The Devil Strip, Issue 9 - The Geekery

JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 • THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

The Devil Strip Akron Music, Art & Culture

FREE

AKRON

Q: Are we not geeks?

WE A

RE

AKRON ART MUSEUMTHROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2015

Photographs from the Collection

One South High | Akron, OH 44308 | 330.376.9185 | www.AkronArtMuseum.org

Upper: Barbara Probst, Exposure #106: N.Y.C., Broome & Crosby Streets, 04.17.13, 2:29 p.m., 2013

Lower L-R: Walker Evans, Southeast, 1936; Richard Misrach, Flooded House Foundation, Salton

Sea, 1984 (printed 2001); Helen Levitt, New York, c. 1940 (printed later); Joel Meyerowitz, Porch, 1981.

All works Collection of the Akron Art Museum.

JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 3 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

in this issue

CONTACT US:Office:

(330) 842-6606

General Info: [email protected]

Advertising: [email protected]

Distribution: [email protected]

ONLINE:Website:

www.thedevilstrip.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/thedevilstrip

Twitter: @akrondevilstrip

Instagram: @thedevilstrip

_______________________________________

Publisher >> Chris Horne // [email protected]

Art Director >> Alesa Upholzer

Illustration and Design >> Bronlynn Thurman, Chris Grady, Jacob Luther

Photographers >> Svetla Morrison, Paul Hoffman,

Bronlynn Thurman, Ilenia Pezzaniti,

Shane Wynn

Contributing Writers >> Ben Arrington, Holly Brown, Jenny Conn,

Jessica Conti, Susan Covey, Madison

Cummins, Katelyn Gainer, M. Sophie Hamad,

Noor Hindi, Katie Jackson, Jecca, Chris

Kessinger, Isaac Kelley, Greg Milo, Eric Morris,

Christopher Morrison, Brittany Nader, Ilenia

Pezzaniti, Scott Piepho, Audrey Quinn, Roger

Riddle, Sarah Stubbs, Bronlynn Thurman,

Katie Wheeler, Joanna Wilson

Interns >> Madison Cummins, Sarah Stubbs,

Audrey Quinn

_______________________________________

The Devil Strip is published bi-monthly by Random Family, LLC. Akron Distribution: The Devil Strip is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Copyright: The entire contents ofThe Devil Strip are copyright 2015 by Random Family, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume 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.

This was going to be the

“International Akron”

issue, one I’ve anticipated

since first talking to

Global Village Festival

director Helena Larios

at the Waterloo. I sat

wowed, alongside United Way’s Beth Boggins,

who arranged our meeting, while Helena unveiled

a vision for Akron as a city that embraces its

international community so its members can be

fully participating citizens. Even before we started

the first issue, I was eager to dig into this vision,

Akron’s history as a city of immigrants and a

glimpse of our future together.

But that’s a big job and

it wasn’t coming along

quickly enough to do the

topic justice. So, with just

a few days to spare—and

while I was preparing a

trip out of town—I turned

to the amazing people

who really make The Devil

Strip happen, our writers

and photographers, and

asked them to turn this

into a fun, quirky issue

focused on our local

geek-culture and its many

manifestations. They

pulled together, grabbing

assignments and pitching

new ideas, then quickly

turning them around. A

handful even helped edit the copy.

Keep in mind, these folks all have other jobs.

They have families and friends. They’re involved

in community organizations and contribute to our

arts and culture in other ways. It isn’t easy to be

one of the 40-some-odd people who’ve shared

their talents with you through this paper. And to

make this issue happen, they really went above and

beyond. Thing is, I don’t think a single one of them

feels that way. Sometimes they act like I’m doing

them a favor. (Weirdos.) So, it’s with some certainty

that I say I don’t think they know the extent of

their impact.

The first night I was in Detroit, something clicked

for me. I heard Knight Foundation President Alberto

Ibargüen tell the assembled civic innovators that

Jack Knight, whose empire of newspapers started

in Akron, was not about building a newspaper but

about building community. Since then, I’ve been

appropriating that line.

See, I’ve never gotten excited about building a

brand or an audience for The Devil Strip. I didn’t

pitch Unbox Akron because I was interested in

“growing a member base” for it. We can talk

about demographics and psychographics—what

gets measured gets managed, right?—but if you

aren’t more interested in building community than

numbers then you aren’t going to be interested in

what we’re doing. Which is okay. You do your thing

and we’ll do ours. I’m comfortable with the fact

tens of thousands of people don’t know we exist

(yet). If they’re likely to enjoy what we’re doing,

they’ll find us. (Like Helen, who left me a glowing

voicemail that’s kept me smiling for days.) We are

small on purpose because this is not a magazine

for everyone. The Devil Strip is for people who love

Akron, people who not only want to see it grow

but want to be part of its growth.

Here’s something else: We can redefine the word

Akronite so it means more than just someone

with a certain address. I think the title of Akronite

has to be earned by being involved, engaged and

passionate about the city. You don’t have to go

crazy, but you must do your part. And at the heart

of every issue is a shared hope that we can help

connect the pockets of people who make this city

unique to form a tribe of tribes.

That tribe of tribes is evident, writ small, in

the large number of people who have written

something, taken photos, delivered copies of the

paper, sold ads and pitched ideas. They come from

all over Akron. Some

are young, just college

students—Towny Toons is

drawn by a local 15-year-

old—and a couple are

retired, or on their way.

We have professionals

from office environments

and others who struck

out on their own. They

come from a variety of

backgrounds, too,

and have a cornucopia

of interests. Of those who hail from Akron, some

boomeranged back and others never left. Our

resident aliens come from Massachusetts, Texas

and Michigan—Svetla Morrison is from Bulgaria.

They are Akronites the way I’ve come to think of

the word. In fact, they’ve done the most to set the

standard for what it means to me.

And every single one of them is a geek. You can tell

‘em I said that too. After you buy ‘em a drink.

Thank y’all, Chris

The Devil Strip Akron Music, Art & Culture

ABOUT THE COVERThe photo on the cover of this issue was originally taken in 1978 by Cleveland-based rock photographer

Janet Macoska in front of Mac’s Chili Dogs in downtown Akron. She took a short stroll with the members of

Devo during a break from filming a video for their cover of “Satisfaction” at the Akron Civic Theatre. This

photograph came to mind when Paul Nagel, who owns Nagel Advertising, which promotes the Civic, was

thinking about ways to promote the theatre’s history of hosting music legends. The idea only got bigger

from there. With Janet’s cooperation, Civic director Howard Parr’s support and funding by the Akron-

Summit County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Nagel and crew are having the photo transferred to

metal panels that will span 20 feet by 20 feet, meaning the members of Devo will be “life-size,”

standing about 6-feet tall. This “beautification project” will be unveiled on August 15 at noon with

Devo founding member Jerry Casale on hand during a special event at the Akron Civic Theatre.

At 6:30 pm on Thursday, August 20, Jane Macoska will discuss Devo and her career shooting

rock n’ roll during a talk at the Akron Art Museum.

“I just picked up a copy of The Devil Strip …and gosh, this paper is amazing. …I’ve enjoyed reading it from front to back and back to front. Thank you kindly for supplying us with this particular paper.”

— Helen H.

This was taken at our first editorial meeting and I was shocked then how many people had

shown up. They just keep coming. (Photo courtesy of Svetla Morrison)

4 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

the agenda

Today’s Tom Sawyer gets high on you… he gets by on youWhen former Akron mayor Tom Sawyer withdrew

from the upcoming mayoral race, he told the

Akron Beacon Journal “…it came down to the fact

that my presence complicated the race and I really

didn’t clarify any problems.” But, complicated for

whom? In theory, his presence complicated things

by splitting the vote between himself and Dan

Horrigan (and to a lesser extent, Frank Comunale),

which would make it easier for Mike Williams to

become mayor. No matter his reasons for dropping

out, Sawyer’s absence, in effect, makes this a

race between Horrigan and Williams. Meanwhile,

despite efforts by local Democratic leaders to

convince Jim Jeffries to dropout , the Ward 4 race

remains the same. Jeffries, who lost in 2007 by

102 votes to the late John Jeffers in a race for

Hudson’s Ward 4 seat, will face off in the primary

against Eufrancia Lash and the incumbent Russ

Neal, who lost his effort to become council

president after the Moneypenny “thing.” Should

be an interesting summer.

YBPC KICKBALL TOURNEY RESCHEDULEDThis weird, wet summer rained on kickball

enthusiasts' parade June 27, causing organizers

to reschedule the 6th annual 4th of July Charity

Kickball Tournament, hosted by the Young Black

Professionals Coalition and DJ Mr. King. The good

news is that the event, which raises money for

the “I Know I Can” Back-To-School Drive (Sunday,

August 23), will now take place Saturday, July 11

on the Erie Island baseball fields. Team registration

costs $120, which is only $10 a head if you carry

the 12-player max—so do it! Check-in begins at

8 am. The tourney kicks off (pun intended) at 9 am.

For more information or to make a donation for

the school supply drive, contact Steve King at

330-701-8327 or Eric Fletcher at 614-668-2225, or

send an email to [email protected] about this or

other future community and networking YBPC events.

HEY AK, SAY CHEESE!Child Guidance & Family Solutions, who host

Food Truck Fridays and the Growing Up Akron

event, have just launched a photo contest that

concludes July 22. To participate, just snap a photo

of what Akron means to you and then hashtag it

#growingupakron when you post it to Instagram,

Twitter or Facebook. (You can check out examples

of this on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

if you’re curious.) Take a shot of yourself or an

iconic location, some of the city’s famed food, one

of our cool events or anything else, as long as it

captures how you feel about Akron. (This means,

it can be a photo you took before the contest

started, too. Just don’t steal someone else’s work.)

Prizes include reservations for two to Growing Up

Akron on August 14 at Thirsty Dog Brewery, a $25

Mustard Seed Market gift card and Sunday brunch

for two at the Montrose location, and a $25 Nuevo

gift card. Visit cgfsevents.org for details about

the event, or by finding them at facebook.com/

childguidancefamilysolutions

THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT… If you’ve noticed a lack of litter, illegal signs and

graffiti around town, you’re not alone. Keep Akron

Beautiful released the results of their Community

Appearance Survey, using a tool designed by

Keep America Beautiful. On a scale from 1 (hardly

anything) to 4 (lots of bad stuff), Akron rated at a

1.14 for litter, 1.27 for illegal signs placed on public

land, and 1.07 for graffiti. With the city’s overall

litter score dropping from last year’s 1.3, all ten

of the city’s wards scored below a 2 for litter, but

Ward 1 was the best. Graffiti ticked up slightly from

1.06 and illegal signs up from 1.08. By land use,

Akron’s educational and recreational areas were the

most litter-free. So good job, Akron.

‘The Wild Ones’ opening receptionFriday, July 10 at 5pm Summit Artspace (FREE)

140 E Market St, Akron

Be the first to see the newest installation in

Summit Artspace’s gallery, plus meet the artists

and see their contemporary works exploring

rebellion and its impact on America culture.

Craft Cocktails at the Market: GinSaturday, July 11 Howe Meadow ($20)

4040 Riverview Rd, Peninsula

Every foodie knows that the perfect cocktail can

make or break a meal, and savory cocktails are

an often overlooked way to beat the heat. Learn

how to integrate your favorite vegetables, pickles,

eggs, and herbs into cocktails perfect for the

patio. Class will be held outdoors beneath the

shade trees at Howe Meadow, beside the

farmers' market.

Exhibition: ‘Build It’Opens on Thursday, July 16Akron Art Museum

“Architects and construction workers toil over

building blocks daily, but building blocks are also

classic, timeless toys,” says Akron Art Museum’s

Director of Education, Alison Caplan. “With

“Build It,” we want to give visitors the spark to

explore building up, tearing down and creating

variations of buildings and structures from their

imaginations.” This new interactive exhibition

features works from the museum collection

that provide a glimpse into how artists envision

buildings and the world around them while

providing inspiration to visitors who get to play,

er, “engage in creative construction with

different types of building blocks – oversized,

odd-shaped, magnetic, and more.” Runs through

September 13.

‘Chinese Girls Don’t Swear’Thursday, July 23Akron Civic Theatre

Lucy Wang is M.I.T. (that’s “Made in Taiwan”),

but she is no cheap import. Raised on Midwestern

beef and corn (Akron!), she does her best to

follow the unwritten Asian American handbook

and achieve the American Dream. Chinese Girls

Don’t Swear is a comedic and searing look at how

one Chinese American woman uses her wits to

defy, exceed and redefine expectations. This is

a cabaret and seating is limited. Ticket are $15/

each and on sale now at the Akron Civic Theatre

Box Office, by calling 330-253-2488 or online at

akroncivic.com.

AT PLAY, THE AKRON ZOO WAYMaybe the only thing the Akron Zoo doesn’t

have right now are primates, but that’s changed

(kinda) now that they’ve opened up Nature’s Play,

a playground where kids get to “monkey around,”

imitating primates in the wild. Set between the

Tiger and Red Panda exhibits, the area features

natural tree stump stepping stones, a rope walk,

a rope climb, a rope web, a nest and a fire hose

hammock. This playground is free once you’ve paid

for admission. You can learn more about Nature’s

Play and the Akron Zoo, which is open from

10 am to 5 pm, at akronzoo.org or by calling

330-375-2550.

IT’S FRIDAY, WE GONNA GET YOU A RIDE TODAY Now, on every Friday through the end of August,

you can ride the METRO buses for free on

line-service routes. We’re not talking about the

premium services though, like METRO SCAT,

Northcoast Express or Call-A-Bus, but still.

Normally, you pay $1.25 to ride—or drop $2.50

for a one-day pass. METRO sees free fare Fridays as

an opportunity to give back to their current riders,

but if you’ve been on the fence about using public

transportation, here’s your chance to try it. You

know, like they do in the big cities where people

prefer not to drive.

THE OL’ CHICAGO SURPRISEOur friend Jessica Morris, who shared her excellent

photos of early Black Keys performances at the

Lime Spider and in Kent in our second issue, got

engaged in one of the coolest ways possible. At a

concert in the Windy City, Kurt Anshutz, her soon-

to-be-future fiancé, colluded with The Hold Steady

to surprise Jessica from the stage where he could

pop the question. His voice a-quivering, Kurt asked

her to do him the honor of letting him become her

husband. (She said yes.) Congrats, y’all!

