunderstandings and mayhem ensues. Don’t ë Riverfront Art Walk culture. celebration of Mother’s Day, you get the chance miss it. Tickets are $22, but there will be a $12 Saturday, May 21 at to paint that very special someone in your life, preview on May 12 only. Find more information Riverfront Merchants, 11 am The Akron Art Museum is partnering your mother. Davis is a fantastic teacher who at coachhousetheatre.com. Join the Riverfront Merchants for an with MOCA Cleveland to jointly present does a brilliant job of guiding those who are afternoon of shopping to help promote Mothersbaugh’s work in simultaneous initially hesitant about flexing their creative é Give My Regards to Broadway small business, local arts and downtown exhibitions across Northeast Ohio. Myopia muscles. Tickets are $40 per person and May 13-14 at Springfield Junior/Senior Cuyahoga Falls. This celebration is a great in Cleveland focuses on experimentation, those interested can find more information at High School, 7:30 pm way to kick off your summer and spend time performance, and sound. Works on view facebook.com/events/1686792391577159/. Join Springfield High School for its first musical, with family and friends. Visit facebook.com/ present the Mothersbaugh’s early sketchbooks “Give My Regards to Broadway.” It’s an events/1125983074112558/ to stay up-to-date and ephemera, documentation of DEVO’s first å Just Go With It Improv intriguing story about a young boy’s passion for on all information. performances, the band’s commercial and Friday, May 6 at Akron Center for baseball, which overtakes his father’s love of conceptual development, and Mothersbaugh’s Art Music & Performance, 7 pm acting. Admission is $7 at the door. í Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia ongoing experimentation with manipulated Join local improv group, Just Go With It and Saturday, May 28 musical instruments. Myopia at the Akron Art Oberlin College’s improv group, Sunshine è Breath of Dreams Artist Talk featuring Mark Mothersbaugh and Museum turns its attention on Mothersbaugh’s Scouts as they tickle your funny bone and you Saturday, May 14 at Curator Adam Lerner 2-3 pm. Ticket Required: visual art practice, including installations of laugh yourself into stitches. The show starts Our Lady of the Elms, 7 pm $10 for Akron Art Museum Members and recent sculpture, prints, rugs, and a collection at 7:30pm and tickets are $5. Visit facebook. Breath of Dreams is a fundraiser for the MOCA Cleveland Members, $20 for General of 30,000 postcard-sized drawings the artist com/events/2002270679997518/ for more organization Alchemy, a group that has received Admission. FREE opening party for the has created and utilized for inspiration and information. the National Arts and Humanities Youth exhibition from 3-7 pm exploration throughout his career. By visiting Program Award from the President’s Committee the exhibition in both venues, audiences will get ç Hack the Arts for its commitment to helping urban male Exhibit runs from May 29 to August 28 a wide-ranging perspective of Mothersbaugh’s Tuesday, May 10 at youth. Alchemy facilitators use the telling and Myopia is the first retrospective of the work of prolific output of artwork, music, ideas, restless Akron Civic Theater, 5:30 pm analysis of myths and fairytales to help urban Mark Mothersbaugh, spanning the beginning invention, and distinctive sense of humor. Collaborating for the first time, ArtsNow and adolescent boys develop a sense of purpose in of his career in the early 1970s through the OSC Tech Lab seek to bridge the gap between life and to thrive as members of a family, school present. Born in Akron, OH, and co-founder of Taken together, this incredibly unified body the blooming art and tech scenes in Akron. and community by “becoming the hero in their the New Wave band DEVO, Mothersbaugh has of work reveals the artist’s persistent attempt This event will give attendees an opportunity own story.” This event is free, but registration is been making art for more than forty years— to navigate between the conflicting forces of to interact and find innovative ways to reinvent encouraged. Visit alchemy.ticketleap.com/elms/ since before the band’s inception in the early cynicism and freedom, and irony and originality. Akron. This event is free, but registration is to register. 1970s. This body of work presents a unique Like his early work with DEVO, Mothersbaugh encouraged. Visit nvite.com/HackTheArts/b623 combination of cultural criticism and personal explores the complex relationship between for more information.sweets. Hurry and get ê Wine and Shine expression through drawings, films, paintings, what is synthetic and what is authentic. your tickets before they’re gone. Members pay Friday, May 20 at sculpture and music. But more than that, his For questions or more information call $6.27, while non-members pay $11.54. Hazel Tree Interiors, 7 pm work provides a missing link in the history 330.376.9186 x214. Join photographer Svetla Morrison for an of contemporary art and culture. At once an ‹ Lend Me A Tenor evening of wine, stories and laughter. Brazilian artist, musician, and tinkerer, he offers a key May 12 - June 5 at Coach House Theatre photographer Marcos Alberti inspired Svetla to understanding the current state of art, with Coach House Theatre is putting on a through his photography project, which its hybridity, subjectivity and fluid boundaries.

14 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM arts Five Tips For Comic Creators Strengthening the Weakest Link Joe shares five tips for comic creators and illustrators who are just stepping into the market. How Indie Link is bringing comic creators and illustrators together 1. “Make sure your heart is in it. Success won’t happen immediately, but if by Megan Combs your heart is in it, you’ll be able to keep going.” So you’ve got an idea for a “There is only one comic book distributing comic creators to share pro tips on his site in an 2. “Have discipline and put in the hours comic book, but no one to company,” Michael said. “And you have to effort to help others save money on marketing needed to get your work done. Don’t illustrate it. Or maybe your make a certain amount of money before they or from making rookie mistakes. There are get jaded by other people’s success. If comic book is complete, distribute you. So it’s hard for people who are also tips for creating an effective kickstarter you put in the time and effort, you’ll but now you don’t know just starting out to get anywhere.” campaign, how to videos, a community forum get there too.” how to distribute it. That’s and more. where Indie Link comes in. Not to mention competing with the likes of 3. “Be diligent when it comes to choosing Marvel and DC for shelf space. “I want the independent creators to have a your collaborators. A project can be Created by Akron native Joseph A. Michael, voice among the big players,” Michael said. destroyed by the wrong creator or the website Indie Link (www.indielink.us) was Indie Link was born out of the struggles “Right now there is no singular voice for us and illustrator. Then be patient with the created to be a space where comic illustrators Michael and his comic creator and illustrator it’s sad. We all try to support each other and people you do end up working with.” and creators can share tools and tricks of the friends faced on a daily basis. As the creator of that’s my hope for Indie Link.” trade for people who are just starting out. the comic book series “Only Human,” Michael 4. “You’ve got to have tough skin. wanted to share his experiences and how he The website is still under construction, and There are always going to be critics Anyone who joins Indie Link has the overcame them to help others. Michael plans to relaunch in about three or four and naysayers.” opportunity to create a profile and use it as an months. Until then, Like the Indie Link page online portfolio to showcase their talent. Users “I’ve experienced years of struggle and on Facebook to connect with other creators 5. “Build a strong network of support can then add release dates, convention dates hundreds of hours of research, lost sleep and around the nation. from local shops and fellow creators. and more. It’s also a place where comic shop money,” Michael said. “It’s not an easy industry Don’t treat this like a competition, owners can create profiles to reach out to users to break into. There is a steep learning curve.” // Megan loves writing about comic illustrators and just think of it as a bunch of looking to distribute their work. creators. Tweet her at @WhoIsMeganCombs if you’d collaborations.” Michael has asked some more established like to be featured.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 15 arts A Merchant Millennial How Barberton’s Merchants Association has been shaping up since its ﬁ rst Fourth Friday

words and photos by Mary Menzemer

Twenty-three year old Hannah Gerbec is taking into her own personal coming from Akron Association include a representative from the on a big challenge. There is no job description, business. Her story and Canton and mayor’s ofﬁ ce, a member from the South human resources department, or anyone to adds an interesting all over the region. Summit Chamber of Commerce and a rep from train her on what her duties will be in the twist on the ever- We’ve had to expand the Barberton Community Foundation. All

coming months, or possibly, years. What was going conversation the event into Second together, the association has 30-plus contacts Photo courtesy of Bright Star Books and WIC once a three-person job is now a one person about millennials, Street, and we already and resources to help them to continue to job: the head of newly formed Barberton many of whom are have fi ve more grow and revitalize the downtown area into an Merchant’s Association. urban dwellers and businesses who want independently run art mecca. young professionals. to join in.” When three high school seniors from Barberton “The area alone defi nitely has a strong art High School, Justine Liddle, Ashley Cook There has been plenty Other business feel to it considering the rich history of the and Katie Ebner, formed the monthly Fourth of talk about what owners have seen downtown buildings,” Gerbec said. “Every Friday event in downtown Barberton, they young professionals the benefi t, too. kind of art is gaining popularity in the area and encouraged businesses to form the Barberton are doing, and how “We’ve done really everybody just wants to hit one location. That’s Merchant’s Association alongside. But now kids are coping with well on Fourth Friday, why all of the stores work so well together.” they are busy with graduating high school, life after college, but and it’s been pretty applying to colleges, and attending the DECA what about young consistent,” said The Merchant’s Association wants to continually International Career Development Conference entrepreneurship? Jason Miller, owner of advertise their event and try to make it stand competition in Nashville which was April 23-26. Could Barberton start Stuff Genie Emporium out from the First Friday event in Canton. Miller So with the teens unavailable, who better to becoming the perfect on Tuscarawas. says they also hope to gain some funding over be the forefront of the association than one of breeding ground for young entrepreneurs, “People have been coming into my store and time to help pay musicians and artists who are Barberton’s very own small business owners? or for those who don’t like so much the saying ‘we just moved here’ or ‘we’ve just currently dedicating their time for free for idea of college, and are looking to use their moved back’. We’re trying to make it a more the evening. “I’ve always had an attachment to this town, interpersonal and leadership skills? trendy, artsy area.” and I really want everyone in the association to // Mary Menzemer believes in maximizing the work together and grow so we can have even It very well could be, but it would have to be Miller has recently taken leadership over Blue potential of any city. She also just started a blog more events,” Gerbec said. “It’s the direction based upon high population growth and hip, Sky Drive In in Wadsworth, hoping to turn it called Peace Signs & Pulp. Check it out at where I want to take my life, and continue to startup businesses making their headquarters back into a farmer’s and fl ea market. He’s also a peacesignsandpulp.blogspot.com. be involved in business and politics. As stressful there. While these things aren’t impossible, part of the board of the Merchant’s Association, as it may be, I’m enjoying it.” they’re tricky, and would most likely take a owns an auction shop, and is a contributor on The next Fourth Friday will be from number of years to completely settle in. the Altered Realm radio show on KRMA Radio. 5 to 8 pm on May 27 on downtown Gerbec helps run Aunt Hannah’s Antiques Barberton’s Tuscarawas Street. and Collectibles with her mom, and has even “The fi rst night of Fourth Friday we had traffi c There have only been three Fourth Friday events recently purchased some real estate to turn jams in the store,” Gerbec said. “People are so far. Among the others in the Merchant’s

Harrison Nevels, Junior

Creative “I used to be really bad at art, but now it’s something I like and that I’m good at. My freshman year, I did a Gandalf portrait in chalk. I want to Devils get into tattooing or special effects They may not get a certiﬁ cate and makeup after high school. I just like the idea of being recognition on the loudspeaker, but some able to do something that you like for a career, and I Barberton HS kids deserve our recognition don’t feel pressured when I do art. It’s just something for staying true to their art and themselves that I want to do, nothing that I’m told to do.”

words and photos by Mary Menzemer

Mikaila Carrington, Senior Remember the cool angel sketch we published last month done by Xavier, a high school senior? Or how about those bloody, but oh “Making jewelry is fun. I draw posters for my room, too. so cool, anime sketches done by Jazmin, high school freshman and I have them everywhere. I started drawing when I was aspiring animator? little because I didn’t have a TV or anything. I want to We have some more awesome things that other teens have done, and teach art in high school. I think education should be to we’re not stopping there. Here’s what these Barberton High School improve the individual rather than the entire class as students have to say about their work, in their own words. a whole. So I’d focus on each of the kids. My mom one time wanted to get a tattoo of a fairy, and I had done one in 3D. She took it and got that Know any art students worthy of recognition? Email tattooed on her chest. That’s the art accomplishment I’m most proud of.” [email protected] and tell us about them!

16 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM arts Book Worm Bright Star Books Brings Literacy to the Children of Greater Akron

by Melanie Anderson Photo courtesy of Bright Star Books and WIC MONTHLY EVENTS:

Imagine what it would be like to grow up books. Many of these donations are due to home with them. LIVE MUSIC, CARD READERS, without books. For many low income children book drives. These are a great opportunity for POETRY, MASSAGES AND MORE in Summit County, this is a reality. children to actively participate in the community In addition to book fairs, Bright Star Books no goats by giving to others in need. also recently expanded to work with Summit no glory This came as a surprise to Christin and Keith County Public Health’s Barberton, Summit Seher’s then 3-year-old son in 2014. Upon Bright Star Books is also partnering with the Lake, and Graham Road Women, Infants, and — telling him that many children do not have “This City Reads!” coalition to host a “This Children (WIC) clinics, which collectively serve Custom pieces include lighting, books to read at home like he did, he replied, City Reads!” event at the Akron Rubber Ducks about 3,000 children in the greater Akron area. “Then we have to give them some!” Since Because of the success of their donations so far wood pieces and metal fabrication then, Keith and Christin Seher have founded this year, Bright Star Books is able to contribute as well as custom jewelry, aprons, Bright Star Books, a 501(c)3 non-profi t fi ve books twice a year to all children served boho-style clothing, gypsy fl ags as organization dedicated to meeting the literacy by these clinics, reaching more than two-thirds needs of low income children in greater Akron. of all children up to age 5 living in poverty in well as monthly tarot and oracle Summit County. reading and massage therapy, “What we discovered when we started two years ago was that the most pressing need for Already, the program has proven to be acoustic artists and more. books was for limited-resource, 0- to 5-year-old immensely rewarding. Keith shared an incident — children,” said Keith, co-founder and executive that occurred recently: “As I was leaving the HOURS: director of the organization. “More than 60 Summit Lake WIC clinic after dropping off some Mon-Tues 12-6 * Wed closed percent of these children have non age- books, I heard a little boy come in and ask, appropriate books in their homes, and therefore ‘Mommy, can I go get my books now?’ For him, Thurs-Fri Sat 10-6 * Sun 12-4 are not exposed to the amount of speech or the a trip to WIC has turned into something special. number of words that a growing brain needs. He was excited about his new books. For us, Too often this leads to children starting school that is exactly what success sounds like.” developmentally behind their better-resourced game on June 15. With this event, anyone who peers -- a gap many children never close.” donates a new or gently-used children’s book To fi nd out more, can purchase game tickets for $6. check out the organization’s website, Over the year and a half since the organization brightstarbooks.org began, Bright Star Books has been able to The books reach children through events such or follow them on Facebook. collect more than 55,000 books to put into the as Bright Star Book’s fi rst “Free Book Fair,” held hands of disadvantaged children. It recently at Findley Community Learning Center in Akron // Melanie is an aspiring writer and professional wanderer who is freshly emerging from the exceeded its 2015 total of donations, bringing last month. At the book fair, every student had undergraduate student life and is still looking for the total for 2016 up to more than 32,000 the opportunity to pick out fi ve books to take hidden portals to Narnia.

