Issue 1 - The Devil Strip

Transcription

Questions
with musician
Jessica Hernandez
The best of our first-ever
"You're So Akron If..."
contest
Meet the Most
Interesting
Person We Know
The Devil Strip
MARCH 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #1 • THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
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Akron Music, Art & C
Arts, Culture & Entertainment............................ 5
This time last year, I was a ghost. Weekdays at
2:30 a.m., I woke up, showered, made a halfgallon of coffee and drove to Newschannel5
in Cleveland where I worked in digital for the
morning show. Despite being surrounded by
good, talented people, I was far from where I
wanted to be. Not just my bed and my family,
but far from the two things I love doing most:
telling stories and building community.
Awesomeness was completely funded (and
then some) in less than a day.
Since my day job offered little opportunity for
either, I quit last October with my sights set on
starting this arts and culture paper.
The real miracle, if you ask me, is that there’s
no way any of this would have happened
without Heather Braun, my wife. She could
have, and maybe should have, slapped the shit
out of me when I said, “Hey, I’d like to quit my
well-paying job, eat through our savings and
start a print magazine during the ascent of the
digital age.” Instead, she listened, helped me
plan and then pushed me to do it.
The process has been much easier than I had
any right to expect it could be. I blame you
Akronites—with your collaborative spirit and
welcoming attitude. Example: There are 16
contributors to this issue and almost twice as
many in the stable, gearing up for issues
to come.
There are also those who didn’t write or take
pictures but contributed metaphorical mortar
between the bricks, whether it was introducing
me to other good Akronites, providing honest
feedback, buying or selling ads, or telling me
to keep pushing. Several times, when the
going got rough, I borrowed their faith. Thanks
to these people, before we put a single issue
to bed, we’ve already accomplished some
impressive stuff. Unbox Akron is a Knight Cities
Challenge Finalist (crossing our fingers) and
the Kickstarter Campaign for Newspaper Box
I thought, when I quit my day job, this was
something I could do alone if necessary. I was
wrong. Maybe I could have written everything,
learned layout, shot photos, etc., but it took
dozens and dozens of people to make it this
distinctly Akron.
So if you like The Devil Strip, if you’re glad it
exists, you really have Heather to thank.
Publishing this paper is a privilege I’ll never
take lightly. I know I’m lucky to be in this city
at this moment in its history beside so many
other Akronites who are ready to christen the
next era here. So, I’m here to do my part in the
hope I can repay, in some small measure, the
support I have already received.
Thank you, Chris
Saying "devil strip"............................................ 8
Knowhere.......................................................... 8
Only in Akron.................................................... 9
The Most Interesting Person We Know............. 10
New / Native.................................................... 11
Dina’s Days...................................................... 12
Cover Story: You’re So Akron If….................... 13
The Dish.......................................................... 16
In the Kitchen with…....................................... 17
The Wanderer.................................................. 18
Film & Feast..................................................... 19
A Day in the Life.............................................. 20
Music/Concerts Spotlight................................. 21
8 questions with Jessica Hernandez................. 23
Band Spotlight................................................. 24
Comic strips and Puzzles.................................. 25
Your Turn......................................................... 26
AKRON MUSIC, ART & CULTURE
MARCH 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #1
/
THE Devil Strip |
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Contributors
MEET
THE TEAM
Aaron DeBee is a freelance
translator and language
consultant from East Palestine,
Ohio, who worked from 1993
to 2005 as an intelligence
analyst and cryptologic linguist for the
Department of Defense. He graduated from
the Defense Language Institute Chinese
Program, from the University of Akron with a
B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and
Audiology and from Case Western Reserve
University with a M.A. in Cognitive Linguistics.
Alesa Upholzer is an
award-winning freelance
graphic designer who is
responsible for The Devil Strip
looking as good as it does
despite all the ways Chris tried to foil her. She’s
a dedicated team player with a reputation as
an efficient and organized designer with a
knack for creating exceptional designs. You
can find—and even hire—Alesa at auDesigns.
com, her full-service graphic design company
where she has helped both large corporations
and small businesses to create powerful
marketing pieces, overflow, outsourcing and
assisting clients in reaching their deadlines.
Andrew Evans keeps busy in
both the artistic and athletic
worlds. In addition to
illustrating the cover of The
Devil Strip’s first issue, he’s
training for triathlons and getting ready to
compete in his first Ironman. Keeping a
healthy balance of life with all aspects and
exercising have always been important to the
way he maintains composure and a clear mind.
He values designing and being creative
because it allows him to produce something
that gives back to the world. You can find
Andrew online at aevansdesign.com, email him
directly [email protected] or follow @
aevansdesign on Instagram to see what new
idea he comes up with next.
Bronlynn Thurman is a writer
and illustrator from Akron,
Ohio. Her time is spent
traveling (and eating) while
weaving stories from her
experiences. Connect with her on Twitter and
IG: @_bront_
Eric Morris is a NE Ohio
native and a UA graduate.
He has lived in Akron for nearly
ten years.
4
Chris Kessinger is the Film Freak, a film
reviewer and restaurant frequenter born
and raised in the greatest city in the world,
Akron, Ohio. It’s his mission to dissect the
best and worst that Hollywood offers, while
recommending the most delicious food to pair
with every screening.
Dina Younis is the
communications manager for
the GAR Foundation but is
perhaps best known for her
blog, “Dina’s Days,” which
showcases her love for thrift stores, flea
markets and “any place that requires digging
through boxes and shuffling through chaotic
racks.” She has a self-confessed streak of
Blanche Devereaux in her and loves making old
things new again. After growing up in the
Middle East, Dina is now a full-fledged
Akronite who helps organize the Akron2Akron
group tours.
Elizabeth Tyran is a whirlwind of activity,
and co-owner and manager of Urban Eats in
downtown’s historic arts district. She’s an art
history grad who has embraced Akron with
open arms, as you can probably tell from her
column, Only In Akron.
Holly Brown currently lives in Akron with her
toothless, claw-less, meow-less cat, Hedwig.
She is a poetry candidate at the NEOMFA. She
loves many things, notably: food (both cooking
and eating it), reading everything, painting
with a lot of color, elephants, bees and the
color yellow. She also thoroughly enjoys
adventures of any kind and hopes to spend her
life exploring, and then writing about it.
Jaclyn Geier is currently a
Creative Nonfiction Writer in
the Northeast Ohio Master of
Fine Arts program. She lives in
the Akron area with her
husband Alex and their two rescue pets: a
nervous dog named Mia and a confused cat
named Nora. She loves reading, yoga, thinking
about Tina Fey, The Lockview’s grilled cheese
sandwiches, tea, and exploring the national
parks with Alex and Mia.
news for a few years for weeklies, dailies and
trades, which she enjoyed immensely. She then
went back to school to earn another degree
so she could teach. Now she is a writer for The
Devil Strip who teaches writing to university
students. She loves all of it.
Joanna Wilson is the
co-writer of “A Is for Akron,” a
co-founder of Akron Empire
and an organizer of Dance
Dance Party Party-Akron, as
well as the writer of several books that
combine her academic background in film
history and philosophy with insightful
commentary on pop culture of all kinds. She is
a widely acknowledged expert about Christmas
television and film who has been interviewed
by the New York Times and has appeared on
the History Channel’s “Real Story of
Christmas.” Her upcoming book is about
Archie the Snowman.
Katelyn Y. Gainer is the arts
columnist for The Devil Strip
and an art history graduate
student at Kent State who
works as a gallery assistant for
a small arts nonprofit. She loves promoting
Northeast Ohio’s thriving arts community. You
can find her on Twitter at @katelyngainer
Katie Wheeler was born and raised in Akron,
and she’s extremely excited about bringing
awareness to the area and retaining the talent
that’s already here. She’s passionate about
being active and puts that to good use at
Movable, the Akron startup where she works.
A triathlete, explorer and adventurer, you can
find her playing on the water in the Portage
Lakes or running and biking in the Cuyahoga
Valley National Park. She loves connecting
people, which she gets to do through
organizations like Torchbearers, Portage Lakes
Young Professionals, Ohio-Erie Canal Coalition,
Portage Lakes Running Club and Portage Lakes
Triathlon Club.
Maxarmando Rivera is a
photographer in Akron who
loves hummus more than any
other food and whose favorite
movie is “The Goonies.” He
stumbled upon photography accidentally a few
years ago thanks to his smartphone camera.
He has a deep love for color, contrast and
authenticity, which shows in his work, which
will be featured regularly as photo essays in the
pages of The Devil Strip.
non-profit notice
Aspire! Boys & Girls Clubs
Signature Event
Celebrating more than 30 years of providing
premiere youth development programs
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve
5:30-9 pm at Tordaro’s Party Center
1820 Akron-Peninsula Rd., Akron
More info: wrkids.org/aspire
Benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the
Western Reserve, honorary chairs Mark and
Shelly Allio join sponsors, the LeBron James
Family Foundation and Infiniti of Akron, in
putting on Aspire! which features dinner and
drinks, live and silent auctions, their famous
“Dessert Dash,” a Wine Pull, artwork by Boys
& Girls Club members and Mission Possible—
the high impact after-school programs for
over 800 at-risk youth. All proceeds go
toward the programs offered at Boys & Girls
Clubs. There’s a VIP Pre-Party at 4:30 pm for
event sponsors and patron level reservations.
For more information, call 330-773-3375 or
visit wrkids.org/aspire.
Jason Segedy is the map-loving Director
of Transportation Planning for the Akron
Metropolitan Area and a native Akronite
whose blog, “Notes from the Underground,”
you can find online at thestile1972.tumblr.com
Jenny Conn is a writer. When she was a kid
she knew she wanted to either climb trees for
a living or be a writer. So she got an English
degree and became a reporter. She wrote
| THE Devil Strip / MARCH 2015 • VOL 1 • ISSUE #1
WWW.THEDEVILSTRIP.COM
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Tuesday, March 17
A
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T
N
EVE
THE BIG BIG MESS READING SERIES
featuring Mathias Svalina, Noah Eli Gordon,
Patrick Culliton, Joshua Marie Wilkinson
7 pm at Summit Artspace (FREE)
140 E. Market St., Akron
bigbigmess.tumblr.com
The Boiling Point: Beat Generation
Akron's alternative play reading series tackles
Beat Generation hero Jack Kerouac.
7 pm at The W.O.M.B. (FREE)
915 E. Market St., Akron
Wednesday, March 18
Ongoing
EXHIBITION: BEAUTY REIGNS
Akron Art Museum
1 S. High St., Akron
Runs through Sunday, May 3
A showcase of the exoticism, exuberance and
optimism found in the work of 13 painters
working in studios across the United States.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I walked up
the snow-covered driveway to the home of
Jennifer Davis, owner and facilitator of SmART
Studio Akron, or as she calls herself, “The
owner, the educator, the boss of
the applesauce.”
As I passed her mailbox—bowling pins sticking
out of it—making my way to the blue building
behind her home on Payne Avenue that
SmART occupies, I remembered first noticing
the studio on social media. The more of their
posts I saw, the more I wanted to meet the
person behind them. I could tell immediately
she was my kind of people.
Katelyn Gainer
Katelyn gets smART
with Jennifer Davis
FILM: “LEVIATHAN”
The Nightlight
30 N High St, Akron
Runs through Thursday, Mar 26, 2015
Lauded Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev
won Best Screenplay at Cannes for this
painterly, primordial tale about a proud
patriarch fighting to protect his family home
from a corrupt local official, a story whose
near-primordial themes have their roots in
Thomas Hobbes and the Book of Job. Visit
nightlightcinema.com for showtimes.
Jennifer greeted me at the door and as I
walked in I instantly fell in love. My eyes darted
around the room, jumping around from one
piece of visually-stimulating art to another, and
more—to crafts, books, art supplies and the
colored paper cut-outs that adorn the ceiling.
There’s something incredibly comforting about
this small studio. Despite being where she
makes art with her students, it feels like home
as soon as you sit down.
She currently instructs 20 students, ranging
up to 64. Some are just 4 years old and still
learning to color inside the lines, which
Jennifer says is a “blast.” Her older students
come in for more of what she calls a
“therapeutic” experience.