News n’ stuff, in case you missed itICYMI


‘A Thing Downtown’ is athing you don’t want to miss You see that big outdoor amphitheater downtown? Yeah, that cool lookin’

thing by the main branch of the library. “They” should use that more, right?

We agree. Well good news: That’s what “they” thought too—“They” being

Free Akron Outdoor Movies, an all-volunteer citizen group, and the good folks

at Coffee Pot Café. At 4 pm on Saturday, July 25, you’ll get to enjoy music,

crafts, art and food. And, of course, a free movie—“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,”

which screens at 8:30 pm. Food provided by Coffee Pot and Stray Dog Cart.

The Copper Pennies provide the tunes while Crafty Mart provides the crafty

vendors. It’s a great way to cap a day at the library’s annual Geekfest, which

will dominate the day’s earlier hours. For more info, visit Free Akron Outdoor

Movies’ Facebook page.

A Thing Downtown | Saturday, July 25Akron Main Library (outside)

FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby by Audrey Quinn

The 2015 Race Week for the All-American Soap Box

Derby will take place from Sunday, July 19 to Saturday,

July 25. Dating back to 1934, the world championship

has been held in Akron since 1935. Participants can

compete in three different divisions: Stock, Super

Stock and Masters. The final competition for the world

champion takes place on Saturday. New additions to

racing events this year include the Subway Challenge

and a Build and Battle Competition featuring three

parent teams.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:MONDAY: Parade of Champions in Downtown

Akron, Opening Ceremonies at Lock 3

TUESDAY – THURSDAY: SUBWAY Challenge,

DQ Rally Challenge at Derby Downs

(free to the public)

THURSDAY: Topside Show and Open Hill – all

of the Champ cars will be on display; ride down

the track for $20; various concessions, games,

and activities

FRIDAY: National Super Kids Classic

SATURDAY: 78th FirstEnergy All-American

Soap Box Derby – Opening Ceremonies, World

Championship race, Mayor’s Cup, Awards

Show at Akron Civic Theatre

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

SP

OT

LIG

HT



THURSDAY, JULY 9Italian-American Festival

July 9-11 at Downtown Akron (FREE)

Voted the best festival in the Akron Beacon Journal

for more than 5 years running, the Italian-American

Festival is not to be missed! Enjoy fantastic Italian

food, wedding soup tasting, nightly entertainment,

fireworks on Saturday night, and more!

Dinner in the Valley: Blueberry Abundance

6pm at Greenfield Berry Farm

($40 member; $45 nonmembers)

2485 Major Rd, Peninsula

Head to the Greenfield Berry Farm for a wonderful

meal while dining in a rustic barn. Farmers Daniel

and Michelle will graciously welcome you to their

farm for an evening of wine and great food. The

first date for this already sold out, so don’t miss this

second chance!

SCARED SILLY

6:30pm at North Hill Library (FREE)

183 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave, Akron

Wandering Aesthetics present SCARED SILLY,

an interactive, family-friendly version of spooky

stories collected by Benjamin Rexroad and Kyle

Jozsa during their thru-hike of the Appalachian

Trail. Using interactive songs, stories and games,

Kyle creates a campfire-like atmosphere anywhere.

He will involve the audience throughout the

performance, asking them to sing, play and

generally participate as he guides their

Appalachian journey.

FRIDAY, JULY 10

The Wild Ones Opening Reception

5pm at Summit Artspace (FREE)


Be the first to see the newest installation in Summit

Artspace’s gallery, plus meet the artists and see

their contemporary works exploring rebellion and

its impact on America culture.

Driving down West Market towards Highland

Square, you might notice a burst of color in the

West Hill neighborhood. A newly completed

mural now adorns the wall of the 100-year-old

building that houses Land of Plenty and

West Hill Hardware.

The building’s makeover comes courtesy of

Arts LIFT, the University of Akron’s award-winning

summer arts apprenticeship program, offered

by the Myers School of Art. The mural is the

program’s ninth—and its largest public

art project.

Founded in 2002 by Elisa Gargarella, with

financial support from the Lola K. Isroff Arts

Assistance Endowed Fun, Arts LIFT puts students

to work alongside professional artists while

participating in collaborations that engage the

community, assist underserved populations

and invigorate local culture and economy. For

this project, 10 public high school students—

recommended by their art teachers and selected

by UA faculty and staff—collaborated with UA

art education students, who signed up for a

community-based arts course connected to Arts

LIFT, to design, draw and paint the mural. The

experience is valuable for them all.

“Students gain leadership skills, team-building

skills, art skills that they could not learn in a

traditional classroom; the opportunity to work in

professional, state of the art studios; chances to

work with college students—get a feel for what

it is like to go to art school—become part of an

artist network; make new friends; have chances

to engage with the press; and ultimately to be a

part of a lasting community, public art project,”

Gargarella says.

She guided the project with professional street

artist Steve Ehret and Land of Plenty owner Kristi

Wall, who is an artist too.

“I chose Land of Plenty this year because I knew

it was a local small business whose owner was

doing some cool things—like hosting art parties,

and art openings, having student and professional

artist exhibitions, having dance parties and

garage sales and other groovy gigs—all while

going pretty much under the radar. I wanted

to bring more attention to the shop, which has

some indiscreet signing, and also recognize it

as pinnacle building that exists as a nice bridge

between downtown Akron and Highland

Square,” Gargarella says. “Thinking I could help

marry some art districts, Land Of Plenty seemed

the like perfect location for a piece of public art.”

She says others helped support the project

too. Dominic Falcione of Rubber City Fab

Metalworks designed all the fixtures and

metalwork for the project. Valco Equipment

loaned them a 35-foot scissor lift. Sherwin

Williams provided supplies.

Arts LIFT will unveil the completed mural

during a free public celebration July 9,

7-9 pm at Land of Plenty, 339 W Market

St., featuring local favorites Shivering

Timbers and Tall Tales, followed by DJ Jay

Soiree. Hollyhock Catering will provide

refreshments.

CONNECTING THE ARTS

ARTS IN THE LAND OF PLENTYArts LIFT transforms 100-year-old building into an awe-inspiring canvasby Katelyn Gainer

Arts & Culture

Event ListingsWEDNESDAY, JULY 8Jim Tews

8pm at Funny Stop Comedy Club ($6)

1757 State Rd, Cuyahoga Falls

Comedian and writer Jim Tews had an eventful

2014. He made his stand-up television debut

on Last Comic Standing and was featured in an

episode of Louie. Tews also created the HBO Labs'

web series The Opener and recently directed a

feature length documentary about Cleveland's

independent comedy scene called Make Fun.

Don’t miss his debut at Funny Stop Comedy Club,

performing through July 11.

LockBottom Blues - The Rhythm Syndicate

7pm at Lock 4 (FREE)

Behind the Akron Civic Theatre

Head to Lock 4 every Wednesday evening

through Sept 2 for some of Akron’s best jazz! The

LockBottom Blues & Jazz Club is "down under" off

of Bowery Street, adjacent to Lock 3. The rushing

water of the Ohio-Erie Canal creates multiple

waterfalls, which, with the historic brick facades

of some of the oldest buildings in the city, give the

space a distinctly urban feel.



8x10 TheatreFest

8pm at Weathervane Playhouse ($10)

1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron

Weathervane Playhouse celebrates the art of

the short-format play with the fifth annual 8x10

TheatreFest — eight plays, 10 minutes each!

Audience members will vote for their favorites,

with first place winning a $350 cash prize. If you

can’t make Friday’s performance, don’t worry; you

can catch them on Saturday at 8pm or Sunday at

2:30pm as well.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

11:15pm at The Nightlight Cinema ($8.50)

30 N High St, Akron

Enjoy this classic horror movie on the big screen…

right before bedtime. Also playing Saturday

at 11:15pm.

SATURDAY, JULY 11Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial 5K,

Walk and Kids Run

8am at Lock 3 ($25; Kids Fun Run is free)

200 S Main St, Akron

This flat, scenic run through downtown Akron

and into the Towpath Trail is perfect for all ages,

and benefits the Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial

Foundation, which assists the underprivileged

and elderly, addresses environmental issues and

promotes community service and education.

Canoe Down the Canal

8am at Richard Howe House

($30 members; $40 nonmembers)

47 W Exchange St, Akron

Explore the natural, historical and recreational

resources along the Ohio & Erie Canal in this one-

of-a-kind canoeing experience! Participants in

Canoe Adventure will receive a guided interpretive

tour of the Ohio & Erie Canal from Nesmith Lake to

downtown Akron, followed by a picnic lunch at the

Richard Howe House.

Music in the Valley Folk & Wine Festival

July 11-12 at Hale Farm & Village

(free for members; $10 nonmembers)

2686 Oak Hill Rd, Bath

Enjoy local musicians playing their banjos, guitars,

and fiddles while you tour the grounds sample

wines from Ohio based wineries, including Maize

Valley, Myrddin Winery, Grape and Grainery, and

the Winery at Spring Hill. All regular museum

exhibits and demonstrations will be open during

the festival as well!

Craft Cocktails at the Market: Gin

10:30am at Howe Meadow ($20)


Every foodie knows that the perfect cocktail can

make or break a meal, and savory cocktails are an

often overlooked way to beat the heat. Learn how

to integrate your favorite vegetables, pickles, eggs,

and herbs into cocktails perfect for the patio. Class

will be held outdoors beneath the shade trees at

Howe Meadow, beside the farmers' market.

SUNDAY, JULY 12Vintage Base Ball Akron Cup

10at at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

(included with regular admission, $19)

714 N Portage Path, Akron

Eight clubs compete in this vintage base ball

tournament. While considerably different from

today’s baseball (no safety equipment is used, for

example), modern spectators will still recognize

today’s game and enjoy its true sportsmanship and

friendly competition. Guests are encouraged to

bring chair or blankets and a picnic, but no alcohol

is allowed.

TUESDAY, JULY 14Mark Anthony

8pm at Funny Stop Comedy Club ($5)

1757 State Rd, Cuyahoga Falls

Mark Anthony grew up in Cleveland and gets his

material from life, being overweight, being married,

growing up in the inner-city, and listening to rock

and roll. Mark's mixed bag of sources makes for

a refreshingly different, very funny show. He’s

considered to be "too on the edge" for Jay Leno,

but "not dirty enough" for Def Jam.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15Brew at the Zoo: Christmas in July

6pm at Akron Zoo ($25 member, $31 nonmember)

500 Edgewood Ave, Akron

Enjoy Christmas Ales from some of the area’s best

breweries as you stroll around the zoo! Tastings are

included and full size beers are available

for purchase.

THURSDAY, JULY 16Preserving Your Bounty

6:30pm at Old Trail School ($30)

2315 Ira Rd, Bath

Farmer and home canning enthusiast Heather

Walters will take the mystery out of food

preservation. She’ll demonstrates two different

recipes and give you the tools to apply the

techniques to countless others. She will also discuss

other preservation methods and planning tips for

what to do when your CSA gives you 10 lbs of kale.

It's time to free those mason jars from the crafting

pages of Pinterest and return them to their original,

intended use! (continued on page 8)

{Game On}Coffee Pot Café

caffeinates geeks and gamersby Ben Arrington

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This isn’t your dim,

beatnik-wannabe coffee

house. Founded partly on

the principle that coffee

should be delicious,

simple, and affordable,

the Coffee Pot Café

stands as S. High Street’s

local greenhouse. The

horticulture-dressed floor-

to-ceiling windows are a

people-watcher’s heaven

as they take up the entire

storefront. The Coffee

Pot Café opened in the

spring of 2014 as an offshoot of the Stew Pot

Kitchen right up the road. About a year later,

the manager of the Coffee Pot brought in some

board games and created an event.

Manager David DiDomenico is the sharp-

tongued nerd behind the Coffee Pot’s monthly

Game Nights. If you’re into graphic novels and

“Star Trek,” you two will have something to talk

about. If not, there’s plenty to learn about fish

or plant life from a man who built an ecosystem

in a coffee shop after mere months of research

in the library next door.

The Café’s board game collection — much

of which is from DiDomenico’s own personal

collection — is about eclectic as the man

himself. You can play family classics like

Monopoly, Mouse Trap, and Taboo, or more

strategic games like Forbidden Island and

Pandemic. Of course, DiDomenico recommends

exploring the enigmatically titled Alhambra or

Carcassonne “if you’re interested in ditching

the dice.” When it comes to family fun, it only

makes sense to trust a man with an affinity for

German tile games. Guests are encouraged to

bring games with them as well.

The philosophy behind an event like the Coffee

Pot’s Game Night almost matches the aesthetic

implication of a room

made mostly of windows:

there’s a world outside of

your own. DiDomenico

started the Game Night

not only because it’s

fun, but also “to get

people off their devices

for one night. Too often

people go out and don’t

engage in conversation

anymore.” Just like a

good meal, coffee, and

the “Star Wars” prequels,

board games are a great

equalizer. Two people can become best friends

or mortal enemies over a game of Settlers

of Catan, but rarely would either walk away

feeling like time was wasted.

The Coffee Pot Café’s Game Nights often

coincide with the Downtown Akron Artwalks on

the first Saturday of each month.

“We have about 20 different artists on display,

and we’re always looking for more,” says

DiDomenico.

The Game Nights have also featured live music.

In particular, local band Anchor the Moon

played an acoustic set at the very first Game

Night in April. On Game Nights, Stray Dog

Cart serves their hotdogs and coffee out of the

Coffee Pot Café.

The next Game Night will be August 1 from

5 pm to midnight. The Coffee Pot is located

in the southwest corner of the Akron-Summit

County Public Library downtown and is open

Monday-Thursday 8 am to 5 pm, and Friday 9

am – 4 pm. If crowds aren’t your thing, you can

play any of the Coffee Pot’s games any time

it’s open. Ask DiDomenico about Tsuro or the

mustache game.


Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the

crowd… wait… did they even HAVE Cracker Jacks

in 1863?

Baseball was not always as we know it today. In

fact, baseball didn’t even used to be one word.

