Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio is working around our socially distanced school year by “BREAK” Dancing for students. The nonprofit has launched a free virtual program that’s available to area grade-school classrooms, and the acronym BREAK stands for Breaks Reset Engagement Attention and Knowledge. The series offers a mental break for students while also providing movement … [Read more...]
About Chris Miller
Rom-com film short will showcase Akron-area locations
The Akron area will play a pivotal role in an upcoming short film. “Escaping Ohio” is a rom-com that hearkens back to movies like “Clueless” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” while attempting to break the formulaic mold of typical movies in this genre. The film focuses on two 18-year-olds facing adulthood: while Sam intends to leave their small town for California, JJ … [Read more...]
The Lowsiders celebrate album release with Rialto Theatre concert (Video)
Akron-based psychedelic garage rock band The Lowsiders will celebrate the release of their new album, “Can’t Stop the World From Spinning,” with a concert at The Rialto Theatre, in Kenmore, Saturday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m. The band also will play at @hHighland Square PorchRokr Festival, Saturday, Aug. 17, 6 p.m., at 46 Kuder Ave. Members of the group discuss what led to their … [Read more...]
Students create art garden to help connect community (Video)
Students at Emmanuel Christian Academy led by Art and Marketing Director Dara Harper, decided to do something about the blighted lot acoss the street: they created the Five Points Art Garden, with a flowerscape, painted poles and sidewalks and benches so community members could meet up and have a safe place to wait for the bus. You can find the Art Garden at the corner of West … [Read more...]
World War II book reveals Akron’s role in conflict
When Tim Carroll discovered hundreds of letters written by his grandfather during World War II, it opened the door to a much larger project than he anticipated. Carroll was so immersed in local World War II history that he wrote a book, “World War II Akron,” completed earlier in the year, which chronicles Akron’s role in the war. And his research led to a number of … [Read more...]
Andrea Rose Teodosio 5K takes place July 13, continues work of local foundation (Video)
The 9th Annual Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial 5K and 1 Mile Walk, presented by the Italian American Professional and Businessmen’s Club, will take place in downtown Akron, Saturday, July 13. This unique race winds through downtown Akron and supports the work of the Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial Foundation, dedicated to making the world a better place. For info and … [Read more...]
Middlebury Cultural Festival, May 25, unifies grassroots organizations, residents
When Yolanda Parker moved into the Middlebury neighborhood about 10 years ago, she remembers some residents being hesitant to even leave their homes. “There was so much going on in this area, in regards to drugs and violence, to where seniors at a certain time would just not come outside,” said Parker, who runs the nonprofit LINKS Community and Family Services. Now, this … [Read more...]
Akron-based comic creator launches Kickstarter campaign for ‘Tap Dance Killer’ Volume 1 collection
When asked if the comic book character Tap Dance Killer is a hero or villain, writer and creator Ted Sikora answers, “exactly.” The star of Sikora’s current comic book series — whose five-issue collection is available through a Kickstarter campaign — begins her story arc as actress Nikki St. Clair, who is cast in a horror show musical before becoming permanently locked into her … [Read more...]
Mollo Rilla hosts album release party May 3, reflects on recording in Akron
Mollo Rilla’s music hearkens back to a rock and roll golden age of grit and debauchery, when leather clad rock stars were guided by their own rules. The band will host a release party for its self-titled debut album this Friday, May 3, at Mahall’s in Lakewood. The album is a robust 14 tracks, and Mollo Rilla’s fuzzed out and dark sound is a refreshing counterpoint to … [Read more...]
‘[title of show]’ at Weathervane serves up musical about writing a musical
“[title of show],” now appearing at the Weathervane Playhouse, takes an entertaining look at playwriting and the creative process. The one-act musical centers on an author and composer working toward a deadline for the New York Musical Festival; the production charts its own creation with uniquely self-aware references, along with taking pokes at theatre clichés. … [Read more...]
