Toledo Free Press STAR – March 7, 2012 by Toledo Free Press

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Virtuoso Pianist Rieko Aizawa to play with Adrian Symphony Orchestra

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PRO Garden Show features Parrish, Andreev By John Rasche TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR STAFF WRITER star@toledofreepress.com

The Professional Remodelers Organization (PRO) will host its Home Improvement & Garden Show at the SeaGate Convention Centre March 9-11. The event will include more than 175 exhibitors and antique appraisers ready to help anyone interested in home remodeling. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet former Detroit Tigers catcher Lance Parrish and HGTV’s Sasha Andreev. PRO is a nonprofit trade association composed of local businesses, which represent more than 40 types of home improvement professionals. PRO contractors, suppliers and other service providers in the remodeling industry have been available to Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan since the organization’s founding in 1968. “Although the economy has had quite an effect on many industries, Professional Remodelers has remained strong,” said PRO Executive Director Rick Morel. “Our membership continues to grow with good quality professionals who share our set of business ethics.” This will be PRO’s 43rd Annual Home Improvement & Garden Show. “We’re changing the direction of the show this year,” Morel said in regards to this year’s talent at the three-day event. “The show has always been a steak, but it has never had the sizzle. This year’s show will have sizzle.” The sizzle begins with 1984 MLB World Series Champion Parrish. Parrish, a former catcher for the Tigers and an eight-time MLB All-Star, will be at the show from 4-9 p.m. March 9. PARRISH “I’m always interested in outdoor gardening,” Parrish said. “I’ve been to plenty of home and garden shows before, but I never got to be part of one. It’s double the fun.” Parrish will sign copies of his book, “Few and Chosen: Defining Tigers Greatness Across the Eras,” as well as any other memorabilia fans bring with them. “I hope to see a lot of people there,” he said. “I enjoy going out in the public and meeting fans to talk baseball and to share stories. It should be a good time. I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t been to a home and garden show to go.” Live music will be offered by the rock band B.A.S.I.S. on March 9 and local musician Don Coats on March 10. Gary Shores and Harvey Steele from K100 will broadcast from the event

from 9-11 a.m. March 10. Individuals curious about the worth of their antiques can visit the Home Improvement and Garden Show on March 10 for a free estimate. Local antique appraisers will appraise any two items free of charge. Concession booths will be available all weekend. There will be free face painting March 10 and 11 for children. On March 11, HGTV’s Sasha Andreev will offer a seminar to people interested in remodeling their homes. Andreev, host of the television show “Curb Appeal” on HGTV, will share his experience with home remodeling and suggest new ideas for homeowners. “I wanted to come up with some remodeling advice that was more interesting and personal than just by looking something up online,” Andreev said. “Even if you know what you want, the thoughts sometimes get muffled, so being able to talk with someone and receive acclamation about your ideas gives you the confidence to remodel your home.” Andreev will talk from his own personal experience in trying to remodel his own home. His seminar, “My Curb Appeal Challenge — Bringing Designer Tips and Tricks Home” will begin at noon. When Andreev first became a homeowner, he asked his favorite designers from “Curb Appeal” for suggestions on how to fix up his house. The answers were varied and imaginative. “I enlisted three of them to each come up with a unique design for the house, reflecting their distinct point of view and budget level,” Andreev said. “What resulted was three plans which, along with lots of ‘before and after’ examples from the show, I use as a launching point to explore designer tips and tricks that anyone can apply to their own home.” Andreev will be available for autographs at the SeaGate Centre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11. The Cougarette Dance Team from Sylvania Southview High School will conclude the threeday event with some of its routines at 2 p.m. March 11. The Cougarettes won first place in the jazz and pom divisions at this year’s Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators State Dance Championships. It is the first dance team to win two divisions in the same year. The team also performed at last year’s BCS Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla. “We’ve never done anything like the Home Improvement & Garden Show,” head coach Heather Smith said. “We’ll be performing at least one of the routines from a division that we won. Our pom routine is the most crowd pleasing.” Tickets cost $6 for a one-day pass and $12 for

Sasha Andreev of “Curb Appeal” will appear at the PRO Garden Show on March 11. PHOTO BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

a three-day pass. Seniors 60 years and older pay $5 for a pass. Active military are free with their military ID. Children aged 12 and younger also have free admission. Tickets can be purchased online at PRO’s website, www.hireaprotoday.com. Shoppers can save $1 off their tickets by

purchasing them at one of the three local Menards home improvement stores in Toledo, Holland and Oregon. The SeaGate Convention Centre is located at 401 Jefferson Ave in Downtown Toledo. The PRO Show will be open from 4-9 p.m. March 9, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 10 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 11. ✯

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”It’s the last step of the civil rights movement: Wrap your hands around some money.” — Russell Simmons

Things Remembered

Adrian Symphony Orchestra concert at Croswell.

By Renee Lapham Collins TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR STAFF WRITER star@toledofreepress.com

Although the stereo in the background isn’t playing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550, the melody and rhythms are ringing in John Thomas Dodson’s ears. He’s punctuating the rising and falling musical notes with his hands, maestrostyle, as he hums them, describing one of Mozart’s most recognizable works. “This is a very unusual symphony,” said Dodson, music director and conductor of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra (ASO). “It was written in the later part of Mozart’s career — just three years before he died — and even though its composition is solidly classical, one part of it is aimed forward at what might be — a new era of music.” At the performance, the ASO will present the Mozart symphony along with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major” and a premiere of a work by American composer Robert Jager titled “Of Things Remembered,” from which the March 10 concert takes its name. Curtain time in the historic Croswell Opera House is 8 p.m. An hour beforehand, Dodson will talk about the music at a free classical conversation presentation in the theater. Dodson said he got the idea for the concert after receiving the composition in the mail from his mentor and friend Jager, who lives in Tennessee. The work was written for a couple Jager knows and who are known in classical musical circles for their piano virtuosity. Jager’s composition will be sandwiched between the works of two of the world’s most beloved composers. All three share symphonic themes. “Mozart wrote two versions of the Symphony No. 40,” Dodson said. “We’re doing the original version, which has the flute, oboe, bassoon and horn. Most people never get to hear it because the second version, with clarinets, is more widely performed. The clarinets change the symphony — they darken it, but I wanted to connect the original scoring to the Beethoven concerto we’ll also have on the program, so we’ll perform the first version.”

John Thomas Dodson, music director of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. PHOTO BY JEAN LUC FIÉVET

Beethoven’s second piano concerto was the composer’s first major orchestral work, Dodson said. “It has the same orchestration as Mozart’s 40th Symphony, so having them juxtaposed one against the other makes for an interesting

concert,” he said. Mozart and Beethoven both composed their works in 1788. Dodson said Beethoven’s piano concerto and Jager’s composition contain nods to classical composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) and Mozart’s concerti

were the model for the Beethoven work, which gives the March 10 show an added dimension of musical history. The Mozart symphony, Dodson said, “is very condensed in the materials Mozart uses. ■ ASO CONTINUES ON 5

“Hip-hop is from people who have mostly been locked out.” — Russell Simmons ■ ASO CONTINUED FROM 4 “In the beginning, the famous little sighing phrase with a leap up that is then filled in with descending notes — that material pervades the whole first movement,” he said. “You hear its rhythms, its melodic shape throughout, even while he makes every measure sound fresh and new. It’s never predictable, and a closer look at the remainder of the symphony reveals that he never really leaves any of that behind. It’s the same DNA throughout the symphony — truly remarkable, innovative and unique.” In the same way, Dodson hopes to show a progression from the all-strings sound of the Feb. 11 concert, adding winds, horns and a piano soloist for the March 10 event. This will lead to a final full complement, with brass, percussion and harp April 28 with the “Enchanted Garden” concert featuring works of Prokofiev, Williams, Respighi and Ravel. Having all three of the concerts in the Croswell, Dodson said, is icing on the musical cake. “The dimensions of the Croswell correspond to what Mozart and Beethoven would have hoped to have had for these works,” Dodson said. “This repertoire really shows off the theater.” Guest soloist Rieko Aizawa will make her fourth appearance with Dodson and her second with the ASO. “She was the pianist for my first concert here as music director,” Dodson said. “She has a fabulous technique; it is very elegant and clean. She has a real sense of the classical style, it fits her temperament and what she does well.” Even after 11 seasons with the ASO, Dodson continues to develop awareness and knowledge of the people he works with. “I wish the audience could see the instrument cases of all the musicians,” Dodson said. “Their open cases are filled with 3 by 5 photos of kids, cats, cousins. This is a unified orchestra, but also one full of individual stories and relationships. That’s one of the gifts of this field. I’m mindful when I make music that it is steeped in the matrix of people, relationships and human beings.”