Back in the 1860’s, just after the Civil War, “base

ball” was played for the fun of it. No multi-million

dollar contracts or endorsement deals, no steroid

scandals. Hell, there weren’t even baselines or

gloves. Guys got together and played a gentleman’s

game for the sake of camaraderie and exercise, and

occasionally to hand one of their teammates an

embarrassing nickname.

If you’ve ever been to Stan Hywet Hall, you

know what it feels like to be transported back in

time. Imagine being there while a vintage base

ball game was going on in the lawn. The Akron

Black Stockings, member of the Vintage Base Ball

Association, have called Stan Hywet “home field”

since 1995. Most of the teams in the VBBA partner

with a historical site or society for their home field.

For example, the Mansfield Independents play at

Mansfield Prison. I’m not sure if that’s a home field

advantage or not.

For a Black Stocking, the day starts by prepping

the field for the game. Actually, backup, the day

starts by putting on a uniform that is modeled after

the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings. The uniforms

are hot and heavy, but part of acting the part is

LOOKING the part, so on with the ruffly shirt and

dress pants! Along with looking the part, you

better know your terminology. Batters are called

strikers, pitchers are called hurlers, outs are called

hands and runs are called aces.

(continued from page 7)

FRIDAY, JULY 17

Clueless

11:15pm at The Nightlight Cinema ($8.50)

30 N High St, Akron

“Do you prefer ‘fashion victim’ or ‘ensembly

challenged’?” Also playing Saturday night at

11:15pm.

The diamond is set up using a very precise

strategy—as Scott Hamblin describes it, “Find the

most shade for the benches and go from there.”

Once home plate is established, a team member

paces out 30 steps towards first, then second and

finally third. There are no baselines, no pitcher’s

mound, and apparently no actual measuring. Oh,

one other thing that vintage base ball doesn’t

use—gloves. That’s right, if you want to catch a

line drive on this team, you use your hands, or your

body, which ever you decide will hurt less.

The looseness of the field set up is not because

the Black Stockings don’t care about the rules.

Back when base ball started, the distance of

the diamond didn’t matter nearly as much as

the sportsmanship that you showed your fellow

players. When the other team arrives, players

shake hands and catch up on how the team is

SATURDAY, JULY 18Pickin’ and Pickin’

Every Saturday through August 1

2pm at Greenfield Berry Farm

2485 Major Rd, Peninsula

Enjoy live music as you pick your own naturally

grown blueberries at one of the community-

supported farms in the Cuyahoga Valley

National Park!

Point of No Return Improv

7:30pm at Quirk Cultural Center ($5)

1201 Grant St, Cuyahoga Falls

PNR performs short-form improvisational comedy.

They ask for a suggestion from the audience and

then invent a scene that is somehow inspired by

that suggestion - it’s comedy at your direction, and

whatever happens, it’s sure to be hilarious!

doing, the umpire explains the rules and the team

captains thank the “cranks” for coming to support.

(“Cranks” are fans, by the way.) After that, every

player on the roster introduces themselves out

loud. This has to be entertaining, as every single

player has a nickname that they announce along

with their name. If you want to be thoroughly

amused, check out the Black Stockings roster and

try to figure out how each nickname was earned.

If you’re curious about seeing “America’s favorite

past time” get back to its roots, the Black Stockings

will be hosting the Akron Cup on July 12 at Stan

Hywet Hall. There will be eight teams from the

Vintage Base Ball Association attending, and six

hours of good, old-fashioned baseball. There’s no

prize for winning, and nothing at risk when you

lose—except a whole lot of bragging rights.

SUNDAY, JULY 19African American Festival

11am at Lock 3 (FREE until 4pm; $10 after)


Created out of the Civil Rights Movement, don’t

miss the 35th annual African American Festival

in downtown Akron - the second oldest cultural

festival in Ohio! Featuring local artists, food

vendors, and live music. This year’s headliner,

performing at 8pm, is WAR, a musical crossover

band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz,

Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae.

MONDAY, JULY 20FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby

Parade and Opening Ceremonies



So take your friends out to the OLD ball game and

support your team, Akron. Just be sure to bring

your own Cracker Jacks.

For more information on the team and tournament,

or to become a Black Stocking yourself, visit their

website: akronblackstockings.com or like them

on Facebook.

VintageBase Ball

TournamentJuly 12 at Stan Hywet

9 am to 4 pmDon't miss this great opportunity

to see how vintage base ball is

played on the grounds of one of

Akron's historic crown jewels.

Kick off the 78th annual FirstEnergy All-American

Soap Box Derby Race Week in downtown Akron!

Derby champions from around the world earn a trip

to Akron to compete in the World Championship

at Derby Downs, but first they’re welcomed with

a parade in their honor, followed by the Opening

Ceremonies. Food vendors, entertainment,

music, and merchandise round out this exciting

kick-off celebration!

Glendale Cemetery Trolley Tour

7pm at Lock 3 ($10)


Join the Summit County Historical Society on a

trolley tour of Glendale Cemetery, one of Akron’s

most interesting historical places. Glendale is the

resting place of notable Akronites such as Frank

Seiberling and John Buchtel, and features

a picturesque landscape and a variety of

architectural styles.


Huzzah for the Akron Black Stockings!Vintage baseball takes over Stan Hywet

by Katie Wheeler

The Akron Black StockingsCourtesy of Stan Hywet

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Arts & Entertainment

I’ve been visiting Stagecoach Antiques since I was

in middle school. I used to love sitting around after

the school day, sifting through antique jewelry

and old postcards. To this day, I love spending

afternoons searching for fashion inspiration in

1940s glamour magazines and amateur snapshots

from that era. Recently, I got to sit down with Leo,

the original owner of the store and find out more

about this Akron gem’s history.

Leo says he first started selling antiques out of his

parents’ dining room in 1943. He’d always been

interested in antiques, particularly glass and old

postcards, so he created a business opportunity

for himself. When his collection outgrew his

parents’ dining room, Leo moved his business to

their basement.

After graduating high school and joining the

military, Leo opened his first store in a now torn-

down building on West Market Street, where

Tangier is located. In the early ‘50s, the rubber

industry was still booming, and downtown Akron

was flourishing. During these years, there was a

strip of West Market filled with antique stores.

People travelled from all over the country to

sight-see in Akron.

“We all did well,” he says. “There was heavy traffic

thanks to the rubber workers.”

Leo’s children—and later, grandchildren—worked

at Stagecoach Antiques in their high school years

and continued to throughout their lives. In 2003,

Leo’s daughter, Eileen, took full-time ownership

of the store. She and Leo both have extensive

knowledge about the history of antiques. The store

is an incredible collection of home décor, literature,

costume jewelry, glassware and much more. I

love visiting the store because I never know what

treasures I’ll find. The other day I found an original

poster from Mae West’s 1937 film “Every Day’s

a Holiday.”

Leo’s store has been located at 449 West Market

for over 30 years—what sets Stagecoach apart

from the rest? “I’ve always been a drawing card,”

he says. “We have a very diverse collection.”

Stagecoach Antiques is open Monday through

Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. You can learn more

about the store by visiting Stagecoach-Antiques.

com where all of their social media links are listed.

hazeltreeinteriors.com

143 West Marke t S t . Ak ron , 44303

Since 2010, Hazel Tree Interiors has been providing award-winning interior design services and custom picture framing, as well as connecting community to the finest and funkiest Northeast Ohio-made furniture, art, lighting, and accessories via our gallery space and network.

Hours Tuesday-Friday

11-5:30Saturday:

11-3

Life in Red LipstickAn Akron icon that offers a peek into our past

by Natalie Ulm


out and about

I got to ride a pink dragon

yesterday. Okay, okay… a

pink dragon BOAT.

I went out to Craftsman’s

Park in the Portage Lakes,

home of the Dragon Dream

Team, to learn about their

organization and their

upcoming dragon boat

festival. Ranging in age from

20 to 70, every team member

has survived breast cancer

and now comes together

three times a week to push

their mental and physical fitness, while forming a

bond with other cancer survivors. Their first boat

was donated by a plastic surgeon from Akron,

Dr. Douglas Wagner, and they now have around

70 survivors on their roster from all over

northeast Ohio.

When I got there, the first thing I noticed was how

much pink I was NOT wearing. Everyone I passed

had a pink shirt on that complemented a huge pink

ribbon that has been placed in the rocks in front

of their dock. The boats are pink, the paddles are

pink, the life vests are pink, and there I was—

in yellow.

The fact that I stood out like a sore thumb was

immediately overshadowed by the welcoming

atmosphere that this group conveys. They were

SO welcoming, in fact, that I quickly found myself

equipped with a paddle and a life vest, and seated

in the middle of one of their boats for practice.

They told me not to worry, that they had yet to flip

a boat, and then ran me through a few of their

drills and "race starts."

I had learned the Dream Team’s history through

talking to its members, but sitting there in the

middle of 20 women who had battled a disease

that not everyone beats is where I truly learned

the connection of the boat, and the water and the

support system that I was surrounded by. Watching

them work together to move 2500 pounds of boat

and passenger through the water was one of the

most inspiring things I have seen.

Team member Marilyn Purdy summed it up best

for me, “Not all of us are athletes, but we are all

important to the team. We are all survivors.”

Though Dream Team members have all been

through the same ordeal, the talk at practice was

not all about cancer. In fact, I didn’t hear cancer

mentioned once. Instead I heard about all the

positive ways this group is giving back to the

community. They run an outreach program called

Boatloads of Hope that works with local hospitals

and treatment centers to give women going

through cancer treatment a pink scarf and a note

of hope. They also volunteer and support at races

and fundraisers, and even bring along their

dragon boat sometimes. These women believe

very strongly in helping and encouraging others

battling breast cancer, because they have all been

there themselves.

Their own fundraising comes

through a spring gala and

a dragon boat festival that

the team hosts. This year the

third annual Portage Lakes

Dragon Boat Festival will

be held on July 11 at the

Portage Lakes State Park.

Boats are provided, so all you

need is a team! The boats

hold up to 20 paddlers, along

with a drummer, and anyone

can put together a team and

participate. Last year the

festival attracted 29 teams

and over 700 paddlers. Even if you don’t have a

team, this all day event is worth coming out to see!

The Dragon Dream Team represents the word team

in every way. They lift each other up through the

treatment and trauma of breast cancer, they come

together in the off season to keep the camaraderie

that they build up over the summer, and they push

each other past expectations in their races. They’re

also pretty bad ass. I was only in that boat for the

warm-up, and I was sweating like I just finished a

run at Hampton Hills. After spending some time in

the water with these ladies, it isn’t hard to see that

strength defines them; cancer does not.

Get yourself a team and come on out, Akron.

Dragons are waiting for you on the lake!

For more information on joining the Dragon Dream

Team, or on the Dragon Boat Festival, please visit:

dragondreamteam.org

Double Dragon(Dream Team)

Pretty in pink on the Portage Lakesby Katie Wheeler


Hike and Picnic

Gorging on Homemade Sushiat The Gorge Metro Park

I’m a bit of a food geek. I read labels. I question

ingredients. I get excited about trying new-to-me

cuisines. I have practiced different eating habits

and researched different diet/lifestyles since my

teen years. For my senior project at Sierra Mountain

Independent High School, I gave a presentation on

macrobiotics, and for the visual aid, I rolled sushi

in front of the senior project panel. I got an A.

But more importantly, I’ve never forgotten how to

roll sushi.

That being said, it’s somewhat time-consuming,

and it’s a commitment. You have to make sushi rice

ahead of time (which includes rinsing 5-6 times and

draining for 30-60 minutes), season it while hot,

and let it cool to body temperature before rolling.

Meanwhile, you have to prepare all your fillings.

Then the rolling itself is tedious, especially if you are

out of practice like I am.

It’s worth it, though, because homemade sushi is so

delicious. Plus—you can pick your own fillings. Yay!

You can get as wild and crazy as you want, or as

boring and typical as you need.

Now, my husband and I just celebrated our first

wedding anniversary, but we’ve been together for

five years. In those five years, I’ve never made him

sushi. I know—I’m terrible. So, for Father’s Day,

I decided to make E.J. some homemade sushi. I

purchased most of the ingredients at Hana Asian

Market in Merriman Valley. Not only do they have

excellent prices on nori sheets, wasabi, pickled

ginger, sushi rice, mirin, and rice vinegar, but they

also have fresh produce and sushi grade fish,

chopsticks and bamboo sushi-rolling mats.

It was amazing, and I made a ton of it (a dozen or

so rolls), so there were leftovers for our hike the

next day. In our picnic cooler the next morning,

E.J., the kids, and I had a tasty variety. There were

tuna avocado rolls and two different veggie rolls:

one was cucumber, carrot, avocado; the other was

egg, asparagus, yam, and umeboshi (pickled plum

paste). We even packed little containers with soy

sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi. We went straight

to the picnic tables before our hike, because our

sushi willpower is negligible.

There is a group of picnic tables at the Gorge,

at the trailhead West of the Cuyahoga (not the

Highbridge trailhead), right near the parking lot

under the shade of some trees. We set up and

demolished the sushi in about 15 minutes. Then we

dropped the cooler back off in the car, and started

out on our hike.

E.J. and I had both been to the Gorge, but neither

of us had been far enough down the trails to

see Mary Campbell Cave. I had briefly looked at

the map online, but didn’t double-check the trail

map once we got to the park. Oops. Let this be

a reminder: always double-check the trail map!

Instead of starting out on the lower trailhead,

which begins with a wheelchair-accessible quarter-

mile, we started at the top. It didn’t make much

difference, since it is a loop, but I kept expecting to

turn right, when we were supposed to be looking

to the left for our turn-offs. Essentially, we did the

1.8-mile hike backwards.

The first mistake was turning up a path with a

sign marked “Albemarle Ave.” Don’t do this. It

was littered with broken glass, and the steps were

broken, and it only leads up to the street. It was

kind of terrifying.

So we walked back down the shady trail and got

back to the Gorge trail. As we hiked on, I kept

looking to the right for the shortcut up to Mary

Campbell Cave. Once we got to the cave, without

any turns, I realized we had been travelling the

upper section of the trail. Still, we missed the

shortcut from this direction, and kept going up

the trail, starting down the primitive trail section.

Luckily, since we realized our mistake, we turned

left down the easy bypass before the most difficult

section of the trail. On our return leg of the loop,

we got some great views of waterfalls, including

the epic falls over the dam. We also got a great

workout going down the steps to the lookout

point, and then back up to the trail.

