Get Patriotic! (Real Patriotism, Not That Faux Stuff)

Sep 27, 2010 by Loki

Via those kick ass people over at Progress Ohio! I would love to see these up all over the nation!

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Gamble House: Community Voices Silenced

Sep 23, 2010 by classicgrrl

Update:  Cincinnati.com is now saying City Councilman Charles Winburn will motion for the City of Cincinnati to take the Gamble House by eminent domain.  The article also reports Chris Bortz has stated he is against the motion.

The article includes a quote from Larry Harris, City of Cincinanti’s Urban Conservator:    “One witness was Larry Harris, the city’s urban conservator. He sent an e-mail stating: “I am working with the City Solicitor’s office and the Director of City Planning and Buildings to cite Greenacres for violations of the Zoning code and Housing code.”

_________________________________________________________

Ye who has the most money wins and in this case that would be the Green Acres Foundation.  I received the below notice in my Facebook inbox from Bob Prokop.  The Westwood Community made it very clear the demolition of the house was not what it wanted - does enough money, power, and private ownership render the community’s voice silence and unnecessary?

This certainly did not happen in Indian Hill where Green Acres currently resides – is it possible or even likely for something like this to happen in Over-the-Rhine?   This demolotion is happening without a COA, without a permit, and with police protection. 

This is a strong case for why the Cincinnati community will deeply miss Building Cincinnati; his photos and comments here would have been greatly appreciated.

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Introducing: ArtsWave (Formerly the Fine Arts Fund)

Sep 22, 2010 by classicgrrl

Taking a break from the music madness this week to post this email I just recieved in my inbox from Mary McCullough-Hudson.

You can join them for a brown bag lunch on one of the dates below.  Please visit ArtsWave to RSVP.

• Thursday, September 30
• Wednesday, October 6
• Wednesday, October 13
• Friday, October 22
• Wednesday, October 27
• Thursday, November 11

I am excited to be writing you, to tell you about the launch of ArtsWave, an organization dedicated to advancing the vibrancy of our community through the arts, and to connecting people with the arts — and each other.  Formerly known as the Fine Arts Fund, our board of trustees has voted today to relaunch the organization with a new and more broadly defined mission, along with a new name.

As a supporter of the Fine Arts Fund, you may already know that our organization has undertaken a multi-year research and planning process.  Our goal has been to better understand the arts and cultural needs of the people in our community, as well as explore the many ways in which the arts act as a catalyst for a more vital city and region.

Our transformation into ArtsWave is an outgrowth of this planning process, based in large part on interviews with hundreds of people in the region who told us that the arts are important because of how they connect people within and across communities, and make neighborhoods more energetic and appealing.  As ArtsWave, we will be working to sustain a revitalized Cincinnati, with the knowledge that participation in the arts and culture has positive ripples on the community as a whole, across a wide spectrum of interests, lifestyles, and locations.

What will this mean in practical terms?  ArtsWave will look for the broadest range of organizations and initiatives to support, where it can have the greatest impact on bringing together people from across the region to experience the arts and connect with each other.  We will also expand our investment in events such as Splash Dance (2009) Paint the Street (September 26th), and the Annual Sampler Weekend which bring us together for creative fun.

I firmly believe that the arts create lively places where we like to spend time, visit, live, and work.  With ArtsWave, we will be able to build on the many decades of success of the Fine Arts Fund — made possible by generous people like you — while expanding our vision to better serve the entire community. I hope we can count on your continued support and active participation in the many cultural events greater Cincinnati is fortunate to enjoy.

Sincerely,
Mary McCullough-Hudson
President
ArtsWave

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MPMF – Make It A 5 Way

Sep 21, 2010 by classicgrrl

Yesterday I posted my top do not miss out of towners:

1. Brent Reed
2. Shoreline Dream
3. Filligar
4. Surfer Blood
5. Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
6. Confuctive Alliance
7. Aficionado

This time it’s the do not miss list of in-towners:  In order:

Messerly & Ewing – Thursday, Arnolds 9:00 PM

The cornerstone of the indie original music scene in Cincinnati.  They consist of Mark Messerly, Brian Ewing, Sean Rhiney and Bill Donabian.  Mark and Brian have been wrtiting and playing together for nearly 15 years and the depth of their songwriting shows it – they are simply the best songwriters in the city.  The Last 12 Hours is a killer record if you can find it.  Mark Messerly played in Clabbergirl with Sean and also plays in Wussy.  Bill D. played with Clabbergirl (keyboard) and Rockets to Mars (drums). Everyone knows the story of Sean and Bill starting MPMF 9 years ago; they helped turn this town from a cover into an original.  It doesn’t hurt that they are the absolute salt of the earth.  Starting MPMF without M & E is akin to starting an engine without gas – not possible. 