Women’s Art League of Akron Photo courtesy of Shane Wynn Uniting Women Artists of Akron

by Bronlynn Thurman

Behind the doors of the Akron Women’s City respect and support of the community.” They Club, an art league that has spanned nearly achieve this goal through supporting the Akron seven decades convenes. Started by notable youth. Each year they sponsor a scholarship for women like Gertrude Seiberling, Germaine an Akron area, female high school student who Verheyden and Amy Goehring, the the wishes to study art. before admittance. These days the process Women’s Art League of Akron (WAL) gather is not nearly as rigorous. The WAL now allows on every second Saturday between September In addition to scholarships, they also hold a all those interested in art and currently boasts a and May. Spring juried show. This year’s show will be held membership of 70 women. at the Almond Tea Gallery in Cuyahoga Falls Their mission is “To unite the women artists of from May 24 through June 30. To learn more, visit Akron who are interested in the advancement womensartleague.org. of the arts, who desire to be of service to the In the past, potential members had to have community in a way that merits the recognition, their artwork judged by current members // Photos by Sara Heston

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE may Comics • may Comics • may Comics 22 WAY BACK WHEN THE BLACK HAND GRIPPED AKRON

24 COULD AKRON'S FUTURE DEPEND ON ITS HIDDEN NEIGHBORHOODS? culture & community 26 WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? CULTURE CLUB IT'S NICER THAN IT SEEMS

The only time Andy Bixenstine and Michael Purdy get to ride bikes anymore BLIMP is when they're testing them out before putting them out for sale. Get to know them in Ilenia Pezzaniti's proﬁ le on CITY Blimp City Bike and Hike, page 21. (PHOTO: Ilenia Pezzaniti/The Devil Strip) BIKES

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 19 culture & Community UR R O UN Y T O é E N G Akron 5Ks M A E Y N ê AND J U MAY è May 7 // ACCESS Race to a New Start 2016 3807 Ridgewood Rd, Copley A fundraiser to support ACCESS, a local ç å organization working to empower homeless women and children by providing tools they need to create their new beginning. community events May 8 // Mother’s Day 5K 2016 521 S. River Rd, Munroe Falls ‹ PechaKucha Akron, Volume 3 ‹ Babywearing Salsa adoring you and taking care of your every need, A stroller-friendly course fundraiser and Friday, May 6 at The Bit Factory, doors open Tuesday, May 10 - Uncorked Wine Bar, 7 pm she was also busy being a person– a wife, “friendraiser” for the Metro Parks Foundation, at 7 pm, event runs from 8-10 pm Parents will learn basic steps for salsa and daughter, co-worker and friend… did you see celebrating Mom’s on their special day. PechaKucha International hits Akron again. merengue--all while wearing their babies in a all the balls she had in the air? Get to know As always, there will be free food and a cash baby carrier! The dances learned will be fairly your mother at this storytelling performance. May 14 // ADM Recovery Challenge 5K bar. The event is free, but a $2 donation low to moderate intensity for beginners. Be sure This is a cabaret performance, set on the Civic 3445 S. Main Street, Akron, OH is suggested to support PK International. to dress in comfortable clothing that allows for stage. Performers and audience are on the A fun obstacle course challenge and fundraiser Seats must be reserved in advance through movement, and wear suitable shoes (any shoe beautiful Civic stage for the performance. to support those who are in recovery. eventbrite.com. that has support, but doesn't have a ton of Seating is limited! grip, such as a jazz shoe). Cost is $8 per parent, May 21 // Torchbearers AKRun & Crawl å March for Babies presented by available at the door or through eventbrite.com. ‹ Just Be: A Relaxed Gathering 1735 Merriman Rd, Akron March of Dimes for All Women 10th Anniversary run AFTER DARK with a Saturday, May 7 at Lock 3, 9 am-1 pm é Exploring the World Saturday, May 21 at Flashlight Glow Run along the Towpath Trail Get ready to walk in the March for Babies! through Storytelling The Bit Factory, 9:30 am-4 pm followed by a bar crawl through Merriman It promises to be a fun day out with people Saturday, May 14 at Akron-Summit County Just Be is an opportunity for women to come Valley. who share a passion for improving the health Public Library Main Branch, 10 am-4 pm together and do just that: “Just Be.” Women of babies. There'll be family teams, company Once Upon A Time...the stories of the will be encouraged to be themselves, share May 28 // Akron Color Vibe 5K Run teams and people walking with friends. Money world come alive in an interactive and their hearts’ desires, begin charting their goals, Lock 3, 200 Main St, Akron raised will go to help babies right here in our multidimensional festival. and expose their areas of challenge. Moreover, Have a fun time and get blasted with color community. The March for Babies is a 4 mile The festival celebrates stories of the world the attendees will have the opportunity to hear while you run, celebrating with a dance party walk or 1 mile family fun route that starts at and multilingual and multicultural storybooks. from various speakers throughout the course at the finish line! Lock 3 park, ending back at Lock 3 for food The celebration includes interactive, hands- of the event who used life’s challenges as a and entertainment. on experiences through which students and platform to boost themselves to higher ways JUNE families can explore world cultures with of thinking and new ways of approaching and June 4 // Rhino Rush 5K Run/Walk ç Akron Symphony and authentic cultural exhibits, stories and book conquering their personal, family, career, and Portage Lake State Park GroundWorks DanceTheater readings, music, art, dance, storytelling, community goals. 5031 Manchester Rd, Akron Present Carmina Burana puppets and world languages. For more An event dedicated to preventing the Saturday, May 7 at EJ Thomas Hall, 8 pm information, check out the facebook event Just Be will provide access to local business and extinction of rhinos from the wild through EJ Thomas Hall will reverberate with the page: facebook.com/events/937455006368061/ community organizations who have programs, habitat preservation, surveillance, and anti- power of nearly 200 musicians when products, and services that are in alignment poaching techniques, presented by the Akron the Akron Symphony Orchestra (ASO), è Social Media Marketing Panel with the overall well-being of women (mind, Zoo Chapter of AAZK. conducted by Christopher Wilkins, and Monday, May 16 - OSC Tech Lab, body, and spirit). Additionally, there will be GroundWorks DanceTheater, directed by David 6:30-8:30 pm the opportunity for local business and other June 18 // Akron Autism 5K Run & Walk Shimotakahara, present Carmina burana, What does the future of Social Media look organizations to showcase their offerings in an Lock 3, 200 Main St, Akron, OH Carl Orff’s well-known work celebrating fate like? The power of social media is radically area designated for vendors. Tickets are $45 A family friendly walk for Autism awareness and chance. The production will feature 24 transforming the marketing function for and available through eventbrite.com. with proceeds helping to fund programs for adult and student dancers performing new startups and the role of the marketing the Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) choreography to music presented by ASO professional. Join our panel of experts for a ‹ A Walk in the Garden Night serving those in Medina, Portage, Stark, and the Akron Symphony Chorus, as well as conversation on social media trends for 2016. Thursday, May 26 at Buchtel Community Summit and Wayne Counties. sophisticated lighting to create a projected set. Our panel will share their insights, experiences Learning Center, 5:30-8 pm; Wetland Play and predictions that will change the way you from 7-8 pm in the auditorium June 18 // 5KRunDead Zombie Run The evening will also feature the On the use social media for your brand or business, Check out the new community garden, native Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Rd, Peninsula Waterfront Symphonic Suite by Leonard while sharing best practices for applying them. shade garden, walking path and exercise Test your speed, endurance and strength while Bernstein. Bernstein’s Academy Award- The panel discussion will be followed by drinks garden, and hear student composed music, trying to avoid ravenous zombies. Runners nominated score for the 1954 film was the and networking courtesy of Launch League. student-created videos, and presentations must make it to the finish line with at least one starting point for the Symphonic Suite. A year centered around a healthy environment and flag or become one of the walking dead! after the release of the film, Bernstein adapted ‹ The Club @ the Civic - community. Students have written a wetland the score into a 20-minute suite consisting of Motherhood presented by play and will perform it in the auditorium to June 25 // Akron Marathon Race Series: six continuously flowing movements. Some Wandering Aesthetics end the evening. Bring the whole family National Interstate 8K & 1 Mile consider it to be one of the most distinctive Friday, May 20 at Akron Civic Theatre, 8 pm and come have fun with the students and InfoCision Stadium, 361 S. Union St, Akron symphonic portraits of an American scene. Motherhood is a beautiful thing, but do you community of Buchtel CLC! The first training run to prepare participants really know your mother? While she was busy (continued on page 45) for the Akron Marathon this fall. This course will highlight The University of Akron’s campus with a unique tour of downtown Akron. 20 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 culture & community FROM LEGOS TO WHEELS

MAY May 7 // ACCESS Race to a New Start 2016 3807 Ridgewood Rd, Copley A fundraiser to support ACCESS, a local organization working to empower homeless women and children by providing tools they need to create their new beginning.

May 8 // Mother’s Day 5K 2016 521 S. River Rd, Munroe Falls A stroller-friendly course fundraiser and How Blimp City Bike and Hike Bike Shop was born “friendraiser” for the Metro Parks Foundation, celebrating Mom’s on their special day. words and photos by Ilenia Pezzaniti

May 14 // ADM Recovery Challenge 5K A carnivalesque popcorn machine sits beside it goes along with the fact that I actually like enthusiasm for the potential this area has. After he said. “The coolest part of the job? Well it’s 3445 S. Main Street, Akron, OH the counter. Crotch-shaped seats cling to the cycling as well,” Andy said. Andy has over 30 living in a resort city like Vail, an area that’s just playing with bikes all day instead of calling A fun obstacle course challenge and fundraiser wall nearby. Rows upon rows of bikes hang bikes of his own. pretty walkable, you come back here and, you it work,” Andy said. to support those who are in recovery. upside down like bats. Some stand tidily, their know, we’re very auto-centric. We’re behind front wheels wedged between metal rods Ready to pursue his dream after working at the times on that kind of stuff. My passion for May is their busiest month. Pay them a visit at May 21 // Torchbearers AKRun & Crawl that keep them separated. A “Beware of Killer other outdoor sports realms, Andy left his Akron is to see it grow.” their new location. Ya buy a bike, ya get a 1735 Merriman Rd, Akron Dachshund!” sign is tacked to a back wall, initial idea of combining a ski and bike shop, free t-shirt. 10th Anniversary run AFTER DARK with a despite there being no actual dog in sight. settling on two wheels. Now the General With a small staff, the two of them plus a Flashlight Glow Run along the Towpath Trail Blimp City Bike and Hike Bike Shop, a family Manager, with the help of his stepfather and contracted mechanic, the guys can find busy Pictured above: Their new building, located at 1675 followed by a bar crawl through Merriman business that’s relied mostly on word of shop owner, Michael Purdy, they’ve been open season challenging, bringing in over 200 bikes, Merriman Road, is much larger than the last, creating Valley. mouth by Akron’s citizens, has a sense of for seven years. Michael, who worked as a “Sometimes it’s a struggle to take care of more room for more bikes and mechanic work playfulness, embodying the adventurous nature North American sales rep traveling the country, everybody properly. And if you can’t do that, May 28 // Akron Color Vibe 5K Run they propose. “shopped around” bike shops the first few what’s the point? No matter how much money Lock 3, 200 Main St, Akron seasons. In October 2009, they found their first you make, if you can’t take care of people Have a fun time and get blasted with color It all started with Akronite Andy Bixenstine building. By Black Friday, doors opened in the because they didn't like your service they’re not while you run, celebrating with a dance party “skibummin’” in Vail, Colorado. Home for Merriman Valley. coming back,” Andy said. “The nice thing is, it at the finish line! the summers, he’d work at Century Cycles always works out. I think it’s because Michael in Medina, fueling his love for mechanical Andy and Michael are proud to be located in and I make a good team. I keep it kinda JUNE apparatuses. He’d take home “dead bikes”, aka Akron and want to see the city thrive. “Akron enthusiastic, and he keeps it real. A June 4 // Rhino Rush 5K Run/Walk donated bikes, and fix them up. “Growing up, has a lot of potential and it’s a little painful to good balance.” Blimp City Bike and Hike Bike Shop Portage Lake State Park I loved Legos. Disassemble. Reassemble. Do it see how slow progress moves in this area but 1675 Merriman Road, Akron, OH 44313 5031 Manchester Rd, Akron as you’re supposed to or do it your own way. at the same time, my enthusiasm for bikes, Michael’s favorite part is interacting with the (330) 836-6600 An event dedicated to preventing the That kind of tinkering kinda just kinda fits. Then my enthusiasm for skiing- I have the same customers, “I love coming in here every day,” blimpcitybikeandhike.com extinction of rhinos from the wild through habitat preservation, surveillance, and anti- poaching techniques, presented by the Akron Zoo Chapter of AAZK. FRIDAY MAY 20TH SATURDAY MAY 21ST SUNDAY MAY 22ND June 18 // Akron Autism 5K Run & Walk Lock 3, 200 Main St, Akron, OH • NURSE APPRECIATION NIGHT & • 3RD ANNUAL RUBBERDUCKS • TOUCH A TRUCK! A family friendly walk for Autism awareness BIEBER FEVER FIREWORKS! COMICON • FAMILY FUNDAY - PLAY CATCH with proceeds helping to fund programs for PRESENTED BY CLEVELAND • SUPERHERO SHIELD GIVEAWAY ON THE FIELD! KIDS RUN BASES the Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) serving those in Medina, Portage, Stark, CLINIC AKRON GENERAL (FIRST 1000 FANS) PRESENTED BY AFTER THE GAME! Summit and Wayne Counties. THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

