No matter how far from home you may find yourself, one thing you’ll always have is your music. The group Congo to Akron, a band comprised of resettled Congolese musicians on North Hill, proves this to be true as the band began making music using plastic buckets. However, just in time for Congo’s Independence Day, Tommy Bruno, general manager of Akron radio station “The … [Read more...]
Luthier carries on hand-crafted music tradition in Kenmore workshop
A man sits down in the small workshop behind his house on a warm summer morning, dog at his feet, and begins sketching in a notebook. “Right now in my head it’s perfect, there are no flaws,” says Joe Heindel who’s a luthier, meaning he creates and repairs stringed instruments by hand. He even carves the wood using hand tools. His preferred creations are guitars: archtops, to … [Read more...]
Coyotes, transfer station hazards, gentrification among concerns voiced by Middlebury residents at Common Threads discussion
To restore trust in an area where people have traditionally felt overlooked can prove difficult. Over 30 neighbors of the Middlebury community in Akron gathered together recently to discuss the issues their reviving neighborhood faces, from hazardous health conditions and animal nuisances, to vacant homes, crime and gentrification. The panel discussion was the most recent in … [Read more...]
Buchtel students help restore lot, mental wellness for Middlebury neighbors
Students from an Akron high school designed and implemented plans for a vacant lot in Middlebury to help create more of a sense of community where it’s often been forgotten. Tenth-graders at Buchtel CLC started by working together to make models in the classroom of what could go in a vacant lot, not only to make it look more appealing, but to also bring the community … [Read more...]
Local dancer raises funds to pursue performance dreams in New York City
Dreams of New York City lay almost in reach for Akron jazz dancer Alan Pickett, 20, who’s working to raise money for the prestigious Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive. Upon his acceptance, Pickett began raising money for program tuition via GoFundMe on top of working three jobs. However, housing is currently his main obstacle. “My parents and family are also helping me out a … [Read more...]
Filmmaker seeks answers to Judaism’s questions in new documentary
'The Chosen People?' premieres June 25 at Main Library -- Are the Jews really God’s chosen people? This question has followed Akron filmmaker Joshua Gippin throughout his life as he struggles to understand his Jewish identity. The result of his pursuit is a documentary, "The Chosen People?" which will debut this Sunday, June 25 at the Akron-Summit County Public Library's … [Read more...]
Recent UA grad takes Green Riders bicycle tour as community volunteer across U.S.
Alexis Beshara, 21, has embarked on a summer journey of introspection and community-building by riding her bicycle across the country to plant community gardens and teach neighborhoods about agriculture. “This is my coming of age,” says the recent University of Akron graduate, who begins her trip with Green Riders this week in New York City, planting gardens, working on … [Read more...]
Twinsburg Community Theatre brings enchantment of Broadway to Northeast Ohio
Twinsburg Community Theatre (TCT) is singing and dancing to celebrate producing 20 years worth of theatrical wonders. The 20th anniversary production, ‘At the Corner of Broadway & Twinsburg,’ features a compilation of thirty legendary Broadway musicals. By revisiting timeless musicals from different eras, TCT enthralls audiences with songs they’ve known for years. One of … [Read more...]
Wandering Aesthetics’ “phenomenal storytelling” brings laughter, fright to Kent
Wandering Aesthetics successfully captured their audience with both laughter and fright on the opening night of their storytelling production “Boogers, Witches and Haints: Spooky Stories from Appalachia.” The show is being presented at the Standing Rock Cultural Arts building in Kent, Ohio and the performance company welcomes all with hospitality and … [Read more...]