The hike was just what we were looking for:

challenging with beautiful scenery. We will

definitely return to hang out at the fishing

dock and to catch some more beautiful views

of the falls.

Hana Asian Market:Indian Rock Centre Shopping Center

1390 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44313

// Writer M. Sophie Hamad already wants more

homemade sushi.

by M. Sophie Hamad

Mary Campbell Cave (above)

Pudding Rock (left)


the dish

Beer is good by itself. But can we have a little fun

with it? Can we make an experience out of it?

That’s the idea behind Crave’s monthly Beer

Dinners. As general manager Jason Shoffstall put it,

“Beer plus food equals fun.”

I didn’t disagree.

For two years, Crave has hosted Beer Dinners,

pairing a variety of excellent brews with a delicious

array of courses, their own creations. “What better

way to cross local food and brew than holding Beer

Dinners,” said Shoffstall.

The dinners occur on the last Monday of the

month. To prepare, Shoffstall and owner/head

chef Aaron Hervey talk with the brewmaster of the

chosen brewery, and the creativity begins.

“For Beer Dinners, it’s experimentation time with

50 ready and willing participants,” Shoffstall said.

“We’re fortunate to have a really talented group of

chefs, from top down.”

The Crave team enjoys trying new foods and

flavors. As Hervey put it, “‘We get to really be like,

‘just trust us.’”

Take the May 19 beer dinner menu for instance.

Shoffstall and Hervey paired the Black Box Cloud

Nine Belgian Whit with a crepe sushi roll loaded

with trout, scallop, lobster, avocado, kaffir, and lime

ginger aioli.

Crave welcomed me to observe the May 19 Beer

Dinner. When I arrived, Shoffstall introduced me to

the Black Box Brewing team, who seemed equally

excited about the evening.

As I talked with Black Box owner Jerome Welliver, I

noticed a man across the room waving me over. It

was my Uncle Tom. I made my way to his table and

friends and sat at an empty spot, complete with a

lonely beer.

“We’ve come to all of them,” regular Ralph Giffels

informed me.

Shoffstall leaned into the table to welcome the

guests and have a laugh. “People have fun when

1. Joss Whedon, the man behind “Buffy,

the Vampire Slayer,” “Firefly” and “Dr.

Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog,” also wrote for

which comic book series from 2004 to 2008?

A) Detective Comics

B) Astonishing X-Men

C) The Amazing Spider-Man

D) Cerebus the Aardvark

2. What was the registry number for the

original Star Trek USS Enterprise?

A) NCC-1701

B) NCC-1701-D

C) NCC-74656

D) NX-74205

3. In the original Dragon Ball series,

what happened to Goku when he saw

the full moon?

A) His tail fell off

B) He went super saiyan

C) He turned into giant ape

D) He is transported to Korin Tower

4. Which Toy Story voice actor makes

a brief appearance in The Empire

Strikes Back?

A) Tim Allen

B) Jim Varney

C) Annie Potts

D) John Ratzenberger

5. Which British novelist wrote episodes for

the Doctor Who television series?

A) Neil Gaiman

B) J.K. Rowling

C) Ian McEwan

D) Douglas Adams

Trust Us…Crave’sBeer Dinners By Greg Milo

they come in here, because we’re having fun,”

Hervey said to me before the event, and it’s true.

In between jokes, glasses of Three Day Weekend

Session IPA were placed in front of us. My friends

encouraged me to indulge. I refused their offering

(not really) and took a sip and then another.

Delicious.

Each dish was beautifully arranged, whether it was

the duck confit or skirt steak. Wonderful aromas of

sage, honey, olives, and bacon helped peak

the appetite.

Midway through my third beer, a Belgian Tripel

Cherry, I figured I had completed my research.

I walked up to Shoffstall and confessed, “I couldn’t

resist drinking a few beers.” He waved it off with a

smile and thanked me for doing the story.

Before the event was over, Hervey and Shoffstall

already had a list of reservations for the next dinner.

Crave Beer Dinners57 E. Market St., Akron

330.253.1234

eatdrinkcrave.com

Enjoy a five- to six-course dinner paired with a

specific brew each last Monday of the month while

a representative from the brewery explain the

pairing. The next takes place July 27 with Summit

Brewing. Tickets start at $50 per person.

HowGEEK are you?

A short quiz to determine your suitability for attendance at Geekfest 2015

by Roger Riddle

Give yourself one (1) point

for each correct answer.

Answersof Page 22 >>


geeked out

How to channel yourinner nerd for Geekfest

by Sarah Stubbs

The superfans in Akron who would otherwise feel

at home at Comic Con won’t have to pay big bucks

or travel to big cities in order to get their geek on

this summer. They can get their fan fix July 25 at

Geekfest 2015, the Akron-Summit County Library’s

free and family-friendly 3rd annual mini-comicon.

Never been to a geekfest or practiced cosplay?

Don’t worry. We have you covered.

To help you own your character and tap your

obsession to its fullest, here are a few pro tips from

self-professed geek (and Devil Strip contributor)

Bronlynn Thurman and Geekfest coordinator Sarah

Rosenberger.

1. ALL FANDOMS REALLY ARE WELCOME.

Comicons can be dominated by science-fiction or

fantasy-focused geeks, but that doesn’t mean you

can’t rock your favorite video game character or

obscure book character. Whatever your passion,

you should celebrate it right alongside the

superheroes and anime addicts.

2. WHEN IT COMES TO “GOING ALL-OUT,”

ORIGINALITY ALWAYS COUNTS MOST. Fans

don’t commonly buy a pricey costume. Instead,

they typically build theirs from scratch. Last

year, the second place winner of the costume

contest used real animal bones in her costume

(all humanely acquired, her neighbor was a

taxidermist). There was an Optimist Prime costume

made entirely of foam and another fan built a

humongous dragon costume out of duct tape –

she couldn’t fit through doors. Pat Catan’s and

Jo-Ann’s aren’t the only places to get materials, so

get creative!

3. YOU CAN COSPLAY WITHOUT SPENDING

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS (OR OPT OUT

ALTOGETHER). Bronlynn says, “Some people

come in just T-shirts with their favorite characters

on them and some people go all out.” You don’t

have to participate in the costume contest while

you’re there, either. You can support those who

have the resources and time to invest in

awesome costumes by cheering your fellow

geeks on as they walk across the stage

embodying their characters. Plus, there’s other

stuff going on besides the contest, like taking

in a live-action “Doctor Who” performance

or expert panels, or game and DIY activities.

4. DON’T TRY TO BE SOMEBODY YOU

AREN’T (BESIDES YOUR CHARACTER, OF

COURSE). You don’t have to impress other

Star Trek fans with a plethora of Star Trek

references, quotes, and history. Be honest

about how well-versed you are in your specific

geekworld. Geeks who really do know their stuff

will be eager to tell you all about it and will be

excited that you’re celebrating with them.

5. DON’T MISS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND

YOUR MIND. If you’re curious about turning your

obsession into hobby—or even a career—take

advantage of the learning opportunities that will

be offered all day. At 12:30 pm, there will be a

“So You’ve Created a Comic Book. What’s Next?”

session put on by children’s book illustrator Damion

Kendrick and at 2 pm, there is a “Cosplay for

Beginners” panel.

6. YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE. If you’re

nervous about stepping out in the spotlight by

yourself in your costume, grab a group of friends

and dress up together. Or cosplay with the whole

family. Over the last two years, families have

dressed up like Transformers. Groups of friends

have gone dressed as Bronies, which isn’t the name

of Bronlynn’s groupies but rather what you call

adult male fans of “My Little Pony.”

Though it’s natural to get nervous the first time

you try something new, both Bronlynn and Sarah

agree that the environment at Geekfest is extremely

supportive. Everyone cheers for one another as they

improv across stage.

7. GEEK SOLO OR GEEK GROUP, THE BIG

COSTUME CONTEST ACCOMMODATES ALL

Participants enter the costume contest alone

or with a group, and then are divided into two

groups: teens and adults. Contestants must fill out

a paper indicating which character they’ve dressed

up as, why this character and what makes the

character unique or special. Two emcees will host

the big stage, introducing each respective geek in

character as she grabs the spotlight, throwing a

few improv moves into the mix. Then the real test

begins. The judges—previous winners and veteran

geeks—will ask a question to gauge how well that

geek knows her character. Those who survive this

daunting gauntlet (aka - winners of the contest)

will receive trophies sponsored by Akron Comicon

as well as gift cards for use at local businesses.

Though the little geeks (preschool – 5th grade) will

not be competing against one another, they will be

marching across the stage parade-style to show off

their costumes.

8. MAKE TIME TO MAKE FRIENDS. After

spending time with Bronlynn and Sarah, I know

you don’t have to be a geek to have a good time at

Geekfest. The joy of people-watching at a mini-con

like this should be entertainment enough, as should

the celebration of Akron’s creativity (and finding out

your neighbor is way into Doctor Who). But there’s

another reason to go: To make friends. While

organizers have planned several events to keep

you busy throughout Geekfest, Sarah says their big

focus is about helping Akronites “socialize with

people who are passionate.” That’s the best part of

anything like this so set aside some time to meet

new people. They may even introduce you to a

fandom that totally changes you—or at least gives

you some ideas for next year’s costume.

Geekfest2015

Akron-Summit County Library's mini-comicon

Saturday, July 25noon to 4 pm

Main Library

60 S. High St. Akron

HowGEEK are you?

WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM

Whatzit?

I’m staring at a shirt

boasting characters

from “Battlestar

Galactica”—the

original series cast

with Lorne Greene. It’s

distracting me from

listening to my host,

Jason Miller, owner of

Barberton’s StuffGenie

Emporium.

It’s easy to get

distracted here.

Midway through

Jason's answering one

of my questions, I interrupt him to point out the

game Battleship with those familiar looking ‘70s

kids who seemed to be smiling on the box of every

board game when I was a kid.

Jason doesn’t mind my distraction. It’s what he

lives for.

“You can’t beat the Christmas morning fireworks,”

Jason says, followed by a mouthed explosion sound

effect. “It’s cool to see that elation.”

StuffGenie celebrates that joy with three rooms of

nostalgic fun, but Jason has more hidden away in

the attic and basement. He calls it a disease, but

it’s definitely a happy one, because I can’t wipe the

smile off my face, and I can’t stop saying, “Whoa, I

remember that.”

From a young age, Jason caught the bug. He

remembers his mother organizing a pirate

scavenger hunt for his fifth birthday. He points to

that as the moment of his love for finding treasures

and selling them to those in search of treasures.

“It’s like a museum where you can buy stuff,” Jason says. “I love finding the stuff to put in the right people’s hands.”

“It’s very diverse,” I say, referring to the geeky toys

and the antique ware behind the glass.

There’s E.T. dressed in a hoodie just under a photo

of the Black Keys. And one of those great King

Kong glasses you drank your milk from as a kid.

There’s “Howard the Duck” comics next to Pink

Floyd’s “The Wall.” A big wheel rides high above

the showroom, chic

50s glasses sparkle

loud and, of course,

the Evel Knievel

motorcycle revs

its magic.

“My thought process

was to have a

family of four, even

grandparents, walk

out with something,”

Jason says.

It’s a lot like the entire

Tuscarawas Avenue

strip we’re walking—something for everyone.

Jason describes each store, promoting what they

have to offer. He’s psyched about the Barberton

revitalization, and I totally see what he’s excited

about when I walk the strip. These turn-of-the-

century buildings have more character than some

people I know, and the stores inside respect that

100-year-old wealth.

Jason opened StuffGenie about a year ago. It’s a

nice complement to the other vintage shops in

historic Barberton. Between 3rd and 6th Street,

along Tuscarawas Avenue, you’ll find the boutique

Alter’d Relics, the quaint Snowball Bookstore,

the diner atmosphere of Uncle Sonny's Place,

and the calm of Lake Anna down the block, not

to mention, the Towpath Trail is linked to the

downtown by way of the Magic Mile.

When he’s not busy greeting customers in

StuffGenie, Jason is organizing auctions or hosting

the Saturday night, geeked-out radio show Altered

Realm on KRMAradio.com.

He’s definitely involved in the community, and he

appreciates that community.

“StuffGenie Emporium would not be open without

the help and support of my family and friends,

especially Melissa, my driving force in life.”

It takes a while to leave, but I finally tear myself

away. I thank Jason and say good-bye to

StuffGenie, but I know I’ll be back to that store in

Barberton that looks so much like my basement

in 1982.

Basement NostalgiaFinding your treasure and long,

lost youth at StuffGenie Emporium by Greg Milo

United Way is a champion for healthy food for all in Summit County. We believe that nutritious food should be available to everyone, regardless of income. So we partner with many nonprofit organizations to promote equal access to healthy, high-quality food.

Join us at the table. Volunteer.

If you have a passion for healthy food education, access and policy, connect with the United Way Volunteer Center to find ways to get involved with amazing programs and people in your community. Whether you have just one evening to help out a community garden, want to volunteer weekly at a farmers’ market or can spend some time in an office supporting a program, you can become a part of the solution.

Current volunteer opportunities:1. Help with planting, weeding, watering and harvesting at

an urban farm or community garden2. Lend support to a weekly farmer’s market3. Organize a healthy food drive4. Deliver meals to seniors in their homes 5. Mentor kids on nutrition and exercise

Many more projects are available! Contact the United Way Volunteer Center at [email protected] or 330.643.5512 for a complete list of opportunities or search our online volunteer project database at uwsummit.org. Under ‘Take Action,’ click the Volunteer link, and then the link for food-related opportunities. Nonprofits – contact the Volunteer Center to add your project.

beCause Great thinGs haPPen When We liVe uniteD.

United Way of Summit County

uWsuMMit.orG

What this PlaCe neeDs is healthy fooD for eVeryone.

What this PlaCe neeDs is healthy fooD for eVeryone.

AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE

Food & Cultures

Jim Reed was a lawyer

and CPA who, through

serendipity, found

himself owning and

running an inn in

the form of a castle

in Hocking Hill, along with his wife Pam.

Recently, they've opened The Malted Meeple,

a boardgame cafe in Hudson. I recently met

him at a gaming event and found his and his

wife's story to be a fascinating one.