June 18 // 5KRunDead Zombie Run Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Rd, Peninsula FRIDAY MAY 27TH SATURDAY MAY 28TH SUNDAY MAY 29TH Test your speed, endurance and strength while • HAPPY GILMORE NIGHT trying to avoid ravenous zombies. Runners • $1,000 CASH DASH! & DAVID BOWIE • DINO DAY! must make it to the finish line with at least one FIREWORKS PRESENTED BY THE • SHOOTER MCGAVIN BOBBLEHEAD • FAMILY FUNDAY - PLAY CATCH flag or become one of the walking dead! GIVEAWAY (FIRST 1000 FANS) PRESENTED UNIVERSITY OF AKRON BY CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL ON THE FIELD! KIDS RUN BASES June 25 // Akron Marathon Race Series: • APPEARANCE BY CHRISTOPHER AFTER THE GAME National Interstate 8K & 1 Mile MCDONALD InfoCision Stadium, 361 S. Union St, Akron The first training run to prepare participants for the Akron Marathon this fall. This course GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! VISIT AKRONRUBBERDUCKS.COM OR CALL (330) 253-5151 will highlight The University of Akron’s campus with a unique tour of downtown Akron. AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 21 culture & Community The Black Hand When Mobsters Ruled Akron

by Katie Jackson

From the outside, it As Borgio’s empire spread throughout the city, two suspicious men. Richards trailed and a gruesome Triplett Road murder, with the appeared to be an average so did the growing disdain for the illegal activity apprehended the men, and while preparing hope that it would delay his execution. Borgio neighborhood general store by the Akron police force, who remained largely them for arrest he was shot three times. was never charged with additional crimes, and in North Hill. But inside the untouched by Borgio’s extortion. By 1918, Passerby George Fink saw the incident and on February 21, 1919 he and Mazzano were backroom? Alarms armed officers began raiding Borgio’s gambling dens quickly ran to flag down other officers. The two executed by electric chair at the Ohio State the front and back doors. and brothels, arresting both gang members and assailants, Frank Mazzano and Paul Chiavaro, Penitentiary. The Akron Beacon Journal reported Foot-long spikes were built clientele. In retaliation, were captured and their deaths in detail, describing Borgio as dying into pits beneath the stairs. Borgio called a meeting arrested. Sadly Richards within 20 seconds of electrocution. A trapdoor hid an arsenal of submachine guns, of his Black Hand thugs passed away, but not rifles and pistols at arm's reach. The owner? A to declare war on the before confirming the Unfortunately, Borgio’s criminal influence did well-connected businessman with most of the Akron police force. identity of his killers. not die immediately with him. Within weeks of city’s politicians on the payroll. Also known as Offering a bounty of his death, three other Akron Police patrolmen the most feared man in Akron in the 1910’s: $250.00 on the head While in custody, were shot while on duty by revengeful members Rosario Borgio. of any officer, it didn’t Mazzano admitted of The Black Hand, resulting in the death of take long for the first to Richard’s killing yet another officer. Additionally, fifteen years Borgio, an Italian-American mobster, arrived in victim to fall. and confessed to an after his arrest, Lorenzo Biondo’s life sentence Akron at the turn of the century as an eager even larger story: was inexplicably repealed by then-Governor henchman. It didn’t take long before he was Officer Robert Norris the murders of all George White. Biondo fled to Italy and virtually first in command of the local chapter of The was patrolling his four officers were disappeared. Black Hand, a criminal empire of bootlegging, evening beat on connected. Not only prostitution, gambling, and blackmail. The Market Street when were they connected, The Black Hand organization gradually vanished gang, reported to have gained its reputation by he witnessed what but they were ordered from Akron, and across the United States, in delivering threatening extortion letters signed appeared to be by the infamous mob the mid-1930’s as police forces cracked down with a sketch of a hand in thick black ink, was a robbery. As he boss, Rosario Borgio. harder on organized crime. As a result, many infiltrating Italian-American communities across confronted the suspected assailant, Norris was Black Hand members reintegrated themselves the midwest. shot twice in the back and left for dead. He Borgio and five of his gang members - including into society as neighborhood “protectors”. passed away on Christmas Eve 1918. A few Frank Mazzano, Paul Chiavaro, Tony Manfredi, With an influx of young men to Akron to fill the weeks later, officers Edward Costigan and Pasquale Biondo and Lorenzo Biondo - were While Akron might not be as tough and well- assembly lines of the bustling rubber factories, Joseph Hunt found themselves in a similar arrested and indicted for the officer’s murders known for underground mafia activity as New Borgio and his squad were nothing if not flush pursuit and were also gunned down and killed. within weeks of the confession. With the York, Chicago, or even Youngstown, we were with clients. There wasn’t a bottle of moonshine The police, unaware of a connection between exception of Lorenzo Biondo, all were not unaffected by its reach. or a late night mistress that couldn’t be traced Borgio and the murders, were baffled and sentenced to the death penalty. back to Borgio’s Furnace Street operation. Nor unable to find a motive for either of the killings. // While not traveling or daydreaming, Katie shares were there many elected officials who weren’t While awaiting his fate in the Summit County the responsibility of renovating an 1868 farmhouse turning a blind eye to the activity in exchange In early 1919, Officer Gethin Richards jail, the weakened Borgio was reported to have with a handsome troubadour, two dogs, and a curious for some form of bribery. was patrolling a railyard when he spotted confessed to a string of other crimes, including 8 year old.

22 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM culture & community POWER OF THE PEN: WRITING TEAMS READY TO TACKLE COMPETITIVE WORDSMITHING Area schools expanding a new tradition of team writing

by Patrick Worden

Unless you run impossibly fast, you can’t so central to all academic disciplines, not to play football by yourself. And if you believe mention in the workplace, Merrill says that that writing is always a solo endeavor, you’ll competitive writing benefits not just students be amazed to meet our area academic who want to pursue writing careers, but all writing teams, who are going head to head students. Teachers and schools likewise benefit against other schools in timed composition with supplemental course material geared to tournaments. help them meet new state learning standards, and to prepare students for the recently The organizations that are making this happen, increased weighting of the English sections of PoP (Power of the Pen) in area middle schools, and forty minutes to complete a paper. Each major fiscal sponsor of PenOhio, although standardized tests like SAT and ACT. and PenOhio in high schools, have thrown student writes independently, and competes additional sponsors and volunteers are actively down a gauntlet in terms of their stated directly against a member of the other team being sought. The organization is in the process Academic competitive writing, born in mission, vowing to make writing teams as (teams are rotated, round-robin-style, so that of establishing itself as a 501c3 nonprofit, and Northeast Ohio and poised to expand far ubiquitous in schools as football squads. no two students compete against each other offers free program participation to public, beyond, just might transform how an entire twice in the same tourney). Essays are judged private and parochial high schools. Its inaugural generation approaches team activities, and the The middle-school version has been in existence by a panel of volunteers, local librarians, and by year has seen schools in Cuyahoga, Summit and written word. It’ll be fascinating to see how it since the mid-1980s, an offshoot from an in- the teacher-coaches, who only review papers Stark counties sign on, with goals to expand also comes to impact the ways they learn, work class competitive writing program developed by authored by opposing teams. Competition throughout Ohio and beyond over the next and live. Nordonia Hills teacher Lorrainne Merrill. More continues through three rounds until a winning two years. Power of the Pen, meanwhile, is recently her son, Tom Merrill, was tapped to roll team, and a single highest-scoring composition, coordinating 42 middle-school writing meets // Pat Worden lives, writes and BBQs in East Akron. out PenOhio to Northeast Ohio high schools. are crowned. Prizes include scholarships, per year, with 500 schools participating at the Their first regional tournament will be held on with the teacher-coaches earning continuing- district, regional and state levels. Saturday, May 14th. education credit and the opportunity to bring PenOhio needs an unconventional writing emphasis into their Both programs, Tom Merrill tells us, help kids sponsors and volunteers! It works like this: teams are comprised of six curricula. get college-ready by exposing them to different students. In each round they’re pitted against forms of narrative and expository writing, and Please visit penohio.weebly.com an opposing school and given a writing prompt, The Cuyahoga County Public Library is the to new writing techniques. With writing skills or email [email protected]

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 23 culture & community The Corner Pocket When a neighborhood is a neighborhood unto itself.

The pocket neighborhood. If you’ve never lived may have been quickly surrounded by industrial swamps, rivers, canals and other waterways— in one, then you’ve probably never seen one, shops, small factories and other commercial can set a natural neighborhood boundary. In since they are often hard to find. Often hidden, businesses that were created to support Akron’s some cases, they can serve as a scenic amenity. and more often forgotten, these are the small- Rubber Boom. In other cases, housing may have to-medium-size enclaves of houses that exists in been quickly erected in areas where zoning SEMI-UNDEVELOPED LAND – this can include cities everywhere. Akron has them, too—hidden or development was still in transition – due to a large park, cemetery or forest land, large behind factories, walled off by expressways, demand and expediency. Later in the century, recreational areas—like ball fields, reclaimed obscured behind urban overgrowth and stashed the expansion of the highway system also urban land (cleared of prior structures) as well across a bridge or perched at the end of a played a major factor in creating some of these as brownfields (cleared industrial lands) and narrow lane. pocket neighborhoods. even open areas, like landfills.

A few were created with intention. Most were What makes a pocket neighborhood unique TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS – commonly created by accident; when geographic and is not necessarily its size—though they these include major transportation arteries like socio-economic development factors collided are generally not very large—but its sense highways, but can also include railroad tracks northside and left them as the inevitable result. In this of isolation. Commonly, these types of and rail yards (in use and abandoned) as well case, they are often the residue of short-sighted neighborhoods are bordered on three sides by as airports. and too-rapid land development, poor road various types of barriers, leaving only one side planning and general neglect. (or in some cases, a single street) connected ZONING & INDUSTRIAL BARRIERS – These to the outside world. These barriers can take a include factories, large scale retail developments This was especially the case with some central- number of forms, for example: and everything that goes with them—including city neighborhoods during the early part of the parking lots. 20th century. Several blocks of viable housing TOPOGRAPHIC BARRIERS – like hills, valleys,

Akron’s Pocket Neighborhoods

Looking back over the years, it’s easy to see that in a hilly, fast-growing industrial city like Akron, there would have been plenty of opportunities for small neighborhoods to get cut off from the rest of town. Here are just a few examples. englewood merriman area

LAIRD STREET EXCELSIOR – OAK PARK HILL ENGLEWOOD - This small neighborhood in old Centered around the old Lewis LEAGUE STREET Middlebury, nestled on a high bluff Miller Estate, this tiny enclave It would be easy to miss this tiny overlooking Case Avenue on the of apartments and old houses is enclave of about 20 houses as north, is hemmed in by the old surrounded by Glendale Cemetery you pass south under I-76 along AC&Y rail line on the east, and East on the west, Glendale Park on Innovation Way (formerly Martha Akron Cemetery and Seiberling Field the north, and finally cut off from Ave.). Tucked between the highway on the South. The only entrance is the rest of town when the RT 59 and Middlebury Run Park, it via two access streets on the west Innerbelt was constructed along probably dates from about the same side, Willard and Fulton, which run its east and south sides. Generally period as Laird Street, though the off of E. Market between two old well-maintained, the area remains circumstances of its envelopment Goodyear parking lots. Most of the its “own little world” and provides center around the fact that it was houses here were built by 1910, and excellent views of downtown Akron. largely cut off from the rest of for many years, this neglected area East Akron by the construction became run down and a haven for of I-76. Earlier, an industrial plant crime. A close look at Google Maps had encroached from the east, and reveals that housing density in the major rail lines (now abandoned) neighborhood has been significantly had formed the boundary to the reduced through aggressive south. On the west was the huge demolition; about 40% have been Goodyear Plant II complex, now removed, with the result that this home of the company’s Tech Center area has been mentioned as a and International HQ. possibility for future redevelopment. laird st. excelsior 24 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM culture & community

Big Plans for Tiny Places?

These are just a handful of such neighborhoods; and easy highway access is a plus. The same and there are many others scattered throughout holds true for the tiny “village” of Englewood/ Akron. What makes them interesting is not only League St. near Goodyear’s World HQ. their individual character and the way they were created, but also what they have to offer for the Pocket Neighborhoods have their advantages. MEET THE UNBOX AKRON future. Some of these Pocket Neighborhoods, Many are quiet, with limited access and street like those off Merriman Rd., will continue to trafﬁ c, plus the added security of neighbors member of the month provide comfortable family living. Northside, who may know or at least recognize each other. small-but-mighty, continues to mature into Another thing to consider is that even though an exciting mixed-use neighborhood with they are small, they can have a big impact on WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz! the addition of a new hotel. Small as it may larger areas – serving as an anchor of stability, be, Oak Park Hill may have an important role an outpost of innovation or even “weirdness”, to play as a visual anchor with the eventual or a potential laboratory to try out an urban redevelopment of the Innerbelt. development idea on a very small scale.

The future is less certain, but no less interesting Sometime in the spring, take a look at a map of for areas such as Laird St. The high percentage Akron, get on your bike and visit some of these of vacant lots points to eventual redevelopment pocket neighborhoods. Take a look at them in the future—residential or otherwise—and its with a city planner’s eye. What kind of potential close proximity to the East End development is there? What would you do with them?

Roger Riddle: What was your favorite item in March's box?

MERRIMAN AREA – NORTHSIDE Amanda Rabinowitz: Since it was my fi rst box, I didn’t BASTOGNE DR. AND A couple of decades ago, we know what to expect! I loved having samples from places WINFIELD WAY might not have thought of this throughout Akron that I didn’t even know existed. I really The two small enclaves have been as a neighborhood, but since the enjoyed the caramel popcorn from Metropolis Popcorn! It Pocket Neighborhoods from the completion of the Northside Lofts was fresh and tasty and most importantly, local! very start, and retain their sense and the condominium units on of separation due to topographic Howard Street, this unique “pocket RR: Which family member or friend wanted which items from reasons (they are on the edge of a neighborhood” provides a great your last box? valley) steep grades and railroad example of mixed use development. tracks that lie on both the east and Furnace St. offers a narrow access AR: I loved showing o my fi rst box at work. I showed it to all the west. Access for each is by a corridor from the east and west, but of my coworkers and they wanted to know where to sign up! single road; in the case of Bastogne, the area is separated from the rest My coworkers were especially jealous of my buy-one-get-one it crosses over a rail line. of town by the slopes of the Valley free ticket to the Nightlight Cinema! and its railroad line, undeveloped land and the formidable swath of RR: Where would you take someone who only had one day MLK Blvd that was the result of the to spend in Akron? RT-59 / Innerbelt terminus. Cut off from the rest of downtown, the AR: I would show them around Lock 3 and take them to the future may have looked bleak 30 Akron Art Museum then take them somewhere to eat, like years ago, but the area has survived the Lockview or Crave. Rubber City Clothing is a cool place and thrived, becoming a popular city for an Akron-themed souvenir. I love the Metro Parks so hot spot. maybe take them for a walk at the Nature Realm and fi nish the day with some drinks at the new Northside Speakeasy!

To sign up for your subscription, visit UnboxAkron.com AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE culture & Community

SPRING BREAKTHROUGHS UA’s Experiential Learning Center Brings Together Local Teens for a Week of Community Problem Solving

words and photos by Andrew Leask

For most high school students, spring break For Ian Schwarber, Resource Director of the Allan Thomas, a sophomore from Akron’s STEM the audience. “Usually, as teenagers,” she said, means sleeping in on weekday mornings. It EXL Center, the most surprising aspect of High School. “a lot of people don’t take the time to listen means hanging out with friends or staying up working with the students, most of whom are to us, because we don’t know anything.” The late playing video games. It means a week of sophomores, is how aware they are of issues And indeed, their hard work will have a real-life audience laughed at this, but she continued. “It rest and relaxation. When most high school affecting their community. “Their minds are effect. At the end of the week, each team was does really mean a lot that you guys came out students make plans for spring break, they so exposed to so many things that I wasn’t,” given $1,250 to give to the local organization here, that they gave us this opportunity and the don’t expect to spend four days working with he said. Looking ahead, Schwarber and the of its choice during a public pitch meeting. For chance to actually do something like this, and strangers to develop creative solutions to EXL Center hope to grow “What’s YOUR Thomas’s group, Team Yin Yang, which chose actually having someone listen to us. pressing issues in their community. Problem?”, fi rst by expanding the number to work on the issue of prescription painkiller of participants for next year, and eventually addiction, this meant donating to the County “Thank you.” Yet that is precisely how the teenaged by turning it into a summer program. The of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental participants of “What’s YOUR Problem?” — an program fi ts within the EXL Center’s larger Health Services Board. Pictured Above (from left to right): Group picture: alternative spring break program hosted by goal — to foster entrepreneurship within UA (from left to right) Allan Thomas, Erica Frazier, Will the University of Akron’s Experiential Learning and to promote civic engagement between the Team Average Joes, which focused its work on Freeman, Megan Sutterluety, and John Bulgrin of Center — chose to spend their vacation. university and its surrounding community. homelessness, chose to support Haven of Rest Team Yin Yang present a check to the County of Ministries. Team We HATE Country Music — Summit ADM Board; Daniel Hampu, Project Manager From March 28 to 31, the pilot program As the students huddled together to prepare named after the fi rst thing its members realized at the University of Akron Research Foundation, gives brought 22 local high school students to the their pitches for the upcoming reception, their they had in common — chose to fi ght hunger program participants advice on how to pitch their University of Akron campus for four days of enthusiasm for the Akron community — as in Northeast Ohio by donating to South Street ideas; Jeff Hoffman, Founding Director of the EXL workshops, team exercises, and mentoring well as their hard work — was on full display. Ministries. And Team A Blank Canvas, which Center, introduces the teams during the Presentation sessions with community leaders. Throughout Though most of the students had not met focused on fi nding ways to promote urban Reception; Naudia Harris, of Team Average Joes, the week, the participants, as part of four before starting the program, by the third day, farming, made its donation to UA’s Hult Prize discusses her team’s chosen issue, homelessness; randomly assigned teams, identifi ed pressing they had developed an easygoing rapport. Competition team, which has developed a type Tommy Sarayath, of Team Average Joes, discusses his issues in the Akron community — from Though they were giving up four days of their of foam brick which can be used in place of soil team’s chosen issue, homelessness. homelessness to hunger — and then worked to spring break to take part in the program, they to cultivate plants in urban spaces. develop and propose ways to solve them. On were having fun. // Andrew Leask likes reading and taking long walks the fi nal day of the program, during a reception As Team Average Joes fi nished its presentation, down Market Street. He writes fi ction in the at the Williams Honors College Complex, each “In school, we learn problem solving, but this Courtney Libby, a student from St. Vincent-St. company of his wife, Amy, and their two cats, Monty team pitched a solution to its chosen problem. is problem solving we can use in real life,” said Mary’s High School took a moment to address and Nigella.