Before opening SmART, Jennifer, a licensed
visual arts educator, earned her bachelors in
art education from the University of Akron.
From 2008 to 2013, taught visual arts for
kindergarten through fifth grade.
Certain frustrations led her from the classroom
JAZZFEST 2015: HORNSPIRATION
Featuring special guest Howard Johnson
7:30 pm at EJ Thomas Hall,
the University of Akron
198 Hill Street, Akron
Runs through Friday, March 20
Universally recognized for the jazz tuba (and
as adept on baritone sax), Massillon native
Howard Johnson is at home whether playing
commercially or for the avant-garde. Johnson
broke in with Charlie Mingus, played with
Taj Mahal and Paul Simon, conducted the
Saturday Night Live band in the late 1970s,
recorded with The Band and Levon Helm and
spoke with John Lennon on the night he died.
to her own studio. “I could always see the
faces of students who really want to learn.
They really wanted that enrichment,” she
says. “On the flip side, I also saw students
that might struggle in more tradition learning.
I saw those students really find success in
the arts—not only art but music, dance and
theater. I think part of the reason I left teaching
at the time, you’re just not able to serve all the
students. Your teaching is strained in a sense.”
SmART allows her more freedom in the way
she teaches. “In this arena and space, I
differentiate instruction for each individual
student. I’m able to help the students make
those connections.”
Part of that process—helping students make
connections—is just a matter of getting them
to play with the tools of the trade.
Thursday, March 19
SLIDE JAM: BEAUTY REIGNS
6:30 pm at the Akron Art Museum (FREE)
Part of the ongoing “Beauty Reigns” exhibit,
this event features six fun, moving, unexpected
and accessible talks about beauty from artists
and designers around Northeast Ohio.
more intimate setting.”
If someone is interested in taking classes with
Jennifer, there’s a survey for new students
before they can begin.
“What is your favorite part of art? What do
you like to do in your spare time? I’ve had
students give me answers like I’m really into
cats, so I give them instruction that revolves
around cats—let’s see how we can make a cat:
by painting a cat, sculpting a cat, drawing a
cat. It’s all about making that connection to art
which I think is an authentic experience.”
For more information, visit smartstudioakron.
com or contact Jennifer Davis directly at
[email protected]
“You can learn so much just about by using
the tools, using the material, coloring, painting
and getting messy with the clay—that is
so much of a learning process instead of
thinking about whether the end product is
exactly perfect, or in your mind’s eye what you
expected. I think you can learn more about
the process.”
Many arts organizations offer art workshops
but hers are different, she says.
“This is more of a niche, this is the
opportunity to provide instruction from a
teacher that has taught and is certified.
I’ve had that real world experience but
also a more individual and intimate setting.
For most of my students, this is private
instruction. I think the environment, too,
is different than a regular classroom. It’s a
My personal philosophy on art is
it’s all about the process.”
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THE Devil Strip |
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“ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL”
RUBBER CITY SHAKESPEARE
7:30 pm at Summit Artspace (pay-as-you-like)
Preview performance of “All's Well That Ends
Well,” a play about the low-born Helena
who falls in love with Bertram, the son of the
Countess, who does not return the affection.
For details or tickets, visit
rubbercityshakes.com or call 234.252.0272.
Runs through Sunday, March 29.
4:07 PM
MAIJA DI GIORGIO
The Funny Stop Comedy Club
1757 State Rd, Cuy Falls
Appearing through March 21, Maija Di
Giorgio is a multi-media talent whose career
has carried her stages shared with Dave
Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Louis CK and Wanda
Sykes. She started in radio as Ed Lover’s
co-host on New York City's famed Hot 97.
Her one-woman shows, "The White Person's
(Guilt-free) Guide to Black America" and
"RATS!"(six modernized Shakespearean plays
set in a musical about love) have garnered
rave reviews. She’s also the director of “Bitter
Jester” with appearances by George Carlin,
Whoopi Goldberg and Richard Pryor. Make
reservations by calling 330-923-4700.
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Friday, March 20
“FINDING THE GOLD WITHIN”
CIFF: Knight and Day in Akron
7 pm at Akron-Summit Co. Public Library
60 S High St, Akron
A documentary that follows six young men
from Akron as they work to create new
stories for themselves, moving to college from
Alchemy Inc., a program that combines adult
mentoring, traditional African drumming and
the art of storytelling and myth to create a
safe and open forum for young black men.
Details at clevelandfilm.org/akron
Join us for all eight program sessions:
Summit Artspace, 140 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44308
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us for
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– 16alland
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6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Cost: $100*
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SELF & OTHERS: THE PHOTOGRAPHIC
PORTRAIT
Through May 2, 2015
5-8 pm at Summit Artspace
140 East Market Street, Akron
A new exhibition featuring local
photographers including Peter Larson, Anna
Young, Ed Suba and Don Parsisson, will
be showcasing their interpretations of the
contemporary portrait. Summit Artspace
urges the viewer to participate by emailing
their selfies to [email protected] to
be printed and displayed alongside the
curated exhibition.
SILVER AND BLUE GALA FUNDRAISER
Friends of Akron School for the Arts
6-9 pm at BLU Jazz+ (tix $55-$100)
Find auction pieces, one of a kind art, gift
bags, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and a cash
bar at this fundraiser for the Akron School
for the Arts. Features music by Acid Cats.
bluesilvergala.com
Questions?
Contact us at: [email protected]
Presented by:
Sponsored by:
Founded by:
Saturday, March 21
RUBBER CITY BEER FEST
3-7 pm at Lock 3 (tix $30-$35)
This first-year celebration of craft breweries
from the Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio
area is hosted by the Society of Akron Area
Zymurgists, which is a word I can’t say even
before sampling the brew. In addition to the
breweries’ normal offerings, some will feature
cask-conditioned ales. Visit saazakron.com
for more information.
RACE AT THE RAFFLE
CANAPI
5:30-10 pm at Tangier (tix $100)
532 W. Market St., Akron
Benefitting HIV+ and LGBTQ communities,
Race at the Raffle features “entertainingly
narrated” horse races, a reverse raffle,
sideboards, 50/50 raffle and both silent and
live auctions. Horse sponsorships including
naming are available for $20. For more
information, visit canapi.org/events
“TRAFICANT: THE CONGRESSMAN OF
CRIMETOWN”
CIFF’s Knight and Day in Akron
6:20 pm at Akron Art Museum
This documentary depicts the turbulent career
of Youngstown politico Jim Traficant, from
his days as a high school quarterback to his
fall. Features archival footage and extensive
interviews with Youngstown natives Ed
O’Neill (“ Modern Family”) and boxing champ
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. Also showing:
Family Shorts at 12 pm, “A Royal Hangover”
at 4 pm and “The Creeping Garden” at
8:30 pm. Visit clevelandfilm.org/akron for a
schedule of films playing at The Nightlight.
RUBBER CITY ROLLERGIRLS
5 pm at John S. Knight Center ($5-$13)
This diverse group of women deliver hard
hits and speed at the John S. Knight Center
in the heart of downtown in family-friendly
bouts suitable for all ages. Next following
home bout: April 11. For details and ticket
information, visit rubbercityrollergirls.com.
Sunday, March 22
HAPPY HOUR WITH CHRIS HAMAD
3-7pm at The Tangier ($40)
532 W. Market St., Akron
A celebration of Rockne’s owner Chris
Hamad, who has been diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer, hosted by a group of
friends hoping to raise awareness of this
awful disease.
Tuesday, March 24
WEEKLY TECH BREAKFAST
7-8:30 am at Akron Family Restaurant
Akron.io hosts a casual, weekly get together
for members of the local tech community for
non-structured chats around tasty
breakfast food.
MUSICAL: “JEKYLL & HYDE”
7:30 pm at Akron Civic Theatre (tix $37-$47)
182 S Main St, Akron
An enthralling musical based on Robert Louis
Stevenson's classic story about a brilliant but
obsessive scientist whose alter ego wreaks
havoc across Victorian London—set to a
thrilling pop rock score. Visit akroncivic.com
for details.
Thursday, March 26
Saturday, March 28
FILM: “THE VANQUISHING OF THE
WITCH BABA YAGA”
7 pm at Akron Art Museum (FREE)
From a crop of films curated by the Nightlight
Cinema comes a story about the mythical
witch Baba Yaga, a sinister source of fear
for generations of Slavic peoples. Visit
akronartmuseum.org for details.
3RD ANNUAL ROCK FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Fairlawn and Hudson Schools of Music
4-9 pm at Musica ($5 donation)
51 East Market St, Akron
Young music students ply their craft to benefit
the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Harvest
for Hunger with a goal of raising $1,500 which
would provide 6,000 meals locally. Bands
include Rock N’ Royalty, Farfetched, Ava &
The Hitmen, No Name Tuesday, Three Legged
Chairs and No Expectations. Instead of paying
admission, guests will be asked to donate $5
or 10 non-perishable food items.
LAUNCH LEAGUE’S LAUNCH PARTY
7 pm at OSC Tech Lab
12 E. Exchange St., 2nd Floor, Akron
Join startup founders, investors, and startup
resources to celebrate the founding of Launch
League, Akron's startup community. Lite apps
and drinks will be provided.
PLAY: “A DELICATE BALANCE”
7:30 pm at Weathervane Playhouse
1301 Weathervane Ln, Akron
Runs through April 12
This dark comedy follows two complacent
suburbanites whose lives are thrown into chaos
by their family and friends over the course of
one eventful weekend. Good news: Due its
adult language and themes, “the play is best
enjoyed by audiences ages 16 and older.”
Friday, March 27
FILM: “IT FOLLOWS”
9:15 pm at The Nightlight
30 N High St, Akron
Runs through Thursday, April 9
A smart, indie horror flick that seems to delight
in the idea that what you think is your worst
case scenario is nothing compared to what
could happen. Like, being pursued by a legion
of malevolent, lumbering phantoms who’ll
follow you everywhere forever because you
had sex with the wrong person.
MUSIC: ACID CATS, SCARLET & THE
HARLOTS, JOVAN WILDER AND
THE WILD THINGS
8 pm at Jilly’s Music Room (FREE)
111 N Main St, Akron
Guess which of the three describes themselves
as “Hard blues driven rock n' roll with a sassy
red headed belter out front.” Scarlet & the
Harlots, which is probably my favorite name
for a local band. In fact, this night may be the
best for local music in Akron all month. It’s
certainly got to be the most eclectic. Consider
the rock-infused acid jazz of Acid Cats and the
soulful, groove-oriented funk of Jovan Wilder
and the Wild Things, and you should feel guilty
for seeing this all for free.
TRAIN RIDE: DINNER ALONG THE
CUYAHOGA CUYAHOGA
VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD
7 pm at Akron Northside Station (tix $75)
27 Ridge St, Akron
Sample five Robert Mondavi wines with
specially-prepared food catered by Creekside
Restaurant as Mike Hillman of Constellation
Brands speaks about each of the wines. Details
at cvsr.com
MUSIC: NATALIE COLE
8 pm at Hard Rock Live (tix $47-$85)
Northfield Rocksino
Yup, that Natalie Cole, the neo soul-singing
daughter of crooning jazz great Nat King Cole.
Akron Abroad
MUSIC: SHIVERING TIMBERS
8 pm on Thursday, March 19
Music Box Supper Club
1148 Main Ave, Cleveland
The final show in this Akron band’s club
residency. Your ticket includes a free Shivering
Timbers cocktail. Doors open at 6 pm. Details
at musicboxcle.com
DOCUMENTARY: "STELLA WALSH"
Ohio Shorts Program 2
9:20 pm at Tower City Cinemas
230 W Huron Rd., Cleveland
Written, directed and produced by Rob Lucas
and Steve Felix, two of the people behind
Akron Film+Pixel, which gave birth to the
Nightlight Cinema, “Stella Walsh” tells the
story of one of the most celebrated female
athletes on the planet. She won a gold medal
in the 1932 Olympics but was killed in a
robbery, which led to the discovery she had
ambiguous gender. Learn more at
stellawalsh.com
Outdoor/Athletic
AKRON BIKE PARTY #12:
PARROTS & PIRATES
Friday, March 20
7 pm at Lock 3 (FREE)
200 S. Main St., Akron
A fun, festive 10-mile ride through downtown
Akron to build community through cycling.
