CiN Stage Lineup Announced

Kari Wethington of CiNWeekly has announced the lineup for the CiN Stage at the Taste of Cincinnati. This lineup is subject to change:

SATURDAY, MAY 26

1-2 The Swarthy Band
3-4 Kristen Key
5-6 Ellery
7-8 Wussy
9-10 Kim Taylor


SUNDAY, MAY 27

1-2 Ill Poetic
3-4 Paper Airplane
5-6 Fairmount Girls
7-8 Bad Veins
9-10 Freakbass

MONDAY, MAY 28

1-2 Buffalo Killers
3-4 Pearlene

The last spot is still open for Sunday night.

UPDATE: I got an update that Freakbass has filed the TBA Sunday night spot at 9.

Chain Resturant Wins Best Damn Dish

Does this mean Carrabba's is that good, or that most of the better non-chain restaurants did not participate? I really enjoy going to Taste of Cincinnati, but for the restaurants it can be a big expense and effort to participate. This makes it something bigger chains can afford better than the independent establishment.

Targeted Bigotry

John Kiesewetter opened the can of worms on WLWs "The Big Juan" billboard campaign. I've not seen the billboards, so I can't speak to what they look like, but I have a more important question, where are they? The where speaks to whom WLW is targeting with the billboard. If these are only in Lower Price Hill or only in Mason, that says something very bad. If these are only in generally high traffic areas, like along highways, that says some less aggressive and more tasteless.

Leonard Pitts Jr wrote about this type of thing and summed it up brilliantly, is WLW being a bully about this? It sounds like they are, which is unfortunately what WLW is all about.

CAC 's New Director

Raphaela Platow comes from Brandeis University and has a very interesting background. Most interesting element is that she is young, but has already been a chief curator and action director while at Brandies.

I am intrigued by this pick. I think it takes the CAC in a new direction, brings new perspective, and hopefully the positive vibe of events of the last year plus will continue.

More at the Enquirer Arts Blog and CityBeat's A&E Blog.

Cincinnati Is Not Chicago

One of the biggest problems many people in Cincinnati have with grasping the concept that we are making progress in improving downtown is the delusion that Cincinnati is Chicago (2nd letter). I honestly don't understand what people like Phil Weintraub of Amberley Village want. What ever it is, it is not here, and will never be here. That shouldn't stop the rest of us from embracing the Cincinnati that is and revel in what we are becoming.

A simple fact people have to understand is that Cincinnati is not a Mega-opolis. We are not NYC, LA, or Chicago. Phil Weintraub needs to move to Chicago, instead of trying to making Cincinnati into something it can't and will never be.

Battle of Corporate Coffee

This story seems to be about corporate coffee sellers, not about the best coffee. I would agree that Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and McDonald's sell a lot of coffee, but when it comes to quality, value, personal service, and atmosphere they are stale and cold. That is what happens when you have mega-chains.

If you are going to compare coffee, why not skip these mass marketers and cover local coffeehouses? Oh, you say I answered my own question when I called them mass marketers? So you are saying they are also mass advertisers? Ah, ok. The circle of press coverage makes sense. Those who can buy more ads are more worthy of flashy graphics and big news coverage.

Bands at Taste of Cincinnati?

I'll open up to rumor, speculation or facts that anyone has on who will be playing at Taste of Cincinnati this year. Based on their schedule, the Heartless Bastards will not be playing. On the other hand Wussy does list taste on their schedule, but with a TBA date and time. I believe there will be a bigger line-up this year of music with the move of the festival to 5th Street.

I really hope they keep at least one stage a local showcase. With the HBs on tour, it would be amazing to get the Greenhornes to play a set. They have no 2007 tour dates listed on their website, nor do the Raconteurs, which has 2/3rds of the Greenhornes in it. It is a long shot, but that is the kind of headliner the festival needs.