Grocery Shopping Flavored With Local Art! – COMING SOON!

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26 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM culture & community

SMALL BUSINESS CHRONICLES West Hill Hardware

words by Rick Bohan; photos by Katie Jackson

You run a small, somewhat organized you’d like to do a better job of maintaining, if part they need even when one of the big box “Our market niche,” adds owner Richard hardware store in northwest Akron. Stained you can find the time. Lowe’s has a quarter of stores doesn’t. The folks at those stores will Tschantz, “is made up of the owners and glass windows, plumbing fixtures, single pole a million employees, Home Depot has more. At sometimes send customers our way for certain residents of all these old houses in the area. switches, and knick-knacks salvaged from your store, there are just three employees. items they know they don’t carry.” Some of the homes are a century old and nearby homes as they were being demolished more. They need hardware that’s not easy to share space on your shop shelves. One of your The question is…how do you compete? How Staying in the hardware business for nearly a find at other stores. So they come here. Lowe’s competitors, Lowe’s Stores, sold more that do you stay in business for 85 years? How do century isn’t a given. The West Akron area has any part you might need so long as your $56B worth of single pole switches, plumbing you carve out your niche? has seen larger stores, like DIY and Builders house was built after 1970 or so. If your house fixtures, and other goods and services last year. Square, come to the area and fail. And the was built in the ‘50’s, that’s a new one in this It spent about $800M of that on advertising. “Customers come here for a number of competition keeps coming with a new Ace neighborhood.” Another direct competitor, Home Depot, sold reasons but mainly because their parents and Hardware of Wallhaven having opened its doors $83B worth of goods and services and bought grandparents came here,” says employee Vern in February. (Ace Hardware is a co-op rather When asked where he gets such a hard to find the same amount of advertising. Your own Christian. “Another reason is that they know than a franchise or corporate store, so all stores inventory, Taschantz replies, “Some of it advertising consists of a Facebook page that we are likely to have the plumbing or electrical are independently owned.) (continued on page 45) CALL FOR ENTREPRENEURS Proposals are now being accepted from local companies interested in operating a new café/coffee shop in the Akron Global Business Accelerator, 526 S. Main Street. The café is slated to open in late 2016, early 2017. Proposal requirements may be found online at: Akronaccelerator.com/cafe. No phone calls or emails please.

lifesourceyoga.com • 330.835.9945

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 27 culture & Community Theron Brown Months and months ago, we heard that Theron Brown, who is the epitome of the cool, jazz musician archetype, would portray pianist Herbie Hancock in "Miles Ahead," Don Cheadle's biopic about the legendary (and mercurial) Miles Davis. That's a layer cake of amazing news for one sentence. Well, the cherry on top was debuting it at The Nightlight downtown with Mr. Brown in attendance for a Q&A followed by a live performance around the block at Blu Jazz. Though it sold out quickly, photographer Shane Wynn was in attendance to capture the event.

Photos by Shane Wynn/The Devil Strip

Opening May 6th Linklater’s Sequel to Dazed and Confused EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!! Directed by Richard Linklater 30 N HIGH ST SHOWTIMES AT AKRON HISTORIC ARTS DISTRICT NIGHTLIGHTCINEMA.COM NEAR CRAVE, URBAN EATS, & NUEVO

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM 31 THE FRONT DOOR CAFE WITH MARY O'CONNOR

32 RAMPING UP FOR SPRING, LOCAVORE STYLE Food & Drink 34 BAR CRAWLER TESTS THE AKRON FOOD SCENE PLX DRINKING HOLES

Speakeasy bartender Bryan Burns and DBA chef Ernest Cornelius enjoy dinner for two before guests arrive. Go into the kitchen with Ernest on page 30. (PHOTO: Ilenia Pezzaniti/The Devil Strip)

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 29 food & Drink Photos courtesy of Ernest Cornelius The Wanderer Hanging out on the Front Porch

words and photos by Holly Brown

In the Kitchen From dishes to handburgers, speaking easy with Speakeasy’s chef de cuisine, Ernest Cornelius

by Ilenia Pezzaniti

THE DEVIL STRIP: You're now working at two plastic ramekin and a lid. Seems simple right? I whether it’s technique or ingredients, but of the nicest places to get a meal in Akron — think I got more sour cream on the prep table sticking to the mold is something I’ve had D.B.A. and Speakeasy — but your start in the than in the cups, but over the course of two to learn. culinary industry wasn't so glamorous. How did 5-pound containers, I had effectively found a you begin your career? method that worked better, and by the last TDS: As if you weren't busy enough, you ERNEST CORNELIUS: It’s funny you say that 30 or so cups I was running very efficiently. also started ECdiets earlier this year. What because I always tell my cooks that starting at Trouble shooting and patience were learned exactly is it and what possessed you to take the bottom and working your way up allows in one shift, and I was hooked. I thought to on that challenge? you to see if working in a professional kitchen myself, “If I can apply what I learned today to EC: Ahh, ECdiets. So a couple years ago I had is what you actually want to do as a career. other tasks in the kitchen, I think I could be very the idea of getting healthier, prepared meals I personally started working in a kitchen at good at this.” Now here I am, 15 years later, into the hands of people who are maybe less the young age of 14 because I wanted to go still learning every day. One sour cream cup at compelled, fortunate or able to do so for to concerts with my friends, and my mother a time. themselves. My business model is 100% based cut me off financially because the idea of off convenience. I want to fit into the part of her mohawk-adorning son being out late TDS: It seems obvious you bring a lot of your your day where you may make a decision that in Cleveland at some dive bar was less than personality to your work and each of the affects you selecting something healthy to eat. appealing, and I’m sure didn’t allow her restaurants where you are chef de cuisine have My meals consist of a lean protein, a low GI much sleep. I started at 14 as a dishwasher, their own unique personalities. How do you starch, fiber rich seasonal and green vegetables something I now look back on and appreciate bring those things into balance with the art of and a clean fat based sauce. My clients more than anything. The work was hard and cooking itself? range from body builders, diabetics, business the pace was very fast, but I developed a very EC: With being the Chef de Cuisine, I have professionals and students. All in all, feeding good work ethic years before any of my friends freedom with the menu but I still have to people something they don’t have to feel guilty even thought about finding jobs to make remember that Chef Dante markets his about is rewarding at the end of the day and some extra money for themselves. I actually restaurants, and especially Restaurant DANTE something that I have also adapted into my still remember the first food related job I had and Dante Boccuzzi Akron, as “Modern day-to-day as well. You wouldn’t believe how in the kitchen. It was a busy Friday and after I American fine dining with Japanese and Italian much better you feel after removing some of got all my dishes caught up from the lethargic influence” I come from a different school, the toxic dietary decisions you’ve made in the and always drunk daytime guy, I was asked to with my family heritage being predominantly past from your life. Live well. portion sour cream. 2-oz portioning spoon, Swedish. I sneak in my influence where I can,

30 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 food & Drink Photos courtesy of Ernest Cornelius The Wanderer Hanging out on the Front Porch

words and photos by Holly Brown

The fi rst time I went to the Front Porch Cafe, connect unemployed and underemployed men it was a beautiful day in April. The sun beat and women from the recovery and reentry down on the freshly renovated brick building. communities to transition into employment Everything was quiet with the exception of the in the food service industries.” More than bright red and yellow “open” sign that rustled anything, Front Porch serves to be the literal in the spring breeze. It was 11 o’clock A.M on front porch of South Akron: it is a meeting a Friday, I was hungry, the day was beautiful place, a place for anyone in need of company, and budding, and in the wake of this place, I recovery, family to talk, work, eat. In the Kitchen couldn’t help but feel possibility. When I moved to Akron, alone, almost two From dishes to handburgers, speaking easy with Once across the threshold, I was greeted by years ago, the time when I was the most Speakeasy’s chef de cuisine, Ernest Cornelius my dining companion, the miraculous Mary lonely was when I cooked dinner. For me, O’Connor. I had the immense pleasure of food is connective tissue, it brings together getting to know Mary through the NEOMFA families, cultures, countries, and in the case where we shared our writing, taking a of the Front Porch: Akron, comprised of so nonfi ction workshop many amazing people, during the fall. It is a the place I have been singular delight to know seamlessly welcomed into, that you have found the community I have someone at once warm grown to love and call my and fascinating, whose own. From the moment work you admire and I walked into The Front whose company you Porch, I felt welcome. enjoy. After the semester came to a close, Mary Mary led me through e-mailed me from the what was once a hall, the airport on her way to bones of which are still Key West for an acting there in the stage at the gig over winter break back, the high ceilings, (because that’s just the open fl oor plan. The the kind of thing that room is airy, a mess-hall happens to Mary), saying she read my latest style eatery with classic touches including the Wanderer column. After a few more e-mails faux stained-glass lamps and, of course, the back and forth, she invited me to The Front French bar soap holder. Porch Cafe, enticing me with a photograph of NUEVO MODERN MEXICAN the French bar soap holder in the ambi-gender Mary and I sat across from one another at a bathroom. long table. There was a smattering of other & TEQUILA BAR patrons, some with friends, some working at RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR SEATING BUT Mary has been involved with Front Porch since laptops, all eating home-cooked delicacies ADVENTURESOME TASTE BUDS REQUIRED FOR DINING she moved to Akron from New York City. She ranging from omelettes to hot subs. My is the Architect for the ongoing renovation, but decision was a game-time one, as many of my  is moving into a career as a writer. Mary is one food related decisions are. Mary requested a Wow! The food was so delicious, the margarita fl avors were unique, and the service was of those people who surrounds herself with clam, cheese and tomato omelette, handing amazing! I have been hearing about this place for awhile and have been wanting to try it. stories, the Front Porch is one of them. our server a bag of her own clams from home, My husband and I were not disappointed. I got the margarita fl ight where I chose 3 fl avors “the benefi ts of being ‘in’ with this place,” she of margaritas. The jalapeño cilantro was my favorite! We ordered the habenero jelly The Front Porch Cafe opened its doors in said to me and chuckled. I wanted a diner-style guacamole which comes with house chips as an appetizer and it was so good! Our entrees 2011. The Cafe itself is run by South Street sandwich, something warm and hearty and were equally delicious. The prices weren't bad and the service was superb. Well done Ministries and has two major goals: create the spring air had given me a hankering for Nuevo! We will defi nitely be back! (3/3/2016 on Yelp) community under its roof and serve delicious barbecue sauce. I wanted nothing other than a food. Here, arms are open to those who need pulled pork sandwich (pictured above). 54 East Mill St. Akron 44308 it; their self-described vision “is to train and (continued on page 45) (330) 762-8000 nuevomodmex.com Hours: M-Th 11-10, F 11-11, Sat 3-11 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE food & drink

Get to know one of Locavore Lovin’ from the Oven Akron's Hidden Gems A TASTE OF SPRING words by Lia Pietrolungo; photos by Paul Mangus

How I’ve lived nearly twenty-two years on this • Thinly slice the clean the ramp whites, earth without ever having encountered a ramp reserving the leaves for later use. Heat is beyond me. As an amateur chef I’m even the broth. It is important to keep it warm more embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t all too throughout cooking to ensure that the knowledgeable about these fl eeting springtime temperature remains even in the risotto pan. lovelies, until my friend Taylor told me about a • Heat the butter and olive oil in a large patch that he found while hiking. saucepan over medium-high heat until it no longer foams and crackles. Add the ramps Ramps (Allium Tricoccum) are one of the fi rst and stir constantly until browned and tender, vegetables to poke through the soil in the about 3 minutes. spring, and only stick around from late March • Add the rice and coat with the ramps, to mid-May. This delicate plant declares itself stirring frequently. Once the rice takes on a with a strong garlicky & onion fl avor that begs pale, golden blonde color and has developed to be pickled, caramelized in butter, or grilled a slightly nutty aroma, pour in the wine and A quality community cafe in South Akron whole. I chose to celebrate their complexities continue to stir until it is fully absorbed. that brings people from d erent backgrounds together by caramelizing the whites for risotto and • Turn the heat down to medium-low. Begin Now serving homemade grits & healthy salads that will fi ll you up. blanching the greens for a peppery pesto. adding the broth to the risotto cup by cup, stirring in-between additions until the liquid I have the fondest memories of making risotto is fully absorbed. Visit us for breakfast or lunch with my dad as a kid. It’s defi nitely a comfort • Finish with a fresh pepper, to taste. For Monday through Friday • 7am to 3pm food for me. With all of the change in the creamier risotto, stir some grated parmesan 798 Grant St., Akron, Ohio | (330) 375-1991 air this spring, my soul was in need of some directly into the rice before serving. southstreetministries.org childhood nourishment. For the Pesto: Spring’s arrival also brings the most anticipated 2 bunches of ramp leaves, rinsed Lambing Day at The Spicy Lamb Farm, a Drizzle of olive oil + more as needed family-operated farm nestled in the heart of the A decent-sized chunk of Parmesan cheese We Get You ... Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is part of the Lemon juice and zest Countryside Initiative and the Urban Shepherds grazing program. The farm is over one hundred • Blanch the leaves in boiling water for about years old, and is located on 12 acres of lush, 50 seconds. Drain in a mesh strainer and run lovingly nurtured land. The owners and farmers, under cold water until completely cool. Michael and Laura Minnig, were kind enough • Transfer to a food processor (or blender). to give me a personal tour, where I got to hold Pulse until a paste forms, adding olive oil as a sweet little lamb and learn about the history needed. Toss in the cheese and pulse until of the farm and the land. smooth. Add lemon to taste.