If you go: What: “Things Remembered” concert Who: The Adrian Symphony Orchestra When: 8 p.m. March 10. Where: Croswell Opera House, Adrian Tickets: Premium seating: $25 adults, $23 seniors, $13 students; General seating: $22 adults, $20 seniors, $10 students. For ticket information and to purchase tickets, call (517) 264-3121 or email sharon@adriansymphony.org. ✯

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / MARCH 7, 2012 ■ .5

Piano virtuoso Rieko Aizawa to make second ASO appearance Piano virtuoso Rieko Aizawa will make her second appearance with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra on March 10. Aizawa, born in Kobe, Japan, moved to the United States just after her 15th birthday to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she completed her undergraduate degree. She earned her master’s degree from The Juilliard School in New York City, entering graduate school at the age of 19. “Because of visa restrictions I had to finish high school and Curtis at the same time,” she said. Although her aunt was a piano teacher, Aizawa is not from a family of musicians and really didn’t plan to be a concert pianist. “I actually wanted to quit piano when I was about 13,” she said. “I’m glad I didn’t. Coming to the states and working with wonderful teachers and colleagues definitely changed my life. It made me realize how inspiring music is for me; it allows me to keep working and growing.” Aizawa said music is “a big palette of colors which you don’t see but which let you feel emotional nuances.” For the March 10 concert, Aizawa will be playing one of her favorite composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G-minor, Kv. 550, along with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The Mozart symphony, one of the last three he would write, was composed for piano and orchestra. “I love Mozart,” she said. “I also love Schubert, Schumann and Brahms, especially his chamber music. I enjoy listening to Stravinsky, too.” Aizawa said when she prepares for a concert, such as the one on March 10, “You can’t avoid actual physical practice, of course, but even if I’m working on a piece I’ve already performed before many times, I always try to find ways to experience it in a fresh way.” Her gigs take her around the world. Each year is different, but she said, she usually performs 50-60 times a year, as far away as Japan, where she will visit her parents and as close as New York City, where she now calls home. One of her most memorable

TOLEDO

AIZAWA

concerts was performing a Mozart concerto in Vienna’s Konzerthaus. Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria. “It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “I’ve also performed Ravel’s concerto in Russia with [ASO] Maestro [John Thomas]

Dodson several years ago and that was a memorable country to visit in many ways. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with him and his orchestra again in Adrian,” she said. ✯ — Renee Lapham Collins

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”I want to help people see their community in each other.” — Russell Simmons

Bicycle Dreams

Documentary to screen at Maumee Indoor Theatre. By Brigitta Burks TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER star@toledofreepress.com

Lovers of cinema and cycling alike can enjoy a showing of award-winning documentary “Bicycle Dreams” at the Maumee Indoor Theatre on March 8. The documentary, produced and directed by Stephen Auerbach, covers the Race Across America, a 3,000-mile cycling race for both professionals and amateurs. Auerbach was drawn to the race after hearing about it. “As a filmmaker and storyteller, you’re always looking for a good story,” he said. “The more I looked at these athletes, I thought of them as astronauts.” He followed the racers in a minivan and much of his crew embedded themselves in the race to tell that story. Most of his crew worked for food and a plane ticket home, Auerbach said. The staff and their 18 cameras collected 700 hours worth of footage, which was edited down to about 100 minutes. To mimic some of the cyclists’ journeys, Auerbach found himself staying up 36 hours at a time. “You learn there’s more fuel in your tank than you ever imagined,” he said. “I learned if I had something to do I could stay up 40 hours.” The director/producer didn’t think many people would see the finished product, but after

an employee of Steven Spielberg said, “‘The whole world needs to see this film,’ I thought, ‘Maybe she’s onto something.” “Once you let [a film] off of the floor, it takes on its own life like a child; you can’t control it,” he said. “Bicycle Dreams” won awards at the Fallbrook, Calif., and Breckenridge, Colo. film festivals as well as the Krasnogorski International Festival of Sports Films in Moscow. “It speaks to this original gut instinct that there was a great story here,” Auerbach said of the film’s success. The New York native learned he loved stories as a child when he would create tales with his toy soldiers. This evolved into creating elaborate athletic games in his driveway before falling in love with movies as a teen. “I was just kinda hooked and never thought I was gonna be a banker at that point,” he chuckled. Auerbach broke into the business as a comedy writer before moving on to nonfiction. He had his first brush with Race for America when he worked on an NBC documentary also called “Race for America.” The TV documentary was a ratings boon and the network asked Auerbach to create a documentary on the race the next year. However, he had a few conditions this time — truthful editing and no narration. “They all looked at me like I was crazy,” he

A SCENE FROM ‘BICYCLE DREAMS’ recalled. “I wanted people to go on the race, not to watch it. I knew if I pulled the narrator out that was possible.” The Maumee showing is part of a nearly 60stop tour. The viewing is sponsored by Maumee Valley Wheelmen, a bicycle racing club, as a

benefit for Toledo Bikes, a collective seeking to improve access to safe cycling. “Bicycle Dreams” is at 7 p.m. March 8 at 601 Conant St., Maumee. Tickets are $11 in advance, $15 at the door and $5 with a valid college ID. To purchase, visit imathlete.com/events/bicycledreams. ✯

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope that one day we can all â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;seeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; a little better because God is everywhere.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Russell Simmons

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / MARCH 7, 2012 â&#x2013; 7

Reading celebrates Charles Bukowski By John Dorsey

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER star@toledofreepress.com

In the nearly 20 years since his death, Charles Bukowski has become a pop culture icon and something of a cottage industry in the publishing community. The former postal worker turned poet, novelist and screenwriter is celebrated around the world and, each year on the anniversary of his death, right here in Toledo. For promoter Ashley Eichner, honoring Bukowski is more than just a tradition, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a labor of love for a man whose lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is often misunderstood. Her annual Bukowski memorial reading is set to inspire local literature lovers on March 12 at The Attic on Adams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bukowski is often seen as a drunk, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seen as a womanizer, but he really is more than he appears to be. If you really look at his work he loves woman, he speaks for the poor, the sick and the sad on a very human level,â&#x20AC;? Eichner said. Born Heinrich Karl Bukowski in Andernach, Germany on Aug. 16, 1920, Bukowski was the son of an American soldier who would later settle the family in Los Angeles. After a rough childhood, which he would describe in detail in his autobiographical classic â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ham on Rye,â&#x20AC;? Bukowski graduated from Los Angeles High School and went on to briefly attend Los Angeles City College. Bukowski made his first serious attempt at becoming a professional writer in the 1940s without much success, though he did publish in magazines such as Story and

BUKOWSKI Portfolio: An Intercontinental Quarterly. Bukowski began wandering the country, often drunk, living in cheap rooms, while working a succession of jobs. It was those experiences that provided source material for his later work included in books like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love is a Dog from Hellâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Post Office.â&#x20AC;? In addition to penning countless poems, novels and works of short fiction, Bukowski wrote the screenplay for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barflyâ&#x20AC;? starring Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway. He passed away March 9, 1994 at the age of 73. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than just an open mic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll leave with an education on Bukowskiâ&#x20AC;? Eichner said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Try â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Charles Bukowski Memorial Readingâ&#x20AC;? runs from 6:30-9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Attic on Adams is located at 1701 Adams St. For more information, call (419) 243-5350. â&#x153;Ż

