toledo free press star – nov. 9, 2011

Cosettein the Glass City

NOV. 9, 2011

Revolutionary‘Les Misérables’ hits the Stranahan Theater

INSIDE: Bobcat Goldthwait n Blarney turns 5

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FREEINSIDE: Bobcat Goldthwait n Blarney turns 5

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Revolutionary‘Les Misérables’ hits the Stranahan Theater

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2 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”There are many tongues to talk, and but few heads to think. “ — “Les Misérables”

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Star ofthe Week

NOV. 9, 2011 • Episode 2 Chapter 45 • Toledo Free Press Star, Toledo, OH: “24601” — “Les Misérables”Andrew VAreLA in ‘Les Mis’ • Jon Hendricks At 90 • BoBcAt GoLdtHwAit • ‘ArkHAM city’

CLUBS: Blarney Irish Pub turns 5 4EDUCATION: Anti-bullying speaker in Toledo 6

MEDIA: The new Face of FOX Toledo 8lilD: Avoiding traps of success 12

THEATER: ‘Les Mis’ at Stranahan 14THE PULSE: Calendar of Events 16

EXHIBITS: UT faculty show 22VIDEO GAMES: ‘Arkham City’ rocks 26

Bobcat Goldthwait returns to ToledoBy Jeff McGinnisToledo Free Press sTAr sTAFF WriTer

[email protected]

Just when he thinks he’s out, he gets pulled back in.Bobcat Goldthwait has announced his retirement from stand-up

comedy more than a few times during the course of his 30-plus years in the business. And yet here he is, ready to return to Toledo on Nov. 11, performing for two nights at Connxtions Comedy Club — and with a new Showtime comedy special recorded.

“I always jokingly refer to it as the ‘Alimony Tour,’ but I will say this time coming back hasn’t been as painful,” Goldthwait joked during an interview with Toledo Free Press Star. “I actually have been enjoying stand-up again for the first time in years.”

What’s changed? Well, for one thing, his character. Yes, the manic, crazed persona that Goldthwait had patented for decades of fame has been jettisoned. “You know, not because I’m embarrassed of that character, it just gets very boring for me to play over and over again,” he said.

Goldthwait’s comedic sensibilities and comic targets have matured, so maybe it was time to lay the crazy-eyed, rough-voiced squealer to rest. Not that Goldthwait has thought too much about the reasoning behind the change. “I’m not a guy with an agenda, where I think about how people perceive me. I’m always doing the things that have interested me,” he said.

Of course, as Goldthwait changes, so does comedy. Looking at a land-scape where celebrities are expected to be more public than ever before, a veteran performer like Goldthwait said he has trouble adapting to the new expectations of fame.

“You’re supposed to reduce yourself to being a reality TV star. You’re supposed to blog, and tweet, and Facebook and post. And unfortunately, I’m not that driven as a stand-up comedian. I take the kind of energy that that would take, and I like to make new stuff, like write a new screenplay, or even if it’s not making a movie, making a new short,” he said.

One of the most telling changes in Goldthwait’s career has been his maturation into a director, and a good one at that.

His films have tackled increasingly interesting and risky material, bringing dark comedy to dangerous subjects.

“When I realized how little the performer in front of the camera has to do with storytelling, I think that’s when I got my interest,” Goldthwait said of his directing career. “I made a talking horse movie where I think the horse had more creative input than I did. So, after that experience, I went out and made my first short and that set me on the path.”

His most recent film, “God Bless America,” is a very dark comedy about a middle-aged man who goes on a killing spree aimed at reality show stars. The movie was a big hit at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

“I think people get confused when they think that I sat down and wrote all these things in pop culture, and all these people in pop culture that I hate, and then shoot them in the face. And that’s only true with a few of the people in the movie,” Goldthwait said with a chuckle. “The rest of the people, it’s about us. That’s what I’m trying to address, our appetite for these people.”

The film is scheduled to come out in the spring of 2012, and Goldthwait is already planning his next film: A musical based upon the Kinks’ 1976 album “Schoolboys in Disgrace.” Yes, really.

“I know what it takes to get a movie finished, so if I’m gonna be that devoted to something at this point in my life, I really kinda want something that says something about something. I’m never really too interested in mass appeal in these movies I make, because I don’t make them for a broad audience,” Goldthwait said.

This may be why Goldthwait has been publicly cool toward the idea of the long-rumored new “Police Academy” movie.

He said the franchise would benefit from a reboot, rather than revis-iting the same characters.

“If one came along, I would probably do it, because for the people who are fans of that movie — when someone doesn’t show up, it’s like when someone doesn’t show up for a ‘Brady Bunch’ reunion,” Goldthwait said. “But I think probably at this point, I’ve pissed off the producers of that movie so much, that they wouldn’t ask me back anyway.”