After becoming emotionally attached to my little lamb friend, I was relieved to learn that the farm sources their meat from Sugar Valley Meats in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Their lamb is grass- fed, antibiotic & hormone free, and is ﬂ ash- frozen to preserve freshness. The chops that I used were tender, juicy, and slightly sweet as lamb should be. The Spicy Lamb Farm’s Dorset © Sigrid Olsson / Alamy sheep are used for wool, which Laura makes • Where you want to go - into beautiful blankets and other cozy goods. with TripTik® Travel Planner maps and directions The spice blend used in this recipe is from For the Lamb American Lamb, and is a combination of 1-2 pounds of lamb chops • What you want to know - rosemary, mint, mustard seed, garlic, and salt. 1 tin of American Lamb Spice Blend with hotel, discount and gas 3 cloves of garlic price information For the risotto: Mint jelly • Help along the way - 2 bunches of ramps, rinsed Olive oil with easy road service request 2 cups Arborio rice ½ cup dry white wine • Combine about half of the rub with enough 6 cups chicken broth, divided olive oil to make a paste. Mince the garlic Our apps keep you mobile. Parmesan cheese to your heart’s content and add to the rub. Download today. 2 Tbsp. olive oil • Rub onto the chops and refrigerate for one 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter hour. Remove the chops about 20 minutes

AAA.com/mobile WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM Food & Drink

MART PRE CRAFTY SENTS:

AKRON PIZZA • Thinly slice the clean the ramp whites, TASK FORCE reserving the leaves for later use. Heat the broth. It is important to keep it warm Brickoven Brewpub throughout cooking to ensure that the temperature remains even in the risotto pan. by Stephanie Baker, Kevin Wirth and Justin Lyons (@akronpizzatf) • Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until it no This month the Akron Pizza Task Force went to and was cooked well. The wood fi red oven left longer foams and crackles. Add the ramps Ellet to try The Brickoven Brewpub at 604 the crust crispy and dark in color. The margherita and stir constantly until browned and tender, Canton Rd. The Brickoven Brewpub has only pizza was not what we expected based on the about 3 minutes. been around for a couple years, but they have pizza featured in Brickoven's facebook profi le BEER JUNE • Add the rice and coat with the ramps, found a niche in the pizza arena. picture. Our pizza had a generous stirring frequently. Once the rice takes on a amount of fresh mozzarella spread FOOD 25 pale, golden blonde color and has developed Brickoven Brewpub has all the over the pizza, and though a slightly nutty aroma, pour in the wine and topping options you’d expect it had more basil than we CRAFTS 2016 continue to stir until it is fully absorbed. with some nice additions: typically enjoy, the pizza was • Turn the heat down to medium-low. Begin namely goat cheese and still delicious. adding the broth to the risotto cup by cup, house made soppressata THE TROLLY BARN stirring in-between additions until the liquid and Italian sausage. They also Overall, we really enjoyed DOWNTOWN AKRON is fully absorbed. offer some interesting specialty our experience at Brickoven 47 N. MAIN STREET | AKRON, OH 44308 • Finish with a fresh pepper, to taste. For pizzas and feature a special of Brewpub. It’s great to have a pizza creamier risotto, stir some grated parmesan the week that can be more unusual. restaurant in town that is using quality directly into the rice before serving. A past special of the week was a gumbo pizza ingredients to make interesting pizzas. We look with gumbo, bell peppers, onions, garlic, forward to coming back and trying their deep For the Pesto: tomatoes and cajun seasonings. dish style pizza. 2 bunches of ramp leaves, rinsed Drizzle of olive oil + more as needed When you walk through Brickoven’s doors you Brickoven Brewpub does have a second focus, A decent-sized chunk of Parmesan cheese see their awesome wood fi red oven adjacent draft beer! Though we won’t be reviewing the Lemon juice and zest to the dining room. It’s fun to watch the pizzas beers, check out this year’s Annual Manual for a cook, and it gives the whole restaurant a great review of their beers. for Lunch and • Blanch the leaves in boiling water for about aroma. There’s also seating available at the bar pen Di 50 seconds. Drain in a mesh strainer and run in the back room. // Akron Pizza Task Force are professional O nn under cold water until completely cool. pizza consumers. ow er • Transfer to a food processor (or blender). We stopped in this month to try their N ! Pulse until a paste forms, adding olive oil as margherita (pictured) and plain cheese pizza. We want to hear from you! Tweet us @akronpizzatf ... needed. Toss in the cheese and pulse until The cheese pizza was good with a sweet sauce What are your favorite pizza toppings? smooth. Add lemon to taste. Adopt-a-bar by Leslie Shirley Nielson (The Bar Crawler) The Brown St. Cafe T e 1090 Brown St. • Akron, OH 44301 he uar I remember this being a great neighborhood Bre Sq bar. Nice location in Firestone Park. If done wpub in Highland right, could have potential.

For the Lamb 1-2 pounds of lamb chops HAPPY HOUR: 1/2 o appetizers and $3 house drafts 1 tin of American Lamb Spice Blend before grilling. Thank you to Michael LUNCH SPECIAL: M-F 11:30am-3:00pm 3 cloves of garlic • Grill for about 7-8 minutes on each side, or and Laura Minnig of Mint jelly until desired tenderness. the Spicy Lamb Farm Late night menu after 10pm Olive oil • Serve with the risotto, pesto, and mint jelly. for the wonderful tour! For more information • Combine about half of the rub with enough Devour every last bite! and to check out Live music beginning in May! olive oil to make a paste. Mince the garlic their upcoming events and workshops, visit and add to the rub. // Lia is slightly obsessed with novelty salt and pepper thespicylamb.com. Remember to harvest For details visit or www.ohiobrewing.com • Rub onto the chops and refrigerate for one shakers. Her cat, Heathcliff, is slightly obsessed with ramps sparingly & sustainably to ensure that 804 W. Market Street, Akron, OH 44303 • (234) 208-6797 hour. Remove the chops about 20 minutes ﬁ nding ways to break them. they return next spring. (at the corner of Highland Ave and W. Market St.) Hours: M-W 11:30-midnight, TH-Sat 11:30-Close, Sun 1pm-midnight AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE food & drink

Dietz's Landing Howie’s on The Lake M.T. Pockets Bar Every month, the Bar Crawler scouts around the great greater Akron area for his new favorite 401 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd. 4856 Coleman Dr. and Grill drinking holes, hideouts, dives and neighborhood bars. Have a drink in one of his picks and 330-644-BOAT 330-644-8343 2758 Manchester Rd. post a selﬁ e with the hashtag #AKBarCrawler for a chance to get a t-shirt from The Devil Strip. 330-745-6677

One of my favorite things about Akron is that you can get almost anywhere here in 15 minutes or less, barring trafﬁ c or bad directions. So why are we reluctant to leave our own neighborhoods for one of these quick ventures across town? People in North Hill generally party in North Hill. Same for the folks in Highland Square and so on. I’m asking myself, as well as you. I mean the cops in this town aren’t total jerks, like some of the suburban areas that come to mind. Maybe the Akron cops get it. They like to blow off steam like the rest of us, right? A former mayor (not mentioning any names) could pick up what I'm throwing down Area in Akron Portage Lakes Portage Lakes Portage Lakes here. I mean, if I were a policeman or even the Mayor, I imagine that come beer:30, I would be hitting the sauce after some of the crap I had to deal with on my last shift. Again, it’s a part of Established 1940s 1950s 1999 the Rust Belt survival guide, so why not have more fun with it? Public transport isn’t too bad in Happy Hour Every Minute 4-7pm 11am - 7pm this town, so if you're a rookie, a lightweight or just can't ﬁ nd a designated driver, please take Biggest sellers advantage of it. Bud Lt./Jägermeister Bud Light/Tito's Craft Beer/Crown Royal beer/liquor

What I’m trying to encourage you boozehounds to do is, to take a short trip to the Key Largo of Akron, one of the most unique areas of our city, the place we call Portage Lakes. How many cities have an area in town like Portage Lakes? I’m thinking very few. Rich in history Entertainment Bands, Karaoke Trivia Live music, Karaoke, Pool (and drinking history too), it has been a leisure destination for almost 200 years and not nearly enough of us take advantage of the fun that can be had out there. A recognized landmark dating back to the War of 1812, Portage Lakes is connected to both Lake Erie and the Ohio River and was used by natives and early settlers alike. In 1825, as Akron was being laid out, Irish laborers working on the canals settled here and over time Portage Lakes became less Food Full Menu Full Menu Full Menu of commerce resource and more of a vacation destination. Watering holes, hotels, marinas, brothels, gambling halls and restaurants all made their home in this area. Now, million dollar Has always been Howie’s, but used to o er more homes are popping up on the Lakes, but you can still ﬁ nd a lot of that old history out there, Previously Dietz's Grocery Lawson’s services like gas and minus the brothels and gambling halls (...I think). groceries

The more I've learned about this area, the more I want to apologize to The Lakers, as they are Goldie Hawn meets Kurt Willie Nelson meets Dennis Quaid meets Celebrity personality Russell. Guess I should known out there, for letting their little secret out. But it must be shared. My stubbornness and Kevin Costner have just said Kate Hudson. Pat Benatar sworn duty as The Bar Crawler will surely lead me back to try again. In the meantime, know that a micro-vacation is only minutes away, so venture out to these places and take a selﬁ e, with drink in hand. Like Harvey Firestone used to say, "I'm going to Portage Lakes to drink gin and juice, with my mind on my money and my money on mind.” And remember to tell your bartender that The Devil Strip sent you! One of the many places in The one bar in Akron I wish they o ered a chip Comments The Lakes that you can get where it's actually easier to Ch rs and enjoy responsibly, dip martini. to by tugboat. get there by boat. Leslie Shirley Nielson The Bar Crawler

Name: Jeremiah Cooper Name: Rachel Whinnery Favorite place to eat: Luigi's Favorite place to eat: The Lockview Go-to dish: Lasagna Go-to dish: craft beer UND O TH Name: Byron Delpinal R E Favorite place to eat: The Lockview A Go-to dish: #9

Name: Roger Riddle Name: Eric Browning Favorite place to eat: Bajaa Fresh Favorite place to eat: Nepali Kitchen Go-to dish: I just learned about Bajaa Fresh Go-to dish: thukpa soup, try it with pork the dish from the OSC Tech Lab crew. Their chicken and get it spicy! Name: Patrick Regan burrito is the best burrito I have ever had. Favorite place to eat: Diamond Deli OF E Name: Sophie Hamad Go-to dish: Old Bald Guy FIC Name: Nick Petroski Favorite place to eat: Pad Thai downtown Favorite place to eat: Cilantro Go-to dish: Avocado curry with rolled tofu. // compiled by Noor Hindi Go-to dish: pad see ew spicy level 4 The rolled tofu is unlike any tofu I’ve tried. Pictured: Bajaa Fresh Burrito (PHOTO: Roger Riddle) extra noodles In a good way. Old Bald Guy (PHOTO: Patrick Regan)

34 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM food & Drink NKʼS PLA A CE It’s a tough job but someone’s got to drink it FR by Leslie Shirley Nielsen

Royal Gardens Sam-E's Lounge Sand Bar The Basement at Tonix Bar Upper Deck 690 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd. 660 Carnegie Ave. 3822 S. Main St. The Lakes 3090 S. Main St. 357 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd. Morse code 330-745-2600 330-644-9058 3420 Manchester Rd. carrier pigeon only 330-644-2338 Mondays DIVE PICK of the MONTH 330-644-4000 CuSTomer APPreciATion niGHT� Buy One Drink, Get One 9:00 p.m. until midnight Compliments of TPH Productions Portage Lakes Portage Lakes Portage Lakes Portage Lakes Portage Lakes Portage Lakes $1.75 Pint Special

1948 1999 1980s 2009 2008 1989 $5.50 Burgers DJ Larry starts at 9 pm 6-9pm noon-6:30 pm Always 11am-7pm 4-7pm 5-7pm with early trivia Bud Light/Smirno Bud/Washington Apple Bud Light/Crown Royal Craft Beer/Three Olives Bud/Jack Daniels Craft Beer/Fireball Tuesdays Darts and I probably shouldn't make this public, Taco Nights because I'll never be able to Darts, pool, cornhole (can't $1.50 to $3.00 get on the damn thing now, Pool Pool, Keno they come up with a better Bands, Pool, Darts Bands but they have an old school name for this?), D.J.s Drink Specials Available bowling machine. I'm such an idiot Wednesdays Who needs food when you Bar Menu No food No food Full Menu Full Menu Chef Todd’s Food Specials have booze? Thursdays Always has been The Interloop Drink'em Up K.C.'s Lakes Red Bull The White House HALF OFF Regular Burgers (dine-in only) Shelley Duvall meets Jim Varney meets Ted Danson meets Sam Elliot meets Urban Meyer meets Sandra Bullock meets Dennis Hopper & peppered Marisa Tomei with a splash Johnny Cash Bonnie Raitt Tim Allen Merle Haggard with Charles Bukowski Eli Wallach Fridays

Not much has changed 12oz Strip Steak $12.00 about this place in 68 years, other than a few ﬂ at I was told that this is the screens. Old music on the Is it normal for your GPS to Saturdays This place feels like you oldest building in Portage jukebox, horseshoe bar, A nice man wearing a say, "Your next stop after Check Out Our are partying at your What most would look for Lakes, dating back to the wooden booths, vintage cowboy hat, holding the this destination is Orianna neighbor’s house, only in a sports bar. mid-1800's. If this place has Live Music Schedule popcorn machine, and a door for me, said "Howdy!" House"? Kinda freaked me there's a cash bar. ghosts, they probably have freaking bowling machine!! out on the way there. an Irish accent. Pretty much everything I Sundays want out of a dive bar, and I love old school dive bars. Karaoke hosted by Natalie (Now 9:00 to 1:00) $0.50 Wings (dine-in only) Super Power Hour From Open - 8:00 P.M. FARMERS' MARKET SEASON $3.50 Well Drinks IS UPON US! $3.50 Bud Light Drafts Countryside Conservancy is excited for both of its popular outdoor 4040 Riverview Rd, Peninsula, in Cuyahoga Valley National markets to be returning. Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Park. Countryside Farmers’ Market at Highland Square Meadow will open for the season on Saturday, May 7th and will is located on the corner of West Market Street and HAPPY Hour feature over 70 vendors offering a wide selection Conger Avenue. Countryside Farmers' Markets are free Monday through Friday of local food. The market recurs every Saturday and open to the public. For purchases, customers may from 9 am to noon and runs through October 29th. use cash, check, credit card, or the Ohio Direction Card. Until 8pm Countryside Farmers’ Market at Highland Square will Ohio Direction Card holders are also eligible for Carrot feature 18 vendors, the popular Countryside Kids Cash, a program that provides matching funds for purchases Monday through Friday program and rotating community activities. Opening of fresh fruit and vegetables. open at 2pm day at Highland Square is May 19th and will be Saturday & Sunday celebrated with live music; market hours are 4pm to For more information on Countryside Farmers’ Markets, visit open at 12:30 7pm every Thursday through September 29th. cvcountryside.org. Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow is located at 549 W Market St, Akron Phone: (330) 376-8307 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE food & Drink

aparnie’s public house LADY BEER DRINKER Elegantly Casual Dining featuring Modern Twists on Your Favorite Comfort Foods and Classic Cocktails words and photos by Emily Anderson

