The Nov. 6 midterm elections are just around the corner, and the stakes are high. A deep political divide exists between Americans. In order to determine the true will of the people, folks on all sides of the aisle are being urged to vote and make their voices heard. Wandering Aesthetics Theatre Company (WA) is doing its part to get the word out about the vote and about “Joy … [Read more...]
Punch Drunk Tagalongs discuss ‘sweet’ name origin, new album ‘Hazy’
On April 6, Punch Drunk Tagalongs, an indie rock bank with strong ’90’s grunge influences, is releasing its first full length album, “Hazy.” Not only is the album dropping, but the band is headlining a show at Cleveland’s Grog Shop on April 7 to celebrate the occasion. The band will also play an Akron show at the Empire on May 12 as part of a female-fronted band night. I … [Read more...]
‘Rest Stop Political Theatre’ takes a thoughtful, irreverent look at the political process and encourages everyone to get involved
In “Rest Stop Political Theatre,” Wandering Aesthetics collaborates with Gum-Dip Theatre and Ma ’Sue Productions to explore the citizenry’s views about the process and privilege of voting in America. The three theatre companies, with the support of Citizen University and Knight Foundation, began the project with an open call for submissions with the theme of “The … [Read more...]
Jewish Family Service helps ‘forgotten population’ with Volunteer Guardian program
There's a forgotten population of adults here in Akron: those who are mentally or physically impaired or developmentally disabled and without anyone willing or able to care for them. Two years ago, Jewish Family Service of Akron (JFS) and Summit County Probate Court Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer partnered to institute a Volunteer Guardian Program to help serve this hidden … [Read more...]
Tracey Thomas celebrates 40 years of music-making at Jilly’s Music Room
Tracey Thomas invites friends and fans to join her in celebrating her first 40 years of music-making in and around Akron with a concert at Jilly's Music Room on Thursday, Aug. 11. The show will be chock full of music, memories and special guests from the early days of the "Akron Sound." Thomas is an Akron Sound pioneer and the former front-woman of Unit 5 who has spent … [Read more...]
Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival brings world-class performances back to Akron parks
Residents of the City of Akron will enjoy professional dance performances in city parks again this year at no charge. The 43rd annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival marks the 10th season that the City of Akron has sponsored the event providing free-admission and high quality professional dance performances. “There isn’t another community in the United States that has the … [Read more...]
Look out art world! Here comes Brian Capien!
Brian Capien is an artist – a legit creative who, like most artists I know, wouldn’t know how to NOT make art. For him art is a passion and an instinct. He is really quite good, and this year he entered a piece in an art show: Summit Artspace’s “Out of the Box,” an exhibit for which, according to the Summit Artspace website, “artists are sought to create unique box-themed … [Read more...]
Matthews Hotel Monument lighting is realized dream of artist Miller Horns
In 1925, entrepreneur George Mathews saw the Howard Street District as a welcoming place for black-owned businesses. At this time in Akron’s history, racial segregation was the reality, and Mathews saw the importance of the black community having a safe place to work, live and raise families. He also saw the need for a hotel in the district where African Americans were welcomed … [Read more...]
‘Jazz at Jilly’s’ to benefit Summit Artspace
Akron Life Magazine presents "Jazz at Jilly's," a fundraiser to benefit Summit Artspace. Jilly's invites the community to come out and enjoy an evening of mixing and mingling as they celebrate summer's official arrival, and all for a good cause. The cover charge is $5, and all proceeds will benefit Summit Artspace and its efforts to promote and support local … [Read more...]
Envision Akron empowers Middlebury residents to be the change they wish to see in their community
The Middlebury neighborhood of Akron is located just east of the University of Akron and south of downtown. The neighborhood has its share of challenges. According to 2000 US Census figures, nearly one third of all residents 25 and older do not have high school diplomas. That statistic may help explain why so few Middlebury residents hold professional or management level … [Read more...]