Goldthwait reiterated that he is looking forward to appearing in the Glass City once more.

“I know it’s the butt of a lot of jokes, and maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I actually enjoy performing in Toledo,” he said with a laugh.

Goldthwait will perform at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Nov. 11-12. Tickets are $17.50. O

Bobcat Goldthwait.PHOTO COURTESY AVIDITY

4 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”How frightened hypocrisy hastens to defend itself.” — “Les Misérables”

By Zach DavisToledo Free Press sTAr sTAFF WriTer

[email protected]

On Nov. 6, 2006, restaurant owner Ed Bec-zynski opened The Blarney Irish Pub on an empty street in Downtown Toledo. Since then, the res-taurant and the area have flourished; The Blarney celebrated its five-year anniversary this week.

“It’s went really, really well,” Beczynski said. “Every year we have increased sales and we have done a lot of different things, including street parties for Oktoberfest and St. Patrick’s Day; we close the street down for two or three days.”

More than five years ago, Beczynski was looking to own a bar. Toledo was ripe with them, however, so Beczynski decided to bring some-thing the area had not seen and a personal fa-vorite, an Irish pub.

“I like to travel a lot and when we go to dif-ferent cities we always look for a great Irish pub,” Beczynski said. “When I decided to open some kind of bar or restaurant, I thought of an Irish pub because it is always fun; I love live music and Guin-ness and all the kinds of craft beer. Downtown To-ledo needed a place with live entertainment and a great atmosphere for people to have fun.”

Before he opened the pub, Beczynski did his research. He traveled to Ireland and visited 35 different Irish pubs to study the atmosphere, decorations, food and beverages.

“It wasn’t to see all the touristy things, it was to go over there and get a feel of a true [Irish pub],” Beczynski said.

Breithlá sonaThe Blarney Irish Pub celebrates five years.

n Blarney CoNTiNUes oN 5

Ed Beczynski visited 35 pubs in Ireland to plan the atmosphere for The Blarney Irish Pub. STAR PHOTOS BY JOSEPH HERR

“Let us never fear robbers nor murderers. Those are dangers from without. Let us fear ourselves.” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 5

“We didn’t go into the big cities. We wanted to go into the heart of Ireland. We just talked to the pub owners and employees. The one thing that was the same in all the pubs was how hospitable they were and the service.

“Their motto is ‘You are only a stranger once’ and that’s exactly how I felt when I was there. I would be there just for an hour or two telling my story and everybody is hugging me goodbye and literally taking things off their wall and giving to me to have it up in The Blarney.”

Those items, which now hang on the walls of The Blarney, weren’t the only things Beczynski brought back from Ireland. He also bought all the pub’s furniture there and had it shipped back to Toledo, giving customers as close to an Irish experience as possible.

“When I went to Ireland to check out the Irish pubs, I brought back a little piece of Ireland to Toledo,” Beczynski said. “There is a lot of stuff in The Blarney that came from different pubs in Ire-land from their walls, because they were excited that I was opening up a pub in Toledo and they wanted to be a part of it. It just gives you a feel of what an Irish pub in Ireland is. That’s what we were trying to create.”

The correct locationBeczynski, who opened up restaurants Eddy

B’s, Focaccia’s Delicatessen and Mojo Coffee during the past 15 years, knew that building the bar wouldn’t just depend on the décor and food. He also needed to choose the correct location for the business to become a success.

After looking at other spots that weren’t quite what he was searching for, Beczynski ran into Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star Publisher Tom Pounds, who was looking for a building for his company. Pounds found a loca-tion on the corner of Monroe and Huron streets that he proposed could share, but the area lacked other establishments to draw people in.

“I went over with Tom and as soon as I walked in I fell in love with the building,” Bec-zynski said. “Everyone thought I was crazy when I opened up on that corner because at the time everything was located [elsewhere]. When I did decide to put it on Monroe and Huron, I heard a lot of people saying, ‘Wow, I can’t believe you are putting it there’.”

The Blarney took the downstairs portion of the building while Toledo Free Press sits above it. Since the move, two other restaurants have

moved in nearby, PizzaPapalis and Table Forty 4. An Italian restaurant is being built on the same block. The location is across the street from Fifth Third Field, home to the Toledo Mud Hens since 2002.

Nearly three years after The Blarney opened, the Toledo Walleye hockey team and the $105 million Huntington Center moved in right down the street.

“We didn’t have any idea that Huntington Center was going to be built there, just a block away,” Beczynski said. “That was awesome once they announced that. Not only do we have Fifth Third Field right next door but we have Huntington Center and SeaGate Centre and some big traffic coming down Monroe Street. It’s a great corner, probably the hottest corner Downtown.”