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“Get your money right.” — Russell Simmons

Politicking with Russell Simmons and Dennis Kucinich R

ussell Simmons is many things, but it is clear that he is not a politician. Affectionately known as the “Godfather of Hip-Hop,” business mogul Simmons made his mark in music by co-founding Def Jam with Rick Rubin; together they pioneered a musical genre. Through his company Rush Communications, he dominated urban fashion through his clothing companies Phat Farm and Baby Phat. He is an author and has produced television shows such as “Def Comedy Jam” and “Def Poetry.” On March 3, Simmons used his star muscle to influence the Hip-Hop heads in Toledo to vote for 9th District candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Scott High School was the perfect backdrop, an historic landmark for the main political event. At press time, Kucinich of Cleveland was running against Toledo’s Rep. Marcy Kaptur and decided to bring out the big guns when he campaigned in her district. Toledoans from the Old West

End and around the city were drawn to the “politics meets music” gathering. When Simmons and Kucinich entered the room, the energy surged and a melee began as people clamored to get g a photo with Simmons before or after quietly listening to his every word. The Hip-Hop mogul was passionate about keeping the representative he feels helps out those in need of basics like health care. Simmons voiced his views against politicians being paid for their political positions and the unfair tax laws that support the wealthy. He also adamantly stated that he would never back a political entity, but his reason for joining Kucinich on the campaign trail was simple, “I’m here to protect the single most important congressman in this country.” With Simmons (and the congressman’s wife, Elizabeth), Kucinich captured the attention of the younger Hip-Hop generation. ■ SIMMONS CONTINUES ON 9

MARTINI

ON THE

ROX

Russell Simmons addresses a group of reporters during his March 3 visit. STAR PHOTO BY MARTINI ROX

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Here is Classical Theater at its funniest, wisest and most engaging ever. In the battle of the sexes, who trains who? Brothers Sganarelle and Ariste are guardians to two sisters, Isabelle and Léonor. The brothers have two very different theories of how to school their wards. The stern and repressive upbringing that Sganarelle imposes on his charge is in direct contrast to the loving treatment his brother Ariste give his own young ward. Molière deliciously shows us that Sganarelle’s folly is no match for a woman’s resourcefulness. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Nina Crinks 419-385-3360

Terry Lynn Golden Norma Hoecherl 419-297-8374

419-897-9077

Pat Johnson 419-356-0763

March 6th – 24th

Thursdays – Sundays at 8 p.m.

Gen. Admission $14 | Seniors, Students & Kids $12

2740 Upton Avenue 419-472-6817

www.thevillageplayers.org

Jerry Meyer

Nancy Otley

Terri Search

Anna Marie Wong

419-283-3209

419-308-5539

419-350-9170

419-356-2829

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is our job to continue to give back.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Russell Simmons

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / MARCH 7, 2012 â&#x2013; 9

â&#x2013; SIMMONS CONTINUED FROM 8

youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 10 times more likely if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re African American, to Kucinich voiced his opposition to the interaction be- go to jail for the same crime, [or if you] are people of color. tween big business and politics and the use of big money to What does that mean? If 10 out of 11 go to jail for drugs and whites and blacks use and sell at the same rate, you have help propel other politiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaigns. Naturally, I had to ask Simmons and Kucinich questions these nonviolent criminals going to jail and the reason they are going to jail in part is because the politicians are paid by on the majority of the urban communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind. the prison industrial complex a total of Martini Rox: What is your $20 million and they pay back to the connection to Congressman industrial complex many billions of dolKucinich? I think political commentary lars by incarcerating people. Russell Simmons: Well, for Rox: How do you plan to convince one thing I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the conis important, but you know young voters of the Hip-Hop generanection; it seems like every other what I think we need is tion in Toledo to vote for you? politician has with the business comKucinich: I am about jobs and munity, that they support them and a consciousness in our education for all. I want an America pay their bills and they make them do community; the poetry will where thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free college. Every things that (donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t) empower the poor. young person should be able to go to He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that kind of connecreflect the truth.â&#x20AC;? a free public college or university. tion with anybody; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m conPeople say â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, where are you nected to him. Russell going to get the money?â&#x20AC;? And I Rox: Congressman Kucinich, is it say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stop spending money on safe to say you are a Hip-Hop Head war, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start taking care of things considering you are hanging with at home, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start creating jobs here at home.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Russell Simmons? Rox: Mr. Simmons, what do you feel is missing at the moDennis Kucinich: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a Hip-Hop fan, absolutely. Rox: Across our city many struggle to gain and retain em- ment in Hip-Hop music? Political commentary? Simmons: I think political commentary is important, but ployment, how do you plan to help Toledo and surrounding you know what we need is a consciousness in our commuareas with jobs? Kucinich: I am someone who has taken a very strong po- nity; the poetry will reflect the truth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice if we have poets sition on a job creation program where we take the power of to head up the community that may become big, because of a melody. A good melody can carry any idea but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important the Federal Reserve to make money out of nothing. The government uses that power. Actually, the Federal Reserve got that a community raises its consciousness and the rappers the power from the government now the government needs will reflect that truth. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough political commentary in our poetry, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the poetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; job; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the to reclaim it to create jobs to put people back to work. Rox: Mr. Simmons, how important do you feel it is for the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job to inspire so what becomes commercial is a reflection of (the) people. Hip-Hop generation to come out and vote Tuesday? As we continue on ... â&#x153;Ż Simmons: Ten out of 11 people go to jail for drugs and

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

SIMMONS

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

mexico

BRINGING THE FLAVORS OF

t o n or ort th hwe h west o oh h io

experience xp ri nc the th

Northwest Ohioans have always enjoyed the hot ďŹ&#x201A;avors of Mexico, and our warm hospitality. Come to one of our restaurants and experience a delicious dining adventure tonight!

Loma-Lindaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

â&#x20AC;&#x153;BIEN VENIDOS AMIGOSâ&#x20AC;?

Specializing in Mexican Food since 1955

419-865-5455

10400 Airport Hwy.(1.2 Mi. East of the Aiport) Lunch & Dinner, 11 a.m. to Midnight Closed Sundays & Holidays

BARRONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CAFE Everything Mexican From Tacos to Enchiladas to Delicious Burritos

419-825-3474 13625 Airport Hwy., Swanton (across from Valleywood Country Club) Mon. - Thurs. 11-11 p.m. Fri. - Sat. 11-12 a.m. Closed Sundays and Holidays

Â&#x2021; 7+ $11,9(56$5< Â&#x2021;

THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTE & CANTINA IN TOLEDO

419-841-7523 7742 W. Bancroft (1 Mi. West of McCord) Mon. - Sat. from 11 a.m. Closed Sundays & Holidays

ARTUROâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

FRITZ & ALFREDOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Original Recipes from Both Mexico and Germany

419-729-9775 3025 N. Summit Street (near Point Place) Mon. - Thurs. 11-10 p.m. Fri. - Sat. 11-11 p.m., Sun. 3-9 p.m. Closed Holidays

>Ă&#x192;Ă&#x2022;>Â?Ă&#x160; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x160; ",Ă&#x160; , /Ă&#x160; , -Ă&#x160;

Russell Simmons and Dennis Kucinich at the March 3 rally. STAR PHOTO BY MARTINI ROX

Attention Parents & Students:

G FORCES Year-round tutoring

Prepare your child for a successful liftoff with upcoming OGTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and all other related educational testing

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is April 14th with registration deadline of March 9th

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419.873.6121 â&#x20AC;˘ gforces@bex.net Otto Geggus, MA, BA Owner/Manager

10 ■ MARCH 7, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

”Poverty and lack of knowledge must be challenged.” — Russell Simmons

A whirlwind trip to cover the 84th Academy Awards.

