The Midpoint Music Festival has announced the initial headliners for the first portion of Indie Summer at Fountain Square.
June 3rd: You You’re Awesome with Javelin and Lydia Burrell
June 10th: Neon Indian with Oberhofer.
June 17th: Maps & Atlases
June 24th: Asobi Seksu with Prussia.
July 1st: Pomegranates
July 8th: Big Freedia
The remainder of the headliners and opening acts will be announced later in the year.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
How Did you Ride Out the Storm?
The warning sirens echoing off buildings woke me up around 1:30 AM this morning and the sights out my window were quite alarming. Seeing rain drops pushed by the brutal wind like blowing snow in a winter blizzard was unsettling even to my usually calm nerves. Other than venturing out to close the hallway window in my building, I stayed in my condo and watched TV for about 20 minutes until things calmed back down.
I was able to get back to sleep rather easily, so my lost period of slumber hopefully won't affect me like those up all night. I predict the line at Coffee Emporium will be out the door this morning.
Damage I hope wasn't too bad for most people. There are reports of chairs been ripped of decks in OTR and many trees were toppled, including this one into a house in Mt. Lookout.
I was able to get back to sleep rather easily, so my lost period of slumber hopefully won't affect me like those up all night. I predict the line at Coffee Emporium will be out the door this morning.
Damage I hope wasn't too bad for most people. There are reports of chairs been ripped of decks in OTR and many trees were toppled, including this one into a house in Mt. Lookout.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Pones Inc 3rd B-Day Bash April 23rd at the Avenue
Support local theatre with a modest suggested $3 donation at the door. Details:
Saturday April 23rd 8pm -2am
- Launch of Pones Inc. NEW SWAG Line (including t-shirts & bumper stickers)
- Launch of Pones Inc. Donation Feature on Website
- Back to Back Local Bands and DJs
- Pizza and Cake
- Graffiti Wall
- Party Favors
- Videos and Projection
- Dance Party and
- Get your DRINK On
The Avenue Lounge and Patio
411 Madison Ave.
The Remaining Joesph-Beth Bookstores to be Autioned
Joesph-Beth Booksellers is in bankruptcy and has closed four of its nine stores, but reportedly a financing plan was rejected forcing the remaining five stores to be sold at auction. This of course includes the store in Norwood near Hyde Park, which is a main stop for well know authors on book tours.
The impression I get from the article is that the auction would intend to keep the business going, but I don't see how that can be assumed. In an auction the buyer usually has pretty much no strings attached if they pay the price bid, but in this type of business auction, there may be other rules or requirements.
It will be a dark day for books if Joesph-Beth closes. There are so few book stores left and e-books are becoming so common that the future of retail book selling is not bright for small or even medium sized companies. Book stores used to be a core pillar of American Intellectualism. Now, Walmart sells more books than any other company. They have a horrible selection and censor books at the drop of a hat. Knowing what to read should not be left to the Walmarts nor to online popularity lists at Amazon.
The impression I get from the article is that the auction would intend to keep the business going, but I don't see how that can be assumed. In an auction the buyer usually has pretty much no strings attached if they pay the price bid, but in this type of business auction, there may be other rules or requirements.
It will be a dark day for books if Joesph-Beth closes. There are so few book stores left and e-books are becoming so common that the future of retail book selling is not bright for small or even medium sized companies. Book stores used to be a core pillar of American Intellectualism. Now, Walmart sells more books than any other company. They have a horrible selection and censor books at the drop of a hat. Knowing what to read should not be left to the Walmarts nor to online popularity lists at Amazon.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Cincinnati Police Officer Shot and Killed a Man in Northside
Details this morning are very limited but news reports indicate that a Cincinnati Police officer shot and killed a man early Monday morning around 3AM in Northside near Chase and Georgia Avenues.
A press conference is scheduled at 11AM.
WCPO is reporting that police were called to a location on Chase Avenune to "intervene" in some type of situation.