The Blarney BullpenThe Blarney expanded when Beczynski

bought the building next door and named it The Blarney Bullpen. It is is used for big events and parties of 50 or more people. It was full Nov. 5 when the company celebrated its fifth anniversary with a party that included a roast of Beczynski.

“I got roasted. That was something else,” Bec-zynski said. “It went great and Tom was one of the ones who roasted me. Everyone who roasted me roasted Tom as well. It was funny and we had a great turnout. We have had a lot of parties but to be honest that was probably the best party we have had in the last five years.”

That celebration included proclamations of congratulations from Toledo City Council and Mayor Mike Bell’s office.

The Blarney opens at 11 a.m. and the bar closes at 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 1 a.m. on Thursday and 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. It is also open for special occasions on Sundays.

“[The Blarney] has great food for a great price with great atmosphere and just a fun time,” Beczynski said. “If you are just looking for a place to have a beer and go home and you don’t care about that stuff then The Blarney is not it, but if you want to have a great experi-ence in great surroundings with live music from Thursday through Saturday, then The Blarney is the place to come.”

For more information on The Blarney Irish Pub, including its menu and event schedule, visit www.TheBlarneyIrishPub.com. O

n Blarney CoNTiNUed FroM 4

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6 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”Thus, during those 19 years of torture and slavery, did this soul rise and fall at the same time.” — “Les Misérables”

By Brigitta BurksToledo Free Press sTAr sTAFF WriTer

[email protected]

Inspirational speaker Ronnie Bachman will bring his anti-bullying message to several To-ledo-area middle-schoolers this week as part of his 11-state tour.

Bachman had a birth defect that led to his legs being amputated when he was 4 years old. Although he had prosthetics, Bachman aban-doned them in favor of walking on his hands by the time he turned 18.

The Detroit native doesn’t let his disability slow him down physically or emotionally. He en-courages middle-school students to do the same.

“Often I’ll say to them, ‘It’s not important what happens to you, it’s important how you handle what happens to you,’” he said.

Bachman attended Cody High School and Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts in Metro Detroit because he wanted to be a radio person-ality. When he was trying to break into the busi-ness, he became the subject of the documentary “Walk This Way,” which received several awards. The documentary was co-produced by Aero-smith’s Steven Tyler, who also makes a cameo. Bachman counts Tyler as a friend of 36 years.

“I was walking around on my hands, messing around with [Tyler’s] stuff backstage in his dressing room and a guy came in and said, ‘Wow, dude, look how you get around.’ And without missing a beat, Steven said, ‘We walk like this (gestures at feet), but Ronnie walks this way.’ And it was like a new thing was born,” Bachman said.

Kathryn Vander, director and producer of the documentary, first asked Bachman to speak to middle-schoolers in the ’90s. Bachman was re-

luctant, but once he made his first presentation, he was hooked.

“As soon as I was done, someone asked me to do it again. And I did it again. And to make a long story short, that’s well over 1,000 shows ago.”

“Walk This Way” is also the name of Bach-man’s book, which is slated for release this winter. In addition, Jeff Thomas of Rainstorm Pictures in Monroe shot a pilot for a potential Bachman reality TV show. Thomas is trying to sell it to networks, Bachman said.

Monroe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Super-store sponsored the local section of Bachman’s tour. The Superstore is part of the Dodge 20 group, a network of dealerships that help sup-port each other. Dodge 20 members along with Linamar Corporation are sponsoring Bachman’s other stops, including those in Canada. Bach-man’s tour stops for Nov. 7 to 11 include Wash-ington Junior High, Whiteford Middle School, Monroe-area Catholic schools, Dundee Middle School, Ida Middle School, Wagar Middle School and Carleton/ Newport-area Catholic schools.

Ralph Mahalak Jr., owner of Monroe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Superstore, met Bachman about 12 years ago. He brought Bachman to speak for the Dodge 20 group in Detroit a couple of years ago.

“Unilaterally, 100 percent of them (in Dodge 20) signed up to invite Ronnie to their communi-ties so Ronnie could get into the schools in their areas,” Mahalak said. “We need to get his mes-sage out as quickly as we can and to as many kids as we can. It certainly seems bullying has gone to a new level with these teenagers and you’re seeing more suicides and more kids getting hurt. All I can say is we can’t save everyone, but we can certainly try.” O

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“Table talk and lovers’ talk equally elude the grasp; lovers’ talk is clouds, table talk is smoke.” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 7

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8 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”She drowned what little brain she had in [cheap novels].” — “Les Misérables”

By Jason MackToledo Free Press sTAr Web ediTor

[email protected]

Jocelyn Cruz is all smiles after winning the title of the 6th Face of FOX Toledo, a position representing the station on-air and online.

“I’m honestly so happy, excited, humbled and grateful,” Cruz said. “I’ve always wanted to do something like this. I’ve always dreamed of being on TV, so I see it all falling into place now.”