I’d

like to thank the Academy … While cliché, this phrase perfectly sums up my experience in Hollywood during “Oscar Week.” Events hosted all week by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored the nominees and took audiences behind-the-scenes. The various events featured nominees for Best Documentary Feature and Short, Animated Feature, Foreign Language and Makeup.

gold-dusted chocolate mini Oscars. There was also a chance to talk to some of the Foreign Film nominated directors Feb. 24. The whirlwind trip did not stop there. I was also able to meet 1979 Bowling Green State University alum Randy Haberkamp, whom I profiled for the Feb. 15 Toledo Free f Press Star. And then there’s the red carpet. Hundreds of members of the press H from around the world applied for credentials for access to the famous rouge carpet. Toledo Free Press received a credential with limited access. JAMES A. MOLNAR On Feb. 26, I was able to THE roam the red carpet until 11 a.m. I spoke with excited bleacher fans and other journalists who were also reporting on the atmosphere hours before the show.

For the fans

Various symposiums were open to the public and sold out the 1,012seat Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy’s headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif. Covering these events was the perfect way to understand the categories and the crafts and meet the nominees. The Feb. 22 documentary symposium was hosted by Michael Moore, the Academy’s Documentary Branch governor. Comedian Patton Oswalt hosted the animation symposium on Feb. 23. The Feb. 25 foreign language symposium fêted the five directors of films from Belgium, Canada, Iran, Israel and Poland. At the hairstylists and makeup artists symposiums, also Feb. 25, Glenn Close and Meryl Streep made surprise appearances in support of their nominated films, as artists discussed the craft.

GOLD KNIGHT

For the press As a member of the press, I was also able to cover the food and beverage preview for the Governors Ball, which immediately follows the Oscars. Chef Wolfgang Puck and his team highlighted some of the food on which the invited guests would dine. Culinary creations included black truffle pizza, Kobe beef sliders and iconic

Going for the gold Nine hours after the ceremony ended, early on Feb. 27, I was sitting in one of the plush seats in the theater at Hollywood & Highland Center. I won tickets to “LIVE! with Kelly’s After Oscars Special.” Seeing the theater and the stage adorned with Oscar statuettes was a dream come true. I am thankful to have gotten a credential for the red carpet and lucky to have been able to secure tickets to the other events. What I learned this Oscar Week is that the Academy is here to celebrate the best in film — and it doesn’t want you to forget it. It also doesn’t close up shop once the curtain has gone down on the Oscar stage. It promotes the preservation of film and celebrates the best in film all year long, through events at its headquarters and around the country. But for this golden week, I’d like to thank the Academy for that. ✯

Wine Tastings & Art Tours 7–9:30 P.M. on select Friday evenings

419-255-8000 2445 Monroe St. Toledo, OH 43620 toledomuseum.org

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR PHOTOS BY JAMES A. MOLNAR

A golden ‘Oscar Week’ in Hollywood

JAMES MOLNAR HOLDS UP A COPY OF TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR’S OSCAR EDITION ON THE RED CARPET AT THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS ON FEB. 26.

On the web

visit www.toledofreepress.com/oscars for more stories, photos and videos.

THE ICONIC GOLDEN STATUETTES IN CHOCOLATE FORM.

BGSU ALUM RANDY HABERKAMP HOLDS AN OSCARS PROGRAM, ONE OF HIS PROJECTS.

Custom, Corporate & Unique Gifts, P Private Parties, Glass Blowing Demos, Classes & Workshops.

Sample four wines, light snacks, and a complimentary art tour at 7 or 8 P.M.

Art of the

VINE

March 9:

Beware the Wines of March / Art of Betrayal

March 16:

Irish Wines are Smiling / Chihuly’s Campiello del Remer #2

April 6:

Dionysus’ Delight / Drinking Vessels

April 13:

Friends, Romans, Countrymen / Italian Art

Visit toledomuseum.org/events for the full schedule Tickets ($15 members/$25 nonmembers + tax) at TMA info desks Seating limited to 70 participants.

Firenation Glass Studio & Gallery www.firenation.com 7166 ffront street, h holland, ll d ohio hi • 419 419-866-6288 866 6288 • sales@firenation.com l @fi ti

“If you learn late, you pass it on to people so they can learn early. It’s a step process” — Russell Simmons

The Blarney Madness! Party on Huron Street Under the Big White Heated Tent!

— March Marc ch h 116th 6tth & 117 6 17th 7th — Plenty P y of cold Guinness, Killians s,, Coors Co Co oo oor ors Light Ligh htt Killians,

The Blarney t Opens a . 7:00 a.m ’s y tt a P t. S Day!

TENT OPENING

FRIDAY AT 6 P.M. The Bridges Headliner

DJ: Kyle Rickner Portions of the proceeds beneﬁt Ancient Order of Hibernians.

TENT OPENING

SATURDAY AT NOON Live Music: Dragon Wagon 1-4 p.m.

STAY AND PLAY TAKE THE ELEVATOR HOME PACKAGE!

accommodations 78 Overnight for one night with parking.

Bangers & Thrash 6-8 p.m Skoobie Snaks 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. DJ: Kyle Rickner $5 cover charge all day. Portion of the proceeds benefiting Toledo/Sylvania F efi Fir Firefi fighters ghters Local g Local Charities. Charities Cha Chari ari aritie r ties. es.. es

at Park Inn Toledo +tax Call park inn at 419-241-3000 for reservations.

www.theblarneyirishpub.com

•

@ @BlarneyToledo Bll B T l

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(QMR\ 6LGHOLQHV RZQ VORZ EUDLVHG DZDUG ZLQQLQJ %%4 5LEV :LQJV 3XOOHG 3RUN &KLFNHQ

www.sidelinessportseatery.com

Locations spearately owned & operated

TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / MARCH 7, 2012 ■ 11

‘I am Danny Brown’ L

ast fall I had the fortune of working with inspirational and dedicated individuals during the Green Party City Council campaigns. Many have remained close friends, an extended family lyy even. One of them is Danny Brown. He was the Anita Rios for Toledo campaign’s most tireless volunteer, going door to door more than anyone else on the team. Brown would crack me up, him on one side of the street and me on the other, shouting “City council needs first aid!” as he walked between houses. He has an extremely deeprooted desire to see politics move beyond the two party STACY system and personally understands how corrupt and unaccountable politics goes hand-in-hand with a failed criminal justice system. In 1982, a few years before I was born, Brown was wrongfully convicted of a murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 2001, he was released based on DNA results that cleared him of the crime. DNA from the victim was actually matched to another man, Sherman Preston, who at the time of the DNA testing was already in prison for similar murders. When I first met Brown, he was introduced as “the guy who stands in front of the courthouse,” wearing a placard draped over his shoulders defending his case. On first impression it was evident BROWN that Brown is an innocent human being, both literally and figuratively. He is light hearted with good intentions, easy to get along with and happy to meet new people. As I spent more time with him, I would hear bits and pieces of his case and how the evidence stacks in his favor. It is humbling to know Brown and his courage and strength to rise above his situation, maintaining a stable mind and faith in truth and justice. I can not imagine the mental, physical and emotional anguish that my friend went through during the years and years in prison. I get the sense that time would go by really, really slow and it would be easy to dwell every minute on how he had been wronged. However, Brown upholds his dignity and self-respect. He never speaks words of hate, resentment or revenge. Brown has been fighting to prove his

innocence since the beginning. He even rejected a plea bargain that would have released him after one year. During his 19 years in prison, Brown enabled and empoweered himself by researching his case, dissecting the trial, h llearning legal terminology and processes and taking aan ccollege courses. In 2002, after his release, he filed a wrongful imprisonment suit. Still, more o than ten years after his release from prison, he has not given up and become a bystander and a victim, but fights for his exoneration. He educates people about his case and the failed political structure that allows such injustices to exist. For reasons unknown to me and that cannot be justified, Brown has not received an apology or compensation for the years he spent behind bars. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates refuses to exonerate Brown and yet will not retry him. His case now rests in limbo, and without public pressure and continuous legal action, it will remain. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” according to William Gladstone. We live in a society where it is statistically unlikely that I, a middle-class, female Caucasian (even though my skin is “brown”), would be wrongly charged with a murder. I may never be in Brown’s shoes, but I can truly feel the pain from his heart and the longing for relief and justice in my own. I am Brown.