CYCLING
Saturday, March 21 (FREE)
9 am at Lululemon
More info at facebook.com/
lululemonakronshowroom
WAKE-UP SPRING: HIKE & BREAKFAST
Summit Co. Metro Parks
Saturday, March 28
8-10:30 am at Goodyear Heights Pavilion
Shake off winter and join us for spring's highly
anticipated hike and breakfast. Advance
registration is required. Call 330-865-8065
for details.
YOGA FOR ATHLETES (FREE)
Saturday, March 28
9 am at Lululemon
More info at facebook.com/
lululemonakronshowroom
top two finishers in each of several categories.
Advance registration ends online May 3
at 11:59 pm. For more information, visit
summitmetroparks.org or call 330-865-8065.
4TH ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY 5K
Summit Co. Metro Parks Foundation
Sunday, May 10
8 am at Monroe Falls Metro Park
521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls
This “stroller-friendly” course travels twice
around the scenic lake with awards for the
AKRON MARATHON’S RUBBER CITY
RACE SERIES
1m/8k – June 27
10k/13.1m – August 15
13.1m/26.2m – September 26
For more information, or to register, visit
rubbercityraceseries.org
out and about
This is why I run
in the snow
Katie Wheeler
It’s 5:45 a.m., and I’m standing at
the end of my street in the pitch dark
getting snowed on. I can literally feel
the hairs in my nose freezing and I’m
pretty sure the only other thing awake
in my neighborhood is the stealthy ninja
raccoon that just gave me a heart attack.
Luckily, the headlamps that I’m watching
bounce back and forth across the road
aren’t too far away, and even luckier still is
that they belong to my running group.
People ask us all the time why we do a
lot of the things we do as runners. When
I get asked these questions, my answer
is usually the same: I do these things
because I like to hang out with
kick-ass people.
It was this very reason that led me to
Lululemon’s Akron showroom for their
Running Club Happy Hour. The purpose
of the event was to bring local running
clubs together, not only with each other,
but with those who are looking for a
group to train with. Those who weren’t
enticed by giveaways from the Akron
Marathon and Second Sole were drawn
in by brews from Akron’s own Thirsty
Dog Brewery. Runners don’t usually turn
down free gear OR beers.
Lululemon is mostly known for its yoga
attire and events, but this year they
are making an effort to get back to
supporting all types of athletes, and they
have runners on their radar. They already
offer complimentary community yoga on
Saturday mornings, and they have plans
to incorporate a run into that program
soon. There will be opportunities for area
running clubs to partner with the Akron
showroom to host a run and then join
in for yoga after. They have a lot of cool
things coming at you, including a birthday
month full of goodies in April.
Representatives from the Akron Marathon
were on hand and happy to talk about
their new Rubber City Race Series that
culminates with the Akron Marathon in
September. Second Sole was on-site with
advice on running form and footwear.
There were also several running clubs
represented including the Green Family
YMCA and the Portage Lakes
Running Club.
I have been talked into more miles, more
insanely early wake-up calls, and more
crazy-themed race attire than I care to
admit, and it’s all because I really love the
group that I run with. There are plenty of
great running clubs around Akron, and
Lululemon’s partnering with them would
be a great place for you to meet your
group of “crazy.”
/
THE Devil Strip |
7
community
WHAT DOES SAYING
devil strip
SAY ABOUT
Akronites?
A LINGUIST LOOKS AT THE CITY’S MOST UNIQUE PHRASE
Aaron DeBee
You can still catch the flinty reflection of
Akron’s hardscrabble grit lurking behind the
darkened windows of the city’s old brick
factory buildings, splayed in the asphaltdotted icy slush beside the curb and sliding
along the friction-polished tops of its rusty
rails. Though the Rubber City brims with
new life now, these industrial artifacts find
subtle ways to remind us of Akron’s blue
collar beginnings. One inconspicuous way is
in the vocabulary of the Akronite.
In particular, the phrase “devil strip.”
Given the proximity to Cleveland, Akronites
sport the influence of the Great Lakes
shipping lanes in addition to a mixture
of Midwestern America and the inland
Northeast. This means Akronites have
adopted a milder version of the Northern
Cities Vowel Shift. The most prominent
and easily recognizable examples of this
phenomenon are the raising, tensing and
lengthening of the short “a” sound (which
can make “cat” sound like “kyet”) or the
unique short “o” sound (which can make
“John” sound like “jyan”).
8
However, not all of the linguistic
characteristics of Akron descended from
the Cleveland area. That’s one reason “devil
strip” stands out. It’s much less evident in
the greater Cleveland area and has long
been closely associated with Akron’s
specific dialect.
In 2012, Akron Beacon Journal columnist
Bob Dyer attempted, unsuccessfully, to
definitively discern the origins of the phrase.
While its geographic origin remains a point
of contention, it appears clear “devil strip”
was primarily used in blue collar industrial
communities around northern Ohio, as well
as a few other outlying areas.
The point here is not so much about the
exact origin of the phrase as what its
connection to Akron tells us about the
people who’ve lived here for decades.
This thin strip of lawn between the sidewalk
and street is called, in most places around
Ohio, a “tree lawn.” But not in Akron.
Here, perhaps, the blue collar backbone is
so dominant it defied the socio-economic
diversification that seemingly weakened
the industrial influence in larger cities like
Cleveland. That is, the term “devil strip”
itself suggests a raw and wary mindfulness
that more privileged communities may have
found less appealing than “tree lawn.”
If it’s true that the “devil strip” was
menacingly named to keep children from
playing near the streets, then you can
imagine how industrial-era Akronites
may have viewed their homes as a place
of comfort and safety away from the
dangerous world that existed just past their
sidewalks. In this way, the term is as much
about the steely toughness that lies at the
heart of Akron as it is the focus on family
and home.
By comparison, it’s possible “tree-lawn”
communities were more concerned with
comfort and aesthetics than a “devil
strip” community like Akron, which was
necessarily more preoccupied with survival.
So for Akronites, perhaps, “devil strip”
lingers as a reminder there’s still a thin line
that divides Akron comfortingly from the
world beyond.
Knowhere
This random, blue, metal
palm tree isn’t in the tropics
by a beach. It’s in Akron...by
a highway. But do you know
where exactly? Be the first
person to show off your deep
knowledge of all things local
by tweeting the answer to
@akrondevilstrip or emailing it
to [email protected] and
you’ll get you picture in the
next issue.
only in akron
You’re so Akron if…
YOU GO TO GLENDALE CEMETERY FOR THINGS OTHER THAN FUNERAL SERVICES.
Elizabeth Tyran
Glendale has
everything I could
want in a cemetery.
Last month, I convinced a friend to make the
short walk there from where I live downtown.
Our winter stroll began with my spontaneous
urge to make a snow angel in the parking lot
so, in true Liz form, I did.
Nikki is the kind of person I refer to as
“classic.” The things she does and says, and
the circumstances that seem to inherently
surround her are unabashedly hilarious,
through no intention of her own. She’s
probably 95 lbs. soaking wet. She has
dreadlocks that look like they weigh as much
as her torso and when she has them all piled
up on top of her head, you kind of wonder
how they don’t throw her off balance. At
any rate, my beautiful friend has this dog.
Neisha. They’re kind of tight, like mother
and daughter, or besties, or kindred spirits or
something, point being she likes to take Neisha
everywhere she can.
As lovely as Glendale is covered in snow, I’m
looking forward to the special events the
cemetery hosts, such as a free outdoor movie
night or live performances on the sizeable
open lawn. I even have fond memories of an
evening gone wrong a couple summers back
when my friends Nikki and Julie and I tried to
attend a dance performance there.
So Julie and I waited for Nikki, who was not
only super late, but had no way for us to get
in touch with her since she—at the time—
was a no-cell phone/no-social media modern
day phenomenon. She’s going on about 20
minutes late when Julie and I decided to just
go in. And that, of course, is when we saw
a faint and shadowy figure on a bike, with a
That may sound morbid but I have found in my
adult years that cemeteries can be as peaceful
and pleasant to walk through as any park.
Glendale Cemetery’s landscape, history and
charm make it my favorite in Akron.
dog on a leash at her side, emerging in the
darkening twilight.
Yay! She’s here. We can all go in together now.
Nope, not so much. The security guard put the
ka-bosh on that, crossing his arms as he said,
“Sorry ladies, no dogs allowed.” Ugh. Great.
Not that we blamed the cemetery for the rule
or the guard for upholding it.
We hustled to put her bike and Neisha in our
truck so we could race them back to Nikki’s
and then get back to watch the show. After
returning to Glendale, we proceeded to walk
up the paved cemetery road to where the
action was and found some seats, excited to
finally settle in. Between performances, as
former deputy mayor Dave Lieberth spoke on
stage, Nikki busted out some homemade bread
for us to share. It was the least she could do
(just kidding).
Boom. Rain. It started lightly at first so dancers
actually got on stage and began their routines.
But soon the stage was slick with rain, which
gradually started to come down a little heavier
before they had to call the whole thing off.
That hint of rain turned to an all-out downpour
as we walked back to the car. Truth be told
I couldn’t wait to come back to attend this
uniquely whimsical event in the cemetery, and
I’d even bring Nikki.
Glendale is as lovely covered in snow as it is
in spring blossoms, perfect summer grass, or
autumn leaves. No visit is complete however
without paying my respects. I often stop to
read many of the headstones, taking note
of something specific about each memorial
and wondering more about the person, their
family and what their life in Akron was like.
Other than some lingering thoughts and faint
footprints, I leave the grounds just as I
found them.
(Minus one snow angel in the parking lot,
or course.)
Tastes1Better
924
SINCE
Caffeine Free
TM
VERY LOW SODIUM
NATURAL FLAVORS
CANE SUGAR
TM
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NORKABEVERAGE
N OR KA B EVE R AG E C O M
/
THE Devil Strip |
9
The Most Interesting Person We Know
The Secret Life of Beekeepers
How does a guy raised near Cleveland go from college football in Pennsylvania to a Kent State
business degree and pro dodgeball tryouts to moonlighting as the front man in an old school soul
band and shilling honey that tastes distinctly like Akron, which is to say delicious?
Chris Horne
“It’s going to get sticky,” he said, walking into
his house ahead of me. Pausing, he turned
around, smiled and added, “I’m just
warning you.”
“People are my thing. Always have been,” he says.
“We have to take care of each other. That’s what
we’re supposed to do.”
Someone had told me his name is Ian but then
Gmail labeled his emails from “Brent” and
by the time we’d arranged to meet, I’d heard
most folks know him as Wesley. When I asked
for clarity, he responded, “Wesley is fine.”
Yeah, okay. It’s fine, but is it your name?
That was going to be my first question when
we met. Then I found myself in the cold with
tens of thousands of bees between us, and
only one question came to mind so that’s what
I asked instead: “How in the world did you get
into this?”
The “you” is Brent Ian Wesley and he wears as
many hats as he has names. Maybe more. In
his knit hat and zipped-up, logo-embroidered
hoodie, he’s Brent, the founder of Akron
Honey Co., which last summer successfully
raised more than $15,000 on Kickstarter—
almost double his stated goal.
Without a hat, but decked-out in a razorsharp, perfectly tailored suit with a throwback
edge, he’s the eponymous wiggling singer and
leader of soulful six-piece Wesley Bright & the
Hi-Lites. If you’ve seen him live—or watched
their energetic performances online—it’s hard
to believe that guy is the same one explaining
the brilliance of bees in his hidden-in-plainsight apiary.
It’s as stunning that these are his avocations,
side passions instead of jobs. He is by day, a
manager for Verizon, where he applies the
same philosophy of life that led him to open
Akron Honey Company. That is, he’s motivated
by other people’s welfare. He wants people—
and places—to be better off than when he
met them.
