The Devil Strip, Issue 9 - The Geekery
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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
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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.
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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)
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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
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 5 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
‘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
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6 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
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)
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.
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.
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 7 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
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)
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.
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.
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8 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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)
200 S Main St, Akron
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
12pm at Lock 3 (FREE)
200 S Main St, Akron
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)
200 S Main St, Akron
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.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Huzzah for the Akron Black Stockings!Vintage baseball takes over Stan Hywet
by Katie Wheeler
The Akron Black StockingsCourtesy of Stan Hywet
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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
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10 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 11 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
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)
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12 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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 >>
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 13 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
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?
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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.
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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
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WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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
WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 17 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
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)
1841 Merriman Rd, Akron
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
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18 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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)
4040 Riverview Rd, Peninsula
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)
1841 Merriman Rd, Akron
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)
111 N Main St, Akron
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)
47 E Market St, Akron
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
7pm at BLU Jazz+ ($20)
47 E Market St, Akron
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,
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 19 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
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
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
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20 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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)
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 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)
47 E Market St, Akron
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)
1841 Merriman Rd, Akron
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
7pm at Lock 4 (FREE)
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)
200 S Main St, Akron
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!
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 21 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
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
8pm at BLU Jazz+ ($15)
47 E Market St, Akron
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
7pm at Lock 3 (FREE)
200 S Main St, Akron
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
7pm at BLU Jazz+ ($25)
47 E Market St, Akron
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)
111 N Main St, Akron
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)
51 E Market St, Akron
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)
4040 Riverview Rd, Peninsula
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
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22 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
misc.
(continued from page 12)
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).
(continued from page 16)
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
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JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 / THE Devil Strip | 23 AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
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
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24 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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.
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26 | THE Devil Strip / JULY 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #9 WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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
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TREASURE HUNTING
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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.