WLWT also reported what sounded like a rumor that the suspect may have been involved in a shooting from the prior night. I could not find any news reports of a shooting either on Sunday or Saturday.
More from the Enquirer.
A press conference is scheduled at 11AM.
WCPO is reporting that police were called to a location on Chase Avenune to "intervene" in some type of situation.
WLWT also reported what sounded like a rumor that the suspect may have been involved in a shooting from the prior night. I could not find any news reports of a shooting either on Sunday or Saturday.
More from the Enquirer.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cincinnati Council Candidate to Appear at Glendale 'Tea Party' Event
The Glendale 'Tea Party' is holding a Tax Day Rally and are featuring Cincinnati Republican Council Candidate Catherine Smith Mills. Their website even includes a reference to here as "Cincinnati Council Conservative Candidate."
Why would a candidate for Cincinnati City Council make an appearance in Glendale, outside the City of Cincinnati. at a far right-wing political event? Is she looking for contributions from the likes of Finney and Mike Wilson. Too bad they are doing everything they can to hurt the City.
How can this win her votes in this election? Are there a significant number of citizens who would vote for a candidate who looks outside the City for Support and finds it in anti-Cincinnati groups?
If one wants to gain votes from the people of Cincinnati, it might help if you'd spend more time with them, and less time with those trying to undermine the city. I guess some might call that conventional wisdom. I'm sure a high-priced political consultant advised Ms. Smith Mills to head to the Suburbs to find money, but damn it looks bad. She's hanging out with a bunch of nutty crack pots. I guess she's writing off every moderate vote in the City.
I suggest that is she wants to appeal to suburbanite Republicans, she move to where she can actually represent them in public office.
Why would a candidate for Cincinnati City Council make an appearance in Glendale, outside the City of Cincinnati. at a far right-wing political event? Is she looking for contributions from the likes of Finney and Mike Wilson. Too bad they are doing everything they can to hurt the City.
How can this win her votes in this election? Are there a significant number of citizens who would vote for a candidate who looks outside the City for Support and finds it in anti-Cincinnati groups?
If one wants to gain votes from the people of Cincinnati, it might help if you'd spend more time with them, and less time with those trying to undermine the city. I guess some might call that conventional wisdom. I'm sure a high-priced political consultant advised Ms. Smith Mills to head to the Suburbs to find money, but damn it looks bad. She's hanging out with a bunch of nutty crack pots. I guess she's writing off every moderate vote in the City.
I suggest that is she wants to appeal to suburbanite Republicans, she move to where she can actually represent them in public office.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Help The Governor: Tell Him What Is NOT Cool
In an effort to reach out across party lines, I will am making a 'sincere' effort to help Ohio Governor John Kasich Understand what is and what is not cool. He made it clear that he wants Ohio to be cool, so we can attract younger people to the state. (No this was not an Onion story) To make it easy, I thought I would point out a bunch of stuff that is NOT cool. These are random things, that I am sure he already knows, but just needs a little refresher.
Ok, so things that are NOT Cool:
So that's a start, what else can you share with the Governor to help him know what is NOT Cool.
Ok, so things that are NOT Cool:
- Lawn darts
- Driving a Hummer full of $4 dollar a gallon gas to the suburbs
- Milli Vanilli
- Zima
- MySpace
- Handguns
- Lawn Jockeys
- War
- Banning same-sex marriage
- American Idol
- FOX News
- Destroying the freedom for women to control their own bodies
- Canceling a high speed rail project that would create 16,000 jobs
- Making it more difficult to vote
- Cutting funding for the arts
- Pushing religion on others
- Being anti-urbanist
- Asphalt
- Cul-de-sacs
- Taking political revenge on Cites, like Cincinnati, for not voting for you
- Revoking a grant to build a Streetcar project that would develop the inner city
- Taking away the rights of Ohio citizens to collectively bargain
- Being anti-public transit, especially rail projects
- Mocking Portland, then praising Austin for basically the same reasons
So that's a start, what else can you share with the Governor to help him know what is NOT Cool.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Bunbury Musc Festival Coming to Sawyer Point in 2012
Soapbox's Sean Rhiney has an interview with Bill Donabedian, managing director of Fountain Square and co-founder of the Midpoint Music Festival (along with Rhiney), and they discuss Donabedian's plans to hold a music festival called Bunbury in July of 2012 along the Ohio River at Sawyer Point.