This makes sense in context of his day job—he
has to be good with people—but the rest?
From the outside, it just looks like music and
honey and bees, which is fun stuff but hardly
seems like it’s making anything better. More
fun, sure, but better?
A few months ago, the apiary was just an
empty lot Brent passed on his way to work.
He’d noticed the house that was there, noted
its decline and then its demolition. The vacant
lot made him wonder. He didn’t daydream
about what it could be as much as what he
could do with it. He wasn’t trying to start a
honey company when he brought those first
hives to the property on the outer edge of
Highland Square. It just seemed like a neat
thing to try.
Hey, bees. Why not?
He refers to this process as “activating
spaces” now after accompanying a group of
community leaders assembled by the Knight
Foundation to explore some of Detroit’s most
promising revitalization projects. There he
met people who were reclaiming the empty
and forgotten, ignored and neglected places
around the once-thriving Motor City. This gave
him more focus. What he once did practically
by accident, he would soon start repeating
intentionally.
Thus, the Kickstarter expansion plan.
A former high school football standout, Brent’s
team now is the Akron community. He thinks a
little like a lone wolf, but he’s passionate about
the greater good. As he talks about Akron
Honey’s future, he says it boils down to what
the people of Akron wants. He’s not trying
to build a business that will sustain him so
much as he’s trying to find ways to be a better
Akronite. “You don’t lose if you do good,” he
says. “You can’t.”
This is his off-day, but he’s nowhere near done
yet. The Eye Opener is expecting an order
and he sells out every time he offers packages
10
online. Even when he finishes with this batch,
there’s more to do.
The deal for the new property has closed and
it won’t be long before he’s building that
“Hobbit house” and making plans to bring
people out to Middlebury, a part of town few
would consider a destination despite being
older than Akron itself.
But that’s part of the plan, which he sees more
clearly by the day. “It’s a very specific vision,”
he says, grabbing a frame from the extractor,
“and I don’t want anyone to derail me.”
A viscous rivulet of honey clings to his arm
as he hoists the honeycomb up to the light,
checking to see whether it’s completely spent
yet. In this moment, I’m reminded of his music,
which is as hard won and sweetly rewarding
as the honey. I hear his talk of the “intangible
benefits” of this kind of life and I picture him
on stage, the crowd dancing and moving to
the punchy sway of the horn section. Much
like I wanted to dance when I had my first
taste from the honeycomb.
It’s easier now to see how the different sides of
this man fit together.
A few moments passed in quiet. I had no
more questions so I grabbed the camera and
snapped away. Brent looked up briefly and
smiled, as he often does, then got back to
work, sliding the frame back into the extractor
for another spin, hoping to wring a little more
of this sweet nectar from its home.
community
New / native
An out-of-town poet brings an NEA fellowship to Akron and
a native Akronite resurrects a fabled local soda brand.
Jaclyn Geier & Chris Horne
New
Name: Mary Biddinger
Age: 40
Hometown: Born in Fremont, CA.
Raised (mostly) in Chicago, IL
Neighborhood: Castle Park
Occupation:
Poet, editor, English professor
Who do you wish was on more
Akronites’ radar?
Local artist and graphic designer Amy Peck
should be on more Akronites’ radar. Why?
Because every household in Akron needs at
least one mustache pillow. Find Amy’s work
at events like Crafty Mart. She’ll be the one
shepherding the boisterous herd of
mustache pillows.
What is your favorite local cultural asset?
Definitely the Akron Art Museum. One of the
difficult things about migrating from Chicago
to Akron was leaving behind many of my
favorite museums. The collections and exhibits
of the Akron Art Museum have never stopped
surprising me. Furthermore, the building itself
is a marvel. The vaulted expansiveness of the
lobby is a borderline religious experience
in itself.
When did you fall for Akron?
I fell for Akron when I first arrived here for
my campus interview with UA in the Spring
of 2005. I’d expected a landscape much like
the flatlands I inhabited as an MFA student at
Bowling Green State University, and instead
got a spectacular Midwestern paradise with
interesting architecture, quirky independent
businesses, and ravines. Ravines! Akron has
the perfect mix of the down to earth and
the otherworldly.
Where in Akron do you like to escape?
I love to escape to Cascade Valley Metro Park.
I’m a city girl at heart, but I need my tree fix,
and the Metroparks have much to offer.
Why should everyone try your favorite
local restaurant?
When you roll up and see a bunch of smokers
(the slow cooking kind, not the puffing
Camel Lights kind) in action, you know that
it’s a serious place. My favorite Akron dining
establishment is Edgar’s. It’s a super-chill
restaurant with friendly wait staff and an
atmosphere that is at once sophisticated and
comfortable. I highly recommend the seafood,
particularly the scallops.
How do you think Akron will be different
in five years?
Akron is getting more and more awesome.
People are starting to find out about it, too.
I think Akron will be just as awesome in five
years. I’d love to see fewer empty storefronts
on Main Street. I’ll be crushed if it ever loses its
trademark strangeness.
When did you fall for Akron?
(And what was it? Where was it?
What did it feel like?)
I think I fell for Akron the 1st day of school
at King Elementary. Have so many great
memories and friends that all started with
King school.
Where in Akron do you like to escape?
This is an easy one, I love to golf so for me
it’s definitely 9 holes at Valley View Golf
Course. Followed by dinner/drinks at
Rockne’s on Merriman.
Why should everyone try your favorite
local restaurant?
Rockne’s on Merriman for Max the Knife &
Fries. Great people and great food!
How do you think Akron will be different
in five years?
In five years, it will be the same great hardworking people with a strong sense of
community and Akron pride. What I want to
see continue is the development of downtown
Akron. So many great venues downtown now
that I’m excited to see the trend continue on
Main Street and throughout the area.
Native
Name: Michael William Considine
Age: 37
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Neighborhood: West Akron
near Highland Square
Occupation: Founder & President,
NORKA Food & Beverage LLC
Who do you wish was on more Akronites’
radar?
Liz Scott (iMMiX STUDiO, Lovely Somethings)
Liz is one of the most talented, brilliant,
inspiring and creative people I’ve ever
worked with. Feel very lucky to have had the
opportunity to work with her on
reviving NORKA.
What is your favorite local cultural asset?
The Akron Civic Theatre. To me this is one of
our town’s most iconic venues that brings the
power of music, art, dance, and performance
together for the community to enjoy.
/
THE Devil Strip |
11
dina’s days
Thrift
Challenge
Casual Chic
Fashion blogger and thrifting expert Dina Younis
is sharing the best tips and advice
from her popular blog, DinasDays.com
Regular reader Katie challenged Dina to
recreate a casual chic outfit she found on
Pinterest, featuring distressed boyfriend jeans,
a white blazer, and a gray tee.
Here’s what happened:
Surprisingly, a fitted white blazer was harder
to find than the sequined skirt I wore in the
previous challenge. In fact, three challenge
participants said the same thing. I found
striped blazers for days, but it wasn’t until my
third visit to the thrift store that I found a
fitted white one. Although the mission behind
our Thrift Challenge is to prove that you can
shop with an idea in mind, sometimes it takes
a little patience to find what you’re looking for.
Same goes for any store though. How many
times have you gone to the mall looking for
something specific just to turn around and
go back home? The only difference is when
you finally do find the item you’re looking for
at the thrift store, the reward is even greater
because you scored it at a ridiculously
low price!
I decided to modify the challenge a bit by
not distressing my boyfriend jeans. I also
tried something new and wore my
belts backwards.
Blazer / NY&Co. /
Village Discount Outlet....................... $2
Tee / Goodwill Akron.......................... $1
Belts / Target / Goodwill Akron............ $2
Jeans / Gap /
Goodwill Canal Fulton........................ $6
Pumps / Aldo / Salvation Army............ $2
Sunglasses / Vintage /
Salvation Army............................... $0.75
Bracelets / Village Discount Outlet....... $2
To see more, including reader challenge
submissions, check out Dina’s Days at
www.dinasdays.com
12
Watch / gift......................price unknown
TOTAL: ....................................... $15.75
Community
You’re so
Akron if...
A
nyone willing to scratch beneath the surface here knows Akron is unique. In fact, you don’t even have to be willing to scratch beneath
the surface because Akron might just scratch you first. We’re talking about a city that spawned the greatest basketball player of his
generation, multiple world-touring musicians, an astronaut, a US Poet Laureate, Alcoholics Anonymous, hamburgers, a Nobel Prize
winner, actors and filmmakers, Quaker Oats, a heavyweight champion, the toy industry, the “Edison of Our Age,” Thomas Edison’s wife,
two serial killers, professional women’s mud wrestling, the way your church is probably laid out and the most famous dirigible on the planet.
And that’s before you get to the food — sauerkraut balls and jo-jos, oh my!
This issue is dedicated to all our collective quirk (and then some)—announced, celebrated and dissected by you, the people who make this
city great. What does it mean to be a real Akronite? It’s certainly more than a matter of mere geography. I think my friend Bridget Ambrisco
summed it up best: “You’re so Akron if you recognize how authentically weird this town is ...and you love it.”
Enjoy.
Your bra was on the wall at Frank’s.
— Sue Knapp
You grew up with a rubber tire shaped ashtray
prominently displayed in your living room.
— Jackie Mc. (also Jenny C.)
LET’S EAT!
YOU’RE SO AKRON IF…
You order a salad at Luigi’s just for
the cheese. You carry around your checkbook
just in case you have a spontaneous
Luigi’s craving. — Alison Caplan
Every visiting out-of-town guest insists on one
meal at Luigi’s, one at Swenson’s and a grocery
trip to DeVitis Italian Market.
— Robert S.
— Jeff L.
You and Archie the Snowman are on a firstname basis.
— Ed Haas
You cut through the Glendale Cemetery to get
to school and back. — John Zofchak
IT’S AN AKRON THING…
YOU WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND
Either you are a Lone Star or you have partied
with them. — Anthony Hall
You’re on time for parties. You clearly get upset when you get lumped
together with Cleveland.
— Theresa Attalla
Someone tells you to do the “Wobble” and
you say, “Yeah, I played in WABL.”
— Mike D.
You know that Stan Hywet isn’t a person.
— Jason Chitwood
— Bridget A.
You lift your feet on a Sunday drive through
the creek at Sand Run Park so they don’t
get wet. — Diane S.
People elsewhere look at you as if you have
three heads when you mention jojos, devil strip
or cream sticks. — Erin F. Grady
Every time you try to move away, something
keeps pulling you back to the AK. — Colleen I.
Over half your wardrobe comes from Rubber
City Clothing. — Jeremy Lile
You fought in school over whether Goodyear
or Firestone was better. — Bill Hall
You vacation in Florida wearing only a t-shirt,
shorts and flip-flops in 60 degree weather. — Diane S.
You turned your brother’s old soap box
derby cars into dangerously awesome
go-carts.
— Jenny C.
It’s “St. V” rather than “St. Vincent-St. Mary.”
— Jason S.
/
THE Devil Strip |
13
Cover story
You consider your college years in Kent as
leaving home. — Michael McKeon
You know about the bricks. — Lilly Alexander
SIX DEGREES OF
THE RUBBER CITY
You get upset when people say LeBron is from
Cleveland. — Jeff L.
ART FOR AKRON’S SAKE
Your dad was LeBron’s teacher in 4th grade at
Portage Path Elementary. — Anna Hauenstein
Dan Auerbach’s mom was your French teacher
in high school.
— Lauren Brady
You go to church with Pat Carney’s dad and
Dan Aurebach’s mom was your French teacher
in high school.
— Molly Hauenstein
You know Zippy is a female.
— Tim M. (also Katie L.)
You’re David Giffels. — Chris Drabick
You wear black-rimmed nerd glasses, right
David Giffels?
— Angie Miskell Haprian
You’ve considered getting a job at Swenson’s
to help you train for the Akron Marathon. — Jeff L.
You wear a Swenson’s lanyard at work but
have never worked at Swenson’s.
— Monte Chris DeCarlo
Your parents fought over whether Swenson’s
or Skyway is better. — Karen W.