Isaac Kelley: A lot of people are surprised

to discover that there is a castle in Ohio.

Jim Reed: The castle was built and opened

in 1995. It is a 21-room, 50-acre bed and

breakfast with a pub. When we came to own

the castle, not a lot of people knew about it.

The previous owner had wanted to keep it

very secluded and private. He didn't want a

lot of people to know about it. We've gone

the other route.

IK: How did you come to own a castle?

JR: My wife and I had visited Ravenwood

Castle when it was new and we fell in love

with the place. We probably visited it eight

more times over the next six years. We

stopped going once we had kids. Years later,

my daughter at the time was in the fourth

grade and had a project to study an Ohio

county. We told her about Hocking County,

and that there was a castle there that we used

to visit. She didn't believe us, so we Googled

it up and discovered that the castle was for

sale. One thing led to another and now we

own it. It started out as a side business as I

continued to work at my law firm, but one

year after we bought it, I quit my job to do

Ravenwood full time, which was

slightly terrifying.

IK: I can imagine.

JR: It changed me quite a bit. I've always been

the behind the scenes guy. Frankly, I'm not an

extrovert or a people person, which is odd in

a person who has ended up working

in hospitality.

Our first night, we had a full house. We

walked in, took the keys, and twenty minutes

later we literally had fifty people drop into our

lap. I ran over and started tending the bar, I

didn't even know how to charge people for

beer, we were that new to it. I just started

chatting with people while my wife went

upstairs to take care of some things. Later,

Pam came down for a bit and she just looked

at me with a strange look on her face. She

came back down about half an hour later and

had the same look on her face. She did this

three or four times throughout the night, and

eventually after the last person had left the

bar, she came down and just looked at me

and said “who the hell are you?” That was

just not the husband she knew.

IK: Ravenwood had been around for

seventeen years when you took it over.

What changes did you make?

JR: We, along with the original innkeeper,

decided we needed to put a little more

boardgaming in there, because it was

something that we care about. That really

resonated with people, what really caused

us to take off. We believe pretty strongly

that there is a need and a benefit to getting

away from technology and just having social

interaction with people. That's our mission at

both Ravenwood and at The Meeple.

IK: Let's talk about the Meeple. A few

years after taking over Ravenwood, you

have opened The Malted Meeple,

a boardgame cafe. What exactly does

that entail?

JR: At The Meeple, a lot of people come in

and say, “Okay, so you're a boardgame store,

right?” Well, no ... “So you're a bar, right?”

No we're not that either. We're a hospitality

business. We're in the business of creating a

good time and selling that experience. We do

sell board games, we do sell snacks, and we

do serve beer, but those aren't what we're in

the business of selling.

IK: Have you had trouble explaining

that concept?

JR: Most people have picked up on it. When

you come into the Meeple to play a game,

we're charging you a table fee, which is

basically a cover charge. That gives you access

to an entire library of games.

You do have some people who say, “I'm

not going to pay a fee. I can play a game at

home.” That's correct. We're not the cheapest

place to play games. That's not what we're

about. We're about providing a comfortable

experience for playing games in a comfortable

environment. We're going to be serving you a

drink or a milkshake, and teaching you to play

a game, and introducing you to other games.

That's what you're paying that table fee for.

Explained that way, we haven't had a hard

time getting people to understand

the concept.

The People of


NUEVO MODERN MEXICAN& TEQUILA BARRESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR SEATING BUT ADVENTURESOME TASTE BUDS REQUIRED FOR DINING

«««««“A great place downtown to grab a bite before a ballgame, or a show at the Civic. I had the BBQ chicken tacos and the wife had the fish tacos, and both were excellent. These are not your typical neighborhood Mexican food flavors, so if you are looking for cheese-smothered, soggy tortillas filled with ground meat, this is not the place for you. Everything seems fresh and prepared with care. ...I am looking forward to heading back to try the Chorizo burrito!” – Jeff W.

54 East Mill St. Akron 44308(330) 762-8000nuevomodmex.comHours: M-Th 11-10, F 11-11, Sat 3-11


on stage

Picture this: You’re a musician about to get into

the thick of a long tour, living and traveling in a

sweltering RV as the city burns in flames all around

you. Your guitar player decides to quit the band at

3 am, and you’ve still got shows to play. What do

you do?

If you’re The Living Deads, the answer

is simple: You grab a burlap sack

and kidnap a passerby to take

his place. If this sounds

like the plot of a devious

horror film, you’re

on the right track.

Akron-born Randee

McKnight and his

partner in crime

Symphony Tidwell

attract attention

wherever they go,

like colorful villains in a

B-movie—or a spookier,

kookier Bonnie and Clyde.

With McKnight and Tidwell toting

drums and upright bass, respectively, across the

globe in that infamous RV, the duo has recruited

local musicians like Shane Vain and Steven R. Trent

to join the ride in their ghoulish caravan. McKnight

began this adventure 20 years ago when he moved

away from Ohio and filtered in and out of various

bands before joining Hillbilly Hellcats in the 2000s.

It was during a tour with this outfit that he met

Tidwell, and together the pair headed to Denver to

begin their own adventure.

Though Tidwell comes from a musical family –

both her mother’s mother and aunt trained in

upright bass – she never considered picking it

up and playing with a touring band until Randee

suggested it. Her fine arts education and work as a

special effects makeup artist undoubtedly gave her

a creative edge, and learning bass came naturally.

“I started out learning old country

bass lines, then I tried to think

outside the box,” Tidwell

says. “Travel sounded

intriguing, but I didn’t

think being a touring

musician was actually

a life option.”

McKnight’s rockabilly

background, coupled

with Tidwell’s unique

style, served as the

foundation for The Living

Deads’ new sound. McKnight

had been playing music since

age 15, and meeting various musicians

along his travels has inspired and influenced his

work. Blending thrash metal, blues and even

mambo-meets-calypso beats, the pair became

devoted to pushing the envelope. McKnight says

his hometown has had a big impact on their punk-

soaked, psychobilly aesthetic.

“Akron has a heavy punk tradition, with musicians

like Lux Interior, Dead Boys and Devo,” McKnight

(continued on page 22)

“Akron has a heavy punk tradition,

with musicians like Lux Interior, Dead Boys and Devo,” McKnight says. “We wanted to combine all our influences and really do something

different.”

Blood, Sweat and Fears with

The Living Deadsby Brittany Nader


Music & Culture

Bluelight’s debut effort is an ode to city life and

all that comes with it. Their songs explore love,

loss, frustration, transportation and the people

all around us, as well as ourselves. Set against

a backdrop of urban sounds, there’s no doubt

composer Philip Anderson's time in Brooklyn

helped to shape the soundscape that gives texture

to the album. Vehicles, trains, conversations and

street sounds seep in around the edges of songs,

giving the EP a cinematic quality.

Keyboardist and vocalist Anderson, drummer

Holbrook Riles III, bassist Matthew DeRubertis, hip-

hop vocalist Big Jul Green and saxophonist Chris

Coles all attended the jazz program at University

of Akron before spreading out across the country.

Anderson found his way to Brooklyn, where he

currently resides. He and the rest of Bluelight

returned to Akron in January of this year to write

and record their first release.

While Bluelight should be considered a jazz band,

their style is reminiscent of the mid to late 90's acid

jazz sound, woven with R&B and hip-hop vocals,

and an arrangement that highlights their skillful

musicianship. Listeners familiar with groups like the

Brand New Heavies or Groove Collective, or more

modern groups like Jazzanova, Cinematic Orchestra

and Zero 7, will welcome “Bluelight.”

“Bluelight” is meant to be listened to as a complete

album. In this digital age, too often albums seem

designed to be a collection of singles; any song can

be downloaded and stand on its own. However,

the production on “Bluelight” leads you from one

song into the next, assuring that the best listening

experience is in its intended order, and from

beginning to end.

Songs are well-written and layered with meaning.

A particularly clever moment occurs with the track

“Departure,” which follows “Trains.” While the

titles work well together, the fast-paced, minimalist

“Departure,” with rapid-fire rap lyrics from Big Jul,

almost seems out of place on the EP. The quick

snap drumming from Riles seems frantic and the

sparse notes from Anderson's keyboard lends an

unsettling feeling. You get the feeling that the

person in the song is running to catch the train.

But a deeper listen reveals Big Jul's lyrics are an ode

to John Coltrane. His quick lyrical delivery could

be emulating a solo from the famous saxophonist.

That’s when you realize this song is a disguised nod

to Coltrane's “Chasin' the Trane.”

The 8-minute “Mirrors” provides another beautiful

moment on the EP. Anderson's vocals are hypnotic

and his keyboard playing dances around a shining

performance from Coles and his saxophone. This

song of introspection leads the listener to turn

within, while the song crescendos around them.

The “Bluelight” EP is a very tasteful listen, perfect

for a lazy day spent staring out of the window on a

rainy day. A genuinely good addition to your music

collection, one that’s particularly sweet because it

was made in Akron.

bluelightCD Launch Party

Thursday, July 9 at 8 pmNone Too Fragile Theatre at Pub Bricco ($10)

1841 Merriman Rd, Akron

Bluelight celebrates the release of their EP

with a midwest tour kick-off performance.

Doors open at 8 pm.

You can learn more about Bluelight at

philipandersonmusic.com/bluelight

Bluelight's self-titled debutan excellent addition to Akron's musical landscape.

by Roger Riddle

BLUELIGHT CD RELEASE PARTY Thursday, July 9 at 8 pmNone Too Fragile Theatre at Pub Bricco ($10)


This super collection of Akron area talent features UA

jazz program grads who represent some of our favorite

local acts—The Admirables, Ahi-Nama, Axon Neuron

and Moustache Yourself—so we knew we were in for a

good listen when we hit play on that advance copy of

Bluelight’s debut EP. (See the full review on page 17.)

Operating under Phil Anderson’s aural vision, Matthew

DeRubertis, Holbrook Riles III, Big Jul Green and Chris

Coles have crafted something special, blending jazz,

modern R&B and hip-hop for a sound that’s both

mellow and energetic in their ode to city life.

GET ON UPSaturday, July 11 at 5 pmJilly’s Music Room (FREE)

111 N Main St, Akron

Get On Up throws a big party each and every time they

play out. Anyone who's been out to see their show can

attest to the dance floor's allure when they’re getting’

funky.

SONS OF MIDORI, ANCHOR THE MOON, GLADWELL AND THE STILL IFFYSThe Empire Concert Club & BarSaturday July 18 at

This eclectic four-band bill is headlined by Sons of

Midori, a four-piece rock outfit who’ve been playing

together in some way, shape, form or fashion since

1997. They’re joined by Anchor the Moon, who I

unanimously voted the Band Most Likely to Feature a

Tophat, as well as Gladwell and the Still Iffys.spotli

ght


Music & Culture

From the moment we press play, we begin the

journey into a sensory labyrinth. Sounds buzz

and weave patterns that conjure vivid images

and emotions. Music has the ability to resurrect

history and reignite memories once buried deep

within the neurons of the mind. The experience

of submerging ourselves into song is like traveling

through time. Each melody acts as a soundtrack to

a different decade, holding a special kind of power

that allows us to relive another time and place.

Some of us spend our lives as passionate collectors

of music, and finding the perfect location along our

voyage for picking up that coveted vinyl record or

disc is a key part of the entire experience.

Enter the Time Traveler, the answer to the

wayfaring music lover’s prayers, a treasure trove of

albums, movies and memorabilia that individually

capture a specific moment, era or season. Opened

in 1980 in various locations by Scott Shepard, the

store truly is a time machine drifting through the

area looking for a place to land. Shepard’s shop

currently sits cozily on 118 West Market St., a dark

treasure trove of media that is comparable to dad’s

basement or a garage sale full of lost gems once

adored by a teenager alone in her bedroom.

It doesn’t fit into the oft-repeated stereotype of

the snobby record store, and that is largely due to

Shepard’s relatable charm and genuine passion for

the music both in the shop and floating through

the airwaves. More often than not, you’ll catch

Shepard behind the counter, greeting customers

with a warm, sincere welcome, proud of his

collection and eager to share it with locals and

visitors. Lining the walls are photos of the owner

and noted musical acts spanning the decades.

Both the decorations and merchandise serve as a

meandering timeline, guiding us through the years,

as music has the power to do so often.

Last December, Shepard packed up much of of his

collection from the expansive shop he owned and

operated in Cuyahoga Falls. Certainly larger and

fuller than the store’s current location, it drew in loyal

customers and music lovers far and wide. You could

spend hours sifting through the nostalgic posters

and promotional materials for sale, not to mention

the thousands of classic and rare records filling the

store to the brim. Though cozier, Time Traveler’s

collection still calls to the masses. It’s the place to

go for essential records under $10, and if you’re

still unable to find that must-have piece of music,

Shepard is more than happy to order it for you.

With trendy big-name stores cashing in on the vinyl

record renaissance, finding music these days is as

easy as a tap of a button or click of a mouse. The

downside is the price markup and questionable

quality – not to mention the lack of face time

with a knowledgeable purveyor of aural treasures.

Time Traveler is the real deal, sharing those sonic

wonders that speak to people and connect them

so effortlessly. There is joy for many in digging for

that special album that casts a spell on their senses.

A buried memory, or perhaps of fragment of

youth, can be heard as soon as the needle drops.

Through time and location changes, Time Traveler

will always be the essential place for Akronites to

wax poetic on a favorite band or scoop up that rare

record missing from their collection.

Time Traveler:A home for Akron music geeks .

by Brittany Nader

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Music & COncertsWEDNESDAY, JULY 8Music in the Meadow: Sammy DeLeon Latin

Jazz Orchestra

5:30pm at Howe Meadow (FREE)


Grab a blanket and a picnic dinner and bring your

family to hear FREE music in your national park!

This jazz ensemble combines traditional salsa

rhythms with a more aggressive and progressive

style. Their music will delight lovers of salsa,

merengue, mambo, latin jazz, and more.

Hank & Cupcakes with Frigid Touch, DIVAN8R,

and Bobby Bubonic & The Plague

7pm at Empire Concert Club ($10)

1305 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron

Named for Charles “Hand” Bukowski and one

of his lovers, “Cupcakes”, this Brooklyn-based

duo (by way of Tel Aviv and Melbourne) play

infectious electro pop with simmering sexuality

and an irresistible dance pulse. Frigid Touch

combines glitch and glitz, casting the lyrical

spotlight on the role technology plays in shaping us

psychologically... Plus, you can dance to it.