1682 W. Market St As many of you are probably already aware, I asked him to chat with me a bit and here's at Westgate Plaza the Ohio Brewing Company is up and running what I learned: in Akron at their new Highland Square location. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you really should. Chris founded the OBC in 1997 in Niles, Ohio 330-867-0154 The brewpub features 20 taps of high-quality with his brother. He was inspired to open a craft beer, half of which are OBC beers made brewery by his love for beer, home brewing, Open 7 days a week fresh in-house. The liquor selection is wide, with 11:00am-2:30am signature cocktails like the OBC Manhattan on Chris Verich standing with his brewing equipment the menu. I’m not a wine drinker so I won’t judge the choices, but they looked pretty cool. and world traveling. After a few years, the You can get a ﬂ ight of beer for $9, and tasters brewery was moved from Niles to Youngstown has Cardinal Ale in it. The urinals are made TRY ONE OF OUR of bourbon are always available. The food and Chris was bought out by his partners in from repurposed kegs. menu is full of hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, 2004. Chris opened OBC again in 2008, this WESTGATE PLAZA PIZZA, and original appetizers like beet chips time in Akron, and after that location closed Big plans this summer include lots of traveling with garlic aioli. and OBC beers were produced “gypsy style” the country for beer competitions, live music RESTAURANTS! for a few years with the help of other local from local bands at the brew pub, opening the If you’re like me, everything I mentioned breweries like Platform in Cleveland. The patio, and a walk-up pizza window that will above sounds like a pretty sweet deal, but you new location comes with new ideas and a serve extra-large pizza slices after 10pm. have some questions about the Ohio Brewing slightly different vibe. He was convincing and Company. Like, Is this the same OBC as the old enthusiastic about his business plan. Chris not only runs this operation, he is also one? Are the owners the same? What’s the a State Representative. Some social media deal with the pizza? Is this an environmentally The goal is simple – provide the people of accounts from previous OBC operations still and socially conscious business that I should Akron with good, homemade beer and food exist, but the Facebook page is current and tap support? in a fun, cool environment. Chris says that this updates are posted daily. I for one am thankful smaller operation gives him the opportunity to have a little brewery down the street from Thinking about these things as I ate a blue to be more eclectic and try more things. He my apartment and I hope Chris enjoys sweet cheese burger with a tall O’Hoppy Ale at the has a passion for classic styles, but uses local success at this location. Cheers! Akron’s Home OBC one day, a man walked up to me and ingredients in his food and beer whenever // Emily Anderson isn’t afraid to ask the tough of the All Day asked me how everything was. Turns out this possible. The pizza dough is made with spent questions after a few beers. Find her on Twitter Breakfast man was Chris Verich and he runs the place. grain from the brewing process, and the sauce @ohiobeergirl featuring a Bloody Mary Name: Julie Corl Bar: Frank's Place on Market Menu, Mimosas Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y. and much more... What was your ﬁ rst night like? “The bosses bossed me around and it went well. 1688 W. Market St ...At some point, a guy changed his shorts at the bar.” at Westgate Plaza Best tip you ever received? "Always wait 30 minutes after eating, before swimming."

in Akron Good or bad, what is the one thing you wouldn't have known if you weren't a bartender? "Gin cleans glasses the best." 330-867-1114 Where do you go when you are not at work? "Globetrotting, I travel as much as I

Open 7 days a week behind the bar 6:30am-3:00pm can. Recently, Florida." Sundays Do you have a signature drink? "Blackberry bourbon lemonade" 8:00am-3:00pm WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM 39 ACID CATS AND SNARKY PUPPY GET ALONG ON STAGE

42 ON STAGE WITH ... THE GOT IT GOT IT NEED IT music & entertainment 43 THE DREEMERS AKRON’S MUSIC SCENE GO ON THE RECORD LIVE@LOCK4 On May 19, The Devil Strip is launching Live at Lock 4, a local music showcase every third Thursday from May to September in one of Akron's most unique spaces. Thanks to the good folks at the City of Akron and Lock LADY BEER DRINKER 3, there'll be food trucks, craft beer (Thirsty Dog in the house!), yard games like cornhole and a giant Jenga, and a few other surprises from 5 pm to 10 pm. We get started every month with DJ Roger Riddle on the 1s and 2s, followed by two bands, including Jeff Klemm & the Letters, Jul Big Green, Rebekah Jean, the Gage Brothers, Michael Black, The Beyonderers, Gretchen Pleuss and a words and photos by Emily Anderson few others. For details, visit us at thedevilstrip.com (PHOTO: Shane Wynn/AkronStock.com)

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 37 music & entertainment

é Lenz performs his own original compositions, theatrical, highly skilled prog rock playing, as well as classics of American roots, blues and Musica is the place to be. Chicago’s District country. Admission is free. 97 is making a stop in Akron as part of their European/Eastern U.S. tour in support of è By Light We Loom, their new album, “In Vaults.” Local musicians The Dreemers (CD Release) Axon-Neuron will also be performing tracks off Friday, May 13 at Jilly’s Music Room, of their latest release, “Metamorphosis,” an 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. exciting double-disc album featuring a 21-piece Celebrate the release of Akron rock ‘n’ roll band orchestra. The lineup continues with Akron’s The Dreemers’ new EP (reviewed in this issue; Figurehead and Titles from Detroit. Tickets cost see pg. 43) at Jilly’s Music Room. Cleveland $10 or $12 for attendees under 21. husband and wife indie-pop duo By Light We Loom will perform at 6:30, followed by The ‹ Rubber City Beatlefest Photo by Scott Green Dreemers and a special guest at 9 p.m. $5 cover Saturday, May 21 at for those under 21. Akron Civic Theatre, 6:30 p.m. ë This year’s tribute to the greatest band of all ê David Mayfield, Mo’ Mojo time features an exhibit of the work of rock Saturday, May 14 at photographer George Shuba and performances Jilly’s Music Room, 5:30 p.m. by The Liverpool Lads, The ReBeats and Hard Originally hailing from Kent, David Mayfield has Day’s Night. Tickets are available at AkronCivic. established himself as one of the most original com for $25. Americana performers on the scene. Now residing in Nashville, Mayfield has spent the last ‹ Benefit concert for CANAPI, å several years performing with the likes of The feat. Tatsuya Nagashima è Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, and dozens Tuesday, May 24 at Pub Bricco, 6:30 p.m. of celebrated musicians at Bonnaroo. Joining Pub Bricco hosts its annual fundraiser for the Mayfield on the bill is female-fronted zydeco Community AIDS Network/Akron Pride Initiative group Mo’ Mojo, who have been a standout featuring a performance by Tatsuya Nagashima. for their big-band sound and reggae, Cajun and A renowned classical pianist, Nagashima has funk influences. Admission is free. performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center ê in New York City, as well as throughout the ‹ Sports, Harbor, GHOST SLIME, world. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased From Borealis over the phone or in person at Pub Bricco. Monday, May 15 at It’s a Kling Thing! House, 7 p.m. If you dig the post/math rock sound of local trio From Borealis, you won’t want to miss ç í this cohesive lineup of dreamy alternative soundscapes. Sports, residing in Boston, and Chantanooga, Tenn. players Harbor join From Borealis and GHOST SLIME for a basement party at your favorite venue for house shows. Suggested admission is $5. ‹ CityCop, Gillian Carter, Theby Andrew Leask &Devil’s Brittany Nader Wallcreeper, Sorry Dozen Wednesday, May 18 at å EarthQuaker Devices Presents: introduce a few surprises, including a new lead Fool Mansion, 7 p.m. Imarhan, Relaxer, Obnox, Original guitarist and just-inked songs sure to move you. Midway through the band’s spring tour, Gillian Soundtrack Admission is free. Carter swings by Akron to rattle the walls with Live & Local Friday, May 6 at Musica, 8 p.m. attention-grabbing screamo and loud, fast The Gage Brothers For more than a decade, EarthQuaker Devices é Radical Brass Night, feat. beats. Local hardcore punk outfits CityCop and w/ Veseria and Gretchen Pleuss has produced guitar pedals for some of the Detroit Party Marching Band, Wallcreeper keep the energy going, while Drew Saturday, May 21 at 9 PM, Musica most exciting and legendary artists of our All Over The Place, Environmental Baker, under the moniker sorry., brings things Akron-born, Akron-lovin’ brothers Ben and time. The local biz presents a special event Encroachment, Detroit down a notch with his unique blend of lo-fi Zach, of the eponymous Gage Brothers, are downtown, introducing locals to Algerian desert Pleasure Society sadpop. Suggested admission is $5. coming home, fresh off a Cleveland gig (and a rock band, Imarhan, who are making Akron Friday, May 6 at Hive Mind, 8 p.m. TV appearance on Fox 8) with the Speedbumps. their initial stop in their first-ever U.S. tour. Also Where else will you find a guerilla marching ë Mint Condition This time, the quartet (two brothers, two on the bill are Northeast Ohio favorites Relaxer, band, bebop, ska, performance art and a Friday, May 20 & Saturday, May 21 at others — Chris Volpe and Brendan O’Malley) Obnox and Original Soundtrack, who bring magic circus bunny band all in one place? The Tangier, 8:30, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. headlines Musica with their face-melting an eclectic range of rock ‘n’ roll to the Rubber Expect a vivacious evening full of horns, eclectic Mint Condition had their first success with original Americana stylings. They’re joined by City. Admission costs $10, which also includes a improvisation and plenty of boogying from 1991’s “Breakin My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” the Devil Strip-reviewed-and-approved local raffle ticket for a chance to win your very own musicians based out of Chicago, Detroit and and have been churning out R&B hits ever Gretchen Pleuss, as well as Veseria, an indie EQD pedal. Northeast Ohio. Suggested admission is $5 at since, working with music legends like Toni rock band from Indy, Indianapolis. This is an all- the door. Braxton along the way. Tickets cost $55 and ages show that’ll only set you back a Hamilton, ç Tall Tales of Akron up and can be purchased in advance at unless you’re under 21 in which case you pay Friday, May 6 at Uncorked Wine Bar, 8 p.m. ‹ Mike Lenz Band TheTangier.com. $2 extra. For details, visit the damn show. Unwind at Uncorked with a glass of wine and Thursday, May 12 at The Tasting Room Seriously, go have a good time so you can be the rock-tinged folk harmonies of Tall Tales of at Hoppin’ Frog, 8 p.m. í District 97, Axon-Neuron, the person who gives your friends the details Akron. Lean back and let your shoulders sway. Knock back a few beers at one of Ohio’s best Titles, Figurehead when they start asking questions about your It’s as relaxing an end to your workweek as breweries while listening to the stripped-down Friday, May 20 at Musica, 8 p.m. new obsession with the Gage Brothers. you’re ever going to find. The group may even sound of blues multi-instrumentalist Mike Lenz. If you’re in the mood for some complex,

38 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM music & entertainment ANNABELL'S & Z.E.R.O.S RESURRECT THE AKRON Acid Cats photo by Luis Arocho Jr. Acid Cats photo by Luis Arocho

Make like the undead on May 14 ACID CATS JOIN SNARKY PUPPY at Annabell's for the Akron Zombie Walk. Admission is just $5 and two nonperishable BRINGING UNIQUE JAZZ STYLES TO CLEVELAND food itemsat the door. All proceeds beneﬁ t the Akron/Canton Food Bank. by Clay Chabola (Additional make-up costs are separate.) Doors open at 12:30 pm. The Zombie Walk starts at 4:30 pm The Acid Cats are one of the funkiest bands in “I’ve always told musicians that if you want to with buffet and live bands to follow. Visit the Annabell's page on Facebook for Akron, and they are playing a sold-out show get better that you should play in styles that more info at facebook.com/akronannabells. with the Grammy-nominated supergroup, you aren’t comfortable with,” Tibbs says. “I Snarky Puppy, at the Beachland Ballroom and think even Miles [Davis] said something like, Photo courtesy of Paul Hoffman Photography/paulhoffmanphoto.com Tavern on May 9. The Acid Cats — composed ‘You need to decorate your room with different of Justin Tibbs (sax), Michael Vincent (guitar/ genres of music.’” Fri 5/6 Accidental Seabirds keyboard), Cameron Bickley (drums), Blaine Klein (steel pan), Tommy Lehman (trumpet/ This is a huge show for the Acid Cats, and will Sat 5/7 Big Big Mess (early) followed by Lazy Ass Destroyer, vocals/organ) and Zachary Wolfe Nagi-Schehl serve to promote the ever-increasing lineup of Automatic Evolution (bass) — bring their own unique style to the talented musicians that Akron is dripping with acid jazz scene. They are a talented group that at the moment. Tibbs thinks the scene in Akron have been playing around Akron for a while, is only getting better, and calls Akron “the Thu 5/12 The Painbirds, Punch Drunk Tagalongs, Birthday Noose and they are ready to pump up the crowd at next Nashville.” There are tons of great shows the Beachland for the Snarky Puppy pre- and happening in Akron all of the time, and the Fri 5/13 Enhailer, Iron Jaw Guru post-party. scene has never been stronger.

I recently sat down with Tibbs and Vincent at “That’s why I think Akron is very unique,” Sat 5/14 FEDS / ZOMBIE WALK, Time Has Come, Smash N Grab the Mustard Seed Cafe in Highland Square, Tibbs says. “Because you have the niche where and they were both unquestionably excited you have jazz musicians, rock musicians, punk Tues 5/17 Lost In Society about getting to perform with Snarky Puppy. musicians, country musicians, and we all Vincent and Wolfe Nagi-Schehl play in another intermingle with each other.” Wed 5/18 The Misery Jackals, The Imperial Rooster group called Broccoli Samurai, a progressive electronica band created in Cleveland, and one The Acid Cats have events coming up next of the members helped to book the Acid Cats month at The Mustard Seed Cafe in Highland Fri 5/20 Aaron Novak's Birthday Show: Worship This!, at the Beachland Ballroom. Vincent said that Square, Neuvo in downtown Akron, and they Shitty Neighbors, Heart Attack Man, House of Wills they lucked into the gig at the Beachland, but are playing a dual show with Jon Ingram’s they are an immensely skilled group, and I truly Slugfest at the Stone Tavern in Kent in June. If Sat 5/21 THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOSERS LAST SHOW EVER believe that they orchestrated this opportunity you haven’t heard any of their albums, I highly themselves. recommend heading over to their Bandcamp page, acidcats.bandcamp.com, to check Tues 5/23 Weird Penis, Eviction Party, Some Kind of Nightmare, This is just the tip of the iceberg for what The them out. You can also ﬁ nd out more info - Thu 5/26 Feral Children, Neil & The McGangbangs Acid Cats are capable of and where they are about upcoming gigs on their Facebook page, taking the Akron music scene. Each player’s Facebook.com/AkronAcidCats. If you want to Fri 5/27 The Arbitration, Violent Troubadours, diverse range of skills, backgrounds and stay cool this spring, you need to turn up the inﬂ uences has played a role in their continued A/C: the Acid Cats. The Abstract, Sleepjacket success. Sharing the stage with such a uniquely // Clay Chabola is musician in Akron and eventually progressive fusion band like Snarky Puppy is a wants to become a grownup someday. Sat 5/28 Sarah Lovelace Birthday Party: no-brainer, considering how much Acid Cats’ The Brothers Band, Northern Gold style blends genres, decades and styles. Tues 5/31 Honeytomb AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE music & entertainment Akron Apex of ENTERTAINMENT Standing Room å Six Akron Area Bands You Should Know