You’ve eaten at both Swenson’s and Skyway in
one day.
— Colleen I.
You consider sauerkraut balls our
official food. You’ve done the math to figure out what year
The Black Keys will be eligible for induction
into the Rock Hall. — Jeff L.
You couldn’t wait for Ghoulardi’s Friday night
Shock Theater. — Jenny C.
You were an extra in the movie “The Dead
Next Door.” — Darlene Miller Faris
You’ve listened to the “Akron/Canton
Hometown Song” at the Karl and
Bob’s Taj Mahal. — Noel D.
REAL AKRONITES DON’T STOP
TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS
You know Exchange Street and Market Street
meet twice. — John Zofchak
“Driving through the Valley” means taking a
short cut. — Brian Harrell
EPONYMOUS QUIRK
You know what a devil strip is.
— LeAnn Greer
(also: Amanda S. and Alicia Wagner)
When visiting a museum shop in another state,
you instantly recognize work from both Don
and Leandra Drumm from across the room
(and you know whose is whose
without checking). — Allison C.
You don’t know there IS another word for
“devil strip.” — Jason S.
Someone says “down in the Valley” and you
know exactly where they mean. — Jason S.
You ever went sledding down Cadillac Hill on a
trash can lid. — Jim Kormanik
— Becca B.
You call El Rancho “Mexican Yoconos.”
— Shane Wynn
Anything fried in lard automatically makes you
think of Barberton chicken.
— Karen W.
You’ve bought chicken and jojos from more
than a dozen pizza carry-out places.
— Amanda S.
You describe Akron to people as North Akron,
South Akron, East Akron and West Akron,
instead of just Akron.
— Wesley Ian
Instead of saying you live in Akron, you say
you live in Wallhaven, Merriman Hills, Highland
Square, the Valley, Summit Lake, Firestone
Park, Goodyear Heights, etc.
— Katie L.
You know at least four routes from Montrose
to Chapel Hill. — Chris Pelrine
You plan your summer around the appearance
of your favorite Strickland’s flavor. — Linsy Biege
You judge every place you go on the quality
and proximity of their parks. — John Craig
You eat cream sticks and drink pop,
not soda. — Vicki Owens
You know the difference between the Innerbelt
and Interbelt. — Dana W.
You believe hamburgs are the reason we’re the
home of the Inventors Hall of Fame. — Rick Stockburger
You’ve dined via boat on PLX.
14
You recognize all the references in “My City
Was Gone” by the Pretenders.
— Angie Miskell Haprian
— Diane S.
You know every mile the blue line. — Brad H.
Cover Story
IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE…
IT’S AN AIRSHIP?
THE GOOD OL’ GOOD OLD DAYS
You remember the smell of the rubber
You hear a low roar and run outside to see
factories in the 60s. — Jan Patetta
the blimp. — Rick Stockburger
You walked to school and back with Wonder
You know the sound of the blimp and only
bread plastic packaging inside your boots.
casually look up to verify.
— Brad H. (And stopped at Forest Lodge to skate before
going home.) — Janet Sattler
You’ve seen multiple Goodyear Blimps flying
together over the Rubber City.
You danced on the tables at the Bucket Shop. — Julie Plaufcan DiVitto — Tim M.
Your parents met working at the Goodyear
You danced on the walls at the Bucket Shop. Air Dock. — John Zofchak — John Zofchak
You know that the Goodyear Airdock has its
You remember Scott’s Five & Dime’s
own atmosphere with rain and clouds.
Sloppy Joes. — Cyndi McVan Dicintio
— Karen Hornick Sloan
You remember the Carousel Dinner Theater. You’ve tried to shoot down the blimp with a
— Dan Pavlovich
BB gun. — Jen B.
You remember Dr. Feel Goods &
You don’t need to qualify which blimp you
the Sun Lounge. — Willie J. Paige, Jr.
are talking about when you say “the blimp.” — Jason S. You dressed up to go school clothes shopping
at O’Neils and Polsky’s downtown. — Jan Patetta
Your grandma still gives you Halle’s boxes
for Christmas. — Lauren Brady
You saw Rock Hudson and Paul Anka
at the cool downtown Soap Box
Derby parades. — Jan Patetta
You attended high school football games at
the Rubber Bowl. — Becca B.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT
THESE PEOPLE MEANT
Airdock, Rubber Bowl, Quaker Square,
Thursdays, West Point Market, Indian Statue?
You don’t “live” somewhere, you
“stay” there.
You used to drive past a building with a big
bright red sign that says “BJ” and didn’t
immediately think dirty thoughts.
You don’t even notice THAT smell in
the Valley.
You think every logo would be better with a
blimp in it.
— Jeremy D. Lile
Just how Akron
are you?
Joanna Wilson
You’re so Akron if you
don’t need to consult the
menu when you pull into
Swenson’s or Skyway.
You already know what you want—
you have the list of burgers and sides
memorized, right? Akronites are
divided between their loyalties to the
two rival drive-in burger joints in town.
We all have established firm opinions
about our taste preferences between
the Galley Boy and the SkyHi. I’m not
even sure I’ve ever met anyone around
here who doesn’t claim to love one
burger over the other—or foolishly
bold enough to suggest neither drivein is a favorite spot.
You’re so Akron if you know precisely
which time of day provides the safest
opportunity to drive W. Market Street/
Rt.18 from Fairlawn into Montrose.
We all know how difficult it is to drive
the gauntlet of Rt. 18—cars, trucks,
and buses are pulling out in front of
you, cars merging into and from the
center left lane, others quickly turning
left in front of you, and every traffic
light signal changes to yellow as you
approach it. Making matters worse, I
swear it’s always snowing or raining
when I decide tonight is the night I’m
brave enough to turn left into the
plaza with my favorite store. Have you
even, like myself, taken the 77 north
expressway, exited above Montrose
and driven back towards Summit Mall
just to avoid the horror of all the busy
intersections? I know, that doesn’t
work either—the traffic is as bad one
direction as it is the other. So what
about knowing the best time to drive
Rt. 18? It’s a trick! Morning, noon and
night, it’s always a traffic nightmare.
Every Akronite knows that.
You’re so Akron if you’ve
ever stood in line to speak
with Archie the Snowman.
Sitting on Santa’s lap may be an
annual event, however, it doesn’t
replace the experience of chatting
with the 20-foot friendly behemoth
made of unmeltable “snow.” Akron’s
talking Christmas attraction began
in the late 1960s and stood tall at
Chapel Hill Mall for 36 years. The
mall’s new owners took him down in
the mid-2000s until enough Akronites
demanded his return. In 2012, Archie
was re-constructed in downtown
Akron at Lock 3 for the next
generation of our city’s children. Then,
last Christmas, Archie was moved
back to the center court of Chapel Hill
Mall. Whether you stood in line when
you were a child, brought your little
ones, or maybe even accompanied
your grandchildren to stand in line and
gaze up at the two-story, “frozen”
wonder, a real Akronite appreciates
that some traditions in this everchanging city are worth bringing back.
Don’t get me started trying to make
sense of the fact that Archie once had
glowing red eyes--perhaps some of us
loved a little terror in our Christmas
traditions too!
You’re so Akron if you
play“Six Degrees of Akron
Celebrities.”
For reasons that aren’t always clear,
Akronites love to publicly account for
their close connections to national
celebrities that used to live here. It
doesn’t matter if your connection
is through The Black Keys, DEVO,
Chrissie Hynde or LeBron James; the
object is to identify the lowest number
of degrees connecting yourself to a
favorite Akron celebrity. A perfectly
acceptable competitive game move
is “I used to work with a woman
whose cousin sat behind Patrick
Carney in study hall at Firestone High
School.” That, my friends, is three
degrees of the Black Keys. Another
acceptable move is “My husband
attended every St. Vincent-St. Mary’s
varsity basketball home game during
LeBron’s junior year in high school,
and when LeBron came back to
Akron in 2014 and spoke at Akron
U., the great one looked into the
crowd and made eye contact with
us when he said the word ‘Akron.’”
This would be a winning move in
nearly every version I’ve heard played.
Maybe identifying this nearness is a
way we can feel inspired to succeed
in our daily lives? Or maybe it’s a
game of one-upsmanship in which
we try to glom from someone else’s
superstardom and in turn, bolster our
own self-identity. Or, just maybe it’s a
game of shoot-the-shit, best enjoyed
while downing Thirsty Dog brews and
not looking for any larger meaning
behind it.
/
THE Devil Strip |
15
the dish
You’re so
Akron if…
What this PlaCe neeDs
is healthy fooD
for eVeryone.
THIS IS YOUR KIND OF MENU.
Some of our favorite dishes
from around the Akron area
Compiled by Jecca
Appetizers
Entrees
Macaroni and cheese bites, served with
Sriracha ketchup. (The Lockview)
Jaffar’s Pitza, pita pitza with vegetarian
chili, cheddar cheese, scallions and tahini
yogurt dressing (Aladdin’s)
Goat Cheese with spicy marinara
and fried pita bread.
(Bricco/Pub Bricco’s)
Popcorn with bacon and cheese.
(Jilly’s Music Room)
B.O.R.I.S. brisket nachos
(Tasting Room at Hoppin’ Frog)
Seasoned nuts. (Baxter’s)
Soups & Salads
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 garden
2. Lend support to a weekly farmer’s market
3. Organize a healthy food drive
4. 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. Click VOLUNTEER, and then click the quick 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
16
Mojo Burger, custom blend of beef, pork
and Cajun spices with cheddar cheese and
jalapeño coleslaw bacon (The Rail)
Tandoori Malai Kabob, chicken breast
marinated in cream cheese and ginger.
(Saffron Patch)
Chicken saltimbocca, Italian
panko-crusted, prosciutto, provolone,
sage, whipped potatoes, spinach and
roasted tomato in a madeira cream sauce
(The Office)
Roasted beets salad with pears, ricotta,
walnuts, bacon and a champagne honey
vinaigrette. (Crave)
Pan-seared diver scallops drizzled with
applewood bacon brown butter
(Wise Guys)
Pulled pork Cuban salad with black bean
and corn salsa, goat cheese,
guacamole, garlic and cilantro vinaigrette
(Edgar’s)
12 oz. double-cut, bone-in pork chop with
mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
(The Merchant)
Mushroom & brie bisque
in the bread bowl
(Rockne’s)
Desserts
Coconut milk soup with
Chicken or Tofu
(Cilantro)
Soup of the Day, tomato and
goat cheese
(Nuevo)
S’mores bread pudding (Pub Bricco)
Angel food cake, secret family recipe.
(The Merchant)
Drinks
The Fashionable – Jim Beam, honey syrup,
orange, maraschino cherry,
bitters, ginger ale (Jilly’s)
Velvet Frog – Grey Goose, Godiva
White Chocolate and a dash of Chambord
(Beau’s Grille)
where
was this
served?
Chinese food is never this good.
Actually, it’s Cantonese and
all the sauces are made from
scratch--duck sauce, sweet and
sour, hot mustard--you name it. Can you
guess where this plate of spicy garlic shrimp was served? Be the first to tweet the answer to @akrondevilstrip or email the
answer to [email protected] and you’ll get you picture in the next issue.
In the kitchen with...
Pierre’s Brooklyn
PIZZA & DELI
One man’s mission to eat at every pizza joint in town
Eric Morris
's
e
r
Pier
The recipe for success at Pierre’s Brooklyn
Pizza and Deli is almost comically simple,
but expertly precise: “You make good
pizza, everyone comes to you,” the shop’s
eponymous owner says.
n
ly
k
o
o
Br
As simple as it may seem, it’s proven true for
the two-person operation—Pierre and his wife,
Mireille—whose regulars popped in and out,
while Pierre, looking curiously out the window,
predicted each patron’s order with
stunning accuracy.
eli
D
d
an
a
z
z
i
P
On the streets of Akron’s Kenmore
neighborhood, the store looks transplanted
from its namesake city of Brooklyn. However,
Pierre’s shares more than its recipes and charm
with New York. The small shop is tied tragically
to NYC, its people and scars that have never
completely healed.