Can someone PLEASE get them to finish their new record?

Chocolate Horse – Saturday, Below Zero 10:00 PM

Part of the fabulous All Night Party showcase, these guys hail from the ashes of one of the top Cincinnati bands of all time – Readymaid.  Eclectic and superb musicianship is the Horse in a nutshell. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgaXwsCAJ1o 

You, You’re Awesome – Thursday, Cincinnati Club 10:30 PM

Yusef and Kevin met on the Woxy.com message boards and have been causing mayhem and mischief ever since.  Beyond talented, this duo makes for an electronic experiment which should probably be featured in video games rather than on a stage.  Lucky for us, it is on a stage.

 httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X2tgei1nHM

 The Harlequins – Friday, Blue Wisp 9:30 PM

I first heard the Harlequins open for Blood Sugar at Northside Tavern.  They were raw but exhibited strong songwriting.  I thought if they could hold it together and practiced they would make for a very decent garage rock band.  They did and they have…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqQqfSkA_0

Daughters and Sons – Friday, Mr. Pitiful’s 12:00 AM

The most danceable band in Cincinnati?  Maybe or maybe not but the musicianship is outstanding and the instrumentation is hard not to like-no videos yet but you can check out their music via facebook: Daughters and Sons

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Music, Music, Music!!

Sep 20, 2010 by classicgrrl

First of all, there is a band you MUST see out of Austin, TX tomorrow night at the Mad Hatter in Covington, KY at 8:00 PM called Quiet Company.  Quiet Company is Taylor Muse, Thomas Blank, Matt Parmenter with Jeff Weathers on drums.  Matt is from Cincinnati and played in the infamous and phenomenal hard rock outfit SemiAutomatic.  Matt plays bass and piano; did I say play?  More like wail.  I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Matt bang his heart out on the ivories in an intimate setting – honestly he is one of the better piano players I’ve seen in these parts.

This may be the last time you can see them for under $50.  They are THAT good and are blowing up as I type this.  Currently on a US tour (affter completing a tour of the UK) to support their new EP “Songs for Staying In” and their full length “Everyone You Love Will Be Happy Soon”, they have featured on Jersey Shore and a whole mountain of other places I’m not even going to bother to list including Mtv.

One thing:  the band’s guitars were stolen in TX shortly before their tour.  When you click on their website there is a popup asking for donations; simply click on the X in the right hand corner to close if you like.

You can follow them on twitter @QuietCompanyTX and you can follow Matt @tormenter.  Tormenter was Matt’s old moniker on Cincy Music Online. He’s also responsible for getting me hooked on Jamison. Rat bastard.

Modern Man Video

Second of all:  MPMF!

After listening to the majority of the bands (I skipped Cincinnati locals – there is simply too many) here is my bucket list and finalized schedule.  I’ll only be able to attend Thursday night due to volunteering as a venue lead Friday and Saturday.  I will be blogging about my volunteer experience afterwards as this is the first time since 2004 I have participated as a volunteer.   

This is by NO means perfect - AND more than likely I will change it.  I have bolded those that I would absolutely NOT miss. 

Thursday:

9:00 PM Brent Reed - Fountain Square

9:30 PM A Shoreline Dream – Main Event

10:30 PM Van Dyke Parks – Blue Wisp

11:00 PM Shonen Knife – CAC

Friday:

7:00 PM Filligar – Fountain Square

9:30 PM Secret Show – Cincinnati Club

10:30 PM Drink Up Buttercup – Know Theatre

11:30 PM Surfer Blood – Cincinnati Club

12:30 AM Scotland Yard Gospel Choire – Main Event

Saturday:

9:15 PM Conductive Alliance – Courtyard Cafe

10:00 PM Aficionado – Washington Platform

11:00 PM Black Owls – Jack Potts

11:30 PM Place to Bury Strangers – CAC

The Bucket List:

Place to Bury Strangers

Best Coast

Shoreline Dream

Aaron Daniel

Aficioonady

Barnaby Bright

Black Owls

Blue Cut

Boutros

Brent Reed

Conductive Alliance

Drink Up Buttercup

Elf Power

Evan Holmes with Exit Ghost

Fang Island

Filligar

Gold Metal

Ha Ha Tonka

Male Bonding

Light Pollution

Jason and the Scorchers

Josiah Wolf

Lower Dens

Unicycle Loves You

Surfer Blood

Young Republic

Shonen Knife

Van Dyke Parks

Candy Claws

Caravan of Thieves

The Strange Boys

Scottland Yard Gospel Choir

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Brighton, MA

Monkeytonk

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