THURSDAY, JULY 9

Bluelight CD release party

None Too Fragile Theatre at Pub Bricco, 8 pm ($10)


These musicians—UA grads Phil Anderson’s vision,

Matthew DeRubertis, Holbrook Riles III, Big Jul

Green and Chris Coles—represent a host of our

favorite local acts so we figured Bluelight would be

good, but they’ve crafted something special from

their jazz, modern R&B and hip-hop influences.

Ann E. DeChant

Downtown@Dusk

6:30pm at Akron Art Museum (FREE)

1 S High St, Akron

Head to the Art Museum every Thursday for

the Downtown@Dusk concert series! Enjoy free

admission to the museum, and this week listen to

Ann E. DeChant’s poignant, melodic country.

Boy=Girl

7pm at Jilly’s Music Room (FREE)


This is a power duo! They may play sparse &

intimate. They may rock it out. Either way you get

penetrating harmonies and captivating playing. A

mix of traditional and contemporary music, with an

emphasis on originals.

Curtis Taylor

8pm at BLU Jazz+ ($12)


Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Curtis Taylor’s

lyrical and melodic improvisational style displays a

level of maturity far beyond his counterparts. His

unique blend of soulfulness, harmonic sensibilities

and rhythm melt together for an unforgettable

sound that directly connects with the soul of

the listener.

FRIDAY, JULY 10Dominick Farinacci



Dominick Farinacci has been recently credited

the title Global Ambassador to Jazz at Lincoln

Center by Wynton Marsalis, working to further

integrate jazz into communities around the world,

particularly the medical community. He works with

the Cleveland Clinic both in Ohio and Abu Dhabi

to bring music to those at the hospitals and foster

discussions between doctors and their patients.

Not to mention, of course, his phenomenal skills

on the trumpet!

Nils Lofgren

8pm at Hard Rock Live ($25)

10777 Northfield Rd, Northfield

For much of his professional rock & roll career,

Nils Lofgren has been known as the lead guitarist

for Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, and prior

to that Lofgren was a member of Neil Young's

backing band Crazy Horse. These associations have

tended to dominate any mention of the guitarist's

career, as any support for two legendary singer/

songwriters would. But take away Bruce and Neil

from Lofgren's résumé and he has an impressive,

(continued on page 20)


Music & Culture

A great way to spend some time, whether it’s a

first date or a family day, is to be on your feet,

interacting with a piece of history like a pinball

machine. Personally, I credit the “Haunted House”

machine for my ability to tolerate back-up cameras

in cars. Do I tilt? Yeah, sometimes. But there is

nothing like the sound and lights from a machine

playing at your hands to make you feel like you

own the night (or day).

Marvin Ortscheid has taken his joy of pinball to a

new height with his collection of machines that

clang, flicker, and go bump in the night (and

day), awaiting a weekly slate of players at the

Stonehedge Family Entertainment Center in Akron.

Marvin said the league is seeing new players

who come in to play the “real thing” after years

of playing computer games like “Virtual Pins”

on Xbox. Marvin credits Fred Borden, owner of

the Stonehenge location, for encouraging this

venue within the busy family center, as well as his

partners in the league, Tommy PinWizard and

Jessie Carduner, for keeping the process

running smoothly.

Marvin owns and cares for the largest collection

of public pinball machines in the area and hosts a

league playing four games each Monday night at

7:15 pm, with the Summer League starting July 27.

There are over 60 pinball players this summer.

The informal mixed league swells

to over 100 players in the winter.

Participants, ages 8 to 70, range in

skill level from novice to wizard, and

come from all different lines of work.

No matter what your skill level, new

players are always welcome. The

games are affordable, between 50

cents and 75 cents per play, and an

evening’s league play lasts about

an hour and a half.

With lights, mechanics, and computers—how

do these machines keep going and going with

different hands and action all around them? Marvin

says he is self-taught, and from some quick calls

around the area, that seems to be the rule. Take a

little bit of computer electronic training, coupled

with machining and electrical skills and fearless

tinkering under the hood with steel ball bearings

flying at you, and you have the working technician.

Stonehedge was selected to be one of the national

launch locations for the latest and long awaited

KISS pinball machine, featuring the singers’ voices

and 3-D attachments. The launch happens

Monday, July 20, giving you a great introduction

to this old sport—or a new one, depending on

your perspective.

Stonehedge Center580 E Cuyahoga Falls Avenue, Akron

Open daily this summer from 9 am to 1 am

Akron Metro Bus Line # 7:

Lexington Avenue stop

For more information, email Marvin at

[email protected]

stonehedgeakron.com

Gates open at 6 p.m. | Concerts start at 7 p.m.

Lock 4 is located off of Bowery St., behind the CivicTheatre, next to Lock 3. Admission is free. Bring your lawn chair.

JUL 8 The Rhythm SyndicateJUL 15 Skip Gibson and Finesse

FRI JUL 17 BRUCE IN THE USA A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band with Instant Replay

Tramonte Distributing Co.

ROCK THE LOCK

JUL 18 1964 THE TRIBUTE Beatles Tribute with Roger Hoover and The Hurt

Concerts start at 7 p.m.

African-American Festival Sun. July 19 Hours 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Admission is free until 5 p.m.

Featuring

Concert starts at 8 p.m.Admission $10 after 5 p.m.

VISCERAL INTENTION Full tilt boogie with Akron’s

largest pinball machine collection.

by Susan Covey

travel made easy

The enhanced AAA Mobile app makes it easier than ever to enjoy your membership every day.

DISCOUNTS exclusively for members at over 164,000 locations

CHEAPEST gas prices at nearby stations

TRAVEL planning tools including Drive Trips and Travel Guides

RELIABLE roadside assistance and instant battery quotes

Mobile Access to Trusted AAA Services

Download now to stay on the road and on the go. AAA.com/mobile


idiosyncratic cache in his own right. Don’t miss

your chance to see this legendary guitarist in

Northeast Ohio!

SATURDAY, JULY 11Get On Up

5 pm at Jilly’s Music Room (FREE)


Get On Up throws a big party each and every time

they play out. Anyone who's been out to see their

show can attest to the dance floor's allure when

they’re gettin funky.

Telamon

8 pm at The Empire Concert Club ($8 adv.)

1305 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron

This local alt/indie rock band’s act melds The

Gaslight Anthem and Rise Against while still

offering their own original sound. They’ll take the

stage with a special mystery guest who had to be

flown in for rehearsal.

Late Night Jazz Jam with Theron Brown

11pm at BLU Jazz+ (FREE)


Akron-based jazz pianist and fan favorite, Theron

Brown, is a frequent performer and jam session

bandleader at BLU Jazz+. Bring your horn and join

him for a special late night jam session, and enjoy

the camaraderie of having a gathering place for the

area’s finest professional jazz musicians (as well as

the up-and-comers)!

SUNDAY, JULY 12Music by Nature: Summer Winds

6:30pm at Happy Days Lodge ($20)

500 W Streetsboro Rd, Peninsula

Embracing the warm sounds of the woodwind

family, it’s a classic wind quintet in a beautiful

summer setting. The concert features music that

evokes scenes from nature, a hardy romantic work,

and rustic country dances done in a jazzy style.

TUESDAY, JULY 14Dorianne Denard & The Pickups

7:30pm at Nuevo Modern Mexican (FREE)

54 E Mill St, Akron

Enjoy Nuevo’s beautiful patio and delicious modern

Mexican cuisine while listening to Dorianne Denard

& The Pickups, a vibrant jazz trio influenced by

a variety of genres and featureing Dorianne’s

breathtaking vocals.

As we get older we continue to identify our youth

by the video games we played—at least from

my age cohort on. Space Invaders arrived in the

area during my freshman year of high school. I

lived and played through the dawn of the video

arcade era. The games that set up the jokes in

the movie Pixels—Pac Man, Centipede, Donkey

Kong—generated the cathode ray wallpaper of

my formative years.

Chris Bailey, the owner and operator of Back to

the Arcade in Uniontown defines his youth by a

different era. In his video arcade, some of the wall

decorations pay homage to the first generation

games, but his stock concentrates on games

of the 1990s—tournament fighting games like

Street Fighter and Tekken, side-scrolling beat-em-

ups like Streets of Rage, racing games and some

early first-person shooters like Ranger Mission.

These were the games of his youth, the ones that

defined his crew.

Bailey started collecting gaming consoles about

eight years ago until his collection got “out

of hand.”

“I couldn’t get into my kitchen, my garage.

Friends were mad at me because I had games at

their houses.”

He started putting his collection to use by placing

games in other businesses. Back to the Arcade

first opened in Norton, and has been in its present

location in Uniontown for about six months. “This

is my take on the arcade from when I was a kid,”

Bailey said.

I visited recently with my 13-year-old daughter

and her friend. Five dollars buys entrance,

including unlimited game play, for an hour.

“I look at this as a venue,” explained Bailey,

meaning that the admission price entitles a

customer to all (or none) of what is inside. For

kids playing or parents supervising, the cost is the

same. In addition to 29 retro video games, the

arcade features skee-ball, vintage and modern

home consoles with flat screen TVs and Wi-Fi.

Bailey said that he tries to offer arcade nostalgia

in a family-friendly form, both in atmosphere and

cost. I was a little disappointed not to see any first

generation games, but Bailey says the kids raised

on the XBox have no patience for their relatively

limited graphics and game play. The night we

visited, the room was packed with kids, but a

number of the parents there—mostly dads from

Bailey’s era—were also clearly enjoying revisiting

some favorite games from their past.

In his game collecting Bailey focuses particularly

on motion games—the sort that offer experiences

a user cannot get on a home system. For

example, in Rail Chase—clearly one of Bailey’s

prizes—the player races a speeding mine car

while seated on a compressor-driven bench that

tilts and bucks with the onscreen action.

Back to the Arcade also features a selection

of vintage candies (which were sold out the night

we visited, much to the disappointment of my

younger charges) and offers food catered in by a

Romeo’s Pizza shop located a few doors down.

The room itself—narrow and deep, lined on both

sides with games—is a little snug. Loud music

blasts through a sound system, and occasionally

competes with a DJing game and Dance Dance

Revolution toward the back.

Looking forward, Bailey hopes to host arcade

machine tournaments that can stream on

a networking site like Twitch. He also may

ultimately open a “barcade” catering strictly to

adult customers, offering games for free (or at

least covered by drink prices.)

Back to the Arcade offers both a trip back for

those who remember the end of the arcade era

and a different kind of gaming experience for

their kids. Me, I’m still looking to get on a

Gorf machine one last time.

Music & Culture

Treasure TroveGen X nostalgia finds a home at Back to the Arcade . by Scott Piepho

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

Dan Wilson

7:30 pm at Pub Bricco (FREE)


Music has been an integral part of jazz guitarist

Dan Wilson's life since his beginnings in gospel

music and he’s been an integral part of Akron’s

jazz since its recent resurgence. The Akron native

researched Brazilian music in Rio De Janeiro for his

Master’s thesis, has toured Russia and Germany,

and played in the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Now you

get to experience his world-class talent up close

and personal in the None Too Fragile Theatre at

Pub Bricco.

Lock Bottom Blues & Jazz


Behind the Akron Civic Theatre

Every Wednesday through September 2

Lock 4 is an exciting space in Downtown Akron!

The rushing water of the Ohio-Erie Canal creates

multiple waterfalls, which, with the historic brick

facades of some of the oldest buildings in the

city, give the space a distinctly urban feel. The

LockBottom Blues & Jazz Club is "down under" off

of Bowery Street, adjacent to Lock 3.

Train, The Fray & Matt Nathanson

7pm at Blossom Music Center ($29.50)

1145 W Steels Corner Rd, Cuyahoga Falls

Don’t miss this lineup of modern American rock

stars! Pregame in the “Patcast Tailgate Tent,”

featuring local DJs and giveaways and a chance to

meet Pat Monahan himself, then enjoy The Fray’s

piano-driven pop rock and Train’s long-running

American rock.

311

7:30pm at Hard Rock Live ($49.50)

10777 Northfield Rd, Northfield

311 mix rock, rap, reggae and funk into their

own unique sound, which has cultivated a huge

following since they started playing together

in 1990.

THURSDAY, JULY 16University of Akron Summer Concert

7:30pm at Lock 3 (FREE)


Join The University of Akron Summer Community

Symphonic Band as they present a tribute concert

to the variety of cultures present in the Akron

community. Listen for works representing Italian,

Celtic, and German heritage along with many

others, including the USA!


Playing Dungeons & Dragons is no longer

something you only do in your parents’ basement.

In fact, there's an entire population of tabletop

gamers who get together locally to play it, and the

best-of-the-best destination is located is right in

your backyard.

Underhill's Games, located in Cuyahoga Falls,

is well known among gamers as THE place to

congregate and pick up the latest strategic board

game, as well as Magic: The Gathering cards.

"There's a game for everyone," says Lee McLain,

owner of Underhill's. A life-long gamer himself,

McLain opened the store nine years ago and prides

his business on carrying the largest selection of

board games in Northeast Ohio. Game themes vary

widely in subject as well. Anything from fantasy,

history, railroads, zombies — even quilting — can

be found.

So-called "gateway" games, such as Ticket to Ride

and Settlers of Catan, are where most new gamers

get their start.

Elan Trotman



Saxophonist Elan Trotman, quickly becoming one

of jazz’s most thrilling and emotive performers,

continues to stand out and push boundaries as a

composer, performer, teacher and recording artist.

Blending Caribbean rhythms from his roots with

skillful horn textures, his playing is full of surprises.

FRIDAY, JULY 17The Stumpy Basin Volunteers

6:30pm at GAR Hall ($7)

1785 Main St, Peninsula

It’s always a good time when Peninsula’s hometown

Bluegrass band takes the stage, kicking out your

favorite traditional Bluegrass tunes. Join us as we

welcome you back to our favorite place to hear

music with a favorite local band.

WONE’s Rock the Lock: Bruce in the USA



Every Friday throughout the summer, head to Lock

3 for great tribute bands - this week, a tribute to

Bruce Springsteen!