JURICH WANDERING

ROOTS

“First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.” — Pastor Martin Niemöller There will be a Rally for Justice for Danny Brown Downtown 8 a.m. March 16 at Third Space, 137 N. Michigan. Signs will be provided. The demonstration will close by encircling the Lucas County Courthouse at 9 a.m. From 3-5 p.m. March 17, there will be a fundraiser to help Brown publish his memoirs. This is also at Third Space, and will include a screening of Brown’s story, “A Will to Live,” appetizers and a Q-and-A. Suggested donations are $5-$100. ✯

12 ■ MARCH 7, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

”Judgment of the people is not helpful. How can you help them is the question.” — Russell Simmons

THE PULSE

MARCH 7-14, 2012

What’s what, where and when in NW Ohio

✯ Brass ensembles concert: 8 p.m. March 13, Bryan Recital Hall. ✯ Faculty pianist Solungga Fang-Tzu: 8 p.m. March 14,

Compiled by Whitney Meschke Events are subject to change.

Bryan Recital Hall.

MUSIC

The Blarney Irish Pub

The Ark This small venue offers a showcase for lesser-known acts. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. (734) 761-1451, (734) 761-1800 or www.theark.org. ✯ Lunasa: 8 p.m. March 7, $22.50. ✯ Teitur: 8 p.m. March 8, $15. ✯ Caravan of Thieves: 8 p.m. March 9, $15. ✯ Hoots and Hellmouth, Small Houses: 8 p.m. March 10, $20. ✯ Bill Harley: 7:30 p.m. March 11, $15. ✯ The Tartan Terrors: 8 p.m. March 13, $15.

Catch local acts while taking in the pub’s modern Irish and American fare. 601 Monroe St. (419) 418-2339 or www. theblarneyirishpub.com. ✯ Jeff Stewart: March 8. ✯ Toast & Jam: March 9. ✯ Kentucky Chrome: March 10.

Blind Pig

This new venue features burgers, bands and bourbon, if its slogan is to be believed. 5304 Monroe St. (419) 593-0073 or bar145toledo.com. ✯ Karaoke competition: 9:30 p.m. Sundays through April 15. ✯ Noisy Neighbors: March 8. ✯ The Websters: March 9. ✯ The Junk: March 10.

A variety of rock, soul, pop and alternative acts perform at this bar. 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor. $3-$20 unless noted. (734) 996-8555 or blindpigmusic.com. ✯ Karaoke: 9 p.m. Mondays, no cover. ✯ Hadag Nachash: 8 p.m. March 7. ✯ Electric Six, Aficionado, Phantasmagoria: 9 p.m. March 8. ✯ Dirty Deville, Tree Hut Kings, North Shore: 9:30 p.m. March 9. ✯ The Bang! 9:30 p.m. March 10. ✯ S.A. the Abolitionist, Kadence, Intricate Dialect, Man in Charge, Trample the Weak, the Stereo Boys, DJs Cataclysmic and Neblo: 9:30 p.m. March 13. ✯ Rootstand, the Brennan Andes Trio: 9:30 p.m. March 14.

Basin St. Grille

Bronze Boar

This Toledo standby has been revived with more than 20 different flavors of martinis and live, local music. 5201 Monroe St. (419) 843-5660. ✯ Jeff Stewart: March 7. ✯ Tom Turner: March 8. ✯ Distant Couzinz: March 9. ✯ The Good, the Bad & the Blues: 8:30 p.m. March 10.

Be sure to check out this Warehouse District tavern’s namesake, overhead near the entrance. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www.bronzeboar.com. ✯ Open mic: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Mondays. ✯ Luke James: Tuesdays. ✯ Stonehouse: 10 p.m. March 9. ✯ Durham, Woods, Rowell Band: March 10.

BGSU performances

Caesars Windsor

The university’s ensembles, choirs, quartets and more — and their friends — will present the music they’ve been perfecting. Halls are located in Moore Musical Arts Center, Willard Drive and Ridge Street, Bowling Green. (419) 372-8171, (800) 589-2224, (419) 372-8888 or www.bgsu.edu/colleges/music. ✯ Dark in the Song Contemporary Bassoon Collective: 8 p.m. March 12, Bryan Recital Hall.

If you have your passport, consider hopping the Detroit River for this casino’s entertainment offerings. Ticket prices, in Canadian dollars, are for the cheapest seats; attendees must be 19 or older. Caesars Windsor Colosseum, 377 Riverside Dr. East, Windsor, Ontario. (800) 991-7777 or www.caesarswindsor.com. ✯ Kelly Clarkson, Matt Nathanson: 8 p.m. March 8, $55, all ages. ✯ Celtic Crossroads: 3 and 8 p.m. March 15, $15.

Bar 145

LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEK AT

Cheers Sports Eatery

Fat Fish Blue

This family-friendly eatery dishes up live performances … and Chicago-style pizza. 7131 Orchard Centre Dr., Holland. (419) 491-0990. ✯ Mark Mikel, Brian Albright: March 9. ✯ Boffo: March 10.

Serving blues and similar sounds, as well as bayoustyle grub. Levis Commons, 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunny bonetoledo.com. ✯ Tom Turner: 8:30 p.m. March 10.

Clazel Theater

French Quarter J. Pat’s Pub

This venue has been rocking BGSU students (and others) for years. 127 N. Main St., Bowling Green. (419) 353-5000 or www.clazel.net. ✯ Music at the Forefront: “R Who We R” by Ted Hearne and Philip White: 8 p.m. March 15.

Live entertainment after 9:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Holiday Inn French Quarter, 10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg. (419) 874-3111 or www.hifq.com. ✯ Noisy Neighbors: March 9-10.

Glass City Café Culture Clash Records This home to all things vinyl and cool will host a free show by Room & Board. 3:30 p.m. March 10, 4020 Secor Road. (419) 536-5683 or www.thecultureclash.com.

This small venue offers musical accompaniment for its Saturday brunches. 10:00 a.m., 1107 Jackson St. (419) 2414519 or www.glasscitycafe.com. ✯ OWE’ver Easy: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 10.

Dégagé Jazz Café

Greektown Casino-Hotel

Signature drinks, such as pumpkin martinis, plus live local jazz performers. 301 River Road, Maumee. $5 weekends for cafe seating. (419) 794-8205 or www.degagejazzcafe.com. ✯ Gene Parker & Friends: 7-10 p.m. March 7 and 14. ✯ Michael Peslikis: 7 p.m. March 8. ✯ Lori Lefevre-Johnson: 7:30 p.m. March 9-10. ✯ Jason Quick: 7 p.m. March 13.

Three stages — at Shotz Sports Bar, Eclipz Ultra Lounge and Asteria — offer competition for gamblers’ attention. 555 E. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit. No cover charge, unless noted; guests must be 21 or older. (888) 771-4386 or www.greektowncasino.com. ✯ Karaoke: 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Shotz. ✯ DJ Zig Zag: 9:30 p.m. Saturdays, Shotz. ✯ DJ Lee J: 9 p.m. Sundays, Shotz.

The Distillery Karaoke is offered Tuesdays, but paid entertainers rock out Wednesdays-Saturdays. 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www.thedistilleryonline.com. ✯ DJ Mark EP: Thursdays. ✯ The Eight-Fifteens: March 7. ✯ 56 Daze: March 9-10. ✯ Kyle White: March 14.