Before moving into a red brick storefront on
Kenmore Ave, before his made-from-scratch
sauce and dough brought customers from
around northeast Ohio, Pierre Sahlani was
working in his family’s grocery when two
commercial airplanes crashed into the World
Trade Center. While panicked bystanders
fled from the rubble and chaos, Pierre and
his employees left their shop and rushed to
Ground Zero to help.
“They left without thinking,” Mireille says. “It
was just a reaction. They had to go.”
Afterward, the city was depressing. The luster
was gone. The place was no longer the same
for them. They’d lost friends and customers,
and counted how many firefighters in their
borough left and “never returned.”
To cope, Pierre returned to his native Lebanon.
While he was away, three of his friends went
on a hunting trip they’d invited him to join.
When Pierre returned to the states, Mireille,
who stayed in New York, had to tell him his
friends were killed when their car rolled. “He
was supposed to be with them,” she says.
It was time, they decided, to leave the New
York; time for a new life. So the two natives of
Lebanon left Brooklyn for Akron, where Pierre
had family. Here, he found a pizza shop that
was going out of business at 964 Kenmore
Blvd, a place they would call home for the next
six years as they moved into the apartment
above the store.
964 Kenmore Blvd.
Akron, Ohio 44314
(330) 745-7900
pizzas to sub sandwiches that rival an actual
submarine in size, layered thick with lunch
meats and lettuce.
“You ever see a pizza like this?” Pierre asks,
pulling out a pie the size of manhole cover. As
he bags an Italian for one of his regulars, he
gestures with the sub, which looks like it could
possibly feed a family for a week, and says,
“This is our sandwich.”
Presently, they’re recruiting family to join them
in Akron, but their New York roots are obvious.
One wall in the pizza shop is dedicated to
their former city, including a black and white
photograph of the Twin Towers overlooking
the Hudson River and a star-spangled fireman’s
helmet once worn by former-NYC Mayor, Rudy
Giuliani.
Mireille and Pierre go about their business in a
city they’ve come to love. In Ohio, the weather
is much the same. Even now, she still loves
the snow. And Pierre, being the responsible
restaurateur he is, embraces it too because, of
course, the snow, he says, kills the germs.
“You ever see a pizza like this?”
Their menu runs the gamut from ten-topping
/
THE Devil Strip |
17
Food/Fun
MORE SAUERKRAUT
BALLS, PLEASE!
A newbie tackles Akron’s tastiest secrets
Holly Brown
I’m an Akron transplant. I haven’t been here
long, but I’ve learned a few things. Firstly,
whenever you tell an Akronite that you just
moved to Akron, be prepared to answer the
question: “Why?” Also:
“Have you ever had
sauerkraut balls?”
feeling adventurous, have sweet potato fries
with some of that sriracha ketchup. They
even garnish your grilled cheese with a tiny
umbrella. When that gooey masterpiece is
placed before me, I am seven years old again,
home sick from school, lying on the couch with
a blanket and a lunch that my mom made for
me. Then I remember, I’m eating goat cheese,
Swiss cheese, portobello mushrooms and
caramelized onions—the very same things that
would have caused my seven-year-old self’s
nose to crinkle.
Well, I have.
The first time, I was starving. After a day of
running errands over what felt like all of Ohio,
there was only one thing on my mind when I
finally sat down at Rockne’s: food.
“I think it’s time you try sauerkraut balls,” my
friend said from across the table.
Initiation time, the moment I’d learn exactly
how “Akron” I’d really become. I was ready
to give this northeastern Ohio delicacy a whirl,
despite not being a huge sauerkraut fan, but
life experience has taught me that everything
deep fried is good.
I just didn’t expect sauerkraut balls to be that
damn good. There’s something about the
paradox between the texture and flavor. The
crunchy, deep-fried shell filled with mushy
sauerkraut—that mushy-ness anything but
the flavorless mush you expect—tangy, a bit
aggressive, unable to be ignored.
So why do I love Akron? For much the same
reason I fell for the sauerkraut balls.
This city is unlike any place I’ve ever been. It
is as welcoming as it is hardened. It presents
challenges, then talks you through them. It’s
the people; there’s just something about them.
And, the food. It doesn’t have to be particular
to Akron for Akron to do it particularly well.
Like, grilled cheeses. The Lockview forces you
to pick from 13 delicious types of gourmet
grilled cheeses. Do I want artichokes on my
sandwich tonight? Perhaps mashed potatoes
and gravy? Each is served with a side of
my all-time favorite childhood (also, post
night-out-drinking) snack: Goldfish. If you’re
18
How about chicken and waffles? A modern
American staple that Crave serves with
cinnamon, sage and maple foam as well
as syrup. Or go for some upper East Coast
comfort food. Being from New England, I
take lobster very seriously so pairing it with
pineapple tarragon vinaigrette in a salad? I
jumped at the chance. Forever a Boston girl,
my heart may be back home but my tastebuds
were happy to be here.
The irony is that when you answer the
“Why Akron?” with your gushing about
all these culinary delights—and the bars,
neighborhoods, people, events, etc.—
Akronites heartily agree with you. That
question doesn’t come from a place of
insecurity but perhaps a sense of honest
surprise that you discovered their secret. You’ll
hear how happy they are that you love it, that
they’re glad you’re here and feel at home,
that you seem like you’ve been here all of your
life—and that, hell yeah, this place is pretty
damn good, now that you mention it.
Which leads me to the next thing you should
prepare to hear if you’re new: More food
recommendations. Fortunately, I’m a girl with
a healthy appetite and I could talk about food
for days. Days.
So, I’m going to level with you. I think Akron
is just like one big sauerkraut ball. Deep-fried
homey goodness. Hard around the outside and
filled with a punchy, fermented bite—but still
soft, warm and inviting. Comfort with an edge.
They aren’t messing with you; they really mean
this stuff. Akronites are proud of what makes
Akron, well, Akron.
A true spirit of adventurousness still requires
tough choices, which is exactly what I face at
Urban Eats every time. Their menu changes
monthly so just when you pick a favorite, a
new set of choices appears. The sandwiches,
soups and paninis are as eye-catching as the
pop art on the walls, and you’re guaranteed an
international flavor every visit.
Mr. Zub’s Deli has a sandwich literally stuffed
with mac and cheese and bacon, and named
Hightower after Bubba Smith’s character in
the movie “Police Academy.” It’s the kind
of sandwich I want to spend the rest of my
life with—that is, a sandwich that almost
transcends being a sandwich, a sandwich that
says, “Hey, I can put whatever the hell I want
between my slices and you can just deal
with it.”
Swenson’s drive-ins deliver what may be the
epitome of good ol’ American comfort food:
the Galley Boy, a cheeseburger smothered in
some delicious mystery sauce and stabbed with
a green-olived toothpick. Want fries with that?
I’ll take my down home American potatoes as
teezers, filled with cheese and jalapeños. Plus,
the whole time I get to sit in my car and watch
young guys race each other across the parking
lot to feed me. A dream come true.
dinner & A Movie
AKRON’S
Dinner
& a Movie
INDIE
CINEMA
The Way Way Back
and Luigi’s
NIGHTLIGHT
CINEMA.COM
Chris Kessinger, the Film Freak
FILM:
“The Way Way Back” (2013)
In a tweet: Directors Nat
Rash, take us back to
summers where life
sweetest when it was
too fast.
Faxon and Jim
the legendary
tasted the
floating by
What it’s really about: A funny
and poignant coming of age story
about 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam
James) summer vacation with his
mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her
overbearing boyfriend, Trent
(Steve Carell).Having a rough
time fitting in, the introverted
Duncan finds an unexpected
friend in personable grown up
Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the
Water Wizz water park. Through his funny,
eye opening friendship with Owen, Duncan
slowly opens up to and begins to finally find
his place in the world. During a summer
vacation he will never forget.
Why it’s good: There’s something that hits
close to home when it comes to Faxon and
Rash’s script. It feels like an accurate summer
account at a point in our lives when we all
feel immortal. The movie makes us feel like
anything is possible with a little help and
guidance. That is a lost art in modern film.
Who you’ll remember: This is a comic
coming out party for Rockwell. His sarcastic
wit in the script’s dialogue is something
that deserves to be seen by everyone.
Carrell gives an unlikely antagonist turn as
the metaphorical fork in Duncan’s road to
happiness. It’s a rare opportunity to see a
different side of the usually comedic Carell.
How it’ll surprise you: There’s a touching
message hidden softly underneath the
surface. Sometimes we just need a little
motivation to show our true colors.
Bonus Points: The script is a perfect mix of
drama and comedy that uses both genres
effortlessly well in its attempt to showcase
the psychological harm that is keeping this
boy bottled up.
3/14-3/26
Cannes’ Best Screenplay winner
LEVIATHAN
Feast: Luigi’s
While at the video store, order from one of
Akron’s most prominent downtown eateries
for Italian nirvana, Luigi’s. Complete with a
colorful array of tasty wines and delicious
Italian foods, this almost 70 year old Akron
institution is a favorite among Akronites
stories and legends. Daytime specials like the
slice and salad, pasta fagiole and soup du
jour will have you planning future visits even
before you get home.
Film Freak’s Suggestion: Start with a
cheese salad. It’s a perfect addition to the
complimentary homemade bread that’s
warmth will melt butter instantly. The special
salad dressing alone will have your mouth
watering, and sets the perfect precedent for
a main course. The entrée—what else? Pizza.
I personally recommend the large pepperoni
and mushroom pie to share with a friend or
significant other. Your facial reactions will tell
it all in an edible transformation to a time
when Akron was discovering it’s personality
for great Italian. Close the deal with a red
wine. The rich aroma of a Pinot will set you
in the perfect mix of edible satisfaction and
liquid relaxation. A must experience for
every Akronite.
3/20-4/2
Families reckon with occupying Jihadists
TIMBUKTU
3/27-4/9
A 19-year-old is haunted by a persistent pursuer
IT FOLLOWS
4/3-4/16
Misfit Kumiko is on a quest
KUMIKO, THE TREASURE HUNTER
A Day in the Life of…
Commitment
&The Good Life
I believe Jeremiah could live and work in a much
bigger city, making a lot more money but he stays
in Akron because he believes in Akron. Instead of
complaining about what Akron is not, he busts
his ass to help Akron become the kind of place he
desires to live. This is uncommon, I think. This is rare.
These are some of my personal favorites
from my day...
Maxarmando Rivera
Commitment is a beautiful thing.
Commitment over time is much
more beautiful.
Something about perseverance strikes a chord in mankind.
Believing in some “thing” so much
that you’re willing to risk it all to see
that “thing” succeed.
This type of commitment is beautiful.
Photographer’s notes: Every month I want to display a series of photographs that share a similar story and/or theme. This time, I spent the day at my friend Jeremiah Currier’s shop,
Good Life - Body Piercing + Fine Jewelry. I didn’t make any promises; I didn’t stage any shots. I just walked around with my camera and observed.
20
Bars / Nightlife
Music & COncerts
Wednesday, March 18
Friday, March 20
JACKIE WARREN
7 pm at BLU Jazz+ (FREE)
47 E Market St, Akron
A cornerstone of the Cleveland jazz & salsa
scenes, is one of the most in-demand pianists
in the area and has rightfully earned the
nickname “Cleveland’s First Lady of Jazz.”
More at blujazzakron.com/shows
MOUTHS OF BABES
CVNP Canteen Concerts
8-10 pm at Happy Days Lodge (tix $5-$17)
500 W. Streetsboro St., Peninsula
While you munch on locally-sourced cuisine
from the Conservancy Canteen, Ty Greenstein
(Girlyman) and Ingrid Elizabeth (Coyote Grace)
will apply their undeniable chemistry in a
performance that is equal parts celebration and
blues, folk and soul. Visit conservancyforcvnp.
org/events for details.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
KEVIN JUNIOR / ACOUSTIC THURSDAYS
8 pm at Annabell's
784 W Market St, Akron
MAGICALLY DELICIOUS
8 pm at BLU Jazz+
This dynamic group of professional musicians
based in Columbus, Ohio focuses eight on the
arrangements and the original compositions of
its accomplished members.