Brad Paisley, Justin Moore & Mickey Guyton

7:30pm at Blossom Music Center ($31)

1145 W Steels Corner Rd, Cuyahoga Falls

Brad Paisley is back on the road this summer on his

mammoth Crushin' It Tour, reaching 35 cities across

North America! Joining him for his spectacular live

show will be outlaw of the country scene Justin

Moore & growing talent Mickey Guyton.

"They are quick play, easy to learn and can be

taught in minutes," says McLain.

Many of these games first gained popularity in

Europe, where family and/or cooperative game play

is an important part of the culture. Constructive

thinking and interactive storytelling are prominent

strategies in these "grown up" tabletop games,

with most designed for two to four players, four

players being the optimal play.

Locally, many game players fall into the “DINKs”

demographic, as McLain puts it: double income

couple, no kids, secondary education and typically

in their mid-to-late 20s. It is, perhaps, because of

this demographic that he now sees more and more

game manufacturers creating games specifically for

two players.

The back third of Underhill's Games is filled with

tables for open play gaming.

"We have a rack of games available for players

to demo before they buy," McLain says. This

SATURDAY, JULY 18Larry Fuller Trio



Join us as we welcome the sensational world-class

jazz pianist, Larry Fuller, back to his home state of

Ohio for a swingin’ affair at BLU Jazz+! This will be

a very special evening of top shelf jazz at its finest.

The Juke Hounds

8pm at Jilly’s Music Room (FREE)


When the Juke Hounds start to play, it’s impossible

not to get up and start shaking along to the

rhythm. Their fast moving sets offer bluesy

defiance -- swagger in the face of adversity -- and

a pace that feels like an accelerating train moving

inexorably toward deliverance from our

earthly burdens.

Empires, The Modern Electric, and Stiletto

9pm at Musica ($10)


Hailing from Chicago, Empires blends contemporary

pop stylings with time-honored songwriting and

romantic idioms, both musical and lyrical, to mask

deeper and darker personal truths, while the

Modern Electric goes in search of life that’s just like

the movies with their melodic cinematic pop.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22Music in the Meadow: HeartBEAT Afrika

5:30pm at Howe Meadow (FREE)


Creating rhythms with everything from body parts

to buckets, HeartBEAT Afrika performs a captivating

convenience is available and free during all business

hours. Underhill's also hosts weekly game meet-ups

and the occasional gaming tournament.

Keith Leonard of Canton often makes the trip up to

Underhill's for its game selection, as well as events.

"I have always looked for reasons to get together

with my friends. Sports, events, drinking, the excuse

really did not matter,” Leonard says. “However,

since I have been playing board games, the games

are almost (almost) as equally important.”

The next time you're looking for something

different to try, stop into Underhill's and let your

mind and imagination play.

Underhill's Games is located at 1747 State Road in

Cuyahoga Falls or online at underhillsgames.com.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday,

noon - 9 pm and Sunday, noon - 7 pm.

mixture of street percussion, traditional African

drums, song, storytelling, theatre, and dance.

Ahi-Nama

7:30pm at Nuevo Modern Mexican (FREE)

54 E Mill St, Akron

Playing a fun and danceable mix of Latin Jazz,

Salsa, and Timba music from Cuba and the

Caribbean, Ahi-Nama is sure to enhance your

Nuevo experience!

Tommy Lehman Sextet

7:30 pm at Pub Bricco (FREE)

Tommy on the trumpet with Lucas Kadish (guitar),

Dan Pappalardo (bass), Dan Fernandez (drums)

Nathan Paul-Davis (alto sax) and Nolan Plunkett

(trombone). Doors open at 6:30 pm with full

Pub Bricco food and drink menus served during

the show.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:#AkronMusicScene

Wednesday, August 5

Annabell’s

This event is scheduled to occur every first

Wednesday of the month at Annabell's with the

noble goal of promoting and building up the

local scene. It’s free if you’re 21 and up, but $5

if you’re 18-20. The July show featured Hunter

Adam Edwards, Broken Mugs, Copali, The Scenic

Route and John Patrick Halling, among several

others. Plus, stand-up comic Sarah Jones Saddleton,

vendors like Neighbors Apparel and the Sassy Dog

food truck

Juniper Sageunabashed game board enthusiast

by Katie Jackson

KATIE JACKSON: What got you into

board games?

JUNIPER SAGE: Wanting to play something

more interactive than the games I grew up

with. A lot of the traditional board games do

have a shelf life in that one can easily become

too good at them just by learning the strategy

that is required to 'win' quickly. I am no

fun to play in Clue or Taboo because I have

played them too often and I win too easily.

KJ: When did you discover/start playing

the more "sophisticated" game (vs. Mo-

nopoly, Sorry, etc.)?

JS: About five years ago. It was a perfect

storm of having Underhill's nearby, meeting

people that could give me good game rec-

ommendations and wanting social gatherings

that could occur every week and wouldn't

be stale.

KJ: What is your favorite game to play

and why?

JS: Well, I still love Scrabble actually because

I can play it online with friends across the

country. As far as the newer games are con-

cerned, I like all of the Ticket to Ride games

as they are easy to teach, great for any age,

are still very social but also require a good

strategy.

KJ: How many games do you own?

JS: About 20. Not many in the scheme of

things but my friends actually purchase games

as a group and they are stored at a central

location.

KJ: Where do you like to play?

JS: At home or a home. Snacking is a big

part of gaming, so somewhere snacks can be

shared and crumbs don't matter.

KJ: Is it more of a social event for you?

Just for the love of games? Or both?

JS: Both. When it is just my husband and

I, it can be competitive because we are so

perfectly matched for most games. Games

are also incredibly social for me as we have a

steady game night once a week with friends.

And at work we stand around the water

cooler and compare notes on games played

and owned. I also participate in Extra Life

(extra-life.org) at work because they have

recently included board games. I'll be looking

for people to play board games with me for

parts of the 24 hours that first weekend

in November.

Music & Culture

Underhill’s Games …where an adult can be a kidby Katie Jackson


misc.


HowGEEK are you?ANSWERS: 1) B., 2) A., 3) C., 4) D., 5) Trick

question! Both Neil Gaiman (A) and Douglas

Adams (D) wrote episodes for “Doctor Who”—

so if you knew that, two points for you.

0 points:

You absolutely MUST go to Geekfest. There is no

reason why, in this day and age, you have no geek

knowledge. Go to Geekfest and learn some.

1 point: You should be ashamed of yourself. You

have Netflix and Hulu subscriptions and you only

got one answer right? What are you doing with

your time? Go to Geekfest and get up to speed.

2 points: If I could hold you after class for some

extra tutoring I would. But since I can't, you should

go to Geekfest and talk with as many attendees as

you can.

3 points: Reject mediocrity! The friendly people at

Geekfest will help get you over the hump. Be there

when the doors open.

4 points: You probably have a set of Star Wars

sheets that you have on your bed when you aren't

expecting company. You will feel right at home at

Geekfest.

5 points: You can't believe you missed one! Go to

Geekfest immediately in full cosplay and redeem

yourself.

6 points: These are your people! You are with your

tribe. You probably read this after coming home

from Geekfest. I don't even have to tell you to be

there, you probably helped organize it (or you plan

to help next year).


says. “We wanted to combine all our influences

and really do something different.”

Now, The Living Deads are spreading their

combination of loud, fast rhythms, raspy vocals

and dark grooves all over the globe. The RV

is where the magic happens, from recording

albums to housing “kidnapped” musicians.

The band’s DIY inclinations go beyond music as

well, with their vehicle serving as inspiration

for a film they have in the works. The duo

likes to incorporate short movie clips into

their live shows, creating a rich experience

for audiences. The full-length feature will be

a dark comedy with a heavy John Waters

influence, and viewers can expect plenty of

chills, thrills and kills. The plot centers on

the musicians kidnapping and murdering

a guitarist, then resurrecting him from the

dead to play on stage. The movie will pull from

their real, twisted experiences on the road and be

given a blood bath.

Before completing this project, McKnight and

Tidwell will continue doing what they do best –

touring in that trusty RV. The pair made a pit stop

in the Buckeye State for Oddmall, Ohio Bike week

and a show at Legends Sports Pub and Grille in

Green this spring and summer but will head to

Europe to tour in the fall. The Living Deads played

several shows across the waters this year and want

to get back while the iron is still hot.

“The crowd [in Europe] just blows me away,”

McKnight says. “There are no TVs in the venues,

so people are just standing right in the band’s face.

They’re very supportive of live music over there.”

Traveling abroad and dragging Akron-based

musicians along with them has given The Living

Deads new tales and tricks they plan to incorporate

in upcoming recordings. Songs like “Taste The

Blood” will draw inspiration from the sites and

sounds of their adventures and will feature

Caribbean-style rhythms, showcasing the band’s

penchant for blazing trails and figuratively burning

down cities wherever they go.

“We want to keep creating together, reinventing

and pushing boundaries,” Tidwell says.

Born, they say, of hate, hellfire and brimstone,

The Living Deads will make their rounds across the

globe with a burlap sack, a book of matches, a

can of gas and a Louisville slugger. Akron guitarists

beware — they just might come for you and take

you on the ride of your life.

Check out musical hellfire that is The Living Deads at thelivingdeads.com


film & Culture

WHAT CRAVES Reviewing 2009’s ‘Mr. Nobody’

and downtown’s Craveby Chris Kessinger, the Film Freak

As a blerd, black nerd for those not hip to the

lingo, I didn’t have many pop culture references

that represented me growing up. I got good

grades, spoke proper English, loved anime and

manga, and listened to rock, punk, and old

school hip-hop. Needless to say, I didn’t fit in.

Rick Famuyiwa’s coming-of-age story, Dope,

shows me and others like me that we are not

alone. It’s the kind of movie that I wish I had

growing up. It’s a funny, sarcastic and creative

film that breaks the stereotype that black

people are all one homogeneous group that

only cares about drugs, violence, and “chillin’

with our homies in the hood.”

Each of his main characters, Malcolm (Shamiek

Moore), Jig (Tony Revolori) and Diggy (Kiersey

Clemons) are complex and fully fleshed-out with

interests that span the gamut. The most notable

interests include 90s hip-hop, playing in a punk

band, getting good grades, and the latest of

technology.

When they get into a bit of trouble, like being

stuck with a backpack full of drugs, they find

the most cunning, geeky way of working

through their situation. At times the scenes

seem a bit outlandish, but it works as a relatable

dramedy with a message of staying true to

yourself even when all the odds against you.

The 90s soundtrack truly stands out with four

original songs by Pharrell and actually played by

the teen’s band, Awreeoh.

All in all, “Dope” is dope.

IN A TWEET: Belgian film director Jaco

Van Dormael makes his on-screen debut crafting a

look at the elements of free choice and what comes

from the decisions we make every step of the way.

What it's really about: “Mr. Nobody” is one part

passionate love story and another part inquisitive

study about the big bang theory. Nemo Nobody

(Jared Leto) stands on a station platform as a train

is about to leave. Should he go with his mother

(Natasha Little) or stay with his father (Rhys Ifans)?

Infinite possibilities arise from this decision. As

long as he doesn't choose, anything is possible. All

of this is, however, a memory to Nemo's current

life in 2092, where he's living as a 117-year-old

test subject on an unknown planet. Nemo's study

catches the curiosity of the quasi-immortal people

living around him as they search for answers about

Earth life before such scientific advancements in

immortality became available.

Why it's good: The story, which takes on such

original concepts, is told from a teacher and

student viewpoint. This is something that we as a

viewer do not normally receive, but “Mr. Nobody”

explains it's concepts with a creative charm, while

giving us a look at a future that doesn't seem as

far out as the eighty years it forecasts. The artistic

touches in cinematography are breathtaking in

beauty, with a piano driven score by Pierre Van

Dormael (director's brother). Warm, colorful

backgrounds offer visual complements to such

a thought provoking script that never stopped

enhancing intellectually. The film is loaded with so

much great content that it demands more than one

showing.

How it'll surprise you: Free movement across

time is a recurring theme of the film. The central

character's name is Nemo, which spelled backwards

is “omen,” a foretelling of the future. Further, his

main love interest is Anna and his daughter is Eve,

both of which are the same when read in reverse.

It's also very refreshing to see a European touch on

a big budget ($47 million) sci-fi film in an American

dominated market. Van Dormael opens the viewer’s

eyes for self-reflection and makes the Nemo

character relatable, despite a look into a world that

is anything but.

Art Among Symbolism: Nemo's three love

interests—Anna, Elise and Jean—are all often

dressed in colors related to their story with

Nemo. Anna is dressed in red, which is commonly

associated with love, Elise in blue, which represents

depression, and Jean in yellow, the color of deceit.

Local Craving: At the heart of Akron's art district,

is a restaurant that offers a new and exciting look

for hunger satisfaction. Crave Restaurant opened

in 2005, and has been the prime cut in Akron

dining for rich tastes at affordable prices. Offering

a wide variety of menu selections featuring stylishly

stacked meat dishes tenderly cut, as well as many

vegetarian dishes sure to satisfy even the toughest

crowds to please. Their gluten-free menu offers the

widest range of healthy dishes that I have yet to see

in the city. The drink menu will relax your senses,

while infusing your mouth with a fruity originality

to classic favorites. Everything from martinis—Key

Lime and Creamsicle, to name a couple—to a

delicious house made liquor that you won't find

anywhere else- Crave has it all, so treat yourself to a

night of savory eats in a museum-esque setting.

FILM FREAK SUGGESTION: Go into this one very hungry, because I have a

three course meal that will send you singing to the

heavens of tasteful nirvana. Start with the Steak

Skewers dressed in a delicious Guinness garlic gaze

and smoked Gouda fondue. The first bite will give

you taste goosebumps before the main course.

For the main dish? Pork Tenderloin seasoned with

bacon salt, chipotle whipped butternut squash,

and apple butter veal glace. The tenderloin is so

succulent in taste that you will not need a beverage

to enhance this meaty mecca of nourishing delight.

Desert is right around the corner with a chocolate

peanut butter brownie that is the sweet sayonara

to a night in one of Akron's finest establishments.