Griffin’s Hines Farm Blues Club What started as house parties in a farmhouse basement evolved into Northwest Ohio’s legendary blues mecca. Maurice Vaughn John, Curtice Grant, Bobby G, Dan “Mudfoot” Hubbs, 7 p.m. March 10, 3750 S. Berkey Southern Road, Swanton. $15. www.hinesfarm.com.

The Happy Badger Duncan’s 938 W. Laskey Rd. (419) 720-4320. ✯ Open stage with Buzz Anderson and Frostbite: Wednesdays. ✯ Scotty Rock: Sundays. ✯ Schmoove: March 9. ✯ Mark Mikel Band, Chris Shutters: March 10.

This shop features fair trade foods and natural products, including talent, which will be featured in a series of musical brunches and dinnertime entertainment. 331 N. Main St., Bowling Green. (419) 352-0706 or www. happybadger.com. ✯ Balloon Messenger: 12:30 p.m. March 10.

This Thursday, March 8th:

Noisy Neighbors Whether you’re dancing to the bands rendition of the latest dance hit or just listening to their version of an old song that brings back memories from your past you’ll agree they Rock the House

This Friday, March 9th:

The Websters Since 1992, The Websters have been one of Ohio’s most successful crowd-drawing, professional bands.

OPEN SUNDAY-SATURDAY

11:30 AM – 2 AM EVERYDAY HAPPY HOUR 1:45 – 6:00 PM

This Saturday, March 10th:

The Junk

The Junk is a ﬁve-piece PARTY Band from the Port Clinton/Bowling Green area. Featuring three Guitars, bass drums and two vocalists.

5305 MONROE ST. TOLEDO, OHIO 43623 (419) 593-0073

BAR145 TOLEDO .COM

“Look at all the billionaires. If I know 15 billionaires, I know 13 unhappy people.” — Russell Simmons ICE Restaurant & Bar This local, family-owned enterprise offers food, drinks and music in a sleek atmosphere. 405 Madison Ave. $5 cover, unless noted otherwise. (419) 246-3339 or icerestaurantandbar.com. ✯ Alonza McKenzie: 6 p.m. March 8. ✯ Berlin Brothers: 8 p.m. March 9. ✯ Dan and Don: 8 p.m. March 10 and 16. ✯ Isis Ardrey, Jeff Williams: 5 p.m. March 13.

JJ’s Pub Live music is on Saturday’s menu; the genre varies, along with the cover charge. Karaoke is on tap 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, and a DJ starts spinning at 9 p.m. Fridays. 26611 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg. (419) 874-9058 or jjsperrysburg.com. ✯ John Barile and Bobby May: 8 p.m. March 13.

Kerrytown Concert House This venue focuses on classical, jazz and opera artists and music. 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. $5-$30, unless noted. (734) 769-2999 or www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com. ✯ Sandra Bomar, Tony Camilletti: 8 p.m. March 9. ✯ Celebration of Art and Music benefit concert featuring Ann Arbor Boychoir quartet, Magdalen Fossum, flute choir, piano and violin duo, Steiner High School jazz quartet: 10 a.m. March 10. ✯ Sumkali, Wisaal: 8 p.m. March 10. ✯ Shin Hwang, Enid Sutherland: 7:30 p.m. March 11.

Manhattan’s This “slice of the Big Apple” in the Glass City provides entertainment most weekends. 1516 Adams St. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com. ✯ Open mic: 9 p.m. Monday nights. ✯ Jam session hosted by Tom Turner & Slow Burn: 9 p.m. Tuesdays. ✯ Rachel Richardson: 7 p.m. March 7. ✯ Estar Cohen: 6:30 p.m. March 8. ✯ B Charmers: 9 p.m. March 9. ✯ Jeff Williams Group: 9 p.m. March 10. ✯ Le Le’s: 7 p.m. March 14.

Mickey Finn’s A variety of genres to wash your drinks down with. Open mic nights, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, no cover; $5-$7 cover other nights. 602 Lagrange St. (419) 246-3466 or www.mickeyfinnspub.com. ✯ Open mic: 8 p.m. Wednesdays. ✯ Decent Folk: 9:30 p.m. March 8 and 15, free. ✯ Falling With Style, Mimi and Nino: 9:30 p.m. March 9. ✯ The Mighty Regis: 9:30 p.m. March 11.

Motor City Casino/Hotel This casino’s Sound Board offers big names, big sounds and a big experience. 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit. Guests must be 21 or older. (866) 782-9622 or www.motorcitycasino.com.

✯ Boyz II Men: 8 p.m. March 22, $40-$45. The casino’s Chromatics Lounge also features live performances. ✯ All Access: 7 p.m. March 7-8, 10 p.m. March 9 and 5:15 p.m. March 10. ✯ Lil Stubby & the Disappointments: 5:15 p.m. March 9. ✯ Serieux: 10 p.m. March 10. ✯ Reefer Men: 3:30 p.m. March 11. ✯ Nouveaute: 7 p.m. March 12. ✯ In-A-Fect: 7 p.m. March 13-15, 10 p.m. March 16 and 5:15 p.m. March 17.

Mutz This pub offers handcrafted brews … and live entertainment. 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Mutz at the Oliver House, 27 Broadway. (419) 243-1302 or www.TheOliverHouseToledo.com. ✯ DJ Nate Mattimoe: 10 p.m. Saturdays. ✯ Chris Shutters Trio: March 9.

One2 Lounge at Treo Live music starts at 7:30 p.m. 5703 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 882-2266 or treosylvania.com. ✯ Slow Burn: March 9. ✯ Damen Cook & friends: March 10.

151 on the Water The former home of Murphy’s has reinvented itself as “Toledo’s only Chicago-style restaurant and music cafe.” 151 Water St. (419) 725-2151 or www.151onthewater.com. ✯ Open mic: 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays. ✯ CJ Manning: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 7. ✯ Microphonics: 5-9 p.m. March 7. ✯ Moments Notice: March 8. ✯ Kyle White: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 9. ✯ East River Drive, Charlene Ransom: March 9-10.

Pizza Papalis Get slices with a topping of entertainment. 519 Monroe St. (419) 244-7722 or www.pizzapapalis.com. ✯ Don Coats: March 9. ✯ Anthony & Allan: March 10.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop What began as an antique store in Chicago turned into a string of more than 200 eateries nationwide, including Toledo. All of the shops feature live music. 4038 Talmadge Road. (419) 725-5037 or www.potbelly.com. ✯ Don Coats: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays. ✯ Alex Kenzie: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fridays. ✯ Tom Drummonds: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays.

Robinwood Concert House A home for the avant garde and untraditional, this Old West End venue hosts artists on the experimental end of the musical rainbow. 9 p.m., 2564 Robinwood Ave. $5 donation, unless noted. www.toledobellows.wordpress.com. ✯ Sons of Daughters: March 14.

Rocky’s The “hippest little lounge in Toledo” features monthly beer tastings, “Professor Whiteman’s Trivia Challenge” and open mic nights. Live music (Wednesdays and/or Fridays) is typically a mix of southern rock, pop, blues and jazz. 4020 Secor Road. (419) 472-1996. ✯ Kyle White: March 7.

This sushi bar offers occasional entertainment to accompany its dishes. 7130 Airport Hwy. (419) 720-9333 or spicytunasushi.com. ✯ Karaoke: 10 p.m. Saturdays. ✯ Kyle White: 6-10 p.m. March 8.

Ottawa Tavern Casual meals with weekend entertainment. 1815 Adams St. (419) 725-5483 or www.otavern.com. ✯ Murdock, Mike Corwin, Hemline Theory: 8 p.m. March 8, free. ✯ Audioplay, DJ What the Bleep, Black Book Theory, DJ Abyss: 8 p.m. March 9, free. ✯ Prize the Doubt, the Forest, Room & Board: 8 p.m. March 10, free. ✯ Travels: 10 p.m. March 11. ✯ OWE/OTT: 8 p.m. March 15.