DUSTCRUSHERS, WHITE LIGHTNING
& THE BLACKOUTS AND BROKEN MUGS
10 pm-1 am at Annabell’s
784 W Market St, Akron
Akron post-rock noise band Broken Mugs joins
Kent’s DustCrushers and White Lightning & the
Blackouts for a show that’ll weird-out the old
folks. Not that there’ll be any old folks there.
This is loud, dirty music that makes your PBR
feel good.
THE LIVING WITH INDUCING PANIC
8 pm at Chuck’s Steakhouse
456 E South St, Akron
The Living coming straight outta Canton… for
fans of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Nirvana,
Foo Fighters and Alice in Chains.
Nikki Revolver, Devilstrip &
Take Off Charlie
11 pm at Empire Concert Club
Co-headliners Nikki Revolver and Devilstrip
rock The Empire on the strength of their
recently released CDs that put their Akron and
Canton pride front and center. Akron's own
Take Off Charlie joins the mix with Circle of
One out of PA.
Saturday, March 21
JESSICA HERNANDEZ & THE DELTAS ($8)
8 pm at Musica
This band of Detroiters brings their bodymoving sound—self-defined “Carny Soul”—
back through Akron before heading overseas
for their first tour of Europe. See “8 Questions
with Jessica Hernandez” for more. Visit
akronmusica.com for details about the show.
JUSTO SABORIT
1305 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron
A native of Havana, Cuba, guitarist Justo
Saborit has crafted a distinctive style out of
studying and performing classical, blues,
jazz, rock & R&B, which he’s blended with
influences from his homeland.
AHI-NAMA
8 pm at BLU Jazz+
Salsa, timba and Latin Jazz by way of northeast
Ohio, founded by native Alex Hoyt
XTRA CRISPY WITH MAY DAY RIOTS
AND THE SAID SO
Wednesday, March 25
Musica
THE RECORD PARTY
6-8 pm at Jilly’s Music Room
Consider it a fun hump day happy hour for
folks who have to get to bed for work the next
day. Expect obscure retro tunes and lots of
danceable music by a trio of vocalists.
JOE HUNTER
7 pm at BLU Jazz+
A first-call pianist, Joe Hunter has established
himself as one of the cornerstones of the
Cleveland and Columbus jazz circuits. Visit
blujazzakron.com/shows for details.
Music and Comedy Nights at
Jilly's Music Room
/
THE Devil Strip |
21
Bars / Nightlife
Weekend at Musica
Better Block meeting
at the Akron Civic Theatre
(Courtesy of Dale Dong/The Akronist)
SUPER BOB
1305 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron
This four-man rock band invades the A-K
Rowdy from the Washington, D.C. area, one of
the 240 shows they play a year in support of
their three full-length records.
Friday, March 27
Saturday, March 28
MUSIC: ACID CATS, SCARLET & THE
HARLOTS, JOVAN WILDER AND THE WILD
THINGS
8 pm at Jilly’s Music Room (FREE)
Guess which of the three describes themselves
as “Hard blues driven rock n' roll with a sassy
red headed belter out front.” Scarlet & the
Harlots, which is probably my favorite name
for a local band. In fact, this night may be the
best for local music in Akron all month. It’s
certainly got to be the most eclectic. Consider
the rock-infused acid jazz of Acid Cats and the
soulful, groove-oriented funk of Jovan Wilder
and the Wild Things, and you should feel guilty
for seeing this all for free.
3RD ANNUAL ROCK FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Fairlawn and Hudson Schools of Music
4-9 pm at Musica ($5 donation)
51 East Market St, Akron
Young music students ply their craft to benefit
the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Harvest
for Hunger with a goal of raising $1,500 which
would provide 6,000 meals locally. Bands
include Rock N’ Royalty, Farfetched, Ava &
The Hitmen, No Name Tuesday, Three Legged
Chairs and No Expectations.
Instead of paying admission, guests will be
asked to donate $5 or 10 non-perishable food
items.
THE GIGGITYS AND SUPER AWESOME
MACHO WITH PUNK WILLIE
9:10 pm at Annabell’s (FREE)
From the ashes of northeast Ohio's legendary
punk band The Nimrods come The Giggitys,
fronted by Ric Nimrod hisself. Super Awesome
Macho plays true rock roots stuff mixed up
with punk and surf that itself plays like the love
baby of the Dead Kennedys and Dick Dale.
Youngstown’s Punk Willie makes their Akron
debut.
CHRIS COLES QUINTET
"Tribute to Coltrane & Cannonball"
8 pm at BLU Jazz+
Exciting Cleveland-based saxophonist leads
all-star band in a special evening honoring
the music of jazz legends John Coltrane &
Cannonball Adderley.
TALL HEIGHTS W/ DARLINGSIDE
CVNP Canteen Concerts
8-10 pm at Happy Days Lodge (tix $5-$17)
500 West Streetsboro Street, Peninsula
Vocal harmonies drive a folk-inspired
accompaniment of cello and acoustic guitar in
Tall Heights, while Darlingside’s four distinct
voices draw from strains of bluegrass, classical,
and even barbershop.
Art & Ale
(Courtesy of Akron Art Museum)
Monday, March 30
MELODIME & RYAN HUMBERT
1305 E Tallmadge Ave, Akron, Ohio 44310
Ryan Humbert, one of Akron’s hardestworking singer-songwriters, takes the Empire
stage with Melodime, a DC-area band that
layers bittersweet melodies and rich vocals
atop a bed of Southern-flavored alt-rock.
Tuesday, March 31
BONZ, FEAT. BONZ OF STUCK MOJO
The band is BONZ—all-caps like that—and it’s
fronted by Bonz, who formerly fronted Atlantabased rap-metal rockers Stuck Mojo.
Plan Ahead
JEREMY HAHN’S MEMORIAL SHOW
Saturday, April 4
6 pm at Chuck’s Steakhouse (FREE)
To honor Jeremy Hahn’s memory and his
passion for local music, his friends are doing
his “Punk Meets Metal” thing with an
"outlaw" twist, featuring a lineup that includes
AJ DeJulius, May Day Riots, Dead Again, The
Said So, Ties That Bind, Last Days Pay and
Flames Burn Black.
HUBBS GROOVE
8 pm at Akron Civic Theatre
Expect a tour of jazz, soul, gospel, classical
and R&B music when Hubbs Groove plays this
cabaret-style show at Akron’s most beautiful
venue. For details, visit akroncivic.com
Anchor the Moon
at Empire Concert Club
22
8 questions
Questions
Jessica Hernandez
with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
When Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas come
to Akron, it’ll be their second time through and
their second-to-last US date before heading
overseas for their inaugural tour of Europe.
Though they’ll be opening for legendary
California punk rockers Social D, Jessica grew
up in Detroit listening to the Spice Girls and
No Doubt. In high school, she fell under the
influences of a wide-ranging bunch from
Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline to Tom Waits
and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. She’s an eclectically
affected old soul whose borderline bubbly
personality masks any hint of the “Secret Evil”
promised by the title of her debut full-length
album. Somewhere in all that, it makes sense
that she has applied labels to the band’s sound
like “Carny Soul” and “Motown Circus.” The
most surprising, not surprising thing out of
the whole interview is that whether she quits
music or rockets on to stardom, she’s probably
going to open a Cuban restaurant with her
dad. Enjoy. – Chris Horne
CH: When you’re touring around the
states, how different does it feel when
you get outside the Rust Belt—out West
or down South—or, does it feel
different at all?
JH: I think it’s more similar than it seems.
It’s strange because one of the things about
touring is realizing how similar we all are.
Maybe it’s because you’re only seeing the small
percentage of people that are coming to your
shows, or involved in the music scene—and
that subculture in the US is pretty small and
there’s some sort of like-mindedness, or at
least something that connects all these people.
CH: In an NPR interview, you said,
“In a smaller city, it’s about community,
not trampling on the people around you
to get where you want to go.” Do you
feel like you have a responsibility to
that community?
JH: Yeah, for sure. I think that as much as the
band wants to better itself, you’re also really
trying to help out the city where you come
from and trying to give people a different
perspective on it, a positive one instead of the
negative publicity, which seems to be most
of what’s happening lately, nationally. Yeah, a
sense of responsibility, of bringing something
positive to it and then also, as we grow,
being able to help grow the music scene and
introduce other artists and help them any way
we can—that’s definitely part of what we want
to do.
CH: You taught yourself how to
play guitar, keyboards and drums—
how does that influence the way you
approach songwriting?
JH: Because I get bored easily, I’m always
finding something. Whenever I write I always
want to change it up and start the songs from
a different instrument. One day I’ll start the
song from drums and I’ll work on a beat I really
like and record that and then build upon that.
…If I’m just writing on an acoustic guitar, it
might be more of a Patsy Cline kinda vibe, or
if I’m writing on an organ, then it might have
more of a Tom Waits kind of vibe.
CH: In that same interview you did
CH: If you weren’t touring this much—
one of the most endearing things I’ve ever
heard another adult do when you started
singing “Mama’s cooking pork chops”
about providing an impromptu soundtrack
to everything as it happened in your home
growing up.
JH: (laughs) Music was such a big part of it.
I mean, I’m just such a goofy person; I was
always making up songs to everything. My
parents are both super musical. They were
always just really big into the music scene, so
I was always waking up to my dad playing his
records or my mom putting on whatever she
was listening to, so it just became a big part
of my life. And then I was a choir kid and a
theatre kid. I was, you know, the nerdy theatre/
choir girl in high school. It’s funny because all
the guys in my band were like that too: the
band dorks. We always laugh because we are
still that way. Being part of that theatre/choir
culture at such a young age—always making
stories up, making songs up.
or at all—what do you think you’d be
doing with your life?
JH: Music was always #1 on my list, since I
was really young, but it doesn’t scare me to
not be doing music. That’s probably because
I’m so close with my family and they’re such
a big part of my life that I always wanted to
open a Cuban restaurant with my dad. That’s
always been in the back of my mind: Well,
if this music thing work out, I’m opening up
my restaurant and then I’m going to do my
clothing stuff.
CH: So listening to your mom’s and
dad’s records, is that how you got into
Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline and Tom
Waits and Wanda Jackson and all that?
JH: My great uncle passed away when I was a
senior in high school and his wife gave me his
entire record collection, and it was a lot of old
country, a lot of old soul then Motown, jazz;
just anything and everything. It was hundreds
of records. I started digging into his record
collection and that’s when I discovered a lot of
the old country female artists that I really, really
like. I think that really influenced a lot of my
songwriting—songs like “Cry, Cry, Cry” is one
in particular I think was really influenced by a
lot of those old female country artists.
CH: The loyalty you have for Detroit,
is that common among you and your
friends? You seem to wear Detroit on
your sleeves.
JH: Yeah, I think a lot of people from there
do. I don’t know what it is about the city but
it seems everybody that’s from there gets a lot
of drive from being from there. I think despite
all the bad press that Detroit gets, I think that a
lot of people have a lot of respect for the city.
CH: I have a reader question. Jasmine
wonders what’s been your favorite and/or
the strangest gift you’ve received from
a fan?
JH: We get a lot of funny gifts. We get a lot
of coffee—I guess people know we all like
coffee. We’ve gotten clothes and moonshine
gummy bears. Yeah, those were amazing.
Those were among my favorites. We get a
lot of cool gifts but my favorites though are
letters. Those usually end up being my favorite.
You know, you’re having a crummy day and
then someone gives you a letter and you open
it and they tell you the music makes their week
better. Totally turns your day around.
/
THE Devil Strip |
23
band spotlight
on stage with...
Ava and the Hitman
These youngsters with soul are ready to rock for a good cause.
Maria Varonis
They may not have witnessed the birth of rock
in the forties and fifties—or experienced its
plaid phase in the nineties—but Ava and the
Hitmen have soul stemming back from far
before they were born.
On a recent Monday evening, I went to check
out their rehearsal, expecting the coolest,
cutest thing I had ever heard.
In his neon-shoes and khaki-colored corduroys,
11-year-old keyboardist Lawrence Saltis looked
cool standing casually behind his Casio. Way
cooler than I did at 11—perhaps way cooler
than I do now, actually.