INTIMATE PRFORMANCE SPACE, TOURING ARTISTS å Backtalk a smaller group, made up of highly active, & LOCAL SONGWRITERS “DIY OR DIE,” once the mantra of the prolifi c Akron-based musical masters. Vincent aggro hardcore/punk rock scene, has been recently performed at Jilly’s Music Room with adopted by a new sect of local indie rockers local jazz players Max Brady on trombone, and emo projects. Backtalk released a split Matthew DeRubertis on bass and Holbrook ç MAY 6 six-song EP with Cleveland doomy hardcore Riles on drums. The trio’s fusion of jazz, soul IMARHAN W/ band Anxieties, the result of which is was and funk was a perfect fi t for the venue, RELAXER * OBNOX * made possible through the help of Flowerpot lighting up downtown with red-hot tunes ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK Records, friends and local supporters. While from this new group of collaborators. If there’s Anxieties’ sound is heavy, dense, and accented one thing the Akron music scene defi nitely with pained yowls and words of anger, isn’t lacking, it’s incredible jazz played by a MAY 7 Backtalk’s tracks play the role of the fresh and diverse group of skilled performers. Vincent’s LOCAL H - AS GOOD AS DEAD welcomed opposition. Described as “the good trio is certainly one to watch this year. 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR! and evil sides of the Midwest,” Backtalk’s Akron infl uences serve as the more emotive heart of the new release. The duo consists Yokai MAY 12 ê of Jack Johnson on vocals and guitar, along Akron’s punk rock roots run deep, and PRESTON FRANK W/ MO MOJO with drummer Ryan Brown, and can be found devout listeners still come out in droves to online at Facebook.com/backtalkoh. experience loud, fast playing and on-stage MAY 13 shenanigans at live shows around the city. The MAURA ROGERS & THE BELLOWS sound has been embraced and reinvented by W/ THE HELP & THE HAND ç Mildrid several bands thriving from the magic of this é Solo artist Mildrid’s angelic acoustic tunes are a deafening music. Like a car crash just outside breath of fresh air in the Northeast Ohio scene. your window, Yokai aim to make ears bleed in MAY 14 Her cherubic voice and melancholy chords the best of ways with loud, heavy tunes like ROYAL VASA chime out songs of longing, loneliness and “BlackMedicine” and “Underwater.” The trio the ever-changing qualities of Ohio that have consists of Chris Brown, Eric Starr and Paul MAY 20 inspired much of her original demos. Her cover Hooper and can often be found tearing up the DISTRICT 97 & AXON NEURON of Julian Baker’s “Go Home,” is a standout, stage at Annabell’s. Check ‘em out online at with a captivating voice that aches out words Yokai.rocks. like, “There’s more whiskey than blood in my MAY 21 veins,” painting a portrait of hard drinking and THE GROW WILD TOUR the anxiety of being alone. Mildrid will play a ë The Conway Brothers Trio (4:00PM SHOW) house show at Akron’s Fool Mansion Sunday, Inspired by that good, old-fashioned ‘60s and May 15. Hear her hushed and effortless demos ‘70s soul, Corey and Dylan Conway add a MAY 21 now at Mildrid.bandcamp.com. fresh funk fl avor to songs infl uenced by the THE GAGE BROTHERS W/ likes of Freddie King and The Meters. Local VESERIA & GRETCHEN PLEUSS bass players Spencer Cutlip and Steve Clark (9:00PM SHOW) è é Husbands & Wives have fl eshed out the brothers’ sound over the With solid pop hooks, dynamic years at venues like Jilly’s, Empire Concert Club MAY 26 instrumentation and guitar-driven melodies, and the Riverfront in Cuyahoga Falls. Though ANAMANAGUCHI Husbands & Wives’ sound is nothing short of few in members, the rich, blues-soaked tunes W/ LINDSAY LOWEND addictive. Think the Britpop revival meets mid- fi ll the Rubber City, adding a little spice and 2000s garage rock with catchy Replacements/ zest to our humble home. Keep up with MAY 27 Big Star-inspired melodies tossed in for good The Conway Brothers Trio’s news, shows A CONCERT FOR measure. The trio debuted new material at and recording updates at Facebook.com/ THE STEEL ANGELS Annabell’s back in March and is in the process TheConwayBrothersTrio. of releasing a new recording, a follow-up ê to their debut album, “Prepare to Meet Thy MAY 28 God.” Marc Dottavio, Tony Scarpitti and Brian // Photos courtesy of the artists; Husbands & Wives OLDBOY / JOHN PATRICK photo courtesy of Rob Quicci; Michael Vincent photo McCoy’s unforgettable original tunes can be & THE OUTSIDE VOICES W/ courtesy of McKenzie Beynon. THE MOXIE COLLECT found online at Husbandsandwives.net.

è Michael Vincent Group MUSICA Noted in the local music scene for his groovin’ 51 E. MARKET ST. guitar playing with festival favorites Broccoli ë AKRON, OH 44308 Samurai, Michael Vincent has put together LIVEATMUSICA.COM WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM music & entertainment Celebrate a Month of May Bass Madness Highland Square at Pub Bricco LIVE MUSIC by Brittany Nader LINEUP If you are searching for a place to relax, unwind and experience live jazz in an Sunday, 5/1 • 12 – 3pm intimate setting, you’re certainly in the right city. Weekends in Akron provide Sonny Moorman – the perfect opportunity for couples and groups to be serenaded with the cool, Blues Guitar &Vocals smooth sounds of horns, bass, drums and guitar from highly skilled local musicians. While downtown may be regarded as the epicenter of jazz performance around Cinco de Mayo Celebration these parts, the Valley on Wednesday nights is often the best place to go to Thursday, 5/5 • 6pm – 9pm discover some of the most proﬁ cient, masterly playing to get you over the Pete Cavano – hump of the work week. Pub Bricco’s small and charming Jazz Room, Acoustic Guitar part of the None Too Fragile theatre in the back of the restaurant, Prince Tribute Concert has been a hidden gem of sorts, hosting some of the greatest music in the area, from gypsy jazz to acid jazz rock and Friday, 5/6 • 9pm – Midnight Zach & The Bright Lights – bombastic jazz vocalists. Soul & Inspiring Indie Folk-Rock This month, Pub Bricco will hold a special concert series spotlighting several of the very best jazz bass Saturday, 5/7 • 9pm – Midnight players in or from the region. Owner David Glenny said Ray Flanagan & The the idea for the themed performances came about Authorities – Roots Rock when he had the opportunity to book Mike Forﬁ a, an Akron native who currently resides in New York, who Sunday, 5/8 • 12 – 3pm is one of the most accomplished and versatile upright Ted Yoder – Folk and electric bass players from the area.

Friday, 5/13 • 8pm – 11pm As a performer and educator, Forﬁ a says his “aim is to Jazz Shepherds – Jazz present media that evokes a passion for social change.” He was recently awarded Arts Leadership Program 1 Year Anniversary Celebration funding from the Eastman School of Music at the Saturday, 5/14 • 9pm – Midnight University of Rochester, which will allow him to intern F5 – Rock & Roll at St. Peter’s, “The First Church of Jazz,” in New York (conitnued on page 45) Sunday, 5/15 • 12 – 3pm Little Steve-O Blues Duo – Blues We can rattle off the sights, smells and tastes of Akron, no problem. But the sounds of Akron? Friday, 5/20 • 9pm – Midnight That’s a tad trickier. The Akron Symphony Umojah Nation – Reggae Orchestra commissioned, with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Saturday, 5/21 • 9pm – Midnight Sounds Like Home composer Clint Needham to capture the sounds Soulshine – Blues & Rock of our fair city. Needham, a Texas native, posed the question to Akronites. Many people said Sunday, 5/22 • 12 – 3pm The Akron Symphony nature, blimps and cars driving on brick-paved Jen & Anthony – streets, Needham told the audience at the Blues, Jazz, & Old-Time Orchestra crowdsourced world premier of Sounds of Akron: City meets Symphony on April 16 at EJ Thomas Hall. Many everyday sounds of Friday, 5/27 • 9pm – Midnight Akron to compose a more submitted sounds of laughter, children The Jen Maurer Project – playing in the yard and people singing through Original Roots unique piece of music. the Sounds of Akron smartphone app. Saturday, 5/28 • 9pm – Midnight words and photos by Nicole Stempak “You sent me not just a lot of city sounds,” Ahi-Nama – Needham said. “You sent me a lot of heart.” Akron’s Only Live Salsa Band He went on to say, “Composing the Sounds of Akron: City Meets Symphony was a journey of Sunday, 5/29 • 12 – 3pm Akron, a little pastoral to industrial to present Ryan Humbert – day. I’ve sure enjoyed getting to know you as a Americana, Pop & Rock city. I hope I’ve done you proud.” *NO COVER CHARGE

Akron Symphony Orchestra photo courtesy HIGHLAND SQUARE: of Nicole Stempak. 867 West Market Street Akron, Ohio, 44303 • 330-434-7333 www.MustardSeedMarket.com AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE music & entertainment

The Got It Got It Need It, an Akron/Canton- his guitar to work out the guitar and vocals based blues-hard-rock band, recently recorded parts, which he then records with an app on its second EP with John King at RealGrey his phone so that he can remember them. He Records in Canton. will then either email the ideas to the other On Stage with >> members of the band or bring the recordings “It was a small room with really big ceiling, and to practice for the other members to get the it sounds perfect in there,” vocalist and guitarist idea, so they can ﬁ gure out the song together. Jason Goodwin says. “We came in with a However, while songwriting and practicing are certain idea, and John was down with that idea. necessary, he really enjoys performing for a live We wanted to record live — we wanted to have audience. it sound like when we perform. [John] kept up with how fast we wanted to move, how quickly “When we’re writing and practicing, I’m really we wanted to record, and he was very open to lighthearted and open to ideas and really our ideas.” thinking about working and stuff like that, but on stage I am a different animal. Like, believe it The three-song EP, titled “The Villain” after its or not, I’m a pretty big dude, like almost seven featured track, has no release foot tall and 300 pounds, but date yet and is currently being when I’m on stage, I’m jumping mixed and mastered. According around that stage,” he says. to Goodwin — who goes by “The only reason why when we Jaybird Goodie when on stage — play Musica I’m not on those they plan to release it as soon as subwoofers on the sides of the possible and then build up to a stage is because I have to sing. full-length album in the next year It becomes an adrenaline rush, or so. He explained the appeal of so I’m not even seeing the room releasing an EP, which is a popular anymore — I’m not even feeling format for bands right now. the ground.”

“I think it has to do with people’s Goodwin thinks the Northeast attention spans,” Goodwin says. Ohio music scene is a good place “Some people are still buying to be a fan of music, comparable LPs, but a lot of people are just to that of Nashville, Tenn., New By Gabe Gott listening to things from Spotify Orleans or Austin, Texas. or iTunes or um, Bandcamp, and they just want to hear, like, a “I like that there’s rock ‘n’ roll little bit, you know? It’s a good fans. You know, there’s always thing and it’s a bad thing. It’s a people that like hip-hop and good thing that they’re at least R&B, and of course there’s going to listen to something, but always a big country crowd the bad thing is, being an artist, around here,” he says. “But I want to show them my whole there’s people out there that palette of what I’m doing. But, if want to go out on a Friday and three songs, or fi ve songs, is their Saturday night, or any night of attention span, if it is what they the week, and they want to see want to hear and they’ll enjoy, a live rock ‘n’ roll band play, and then that’s what we’ll do — and they don’t care — they want to it’s mostly cost-effective.” see local and see what you’ve got, kind of thing, which is very The Got It Got It Need It started rare. People don’t know how as a duo with Goodwin and lucky we are. You can a good friend, who have since gone their go and see something pretty decent almost separate ways, and is now a four-piece with every weekend.” Goodwin, Josh Garrett on guitar, Dustin DeMattio on drums and, the most recent The Got It Got It Need It recently shared addition, Reed Parker on bass. Goodwin Musica’s stage with Southern Ohio’s Buffalo describes the band’s sound with the current Killers (whose 2008 album, “Let It Ride,” was lineup as being “less jazzy and bluesy and more produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach), just straight-ahead rock.” The band’s fi rst EP, and on June 11 will be opening for Nashville- appropriately titled “First EP,” was released last based rock band Simo, whose members are June with the original lineup, but Goodwin currently on a national tour. is excited for the new one, as it features this thicker, fuller version of the band. “This is fun. This band has been together for fi ve years,” Goodwin says. ““I am the longest “[The fi rst EP] took a really long time, and lasting member, and this is the most fun it’s we recorded it in a step-by-step process,” he ever been. You know, the songs are really good, explains. “I was happy with it at the time, but the performances are really spot on — there are it’s just that the next one that’s coming out will worse things that I could be doing with blow the old one away.” my time.”

Goodwin is the band’s main songwriter, and // Gabe Gott was born during a showing of "This is he describes his creative process as being “the Spinal Tap," and has been a music fan ever since. His usual process.” He generally sits down with amps also go up to 11.

42 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM music & entertainment

Carrying on The Akron Sound, The Dreemers Debut EP ‘Is Is’ Leaves You Wanting More ON THE RECORD: by Gabe Gott If you have seen The Dreemers play around the fi rst single, is also the fi rst track on the set. area over the past year or so, then you, like me, The six-plus minute song goes by quickly, and have probably been eagerly anticipating the you fi nd yourself wanting it to keep going (if East Akron group’s fi rst offi cial recording. not for the rest of the songs). It immediately captures your attention with a reverb-soaked, On Record Store Day this past April 16, the blues-tinged guitar line, which the bass and band gave us a taste in the form of a released drums pick up for a short moment, then single. However, on May 13, the trio, comprised switches gears when the main riff — which is of Benjamin Patrick on vocals and guitar (and reminiscent of the tight grooves of DEVO — a little drums), Robert Keith on bass and vocals takes over, and Patrick and Keith begin their and Natalie Grieshammer on drums and vocals, dual vocal exchanges. will be releasing their debut EP, “Is Is,” which contains the single, “little Asian Things,” and The lyrics are delightfully quirky, and you can’t three other songs those familiar with their live help but sing along to the chorus: “Little set will also recognize. If you aren’t familiar with Asian Things, Little Asian Things, Little Asian it, then you are in for a treat. Little Things.” I’ll let you decide on your own interpretation of what they’re singing about. As fans of the band already know, The Dreemers sound is distinct and original, yet Just when you think the song is over, it is only familiar, all at once, and that is captured well really about half through, but that’s OK because on this debut. A listener can pick out a variety what follows is a big part of what makes this of infl uences from garage soul and surf to the song so interesting. The trio really gets a chance more new wave side of punk (à la The Talking to jam out and play around with the sounds Heads), with a healthy dose of the Akron Sound and the rhythms of the song. thrown in the mix. The next track, “If I Were Older,” is another fun “Little Asian Things,” in addition to being the (continued on page 46)

Hollow Bone Records would like to thank everybody who came out and supported us on Record Store Day 2016.

We pay cash for Vintage Vinyl Located at: 2721 W. Market St. Fairlawn, OH 44333 (234)334-7484

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 43 music & entertainment

(Dermot Mulroney) in a tragic auto accident. an emotional onion, peeling back one layer at The solitude of her luxurious family estate, the a time. India feels like a girl whose world has peace of her tranquil town and the unspoken just crumbled down around her and, perhaps, a somberness of her home life are suddenly piece of herself has died with her father. There's upended by not only this mysterious accident, so much within the way Wasikowska performs but also by the sudden arrival of her Uncle this character that is reminiscent of the silent Charlie (Matthew Goode), whom she never pictures era of fi lm. Her character proves MAMA MIA even knew existed. When Charlie moves in with that actions speak louder than words, and it her and her emotionally unstable mother, Evie makes for a very hypnotizing, scene-stealing (Nicole Kidman), India thinks the void left by performance. She doesn't just shine going blow FILM FREAK her father's death is fi nally being fi lled by his for blow with on-screen mother Kidman, closest bloodline. Soon after his arrival, India but their brilliant interactions and on-screen comes to suspect that this mysterious, charming chemistry provide a symbolic passing of the man has ulterior motives. Yet, instead of feeling torch for the majestic Wasikowska. outrage or horror, this friendless young woman by Chris Kessinger (The Film Freak) becomes increasingly infatuated with him. This There's also a lot of deeper meaning below dangerous game of cat and mouse has India some of the tense and claustrophobic feelings s far as acting chameleons go, Mia Alice Kingsleigh and fall into Wonderland in discovering things about herself she never (continued on page 45) Wasikowska plays a magically diverse “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” envisioned she was capable of. Arange of characters over the course of her career. Unbelievably, in just 12 years on However, not everything has been sunshine and If reading the plot to "Stoker" doesn't make the silver screen, the 26-year-old Australian has talking hatters for the Aussie. To understand you feel awkward enough, the dark and carved a reputation for being a quiet storm of why she's so great as a childlike adult who ominous atmospheric tones for the movie sorts in the roles she takes on. Her characters’ refuses to ever grow up, you must fi rst witness will. Park's fi lms always view the world as an hushed personalities offer just enough mystery the darker side to this stigma. Lets check out unforgiving place, and "Stoker" is certainly behind the sort of seductive smiles that leave one of the most astonishingly deranged fi lms I no different. His use of silence and the effect us wanting more. That's when the real genius have ever seen. it has on character, mood and composition of her spell takes place. Through playing really serve as a delightful strength to the fi lm's opposite of some of Hollywood's hardest STOKER (2013) growing cloud of caution. This is a family with hitters, Wasikowska time and time again steals Chan-Wook Park's North American directorial a tortured past that really comes back to haunt the show from the very best because of her debut centers around brash family motives them in the present day. We as an audience get undeniable emotional depth and ability to embraced by mysterious characters. India Stoker the feeling that anything is possible within the get lost in every character. Beginning May 27, (Mia Wasikowska) is emotionally reeling after enigmatic psyches of our main characters. Most Wasikowska will once again reprise her role as the death of her father and best friend Richard notably in India, who Wasikowska develops as

44 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM MISC.