Stella’s Nouveau cuisine gets a helping of classic rock, R&B and jazz Thursdays through Saturdays. 104 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg. (419) 873-8360 or www.stellasrestaurantandbar.com. ✯ CJ and Company: Thursdays and Fridays. ✯ CJ Manning and Charlene Ransom: March 8. ✯ Eddie Molina and Marcia Jones: March 9. ✯ Pete “Big Dog” Fetters: March 10.

Table Forty 4 Our Brothers Place Take in a movie with margaritas on Mondays, or laugh at Thursday comedy nights … but music takes center stage most nights. 233 N. Huron St. www.ourbrothersplace.com. ✯ Wayne: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. ✯ Disc jockey: Fridays. ✯ Smooth jazz and R&B: Saturdays and Tuesdays. ✯ Karaoke with Walt McNeal: 4 p.m. Sundays.

Upscale dining plus live entertainment is a welcome combination. Bands start at 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 p.m. Saturdays. 610 Monroe St. (419) 725-0044 or www.tableforty4.com. ✯ John Barile and Bobby May: 6 p.m. March 9 and 16.

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Tunes combined with pizza and booze, some would say it’s a perfect combination. 309 Conant St., Maumee. (419) 8937281 or www.villageidiotmaumee.com. ✯ Old West End Records: 8 p.m. Wednesdays. ✯ Bob Rex Trio; the Eight-Fifteens: 6 and 10 p.m. Sundays. ✯ Frankie May and friends: 10 p.m. Mondays. ✯ Mark Mikel Band with Chris Shutters: 9 p.m. Tuesdays. ✯ Quickness Funk Time: 10 p.m. March 7.

Woodchucks The place to go for an eclectic mix of people and music. 224 S. Erie St. (419) 241-3045. ✯ Sugarboxx, Exit Reality, Pure Adrenaline: March 10.

Yeeha’s Country and rock with a little “Coyote Ugly” style. 3150 Navarre Ave., Oregon. (419) 691-8880 or www.yeehas.com. ✯ Neon Black: March 10.

With its focus on swing music, Jeff McDonald’s group of musicians provides a peek into another era, with music from bandleaders such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, the Dorseys and more. With combos from trio to full orchestra, the performers provide music for all occasions. (419) 7080265, (419) 874-0290 or www.swingmania.org. ✯ Swing Revival Party: 8 p.m. Thursdays, South Briar Restaurant, 5147 S. Main St., Sylvania. (419) 517-1111 or (419) 708-0265. ✯ Big Band All Stars: Dancing is encouraged. 8-10:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trotter’s Tavern, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 381-2079 or (419) 708-0265.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra This ensemble will perform an all-Brahms program under the baton of new music director Riccardo Muti. 8 p.m. March 9, University of Michigan, Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor. $10-$100. (734) 764-2538 or ums.org.

PercussionFest The Toledo School for the Arts, with the Toledo Jazz Orchestra, will host a day of workshops and performances including Andy Narell, Roger Schupp, the area’s leading percussionists and national recording artist and Stan Kenton drummer Peter Erskine. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 10, $25. Registration: (419) 246-8732 or tsapercussionfest.weebly.com. ✯

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Maxwell Austin of Glass City Pedicabs was awarded the inaugural Toledo SOUP grant at a community dinner on March 4. Glass City Pedicabs is a bicycle taxi company that provides transportation to nsportation to the Downtown, Uptown and own and Warehouse District neighneighborhoods for games, bars, ars, lunch hours and more. re. The three-wheeled d bikes are nonmotorized, with drivers working for tips. For more information, visit facebook.com/ GlassCityPedicabs. More than 150 people attended the e event, where they heard rd proposals from five fi nalists and voted Austin as the winner. He walked away with way with $1,047 raised through admissions and donations. Austin said he plans to use about $700 to cover insurance and the rest for extra parts.

“It’s thrilling. It’s awesome. Words can’t explain how great it was,” Austin said. “Sevenhundred bucks doesn’t seem like a lot for some people, but for someone like me who has put every personal persona dime into this, it’s the difference erenc between me operating or not not. Toledo SOUP is awesome. som It’s one of the greatest things to come to Toledo. thi The people who grabbed that idea and brought it here are some of the most amazing people Toledo has to offer.” Toledo SOUP is a microgrant dinner series organizers plan to host h quarterly. The other four finalists were Force Within Community Garden, Glass Comm City Goa Goat Gals, Toledo’s PET Bull Project and arts organization tart::projects. For more information, visit toledosoup.org.✯ — Sarah Ottney

Erase the Hate Youth Festival set for March 11 Two Toledo groups will come together this year at the Erase the Hate Youth Festival, followed by 11th Annual MultiFaith Banquet on March 11. The Erase the Hate Youth Festival features performances by the Madd Poets Society, the Children’s Theatre Workshop, youth dancers from the Toledo Ballet, the Self Expression Teen Theater, a reprise of the Martin Luther King youth choir from the University of Toledo UNITY celebration and others. “Like last year, we have quite a variety of the types of entertainment. It ranges from poetry to rap,” said Judy Trautman, co-chair of the MultiFaith Council of N.W. Ohio and chair of Erase the Hate. Erase the Hate works to foster and appreciate diversity in the area while the MultiFaith Council aims to increase understanding of different religions. After the performances, showgoers who already bought tickets can meet the performers before going into the banquet por-

tion of the evening. The main portion of the banquet will feature a discussion on engaging youth in different faith traditions led by Rev. Ed Heilman of Park Congregational Church, the United Church of Christ. Zachary Dehm, the Erase the Hate Youth Council intern, will lead a separate discussion for youth. “Most of the mainstream faith traditions tend to lose youth if not in the teen years than the college years,” Trautman said of the groups’ discussion. The banquet will also honor the fi rst 18 recipients of the Heroes of Compassion awards. “It’s just been charming to announce to the folks that they’ve won,” Trautman said. The events run from 3:30-7 p.m. March 11 at the Franciscan Center at Lourdes University. The festival portion is free and registration for the banquet is closed. For more information, visit the web site www.multifaithcouncil.org.✯ — Brigitta Burks

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New comic book to feature Toledo Zoo By Jim Beard TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR STAFF WRITER star@toledofreepress.com

In a surreal example of fact-meets-fiction, the Toledo Zoo will be the setting ing of O.M.A.C. No. 7, a comic book published by DC Comics and available for sale beginning March 7. This marks the first time me since 1941â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All-Star Comics cs No. 4 that the Glass City ity will be prominently featured red in a mainstream superhero ero comic. O.M.A.C. is written n by DC Co-Publisher Dan DiDio Dio and is drawn by veteran artist rtist Keith Giffen. This issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story has Kevin Kho, the bookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reluctant hero, trapped in the Toledo Zoo while on the run from enemy nemy agents of a mysterious organization. Normally, Kevin n can transform into a hulking superhuman called O.M.A.C., thanks to a sentient orbiting satellite, lite, but finds he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change whilee at the Zoo. There he discovers talking animals and an evil â&#x20AC;&#x153;wardenâ&#x20AC;? enâ&#x20AC;? who conducts illicit experiments the ents on beasts. As one might expect with such strong plot elements, the real keepers of the Toledo Zoo were reportedly not contacted about the story before publication.