Cruz said she nearly missed out on the opportunity to compete for the position.

“I’ve always known about it, but I didn’t know about the dead-line until the day of the deadline,” Cruz said. “I made my video an hour before the deadline at midnight. It was just a plain wall and me talking about why I want to be the Face of FOX Toledo.”

The video was effective and landed her a spot in the top 10.“It was very competitive,” Cruz said. “There were so many good

people in the top 10 that even making the top five felt surreal.”“We had such incredible talent in our top five, so choosing our

winner was extremely difficult,” FOX Toledo General Manager Gary Yoder said. “We think Jocelyn Cruz has all the qualities and

abilities that we were looking for to take the Face of FOX Toledo to the next level and make this a fantastic year.”

Cruz is no stranger to winning contests. She graduated in May from the University of Toledo, where she was crowned home-coming queen in 2009.

“That was an amazing experience, and not just because of the popularity contest,” she said. “It was awesome because I was rep-resenting a student organization that has never been in the top five or crowned king or queen. It felt really good to represent the Latino Student Union.”

While attending UT, Cruz got her first experience with television as an intern with Black Entertainment Television.

“I always told my ex-boyfriend sophomore year of college that one day I would be interning at BET,” Cruz said. “I applied last-minute for that, too. They called me when I was in the middle of getting my hair done at the salon. There was dye in my hair. The dye was on too long, but I was screaming up and down that I got it.”

During her internship, she helped out behind the scenes on the show “106 & Park.”

“I always watched ‘106 & Park’,” Cruz said. “I always wanted Roc-si’s job. She’s the host. It’s your personality and creativity and you can

be yourself. It was really cool to intern for that show specifically.”The experience helped Cruz realize her passion for working in

the entertainment industry.“I don’t see myself as being serious and that type of personality

to do the news,” she said. “I want to be myself and let people get to know who I am while getting to know them.”

She is getting a head start on that dream with her position at FOX Toledo.

“The job has been awesome,” Cruz said. “It has been kind of like the contest. We had to post on Facebook and be creative. Do things your way but find a way that people can relate to it. That’s what I’ve been doing so far and it’s been amazing. I can’t wait to get my hands more into it.”

Cruz was encouraged by the advice of former Face of FOX To-ledo Heather Cook.

“She just said be myself and work hard,” Cruz said. “When you come into this position, a lot of people think you have to be a certain way or be like the first Face of FOX Toledo or the last one. She just said be myself, and I think that’s the best advice someone can give you.”

Follow Cruz online at Facebook.com/FaceofFOXToledo and at Twitter.com/FaceofFOXToledo. O

Cruz control

Former UT homecoming queen is named new ‘Face of FOX Toledo.’

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“To be wicked does not insure prosperity.” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 9

By Vicki L. KrollsPeciAl To Toledo Free Preess sTAr

On Sept. 16, Jon Hendricks turned 90. And he was busy planning for a party Sept. 24, when he helped open the season for Jazz at Lincoln Center.

“I had an unofficial cel-ebration at Lincoln Center. We had a full house. We had Dianne Reeves and Bobby McFerrin and my daughter,

Michele, flew in from Paris. And it was re-viewed in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Rave reviews — well, they better,” he said

and then laughed.The media and music

fans continue to extol the su-perstar, who wrote a new chapter

in the world of jazz.Hendricks, who was born in

Newark, Ohio, but grew up in To-ledo, is considered the father of vo-

calese — the art of setting lyrics to established jazz standards. Time magazine dubbed him “the James Joyce of jive,” and music critic Leonard Feather called him “the poet laureate of jazz.”

In 1957, he formed the jazz vocal group Lam-bert, Hendricks & Ross. The trio refined vocalese, whereby voices are arranged to sing the parts of instruments. Vocalists McFerrin and Al Jarreau and vocal quartet The Manhattan Transfer all cite the group’s work as a major influence.

The jazzman, who said he’s a Virgo ruled by Mercury, the fastest planet, continues to work and be a force in the music world.

“Miles Davis had an album arranged by Gil Evans, ‘Miles Ahead,’ with Miles Davis soloing with 18 musicians, one of the greatest jazz al-bums of all time. I’m lyricizing it to be sung,” Hendricks said during a call from his New York City home.

And he’s still writing his autobiography, “Mind on Fire.”

What is the legend most proud of?“I had an open, free and constant invitation to

sing with Duke Ellington’s Orchestra and Count Basie and His Orchestra. In other words, wher-ever they were, if I walked in, I could walk right up on the bandstand and sing,” said the Univer-

sity of Toledo distinguished professor of jazz. “And that kind of invitation, that was fantastic.”