Plans are for a "Lollapaloza" or "Pitchfork" type of festival which would have a combination of the best of local music and national acts. Donabedian's ideal would be to have groups like "The National" and "Flaming Lips". I'd presume he'd include more locals along the lines of Bad Veins, the Seedy Seeds, and Wussy, but that's just my speculation.
I love the idea. I really hope it can give the right mix of national, regional, and local acts. I also am pleased that it doesn't appear to be conflicting with any other big local indie music event. It does appear to be occurring during the World Choir games taking place in Cincinnati in 2012. I don't know if that is intended or not. With a large group of people already here, that is good, but there could be some logistical issues.
Bunbury would no matter what be a great way for Midpoint to market to music fans and get them to come to that event the following September. Other music venues or events could also find opportunity getting their names known to fans and music acts by helping out (Southgate House, MOTR, Northside Tavern, Mayday, and Comet come to mind.)
I look forward to hearing more details on how the festival will work and who the team will be to get it done.
Plans are for a "Lollapaloza" or "Pitchfork" type of festival which would have a combination of the best of local music and national acts. Donabedian's ideal would be to have groups like "The National" and "Flaming Lips". I'd presume he'd include more locals along the lines of Bad Veins, the Seedy Seeds, and Wussy, but that's just my speculation.
I love the idea. I really hope it can give the right mix of national, regional, and local acts. I also am pleased that it doesn't appear to be conflicting with any other big local indie music event. It does appear to be occurring during the World Choir games taking place in Cincinnati in 2012. I don't know if that is intended or not. With a large group of people already here, that is good, but there could be some logistical issues.
Bunbury would no matter what be a great way for Midpoint to market to music fans and get them to come to that event the following September. Other music venues or events could also find opportunity getting their names known to fans and music acts by helping out (Southgate House, MOTR, Northside Tavern, Mayday, and Comet come to mind.)
I look forward to hearing more details on how the festival will work and who the team will be to get it done.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Smitherman Is Running, Supposedly
The Enquirer is reporting that local NAACP President Chris Smitherman is running for City Council. He said this before, so I will believe it when he is on the ballot.
We have a clear lack of independent candidates running, so adding more is a good thing, but Smitherman is an attention whore concerned only about himself. His one term on council was a worthless disaster and he managed to piss off so many people that he lost the next election. He wants attention and I expect the Enquirer will give him all he wants, as they do on a regular basis, while ignoring other news. Now they'll just ignore other candidates in favor of the three ring circus.
We don't need a political circus and that is all Smitherman does. He will makes some outlandish comments, make some implausible and divisive proposals and will not be criticized by the Enquirer.
Let's just hope this is yet another Smitherman ploy, that will fade away faster than the stench of rotten meat.
We have a clear lack of independent candidates running, so adding more is a good thing, but Smitherman is an attention whore concerned only about himself. His one term on council was a worthless disaster and he managed to piss off so many people that he lost the next election. He wants attention and I expect the Enquirer will give him all he wants, as they do on a regular basis, while ignoring other news. Now they'll just ignore other candidates in favor of the three ring circus.
We don't need a political circus and that is all Smitherman does. He will makes some outlandish comments, make some implausible and divisive proposals and will not be criticized by the Enquirer.
Let's just hope this is yet another Smitherman ploy, that will fade away faster than the stench of rotten meat.
Monday, April 11, 2011
So Is Sheree Paolello Biased Or Just a Jerk?
WLWT news anchor Sheree Paolello made this open mic goof back on March 31st, mocking former Congressman Steve Driehaus:
So is she biased or just a jerk? I doubt she intentionally did this, but is it a sign of a political opinion that is lurking deep below the surface? On the other hand, she could be a jerk who likes to mock politicians. Either way, she's looks really petty and foolish, two things you don't want in a TV news anchor.