DiDio has said that he and Giffen like to utilize real-world settings among the fantasy environment of O.M.A.C., to keep the book grounded in reality while presenting its science fiction ideas. When they planned for their character to be on the run in thi this part of the country, at the map and they looked loo decided Toledo and its zoo would suit their fictional purposes. purpos Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also reported that one on of the animal characters in the tale was inspired by a real-life Toledo fan of the publication. O.M.A.C. is an upO dated version of a comic with the same title originally published in 1974, and created by the legendary Jack Kirby. lege Ironically, the current Iro O.M.A.C. is being canO.M celed cel next month after its eighth issue, the same number of issa sues su that the original book saw print beb fore fo its cancellation. Kirbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title titl stood for â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Man Army Corpsâ&#x20AC;? but th the current comic has not yet revealed the meaning behind its acronym. Its main character, though, will continue to see action in another DC title, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Justice League International.â&#x20AC;? â&#x153;Ż

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Now anyone who knows me at all knows that I mostly read poetry and most of that comes from the 20th century’s American underground. Yes, Ukazoo has poetry, but it’s largely academic, though I did manage to find some Jim Carroll. What got me about Ukazoo was its overflowing selection of fiction. From Russell Banks to John Kennedy Toole to Michael Chabon, I was more than surprised — I was impressed. I forgot my wallet to first time I was there, but the manager was kind enough to hold my books for me and I went back to the next day and came out with a bag so big I could hardly carry it out. The good news is that I wasn’t the only one — people were lined up, hungry for words. The night I made my purchases, there also happened to be a poetry reading in progress. The reading, in support of the publication The Mill, featured a number of Toledo’s literary mainstays, as well as a number of young writers I had never seen before. There was energy, there was passion, there was someplace for Toledo’s writers to stretch their wings. Better still, it looks like this series is set to continue there with the next taking place on March 16. Ukazoo Books is located at 830 N. Westwood Ave., between UT and the Scott Park Campus. For more information, call (419) 972-1986 or visit the Ukazoo Books Facebook page. Until next time … keep your pencil sharp. ✯

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n a recent trip back to my hometown of Philadelphia, I was sad to see that the city’s literary landscape had greatly diminished since my wonderfully drunken college years. The City of Brotherly Love has a lack of good independent bookstores, and it’s not alone. In a bad economy, arts and culture always seem like the first things to go, and one can hardly blame patrons who might be a little more worried about that next mortgage payment than the next gently used paperback. That’s why Ukazoo Books’ recent opening in Toledo has me really excited and hopeful JOHN about the future of our literary community. When I first made Toledo my home in 2003, Thackeray’s Books was still in full swing. Coming from a much larger city I have to admit I was less than impressed. Looking at things now, I wish we could have that store back — and every other bookstore that had to close its doors here over the last years. I’ll admit I searched through Leo’s, Frogtown, A Novel Idea, Fireside and everywhere in between, rarely finding what I was looking for, but we were a better community for having those used bookstores. Still, when I heard about the opening of Ukazoo Books, I didn’t really expect to find much that would interest me. Walking into the store a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised. What I found were rows and rows of wonderful used books with a staff that was ready and waiting to answer any questions I might have. All of this at affordable prices — the average cost of a paperback book hovers around $3.50.

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Catch “Jedi of Pop Culture” Jeff McGinnis on Tuesday mornings on 92.5 KISS-FM.

Great games on the go I A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol.3, No.11 Established 2010. Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com Michael S. Miller, Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com EDITORIAL

Mary Ann Stearns, Design Editor mastearns@toledofreepress.com James A. Molnar, Lead Designer jmolnar@toledofreepress.com Sarah Ottney, Special Sections Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com Jeff McGinnis, Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com Whitney Meschke, Web Editor news@toledofreepress.com ADMINISTRATION

Pam Burson, Business Manager pburson@toledofreepress.com CONTRIBUTORS star@toledofreepress.com Jim Beard • Amy Campbell • Zach Davis John Dorsey • Matt Feher • Jerry Gray Dustin Hostetler • Stacy Jurich Vicki L. Kroll • lilD • Martini • Jason Mack Rachel Richardson Julie Webster • Don Zellers

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Toledo Free Press Star is published every Wednesday by Toledo Free Press, LLC, 605 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43604 • (419) 241-1700 Fax: (419) 241-8828 www.toledofreepress.com. Subscription rate: $100 /year. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Publication of ads does not imply endorsement of goods or services.

t’s odd that the major objection one hears nowadays to the release of a new portable game system is the easiest one to refute. Why, people ask, should I even consider buying a console that allows me to play games on the go when I can already do so on my smartphone or tablet? The answer is easy: Gaming on a smartphone, by and large, sucks eggs. Small wonder — JEFF these wonderful inventions were not designed with games in mind, so a title designed for it must make torturous constraints to make itself playable. Every smartphone game that succeeds — “Angry Birds,” “Plants vs. Zombies” and their ilk — is a simple, casual title with little depth. Anyone looking for something more involved needs to look elsewhere. Recent smartphone adaptations of titles like “Grand Theft Auto III” showcase impressive technological capabilities, but their touch screen controls are tortuous to play. Asking why someone would buy a portable gaming system is a little like asking why someone would buy a laptop to write with. I mean, you can type on your phone, why bother? Sure, the writing apps are rudimentary and simplistic, it’s hell on your hands and it takes forever, but it gets the job done, so why would you want anything else? Because you want something that does it well, that’s why. This has become more relevant since Sony released the PlayStation Vita on February 22, which is clearly the best handheld gaming device ever made. A technological marvel, the Vita not only makes great gaming experiences on the go possible, but takes advantage of new technology to give those experiences added depth without sacrificing quality. Add in an impressively deep library and compatibility with a wide variety of gaming applications, and this may be the device to silence the portable naysayers. At first glance, the Vita seems like a minor redesign of its predecessor, the PlayStation Portable (PSP). But even a little time with the Vita changes that perception quickly. The new Organic Light-Emitting Diode screen provides the sharpest image ever seen on a handheld, and the sleek design makes the device easier to handle than the PSP. The arrow and control buttons are responsive and feel more sturdy than the PSPs. The biggest deal is the addition of a second analog stick, making the Vita the first handheld to be designed with emulation of modern console controls in mind. The console also takes advantage of the touch phenomenon with a pair of additions — the front screen is fully touch-enabled, and it comes with a rear touch pad, as well. Unlike its smartphone counterparts, though, the touch

controls are typically additional or optional, and most of your game play is executed using the traditional analog methods, which gives the device far more accuracy. The Vita continues to impress with its graphics. im m The system’s early offerings deliver visuals which stand well alongside games on its flagship PlayStation 3 (PS3) console. Heck, in some cases, such as the beautiful space shooter “Super Stardust Delta,” the visuals seem to surpass their PS3 counterparts, thanks in large part to the beautifully sharp screen. The system is designed to take full advantage of the Internet age, as well, with full connectivity to the PlayStation Network, the ability to earn trophies, shop for games, face other players online and more. It even comes with the promise of being able to play certain PS3 titles on the go. The system comes in two formats, one with basic Wi-Fi capabilities, and one with full 3G

MCGINNIS

POP GOES THE

CULTURE

PlayStation’s new system answers portable critics.

connectivity through AT&T. Though the idea of always being connected with 3G is appealing, the higher cost (and corresponding monthly bill) will likely cause most consumers to pick up a Wi-Fi system. The initial offering of games also bolsters the system’s cause, with a wide variety of excellent games already available. Sony’s flagship “Uncharted” series comes to the Vita with “Golden Abyss,” an amazing title that underscores how close the system comes to emulating its console counterparts. EA Sports’ “FIFA Soccer” delivers what may be the best game of soccer on any console, with razor-sharp game play and intuitive touch additions. The great sidescrolling gameplay of “Rayman Origins” is ported to the Vita with no sacrifice of quality. And great downloadable titles like the aforementioned “Super Stardust” provide awesome experiences on a budget. At $249.99 for the Wi-Fi system ($50 more for the 3G version), the Vita seems pricey. But this is truly an instance of getting what you pay for — a device that delivers next generation gaming on the go, while making almost no sacrifices for portability. Anyone who takes gaming seriously will have their questions answered very quickly. ✯ Email Toledo Free Press Star Pop Culture Editor Jeff McGinnis at PopGoesJeff@gmail.com.

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“Art allows people a way to dream their way out of their struggle.” — Russell Simmons