Hendricks marveled at the magic.“With Duke Ellington, I would just go up on

the bandstand and I would turn to his saxophone player, Paul Gonzalez, the tenor player, and I would ask him, ‘What do I sing?’ And he’d say, ‘Anything.’ And I’d say, ‘What do you mean?’ And he said, ‘Just sing anything, we’ll be with you.’

“And I thought this man was crazy, and I started singing a song. And after the first note, the entire band came in, each on his part: The first tenor saxophone on his part, the second tenor saxophone, the third, the first alto, the second alto, the baritone, the three trombones and four trumpets, all on their parts as a part of an arrangement. It was the most magnificent thing I ever heard in my life, and I haven’t heard it from anybody [else] ever.”

Area residents will have the chance to hear the Grammy Award winner at Crystal’s Lounge at the Ramada Inn, 3536 Secor Road, for a be-lated birthday celebration and concert Monday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

The UT Faculty Jazz Ensemble and Vocalstra are among the acts slated to perform.

Tickets are $5. O

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10 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”A good mayor is a good thing. Are you afraid of the good you can do?” — “Les Misérables”

By Jim BeardToledo Free Press sTAr sTAFF WriTer

[email protected]

Comic book aficionado Jim Collins of JC’s Comic Stop checks in this week with two picks for comic fans, one that continues the adventures of a certain wall-crawling wonder and one that might just have you crawling the walls.

“Avenging Spider-Man No. 1 is the new version of Marvel Team-Up,” Collins said. “Written by Zeb Wells and penciled by Joe Madu-reira, the first story arc will feature the Red Hulk and the Mole Man’s mindless minions, the Moloids. Hopefully this series proves itself worthy of the original Marvel Team-Up. Madureira has been out of the comic book game for some years now and we’ll see if he still has the fanbase he once had with his 1990s Battle Chasers series. This is the first new ongoing Spider-Man series in over four years.”

The famous Marvel Comics hero cel-ebrates his 50th anniversary next year with this new comic and the first of a new series of feature films. Expect a web-load of shameless

Spider-Man merchandising and marketing in the months to come.

On that same score, there’s also another comic hero-turned-movie star with a new project.

“Hellboy: House of the Living Dead is by creator Mike Mignola with art by the legendary Richard Corben,” Collins said. “This original graphic novel was in-spired by the Universal Mon-sters films and the Mexican wrestler films with Santos. It’s Hellboy in 1952 Mexico, dealing with the guilt over killing a brother that was turned into a vampire.

“He’s approached by someone that makes an offer he cannot refuse, as an innocent victim is used to force his compliance. As Hellboy goes into the squared wrestling circle to battle the Frankenstein Monster, things go very

wrong. Filled with vampires, werewolves, ghosts and ghouls, this has it all for Hellboy and horror fans and Corben gives it a great Hammer Films feel, too.”

Collins would like to dedicate his picks this week to his friend, GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot, who recently passed away. Smoot was from the Bowling Green area. O

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“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 11

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12 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”She would have softened a heart of granite; but you cannot soften a heart of wood.” — “Les Misérables”

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NOW OPENUnique art and gifts for the Holiday Season!

ou’re not too gangsta to have never heard of Justin Bieber.

That being said, I know you know all about his “baby mama drama.” Regardless

of whether Bieber really did father a child with a woman he hardly knows, it raises an interesting question for artists: are you taking preventative steps to secure your future?

Toledo may not be a huge city, and with Cleveland just up the street it seems that the art-ists here are often overlooked. But that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare yourself for all the things you will face in the industry. Artists from Toledo have signed record deals before and have been successful, so if you’re going to be the next artist who blows up, I suggest you be careful about your actions now.

Making it in ToledoWe’ve all seen it. The artist who becomes

wildly successful — in Toledo — and thinks he’s “made it.” He gets into the clubs for free, women practically throw themselves at him and he gets free fast food at that one spot. Oh, yes, he iscer-tainly doing well for himself.

But then what happens? He gets comfortable.

Let’s be real: Toledo isn’t that big, and the urban music circle is like a small high school. Everyone knows each other, and if you’ve “gotten around,” there’s a great chance that you’re not the only person who’s “gotten around” to these women.

The problem is that some artists want to be famous so badly, once they become fa-mous in their city, they start acting like they think famous people act. Responsibility goes out of the window, leaving room for the negativity of drugs, arrogance and unpro-tected sex. But you must never forget the most important rule in the music industry: Trust no one.

Famous, not richIf you can live like a

celebrity in Toledo, what makes you think the women

who are so willing to be with you don’t view you as a celeb-rity as well?

I refuse to bash every woman in Toledo, but I call

it like I see it.There are those women

who feel that instead of working, they’ll just have a baby by someone “fa-mous” and be set for life.

I guess they don’t re-alize that “famous” doesn’t always equate to “rich.”