Crave

57 East Market Street

Akron, Ohio, 44308

// Chris Kessinger is the Film Freak. You can find more of

his film reviews at thefilmfreak.com

"Dope" is Dopeby Bronlynn Thurman

The ol' pub is still crankin' out cold beer and cocktails all summer.

Grab a bottle of Sam Adams, just $2.50 each this month, and catch the

Tribe on the tube.

Or stop by during Porch Rokr for an authentic Highland Square experience.

816 W. MARKET STREET, AKRON


Name: Micah Kraus

Age: 38

Hometown: Conneaut, Repurposed in Akron

Neighborhood: West Akron

Occupation: Archbishop Hoban High School

Fine Arts Department Chair,

Co-Owner Retread Akron

1. Who do you wish was on more Akronites'

radar? The local art scene, in all of its forms.

There are amazing fine artists, crafters, musicians,

actors and directors, and dancers that live and work

in Akron. I would love to see Akron's art scene

become more vibrant and embraced by our city.

Looking for something new to read this summer?

Perhaps a book that’s not exactly new but new-

to-you? I recommend finding a copy of The Akron

Story penned by Sara Klippert in 1959, a fourth

grade supplemental textbook published by the

board of education. Hardbound copies of the book

are floating around online and available at the

Akron-Summit County Public Library. It’s become a

cult favorite to those interested in local history and

quaint mid-century children’s books.

The structure of the storytelling in The Story of

Akron is not only charming but clever. Twins Diana

and David have recently moved to Akron and their

new classroom lessons include an Akron history

course taught by Miss Alexander. Their teacher

shares fictional stories about Akron children living

in various eras of our past, detailing what life

was like for young people, for example as early

settlers, along the Ohio canal, and during the

Civil War. There are also profiles of outstanding

Akron residents such as city founder General

Simon Perkins, the oatmeal businessman Ferdinand

Schumacher, and Dr. B.F. Goodrich, the first man

2. What are your favorite local cultural

assets? The Akron Art Museum has changed

in such incredible ways over the last 10 or 15 years.

The new building is such a gem and the exhibitions

over the last couple of years have featured exciting

contemporary artists. The museum staff has

worked hard to involve the community, too. On a

more grass-roots level, I enjoy conversations and

people one can encounter at places like Square

Records, Angel Falls, Nervous Dog, Lockview and

Mustard Seed. Walking into those places is a

cultural immersion experience.

3. Why did you fall for Akron? Everything

here is accessible. Anyone can start

something new, impact a neighborhood, meet

with a city official or have a conversation in the

coffee shop line with the art museum director. It's

a city with so much potential and good things are

starting to snowball.

4. Where in Akron do you like to escape?

Usually just a walk, run or bicycle ride around

town. Akron looks completely different on foot or

bicycle. There are amazing homes, quirky streets,

hidden businesses and people with incredible

stories – and I've found that I really only experience

them when I'm outside of my car.

5. Why should everyone try your favorite

restaurant? Do you like veggie chili? Do you

to open a rubber factory in Akron. What’s shrewd

about the narrative of The Story of Akron is

that Diana, David, and the other students in the

classroom ask questions and comment on the

stories and profiles presented by Miss Alexander. So

the discussion is kept relevant to children and the

dry facts of the history lessons come alive through

student oral reports, costumed presentations, and

even a pretend TV news program/quiz show. The

information in this textbook is presented in a smart

and interactive way for the characters as well as

its readers!

Although the book was written more than fifty

years ago, Akron’s past doesn’t change. I did catch

a few obsolete references to locations including the

intersection of Market Street and Howard Street-

-which was demolished in the 1970s. There’s also

an example of our sexist past: the teacher says girls

can’t race in the Soap Box Derby. Of course, Akron

is no longer known as The Rubber Capital of the

World either but it is fun to read about our city’s

perspective on that title at its height. The simplified

version of history is also a good overview for those

like feta? Do you like Greek pitza? Well, what are

you waiting for?! Get over to Aladdin's in Highland

Square and chow down. Start with a big ole plate

of hummus and pita (with hot sauce) and then

work your way into some chili or lentil soup, a

pitza or wrap or salad. You really can't go wrong.

And, if the weather cooperates, sit outside so that

you can catch your friends as they stroll by. After

dinner stop by Angel Falls for a coffee, homemade

caramel and a palmier. Pretty perfect.

6. How do you think Akron will be different

in five years? Akron will continue to slowly

grow in the right direction. I hope that more

neighborhoods can follow Highland Square's lead

and invest in local businesses. Seeing the Square

turn around during the last 10 years has been

amazing. It has taken the courage and tenacity

of the small businesses located there but it can

happen other places, too. I would love to see

downtown become more energized...and would

be thrilled to see businesses or galleries in the

storefronts next to Akron Civic. There is so much

potential in those spaces. My hope is that we'll see

more city-wide events like Better Block. That was

such a positive, energizing weekend. It highlighted

the cultural richness of our city and provided the

opportunity for diverse people to show their talents

and traditions. More of that, please!

looking for a place to start to learn our city’s past.

And, the 1950s illustration style adds a sense

of nostalgia.

My favorite parts include the fictional stories told

by Miss Alexander including a mystery story about

counterfeit money carried a stranger arriving in

Akron on a canalboat. I also learned a couple

things: U.S. President James Garfield worked on

the towpath of the Ohio Canal as a child, and

Akron’s Quaker Oats was a frontrunner in food

packaging. I nearly dropped the book when I read

that the students in Miss Alexander’s classroom

(which also included a character named Joanna)

played an alphabet game they called A is for Akron.

I had no idea of this reference when I co-authored

a local history/nostalgia book in 2014 entitled

A is for Akron. Another favorite chapter in The

Story of Akron is a club the students form called

Norka Wonki where they can express their passion

for local history. Can you figure out the meaning

behind the name? Want to join Norka Wonki

with me?

Akron History

CORRECTION:In our last issue, I failed to ensure we

properly credited the Akron-Summit County

Public Library and Summit County Historical

Society for the use of their Burkhardt’s

Beer images, despite writer Joanna Wilson

reminding me to do so. My most sincere

apologies to Leianne Heppner and Judy

James, who do awesome and amazing

things for Akron through their awesome

and amazing organizations. Thank you for

working with us! – Chris Horne

New/Nativeby Greg Milo

Summer Reading:Akron History’s Historyby Joanna Wilson

Both illustrations – Book cover and Norka Wonki

illustrations by Ethel Frost, scanned from Joanna Wilson’s

personal copy of the book, whose copyright is held

by the Akron Board of Education.


Your Turn / big idea

Not everyone knows it, but Akron is home to

several high-quality breweries, with national

and regional reputations; one (Thirsty Dog)

has already indicated that they need further

room to grow. Separately, none of these operations

are huge. They all include production facilities and

Tasting Rooms, where customers gather to sample

their products and enjoy food and entertainment.

Currently, most of them are spread out all around

the city.

Every time I drive past the old Goodyear World

Headquarters and factory, which is being

redeveloped as the landmark East End project, I

can't help but think what a natural location this

would be for a Brewery District. Gathered together,

these breweries could create a strong destination

attraction—a Brewery District—that would

enhance the marketability and appeal of the East

End location, allowing these brewers to use their

“strength of numbers” to pull visitors from

many areas.

One of my favorite things about Akron right now

is the spirit of innovation that is spreading like

wildfire throughout the city. There are more and

more people stepping up to not only voice their big

ideas, but to also have the courage to try them out.

Akron needs doers. We need guts. We need people

who recognize a need, or a way to make people’s

lives better, and not only ask the tough question of

“How do we solve this problem?”—but to act to

make their solution a reality.

Daphne Fecheyr-Lippens, a fellow at the University

of Akron, is a great example of a big thinker AND a

doer in Akron. She grew up in Belgium in a family

that worked primarily in the medical industry,

and was pulled towards studying biotechnology

because of that tradition. She quickly realized that

biotech was too controlled for her, and the design

she was learning went against nature instead of

learning from it. Daphne was finishing her senior

thesis when she heard Janine Benyus give a talk on

the emerging field of biomimicry, and knew that it

was the fit she had been looking for.

Biomimicry is a revolutionary way of problem-

solving, and it’s a frontier on which Akron is at the

forefront. The goal is to create a more sustainable

A while back, I spoke to Fred Karm, owner of

nationally-recognized Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, and

his initial response was that he might be interested

in such a concept, and could see some advantages.

Of course, it would have to make economic sense,

and some incentives might be needed to make it

happen, but he seemed to find the idea appealing.

I have also spoken to our current mayor, and

while he thinks it's a solid idea, the city has limited

resources to get behind such a plan right now;

what's more, we'll have a new mayor come next

January, and it's hard to get anything going during

an election year. Nevertheless, it's an idea worth

pursuing and one that I feel the developer, Stuart

Lichter's Industrial Realty Group, should take a hard

look at.

POINTS TO CONSIDER: �There are TONS of space available at East

End for brewing operations and tasting

rooms; tens of thousands of square feet. Plenty of

way of solving human

problems, by taking

a look at how nature

has been doing

it for years, and

mimicking it. Daphne

is currently studying

avian egg shells at the

University of Akron

to figure out how

they reflect ultraviolet

rays. By learning

the mechanism that

nature uses to protect

birds developing in

shells, she hopes to

apply the same knowledge to create protection

systems from solar radiation.

While working in the lab, Daphne came across

another challenge. She was working on a nature-

inspired PhD, but most of her time was being

spent sitting behind a computer, and she started to

develop back and neck pain. She and her boyfriend

Mathias Ellegiers, an engineer, started looking into

standing desks. After finding out how expensive

they were, and how impractical a lot of them were,

parking, easy highway

access (for out-of-town

visitors). It’s a natural fit

for these old buildings. Simply put, this location is

high-visibility, and far superior to any place these

breweries are currently located (outskirts of town,

old, run-down neighborhood, etc.).

�Existing and future Commercial/Office/Hotel

development here – provides an additional

customer base for these operations. (Goodyear,

Hilton Garden Inn and major hospitals are already

nearby.)

�Easily accessible from The University of

Akron, too—by bus or bike. Some cities who

have similar districts even establish a “brewery

shuttle” – low/no cost trolley service to district from

popular destinations.

�A successful brewery district would also be

an advantage for attracting out-of-region

they decided to build

their own. That got

Daphne thinking, “Why

do we sit to work in the

first place?”

She put in some research

and decided that the

habit of sitting was

formed in the classroom

as children. After further

investigation, she and

Mathias learned that

having children use

a standing desk also

improves attention

and learning, as well as burns more calories. They

decided to dive deeper into these issues. That’s

when their company, Jaswig, was born.

Jaswig is less than a year old and is already gaining

traction as a start-up company. It has three models

of standing desks that can be used for any height

allowing use by children as well as adults. Daphne,

Mathias, and the rest of the Jaswig team are

committed to helping children, but biomimicry has

taught them to respect nature, so they are doing

craft breweries to locate to

Akron. The city could get in the game with other

regional brewers who may want to expand their

operations into the Midwest.

�A district here offers a nice geographic

balance to a popular area like Highland

Square. While that area is certainly a natural for

craft-beer loving hipsters, there’s really no room

for new breweries there. East End is about the

same distance from Downtown, easily accessible

by public transportation, and long term, provides

an additional working/living option for that

demographic.

Over the coming weeks and months, I'll be

talking to more people about this—it seems

like too good an idea to pass up. For more, visit

internationalbeernews.blogspot.com

it in a sustainable way. The desks are made from

natural materials, and they fit together like a jigsaw

puzzle, reducing the need for fasteners and

other materials.

Talking to Daphne, you can’t help but be inspired

to take a look at your surroundings and make

a difference. She says one of her favorite things

about this area is that “anyone can be an

entrepreneur—you just have to open your eyes.”

Seeing as how Jaswig is about to celebrate its first

year and launch its own Kickstarter campaign, and

considering how Daphne’s biomimicry research

just earned her a speaking spot at TED Cleveland, I

would say she would know of which she speaks.

Daphne can be reached at: [email protected] or

you can follow her on Twitter @DaFecheyr

For more information on

Jaswig, visit their website

jaswig.com or follow them

on twitter @jaswighq

Why Akron needs a Brewery District(And I know where it should go) by Mark Schweitzer

Hey, Daphne,what’s the BIG Idea with avian egg shells?

(And what’s a… Jaswig?)by Katie Wheeler

TREASURE HUNTING

Me� the Neighbors.

Find your Way.

Follow the sizzlin’ orange glow to the all-new vibrant bar layout and scorching sound & lighting systems. Special events include live rock/folk/alternative shows, open mic, karaoke, dance parties, & comedy.

MusicaLive Music • Event Space • Bar

The Akron you’ve been waiting for has been here all along. Dine, shop, and be entertained at the crossroads of commerce, culture, & cuisine!

Intimate space for events ranging from small gatherings to large soirees. Boasting a vast selection of reds, whites, and bubbles!

UncorkedWine Bar • Gathering Space • Acoustic Music

Daily specials feature specialty wraps, paninis, flatbread pizzas, soups from scratch, coffee, espresso, pastries, & Mary Coyle ice cream! Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm.

Urban EatsPop Art Cafe • Wraps, Paninis • Coffee

Even more reasons to Visit (& Stay).

• Crave • WE Gallery

• Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar • Rubber City Clothing• 3 Point Restaurant • Nightlight Cinema

From small bites on the go to inspired culinary masterpieces, many of the city’s best dining options are right here on our block.

Eat.

The Historic Arts District has it all: draft brews, small batch bourbons, bottled craft beers, signature cocktails, & more!

Drink.

Retail shops, an indie movie theater, art museum, jewelry shops, & handcrafted art to put a smile on your face.

Be Merry.

Som�hing forEveryone.

Featuring the best in regional, national, & international live jazz talent, Wed-Sat. Inspired fine dining, signature cocktails, craft beer, and more!

BLU Jazz+Live Jazz • Fine Food • Spirits • Photo Gallery

NN.

HIGH

STRE

ET

MAI

DEN

LANE

E. MARKET STREET

N. M

AIN

STRE

ET

P• Free parking in the deck attached to the

Akron Public Library on High St.• Metered street parking (free after 6pm)• Valet Parking

Plenty o’ Parking.

The Devil Strip, Issue 9 - The Geekery

Documents

Transcript of The Devil Strip, Issue 9 - The Geekery