Via Kiesewetter.
So is she biased or just a jerk? I doubt she intentionally did this, but is it a sign of a political opinion that is lurking deep below the surface? On the other hand, she could be a jerk who likes to mock politicians. Either way, she's looks really petty and foolish, two things you don't want in a TV news anchor.
Via Kiesewetter.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Democratic Party Endorsements for Council Made Official
CityBeat's Kevin Osborne has the run down of Thursday's meeting of the Cincinnati Democratic Committee, where endorsements for Cincinnati City Council were made official. No surprises arose and the recommended slate was approved. The endorsements are:
Nicholas Hollan
Roxanne Qualls
Laure Quinlivan
Jason Riveiro
Chris Seelbach
Yvette Simpson
P.G. Sittenfeld
Cecil Thomas
Wendell Young
Nicholas Hollan
Roxanne Qualls
Laure Quinlivan
Jason Riveiro
Chris Seelbach
Yvette Simpson
P.G. Sittenfeld
Cecil Thomas
Wendell Young
Friday, April 08, 2011
Happy Arnold's Bar and Grill Day!
Today in the City of Cincinnati it is officially Arnold's Bar and Grill Day! Head to Arnold's to celebrate 150 years of a history, drinks, and great food.
The Enquirer has a look back at Arnold's history through photos. Political events run deep at Arnold's.
If you are interested in more Cincinnati political history, check out Boss Cox's Cincinnati: Urban Politics in the Progressive Era (Urban Life and Urban Landscape Series)
The Enquirer has a look back at Arnold's history through photos. Political events run deep at Arnold's.
If you are interested in more Cincinnati political history, check out Boss Cox's Cincinnati: Urban Politics in the Progressive Era (Urban Life and Urban Landscape Series)
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Anniversary of Thomas Shooting and Riots Remembered
Today, April 7, 2011, marks the 10th anniversary of the shooting of Timothy Thomas by Stephen Roach, then a Cincinnati Police officer. Thomas was unarmed and fleeing from police when shot. This incident sparked the Riots which began on April 9th after a heated City Council Committee meeting.
Both the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Cincinnati Herald had multiple stories recently remembering what happened 10 years ago and looking forward to where we are now.
From the Enquirer:
Special Section Cincinnati Riots
Changes in policing
A different struggle
From the Herald:
City was in crisis during civil unrest of 2001
How far we’ve come since 2001
Looking back a decade—
I recall how vivid tension that filled the streets was back then. I remember walking Downtown during the day and I could sense the tension. It is a feeling that was likely all in my head since I was following the unfolding events very closely, but it was a feeling I can remember to this day. I don't know if it is because I live in Over-the-Rhine now or that we have changed, but that tension is gone. Many of those at the forefront of the protests have retreated from the public eye or just left town, so I don't know how much that has changed the feel of the city over the last 10 years.
I believe the City and its citizens have changed. That change has been positive. The police have a much improved attitude towards the public, particularly the black community. We have outlets for the citizens to voice their views. We still do have a significant separation between the communities, something we must still work on. Much of that separation is rooted in socio-economic differences, but much of it is culture. The cultures of our city still are very different and don't like to mix. We don't communicate outside of our own culture as often as we could or should. Since the animosity towards the city continues to fester in large sectors of the suburban and exurban areas, we can't afford to not have a wider community in the city working together. I hope we can improve the connections to that macro community for everyone.
Both the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Cincinnati Herald had multiple stories recently remembering what happened 10 years ago and looking forward to where we are now.
From the Enquirer:
Special Section Cincinnati Riots
Changes in policing
A different struggle
From the Herald:
City was in crisis during civil unrest of 2001
How far we’ve come since 2001
Looking back a decade—
I recall how vivid tension that filled the streets was back then. I remember walking Downtown during the day and I could sense the tension. It is a feeling that was likely all in my head since I was following the unfolding events very closely, but it was a feeling I can remember to this day. I don't know if it is because I live in Over-the-Rhine now or that we have changed, but that tension is gone. Many of those at the forefront of the protests have retreated from the public eye or just left town, so I don't know how much that has changed the feel of the city over the last 10 years.