Take a kid who sat at the lunch table alone in high school. He never re-

ally had any friends and his clothes were never up-to-date. Then he discovers

Hip-Hop, and to his surprise, people love his

music. Give him six months, and he’s officially turned out.

You see, popularity doesn’t change anyone; it only solidifies that person’s characteristics. So I hope I catch you before you begin your real rise to the top.

Be careful what you wish for; you must be able to handle it if you get it. A wise man once told me that my only real friends are the ones who knew my government name before I had an alias. I challenge you to adopt the same philos-ophy, and always have your guard up with those who’ve come into your life after you’ve gained a little fame.

You must always be careful with those you deal with, because not all of them have your best interest at heart.

Live by these principles now, so that when you actually do get famous (because “To-ledo famous” does not count), you hopefully won’t fall in the traps already set and waiting for you. O

Email Toledo Free Press Star columnist lilD at [email protected].

Avoiding traps Many music industry pitfalls are already set for you.

Y

THE

WORD I HEARD

LIL D

“Great grief is a divine and terrible radiance which transfigures the wretched.” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 13

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio transportation officials think a massive new bridge project in Cleveland could use an artist’s touch.

More precisely, the Ohio Department of Transportation is looking for three artists to design murals for underpasses beneath the new Innerbelt Bridge on Interstate 90 just south of downtown.

Cleveland’s director of public art, Greg Peckham, tells The Plain Dealer the murals

will create two entryways for the Tremont neighborhood and one for the city’s Historic Gateway district. The art budgets for the three sites range from $44,800 to $79,000.

Bridge project spokeswoman Jocelynn Clem-ings says public art helps foster community pride that can lead to less vandalism and graffiti.

The $450 million bridge will be named in honor of former U.S. senator and ex-Cleveland mayor George Voinovich. O

Area residents looking to get a head start on their holiday shopping can stop by Perrysburg’s Salvatore Capelli Salon on Nov. 12.

The salon will host its second annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 12 in the community room of the salon, located at 114 W. South Boundary St., in Perrysburg.

Among the items sold by local vendors will be vintage handbags, jewelry and antiques, glass lampwork beads made by local artist Chris Sand-erson, recycled pop can hair ornaments and jew-elry, painted ornaments, specialty soaps and more.

For more information, call (419) 873-5483 or visit www.salvatorecapelli.com. O

Ohio seeks artists for Cleveland murals

Perrysburg salon to host Christmas bazaar

To help celebrate a new CD benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a “Holiday Wishes” concert will take place form 6-11 p.m. Dec. 1 at The Blarney Bullpen in Downtown Toledo.

“Holiday Wishes” is a collection of 25 tracks recorded by Northwest Ohio artists. It includes contributions from Mannheim Steamroller, Jamie Farr, Crystal Bowersox, Alyson Stoner,

Kerry Patrick Clark and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, among many others. Several of the performers on the CD will perform at the benefit.

There will be a cover charge of $5, with all funds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A grazing station and special opportunities to purchase the CD, which will be in Panera Bread locations Nov. 25, will be available. O

Blarney Bullpen to host Make-A-Wish benefit

14

NO

V. 9

, 201

1 /

TOLE

DO

FREE

PRES

S.C

OM

”

Vio

lets

are

blu

e. R

ose

s ar

e re

d.”

— “

Les

Mis

érab

les”

‘Les M

iséra

bles

’ 25t

h an

nive

rsar

y to

ur h

its To

ledo

for e

ight

-sho

w ru

n.By

Sar

ah O

ttney

TOLE

DO F

REE

PRES

S SP

ECIA

L SE

CTIO

NS E

DITO

R

sottn

ey@

tole

dofre

epre

ss.c

om

fter

year

s of

per

form

ing

the

role

of

re-

form

ed

conv

ict

hero

Je

an

Valje

an

on

Broa

dway

and

with

tou

ring

pro

duct

ions

of

“Le

s M

isér

able

s,” a

ctor

And

rew

Var

ela

has g

one

to th

e da

rk si

de.

For t

he 2

5th

anni

vers

ary

tour

of t

he ic

onic

mu-

sical

, Var

ela w

ill in

stead

por

tray

Jave

rt, t

he p

olic

e in

spec

tor w

ho m

akes

it h

is lif

e’s w

ork

to h

unt d

own

Valje

an an

d br

ing

him

to ju

stice

.“W

hen

I w

as a

kid

I li

ked

Dar

th V

ader

mor

e th

an L

uke S

kyw

alke

r,” V

arel

a tol

d To

ledo

Free

Pre

ss St

ar d

urin

g a

phon

e cal

l fro

m a

tour

stop

in P

rovi

-de

nce,

R.I.

“So

the i

dea o

f pla

ying

a ba

d gu

y al

way

s ap

peal

ed to

me.”