(continued from page 44) (continued from page 20) of India's experiences with Charlie that is easy to pick up on. One can translate India's awakening externally as a sort of modern-day, growing-up tale when the child becomes the adult. There's certainly enough evidence to support this in India's daily wardrobe, suited to look like an early 20th-century schoolgirl. We see a couple of times in the movie where she is handled and treated like a fragile little girl, despite her look and age being a completely ê Food Truck Frenzy and different telling. One scene in particular Food Truck Fridays showcases Charlie tying India's shoes for her Friday, May 13 kick-off event, 4-8 pm so that she doesn't fall. Scenes like this and Every Friday May 20 through Sept 2, the subtext of one character standing higher 11:30 am-1 pm than the other on a staircase more than In the CG&FS parking lot facing East Market communicate to the audience the kind of Small Business Chronicles problem and are hoping we can help them fi nd Street at the corner of North Forge Street adolescent coming-of-age tale that screenwriter (continued from page 27) the parts they need and give them advice on Wentworth Miller (Yes, of TV's "Prison Break" is just here and has been for years. We also how to fi x the problem. We spend time with They are back! Food trucks are serving to help fame) was trying to tell. It's a transformation do some salvage, though not as much as we them, giving them the right instructions. You our kids. Child Guidance & Family Solutions that the audience can believe in, if only for the used to. Overall, we keep our inventory small can’t be sure of getting that sort of service at a (CG&FS) and food truck chefs are partnering wellbeing of India's mental stability. as we can. The big box stores can carry every big box hardware store. And if we can’t help, again to bring the best of ‘street food’ to type of electric hardware you can imagine. we have a list of trade people that we trust who Akron for the summer. This is the third year for "Stoker" is a beautifully twisted story, artfully We just carry a few but it’s the few that the we recommend.” Food Truck Fridays and the trucks and the staff composed and fi ercely performed. This fi lm neighborhood seems to need.” at CG&FS are excited for the summer eating triumphs as a hyper-visual gothic masterpiece “It is a challenge competing with the big guys season to begin. that can't be missed. At the helm is a Good service must be a part of any small but we have a pretty loyal customer base that spellbinding performance from Wasikowska, business’ strategy and West Hill Hardware is seem to like what we’re doing, so I guess we’ll Favorite trucks will be returning – OrangeTruk, who executes a psychological storm of no exception. Vern Christian describes the stay at it for the time being,” says Tschantz. Wholly Frijoles, Manna Truck, Firetruck Pizza, emotional depth years ahead of her prime. personal touch that all West Hill Hardware Stone Pelican, The Spread, Beachcomber, customers receive: “About half our customers West Akron residents, and beyond, hope Swenson’s, and Popsmith; joined by new trucks Find more fi lm reviews by Chris Kessinger, The know what they need when they come in. The that West Hill Hardware stays at it for at least that include to-date Lobster Louie’s, Betty’s Film Freak at thefi lmfreak.com other half don’t have any idea. They have a another eight decades. Bomb A** Burgers, The Slop Truck, Hunger Squad and ForkfulTruck. Each week there will be a selection of 4-5 trucks offering a variety The Wanderer Bass Madness at Pub Bricco Maria Jacobs at Blu Jazz+ and performs at Pub of tasty lunchtime choices. Check the CG&FS (continued from page 31) (continued form page 41) Bricco May 4 to kick off the May Bass Madness website or Akron Food Truck Fridays Facebook Mary and I sat and chatted, she told me about City and develop new initiatives in jazz series. Glenny says he doesn’t have plans for page to see which trucks will be there each the renovations of the Front Porch that had programming, education and local and global any additional themed events just yet but tries week. Rain or shine, they will be serving the concluded earlier this year, we talked about outreach efforts. Glenny says Forfi a will bring a to keep his options open. In this circumstance, best of truck food – tailgate and eat it there writing, about our love for Akron. Somewhere trio from Rochester with him to the Jazz Room he was lucky to have had such diverse, or pick up enough for your offi ce and take it in the midst of talking, food appeared and I was stage on May 11. established bass players open to hitting the Jazz back. This is some great eating at more-than- grateful. My sandwich was perfectly executed. Room stage this month as they continue their reasonable prices. “Mike Forfi a is rarely available anymore, so varied education, conducting and performing The hoagie roll was crispy and fl aky on the when I have the chance to book him, I do,” with larger groups, ensembles and orchestras. This year, to kick off the Food Truck Friday outside, doughy on the inside, the ideal vehicle Glenny says. “Then, coincidentally, Aidan Plank Glenny says the bass madness will conclude season, CG&FS and the trucks are creating a for pulled pork (the inside will absorb the sauce was headlining for the fi rst time at the Pub, so I with a performance on May 25 by Sausalito, ‘Frenzy’….a Food Truck Frenzy! On May 13th BUT the bun will remain intact due to crust). thought of the theme at that point.” featuring Dorianne Denard and Kyle Magilavy, from 4-8 pm more than a dozen trucks will be The pork itself was tender, totally scrumptious. who are regular staples at Bricco’s Wednesday serving up their specialties, from crab cakes to I love barbecue sauce, though (like anything) in Plank serves as the bassist for the Cleveland jazz nights. tacos, fruit pops to mud cake. moderation. I want to taste the meat and not Jazz Orchestra’s current season and works just the sauce. This pulled pork had literally the as both a performer and composer, having “Their bass player, Johnny, is not normally All the trucks donate a portion of their proceeds perfect sauce to meat ratio; I got tang and kick played for crowds at Carnegie Hall, Severance featured, but they are going to [feature him] to support the work of CG&FS. but I also got that rich, chewy meat. Hall, The Knitting Factory and other notable this night,” Glenny explains. “His claim to fame Since 1939, Child Guidance & Family Solutions venues around the U.S. He, along with pianist is he had never played upright bass – just guitar has been helping our children become healthier, I love food. Food is so much more than Rock Wehrmann, will bring his skills to the – until Kyle Magilavy put an ad on Craigslist our families and our community richer by sustenance, than energy, than even keeping much smaller Pub Bricco stage May 18. Glenny looking for a bass player.” providing mental, emotional, and behavioral us alive. Food has the capacity to make us live, says Plank has performed there in the past healthcare to children and adolescents who to bring us together, to share, to have happy with other groups but reached out in hopes Each May Bass Madness performance begins are suffering. With offi ces in Akron, Barberton, bellies. Because the Front Porch Cafe can use of securing his own gig. From there, Glenny at 7:30 p.m., located at 1841 Merriman Rd. Cuyahoga Falls and Twinsburg, CG&FS works food to do this, I am in awe. spotted a trend of bass players who were Admission is free, and audience members can closely with doctors, hospitals, school districts interested in showcasing their skills as individual enjoy food and beverages from Pub Bricco’s and the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug artists, and he sprung into action to book other expansive menu. More information about the Addiction and Mental Health Services Board accomplished bassists at the venue. restaurant and its Jazz Room can be found at (ADM Board) to provide a safety net of services PubBricco.com. for children who are facing the challenges of “That’s when I reached out to Dan Pappalardo mental, emotional and behavioral health issues. 798 Grant St. Akron, M-F 7 am - 3 pm to continue the theme since he is the young For more information about the programs of and upcoming guy from Oberlin,” he says. Child Guidance & Family Solutions, call CG&FS // Holly Brown is about to fi nish her second year (of at 330-762-0591 or visit cgfs.org. three) at the NEOMFA. She is looking forward to a summer fi lled with long runs, poems, and of course Pappalardo has shared the stage with musicians eating lots of yummies. and vocalists like Russ Nolan, Sam Blakesee and

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 / THE Devil Strip | 45 back of the book Summit ArtSpace UrineLuck: Review NUMBER 2

Are you looking for a place where you can We could hang out in here. Maybe they maybe fall in love and talk about Big Ideas and should add a chair or a cozy loveseat. A small Art and what it means to search for happiness? hammock! Maybe a seat right outside the You think there is no such place in Akron? Dear restroom so people can at least hope to catch Reader, there is! some of the ambiance. We know, we shouldn’t be offering suggestions after such an extensive When we were fi rst invited to Summit bathroom overhaul, but we just can’t help it. ArtSpace’s Loolapalooza, we noted its April The fl ashy fi xtures and artsy additions have 1 date and wondered if we were signing up started us thinking about all the possibilities for a public teepeeing or to be the sad victims bathrooms hold within their bowels. of an April Fool’s prank, but this gala was no joke: Summit ArtSpace celebrated everything a Next to the antelier, the other stunning feature bathroom is, should be and can become. These in the men’s room is the aforementioned infi nity Urine Luck writers could not be more delighted mirror. Sure, women’s rooms seem to take in the changes! the vanity stereotype more seriously, always including large refl ective surfaces for hair-fi xing The recently renovated fi rst-fl oor men’s and and food removal from teeth, but what about women’s bathrooms are actual works of art. the men? Summit ArtSpace is giving them what But the kind where you can pee and poop in they need, too--offering a mirror where they the same room as the art, and no one tells #URINELUCK selfi e station (PHOTO: Chris Horne/The Devil Strip) can see themselves forever and ever and ever. you to stop. We are really impressed with the way the artists at SA collaborated with the This bathroom does not celebrate style community to use and improve upon what they additions, but they look sleek and modern. It probably goes without saying, but the new over substance. Like the women’s room, it had. The toilet trophy we presented to Summit and improved women’s restroom at Summit demonstrates and defi nes the intersection of art ArtSpace offi cials is on display outside the We did not expect the noxious smell to be ArtSpace gets an impressive, and the fi rst ever, and public space. For a cool place to hang out men’s bathroom. Soon, toilets all across Akron taken care of--we fi gured it was due to the 5 out of 5 toilets from us. infi nitum, go to the fi rst fl oor men’s room at will compete for such a trophy. And they will water quality, but to our surprise, the sewer Summit ArtSpace and see for yourself why this have to up their game to compare to the hot smell hasn’t just dissipated. In fact, it--dare we men’s room gets 5 out of 5 toilets. new look of the dashing dumpers at Summit say--smells good in a way that provides patrons ArtSpace. with just the right amount of freshness in the air. This is probably one of the most diffi cult MEN'S ROOM LADIES FIRST things to achieve in a public bathroom, and You know how men always wonder why // Emily Dressler lives in Akron and writes stories and First (since women are more important), the rarely have we encountered it, but here it is, women use the restroom in groups? I bet you not-stories. She probably has to pee. women’s restroom: Obviously, we love the Urine shining like a diamond in the rust belt. anything that male visitors at Summit ArtSpace Luck selfi e station at the mirror, and we hope start heading to the restroom together to pose // Marissa Marangoni defi nitely has to pee. Every fi ve the sign stays up forever and ever (#urineluck). The artwork in each stall is a nice and easily for selfi es in front of the swanky infi nity mirror minutes. She is working on her second novel, but it’s This is where we will bring out of town guests underlooked personal touch. We hear there are (#urineluckman). Soon they will understand. not about peeing. and dignitaries. This is where we will take our plans for a spotlight that turns on when you sit LinkedIn photos and our children’s preschool down? Clearly, something needs to compete We don’t visit nearly enough men’s restrooms, graduation photos. This is where we could with the antler chandelier in the men’s room, so this is now our baseline.The antelier (Summit have had our baby showers and weddings. and a spotlight is the right direction, but let’s ArtSpace coined this term. It’s a chandelier/ Future business idea for Summit ArtSpace: rent keep generating ideas. A tampon ceiling fan? antler, and it is the Next Big Thing) light feature out those bad boys! Maybe a personal strobe light instead of a is a marvelous touch and feels like you’re at bigger spotlight? What about a music feature? a rustic disco. The men’s room also gives off The women’s room retained its original fi xtures Not all women think peeing and pooping a cigar club vibe, but this aesthetic does not and colors, but the newly added art, sparkling sounds are cool, and they might not want a compete with the rustic disco vibe. A cigar surfaces, fl uffy towels and complimentary spotlight for the occasion, but a soundtrack club could comfortably meet with class in this emery boards fulfi ll the potential that was for a bodily function that is often considered establishment (if, of course, smoking were legal 140 E Market St, Akron, OH 44308 already in this bathroom space. The red a nuisance (though it should be celebrated)? in public bathrooms--maybe there could be a (330) 376-8480 soap and paper towel dispensers are simple Count us in! special dispensation for a monthly meet-up). summitartspace.org

On The Record is probably the darkest tonally — although not enough of a fl air that it keeps it interesting. at the band’s eastside studio, The Electric (continued from page 43) that dark. There are also little bits and pieces One might think of Alan “The Human Company, on an eight-track reel-to-reel, which between the songs that sort of tie it all together Metronome” Myers of DEVO, with a slight Meg contributes to the throwback feel of the songs. song lyrically, and it reminds me of an early ‘60s and leave you hanging at the end so you might White edge. It was engineered, produced, mixed and rock ballad, while “Feeling Fine” has a defi nite just let it repeat a time or two. mastered by Nate Bucher and the band, and surf-rock vibe in the vocal harmonies and heavy My only real criticism is that it ends too soon. Patrick and Keith are the main songwriters. reverb on the guitar. The latter gets stuck in Patrick has a soulfulness to his voice and can Of course, it’s also pretty expensive to record, your head the most, but that’s OK (at least I am howl out lyrics with the best of them. Keith has and a lot of people only really listen to the fi rst The Dreemers will celebrate the release of “Is OK with it), because if you weren’t feeling fi ne unique sounding vocals that pair well Patrick’s four or fi ve songs on an album anyway, so I can Is” with a release party at Jilly’s Music Room on before hearing it, you will be afterward. The singing, but his bass playing is really the glue see why The Dreemers (and many other Friday, May 13 at 9 p.m. where you can pick up title track is also notable: It works well as the that holds it all together. Grieshammer’s bands right now, for that matter) go for the your own copy and, if you haven’t already, see closing number, leaving you wanting more, and drumming is tight and steady, and there is just shorter format. “Is Is” was recorded in analog the band live.

46 | THE Devil Strip / MAY 2016 • VOL 2 • ISSUE #5 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM AirportPtogram_DevilsStrip_10x135_AirportProgram_DevilsStrip_10x135 4/7/16 2:23 PM Page 1

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