“I like being with drummers, guitarists, and
jamming around, maybe doing a little blues
sometimes,” Saltis said.
The band was the brainchild of nine-yearold drummer Luke Konopka and 11-year-old
guitarist Eric Goldstein, both students at the
Fairlawn School of Music, where they met and
were rehearsing this evening.
Goldstein was tinkering with his pedal board.
His baseball tee read: “RELAX,” in all caps.
Noted, I thought.
Proud parents were all over the place,
dropping their kids off, waiting in their cars
in the parking lot. The pint-sized, 10-year-old
front woman for the band, Ava Preston, was
adjusting her mic as I spoke with her mom.
“She’s been singing since she was two or
three,” Lisa Allison told me. When I asked
if Lisa, herself, was musical, she adamantly
claimed she was not the source of her
daughter’s musical talent.
Katie Carver Reed, programs director of the
school, warmly ushered me around.
“This is an actual garage band,” she said of
Ava and the Hitmen, leading me into their
rehearsal, “because this is actually a garage.”
The repurposed room was warm and clean,
but maintained the minimalism and grit you
would expect out of any young musician’s
practice space.
Last to join Ava and her tiny musical henchman
was 12-year-old bassist Fritz Dannemiller, the
newest member of the team.
24
Here is the space to add the description of the
image you place below/above bigger.
The Fairlawn and Hudson Schools of Music
offer both group and private lessons in a
variety of genres. When students show interest
in teaming up, the schools and their coaches—
successful musicians in their own right—are
eager to give the children the technical
instruction and real life lessons they need to
make it as a band. This is how Ava and the
Hitmen became a functioning unit.
Coaches Natalie Grace Martin and Jack
McFadden looked in their element as they
helped this mob of 9-12 year olds rehearse
Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know.”
I was a little taken aback by all this. I knew it
would be cute but I wasn’t expecting it to be
excellent. Every cymbal hit. Every guitar riff.
Every note Ava attempted and then conquered.
This was a rock band and these were real
musicians—just a bit shorter than most. Old
pros at a young age.
On my way out, I told Ava, “You’re like a little
Grace Slick, you know that?”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
Learn more about Ava and the Hitmen at
www.the DevilStrip.com
Fairlawn School of Music presents
their 2nd annual Rock for a Good
Cause, which benefits the AkronCanton Foodbank’s Harvest for
Hunger campaign.
If they raise just $1000, they can
provide 4,000 meals locally. You
can chip in by attending to hear
student bands like Ava and the
Hit Men.
Rock for a
Good Cause
Saturday, March 28
Show starts at 4 p.m.
Musica
Call 330-576-6527 or visit
fairlawnschoolofmusic.com
Comics & Puzzles
Crossword Puzzle
Set by Alberich
ACROSS
1 Horse and trap for a fairy (6)
5 Erect principal feature of a wall (4-4)
9 Opener hit runs, returning after disastrous
debut (2 ducks) (8)
10 One following Parisian woman? – one
briefly loved by 24 (6)
11 Mobile rang and spoiled start of drama –
like Mousetrap (6-6)
13 Setter devours books – what a fairy! (4)
14 Writer's surrounded by old flames –
thereby things can get heated (4,4)
DOWN
17 Outlined short comedy piece to
journalist (8)
18 Section of Plato is about Greek
character (4)
20 Pure uranium, untreated with aluminium,
goes into meltdown (12)
23 The weaver's an ass (6)
24 Greek 22 bewitched by 5 (8)
25 Characters not of the standard height will
remain at base (5,3)
26 King gives orders to soldiers
retreating north (6)
2 Raised wolf for money once (4)
3 Toils hard, raising support for
educational aid (9)
4 In which 2 would be 10 (6)
5 Puck heartlessly stealing food is running
around like chicken that's headless (5,10)
6 Greek 22 who was well heeled? Hardly (8)
7 Greetings heard from Scottish town (5)
8 Make Holy See contract indefinitely to be
unorthodox (10)
12 Being watchful, observing through the
window (7,3)
15 In money matters, a European is doing
nothing (9)
16 In short, a man and a woman have love for
nightingale (8)
19 Lieutenant with 23 i-in company (but not
in the same company as 23) (6)
21 Takin' out member of chivalric order (5)
22 Leander's love is a bird with no 23 (4)
alberichcrosswords.com
/
THE Devil Strip |
25
my turn
Confessions
of a Rust Belt
Orphan
(How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Northeast Ohio)
Jason Segedy
As near as I can tell, the term “Rust Belt”
originated sometime in the mid-1980s. I
originated slightly earlier, in 1972, at St.
Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio—Rubber
Capital of the World.
My very earliest memory is of a day in the
summer of 1975 when my parents, my baby
brother and I went on a camping trip to Lake
Milton, just west of Youngstown. I was three.
To this day, I can still remember looking at the
green overhead freeway signs along the West
Expressway and taking in the overpoweringly
pungent smell of rubber wafting from the
smokestacks of B.F. Goodrich and Firestone.
My mother explained that those were the
factories where the tires and the rubber and
the chemicals were made. They were made by
hard-working, good people—people like my
Uncle Jim.
When I was a little older, I would hear that this
was the smell of good jobs, of hard, dangerous
work—the way of life that built this quirky
and gritty town. It was the smell that tripled
Akron’s population between 1910 and 1920,
transforming the canal-town into the 32nd
largest city in America. It is a smell now laced
with melancholy and nostalgia—for it was the
smell of an era coming to its end.
On the way to the campground, we stopped
by my grandparents’ home in Firestone Park
where my grandmother had a box of Barnum’s
Animals crackers waiting for me. She was
always kind and generous like that.
My grandparents were Akron. Their story is
Akron’s story. My grandfather, George Segedy,
was born in 1916, in Barnesboro, a small
coal-mining town in Western Pennsylvania,
somewhere between Johnstown, DuBois
and nowhere. His father, a coal miner, had
emigrated there from Hungary nine years
earlier. My grandmother, Helen Szabo, was
born in Barberton, in 1920.
They were in factories their entire working
lives—jobs like that weren’t called “careers”
back then. My grandfather worked at the
Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. My
grandmother worked at Saalfield Publishing,
which was once among the world’s largest
producers of children’s books, games and
puzzles. Today, both plants form part of a
gutted, derelict, post-apocalyptic moonscape
in South Akron between that same West
26
Expressway I remember from childhood
and perdition.
The City of Akron plans to revitalize this former
industrial area, and should, but there are
ghosts there…
My grandparents’ house exemplified workingclass Akron in the late 1970s and early 1980s:
lots of cigarettes and ashtrays, “Hee-Haw,”
“The Joker’s Wild,” fresh tomatoes and
peppers, Fred and Lamont Sanford, Archie
and Edith Bunker, listening to Herb Score and
Indians baseball on the front porch, handknitted afghans, UHF/VHF, channels 3, 5, 8
and 43, cold cans of Coca-Cola and Pabst Blue
Ribbon, the Ohio Lottery, chicken and galuskas
(dumplings), a garage floor you could eat off
of, a meticulously maintained 14-year-old
Chrysler with 29,000 miles on it, a refrigerator
in the dining room because the kitchen was
too small, catching fireflies in jars and all being
right with the world.
More often than not, when we visited my
grandparents, my Uncle Jim and Aunt Helen
would be there. Uncle Jim was born in 1936,
in West Virginia. His family, too, had come to
Akron to find work that was better-paying,
steadier and relatively less dangerous than
the work in the coal mines. Uncle Jim was a
rubber-worker, first at Mohawk Rubber and
then B.F. Goodrich. Uncle Jim also cut hair
over at the appropriately-named West Virginia
Barbershop, on South Arlington Street in East
Akron. He was one of the best, most decent,
kindest people that I have ever known.
The machine runs until it breaks down, then
it is replaced with a new and more efficient
one. It was a machine made up of unions
and management and capitalized sunk costs
and supply chains and commodity prices and
globalization. Except it wasn’t really a machine
at all. It was really just people. And people
aren’t machines. When they are treated as
such, and then discarded as obsolete, there are
consequences.
grieve—not to wallow but to gain a better
understanding of who we are by getting
comfortable with the messy and confusing
historical cycle of boom-and-bust, of evolution
and de-evolution, of creation and destruction
and reinvention. That’s the world as we
actually experience it, and the one in which
we live. Thus, “moving on” is our refusal to be
paralyzed by the past so we can live up to our
present responsibilities.
You could hear it in the music. From the
decadent, desperately-seeking-something pulse
of Disco to the nihilistic and fatalistic sound of
Punk and Post-Punk. It’s not an accident that a
band called Devo came from Akron, Ohio—Deevolution, the idea that instead of evolving,
mankind has actually regressed.
Akron has begun doing this—and may
be ahead of the rest of the region, if the
anecdotal evidence is to be believed.
As an adult, it’s all the more poignant when
you realize that the “end-of-an-era” is just
a transition to something else. The middle
ground between “golden age” and “existential
struggle” is large. In fact, this time of transition
is its own era. For those of us who were
kids when The Great Unraveling began, we
watched the Grand Old Days narrative, which
we were socialized to believe, go up in a puff
of smoke.
We tend to construct our identities, especially
as children, on the places we live. The identity
I’d built was as a proud Akronite. This is the
RUBBER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! We—Real
Americans doing Real Work—make lots and
lots of Useful Things for people all over the
world, some of whom even come here to
make a Better Life for themselves.
Once, I asked my mother why Uncle Jim never
washed his hands. She scolded me, explaining
he did wash his hands but because he built
tires, his hands were stained with carbon-black,
which wouldn’t come out no matter how hard
you scrubbed. I learned later, that it would take
about six months for that stuff to leach out of
your pores, once you quit working.
Well, that all got yanked away. I couldn’t
believe any of those things anymore. They
were no longer true, and I knew it. I could
see it with my own two eyes. When the place
you believed you lived in turns out not to
match reality, it’s jarring and disorienting, even
heartbreaking.
Uncle Jim died in 1983. He was killed in an
industrial accident on the job at B.F. Goodrich.
He was only 47. The plant would close for
good about a year later.
I use the phrase “Rust Belt Orphan” because
that is what the experience of coming of age
at the time of The Great Unraveling feels like at
the gut-level.
It was a tragic event at a singularly traumatic
time for Akron.
So where does this leave us?
But I don’t think we can—or should—“get
over” the Rust Belt. The very phrase traffics in
denial and an estrangement from one’s roots.
The region is littered with countless attempts
to “get over” the Rust Belt: short-sighted
economic development projects and publicprivate pyramid-schemes. We don’t have to
be—and can’t be, of course—something we
are not. We do have to be the best place we
can be.
Our economic development and public
investment should be hyper-nimble, hyperscalable, hyper-neighborhood-focused and
ultra-diverse. Sometimes these “little plans”
are exactly what we need because they
often involve fundamentals and are easier to
pull-off while helping inspire hope and build
relationships.
Maybe this means we are a smaller, relatively
less-prominent place, a step down from the
Grand Old Days. It also means being a much
better-connected, more cohesive, coherent and
equitable place.
We are the only people who can stop us from
becoming that place.
Those of us that stuck it out and still live here
know where we came from. We’re under no
illusions about who we are or where we live.
So, let’s have our final elegy for the Rust Belt.
Then, let’s get to work.
————————————————————
That is what the late 1970s and early 1980s
were: the end of one thing and the beginning
of something else. In retrospect, it’s obvious.
The Rust Belt, which has been in a collective
period of mourning for the better part of four
decades, must make peace with our past. The
best way out is always through. We should
This is an abridged version of a longer post you
can find under the same title on Jason’s blog at
thestile1972.tumblr.com
A BAROQUE SENSIBILITY
beauty
reigns
IN RECENT PAINTING
Through May 3, 2015
Gallery Hours
Wednesday – Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm | Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm
Free Admission Every Thursday
One South High | Akron, OH 44308 | 330.376.9185 | www.AkronArtMuseum.org

Issue 1 - The Devil Strip

Transcription

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