How

ever

, Var

ela s

aid

he d

oesn

’t lik

e to

thin

k of

Ja

vert

as a

bad

guy

; ins

tead

he

enjo

ys th

e ch

ance

to

hum

aniz

e the

char

acte

r.“O

ne o

f th

e th

ings

I t

ry

to d

o is

mak

e it

clea

r he

’s no

t tr

ying

to

be a

bad

guy

; he

’s ju

st t

ryin

g to

do

his

job.

He’s

ju

st d

oing

wha

t he

thin

ks h

as

to b

e do

ne,”

Vare

la s

aid.

“Th

e re

view

s ha

ve n

otic

ed th

at a

nd

peop

le a

lway

s co

mm

ent

aft e

r th

e sh

ow t

hey

wer

e st

ruck

by

the

hum

anity

I br

ough

t to

the

role

. Jea

n Va

ljean

him

self

says

‘You

’re ju

st d

oing

yo

ur jo

b, I

know

.’ I h

ope

I’m b

ringi

ng n

ot o

nly

life

but h

uman

ity to

the

char

acte

r. I’v

e fo

und

play

ing

him

has

bee

n w

onde

rful

.”Va

rela

said

one

of h

is fa

vorit

e par

ts of

por

trayi

ng

Jave

rt is

sing

ing

“Sta

rs.”

“It’s

one

of t

hose

son

gs y

ou ju

st g

et to

bel

t out

an

d ha

s so

muc

h m

eani

ng,”

Vare

la s

aid.

“It’

s su

ch

an im

port

ant

plot

poi

nt f

or m

y ch

arac

ter.

As

an

acto

r, yo

u lo

ve th

e id

ea y

ou g

et to

sin

g th

is hu

ge

show

-sto

ppin

g nu

mbe

r.”“L

es M

iséra

bles

” ope

ned

Nov

. 8 at

the S

trana

han

Th ea

ter,

4645

Hea

ther

dow

ns B

lvd.

, as

part

of

the

Broa

dway

Ser

ies p

rese

nted

by

the Th

eat

er L

eagu

e.Pe

rform

ance

s are

set f

or 8

p.m

. Nov

. 8-1

1, 2

p.m

. an

d 8 p

.m. N

ov. 1

2, an

d 2 p

.m. a

nd 7:

30 p

.m. N

ov. 1

3.“I

t’s b

een

goin

g gr

eat,”

Var

ela s

aid

of t

he t

our,

whi

ch s

tarte

d in

Sea

ttle

in A

ugus

t. “W

e ar

e th

e se

cond

-hig

hest

gros

sing

show

in th

e co

untr

y rig

ht

now,

so th

at’s

pret

ty g

ood.

Th e

aud

ienc

es h

ave

been

hu

ge, t

he r

espo

nse

has

been

hug

e an

d th

e tic

kets

sales

hav

e bee

n ev

en h

uger

.”Ba

sed

on th

e cla

ssic

nov

el b

y Vi

ctor

Hug

o, “L

es

Misé

rabl

es” i

s set

in 1

9th

cent

ury

Fran

ce, a

dec

ade

aft e

r th

e Fr

ench

Rev

olut

ion,

and

foc

uses

on

the

stru

ggle

s of e

x-co

nvic

t Val

jean

and

his

expe

rienc

e of

rede

mpt

ion.

Relea

sed

from

pris

on a

ft er

serv

ing

19 y

ears

for

steal

ing

a lo

af o

f bre

ad a

nd s

ubse

quen

t esc

ape

at-

tem

pts,

Valje

an c

an’t

fi nd

anyo

ne w

illin

g to

giv

e hi

m a

plac

e to

live.

Fina

lly, a

bish

op ta

kes h

im in

but

Valje

an s

teal

s hi

s sil

verw

are.

He

is ca

ught

and

ar-

reste

d, b

ut re

lease

d aft

er

the

bish

op te

lls p

olic

e th

e sil

verw

are w

as a

gift .

Tou

ched

by th

e ges

ture

, Val

jean

vo

ws t

o tu

rn h

is lif

e aro

und,

chan

ging

his

nam

e and

be

com

ing s

ucce

ssfu

l. But

whe

n In

spec

tor J

aver

t lat

er

disc

over

s Val

jean

’s tr

ue id

entit

y, he

mak

es it

his

life’s

wo

rk to

brin

g hi

m to

justi

ce.

J. M

ark

McV

ey w

ill p

ortra

y Va

ljean

. M

cVey

’s 7-

year

-old

dau

ghte

r, Ky

lie M

cVey

, is a

lso a

mem

ber

of th

e ca

st, p

art o

f a n

ew e

nsem

ble

crea

ted

for

the

anni

vers

ary

prod

uctio

n. S

he w

ill a

lso b

e pa

rt o

f the

lar

ger

chor

us n

umbe

rs a

nd p

ortra

y Li

ttle

Cos

ette

an

d Yo

ung

Epon

ine.