I believe the City and its citizens have changed. That change has been positive. The police have a much improved attitude towards the public, particularly the black community. We have outlets for the citizens to voice their views. We still do have a significant separation between the communities, something we must still work on. Much of that separation is rooted in socio-economic differences, but much of it is culture. The cultures of our city still are very different and don't like to mix. We don't communicate outside of our own culture as often as we could or should. Since the animosity towards the city continues to fester in large sectors of the suburban and exurban areas, we can't afford to not have a wider community in the city working together. I hope we can improve the connections to that macro community for everyone.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Cincinnati Band Walk the Moon Featured on Carson Daily Show
Cincinnati Band Walk the Moon was at SXSW the year and got the notice of the Carson Daily Show, here's the segment:
Lead singer Nicholas Petricca appeared in a Cincinnati Fringe Festival show last year and made many connections. The music video highlighted in the Carson Daily show you can see Pones Inc., Cincinnati Fringe veterans, who helped out Walk the Moon in making the video.
Lead singer Nicholas Petricca appeared in a Cincinnati Fringe Festival show last year and made many connections. The music video highlighted in the Carson Daily show you can see Pones Inc., Cincinnati Fringe veterans, who helped out Walk the Moon in making the video.
Summer Will Bring Taste of Belgium to Gateway Quarter
Polly Campbell blogs some great news about a new Taste of Belgium cafe coming to the heart of the Gateway Quarter. A big congratulations goes out to owner Jean-Francois Flechet on this news. I look forward to having another dinning spot on Vine Street this Summer.
Anti-City Zealot Farts and the Enquirer Rushes in to Sniff
I think if anti-City extremist Chris Finney were to write a letter to Santa Claus containing nothing but the first 100 names in the Cincinnati Bell white pages, the Enquirer would write a story about it. If you promote EVERYTHING a political group does with a positive 'news' story then you have a bias. That bias is either for the group or a bias against the people or organizations that group is attacking.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Monday, April 04, 2011
Donate to the Know Theatre Right NOW!
Theatre, as an art form, brings unmeasurable value to a society. Theatre provides humanity a purpose. That purpose is a journey of discovery to understand what it means to be human. Here in Cincinnati one Theatre company speaks to me more than any on that journey of discovery and that is the Know Theatre.
It takes money to make a theatre work and right now the Know needs your help. Impending budget cuts at the State are going to make it difficult for all arts organizations to make ends meet, and that includes the Know. We must as a community do everything that we can to keep our society on a path of discovery. I've chosen to donate a modest amount to the Know Theatre. I ask that you help out Now as well. Check out the Know's website with the details on how your can give. Remember that any sum can help. $20 goes a long way. $100 can go further.
With the Cincinnati Fringe Festival Coming up in less than two months, your funds will be put to great use to keep the lights on for an organization that is vital to the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and the entire arts community.
Also, be sure to see their latest production, The Dragon. I got to see it on opening night and was amazed with the work. The show is a co-production with MadCap Puppets and should not be missed. It runs through May 7th.
It takes money to make a theatre work and right now the Know needs your help. Impending budget cuts at the State are going to make it difficult for all arts organizations to make ends meet, and that includes the Know. We must as a community do everything that we can to keep our society on a path of discovery. I've chosen to donate a modest amount to the Know Theatre. I ask that you help out Now as well. Check out the Know's website with the details on how your can give. Remember that any sum can help. $20 goes a long way. $100 can go further.
With the Cincinnati Fringe Festival Coming up in less than two months, your funds will be put to great use to keep the lights on for an organization that is vital to the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and the entire arts community.
Also, be sure to see their latest production, The Dragon. I got to see it on opening night and was amazed with the work. The show is a co-production with MadCap Puppets and should not be missed. It runs through May 7th.
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