Vare

la s

aid

the

25th

ann

iver

sary

pro

duct

ion

mai

ntai

ns t

he e

lem

ents

tha

t pe

ople

love

d in

the

or

igin

al v

ersi

on w

hile

add

ing

elem

ents

that

allo

w

the

show

to g

row.

“Th i

s ve

rsio

n is

a wo

nder

ful u

pdat

e w

ith n

ew

costu

mes

and

new

orc

hestr

atio

ns,”

Vare

la s

aid.

“It’

s re

ally

an am

azin

g, am

azin

g pi

ece o

f the

ater

.”Th

e ne

w p

rodu

ctio

n fe

atur

es a

hig

h-te

ch p

ro-

ject

ion

syst

em t

hat

proj

ects

im

ages

on

the

back

w

all o

f the

set.

“It m

akes

the

entir

e th

ing

feel

cine

mat

ic,”

Vare

la

said

. “Fo

r exa

mpl

e, du

ring t

he b

attle

of th

e bar

ricad

e, it

rock

s with

each

gun

shot

and

each

cann

on b

last.

It

mak

es th

e sce

nery

a ch

arac

ter.”

Pr

oduc

er C

amer

on M

acki

ntos

h dr

ew in

spira

tion

from

the d

raw

ings

and

pain

tings

of H

ugo.

“I’m

del

ight

ed t

hat

25 y

ears

aft e

r ‘L

es M

is’

orig

inal

ly o

pene

d in

Lon

don

the

audi

ence

for t

his

mar

velo

us s

how

is b

igge

r an

d yo

unge

r th

an e

ver

befo

re,”

Mac

kint

osh

said

in a

new

s re

leas

e. “Th

e

new

‘Les

Mis’

is a

mag

nifi c

ent m

ix o

f daz

zlin

g im

-ag

es a

nd e

pic

stag

ing,

driv

ing

one

of th

e gr

eate

st

mus

ical

stor

ies e

ver t

old.”

“L

es M

iséra

bles

,” w

hich

orig

inal

ly o

pene

d in

Lo

ndon

in 1

985,

has

bee

n se

en b

y ne

arly

60

mill

ion

peop

le wo

rldw

ide

in 4

2 co

untri

es a

nd i

n 21

lan

-gu

ages

, acc

ordi

ng to

the r

eleas

e. In

200

6, it

bec

ame

the

world

’s lo

nges

t-run

ning

m

usic

al, s

urpa

ssin

g th

e re

cord

pre

viou

sly h

eld b

y “C

ats.”

To

date

, “Le

s Misé

rabl

es”

rem

ains

the

third

-lo

nges

t-run

ning

Bro

adw

ay p

rodu

ctio

n of

all t

ime.

Th e s

core

inclu

des t

he cl

assic

song

s “I D

ream

ed a

Dre

am,”

“On

My

Ow

n,” “S

tars

,” “B

ring

Him

Hom

e,”

“Do

You

Hea

r th

e Pe

ople

Sing

?,” “

One

Day

Mor

e,”

“Em

pty

Chai

rs a

t Em

pty

Tabl

es,”

“Mas

ter

Of

Th e

Hou

se” a

nd m

any

mor

e.Va

rela

said

peo

ple

will

regr

et n

ot ta

king

the

op-

portu

nity

to se

e “Le

s Misé

rabl

es” w

hile

it’s in

Tol

edo.

“It’s

just

such

a f

ulfi l

ling

thea

trica

l exp

erie

nce.

If yo

u do

n’t c

ome

see

the

show

, you

’ll n

ever

forg

ive

your

self.

You

’ll h

ave

lived

a li

fe h

alf-l

ived

,” Va

rela

sa

id. “

If yo

u ca

n’t w

atch

‘Les

Mis’

and

love

it, t

hen

you

have

no

hear

t, th

en yo

u’re p

roba

bly n

ot a

hum

an

bein

g be

caus

e it’s

pro

babl

y th

e m

ost

mag

nifi c

ent

piec

e of t

heat

er th

at’s

ever

bee

n w

ritte

n.”Ti

cket

s are

$23 t

o $80

not

inclu

ding

fees

and

taxe

s an

d ar

e av

aila

ble

by c

allin

g th

e St

rana

han

Th ea

ter

box

offi c

e at

(866

) 381

-746

9, T

icke

tmas

ter

at (8

00)

982-

2787

, or o

nlin

e at w

ww.

thea

terle

ague

.com

.

A

VARE

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ew V

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MUSICCompiled by Whitney MeschkeEvents are subject to change.

MUSIC

16 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”Napoleon ... mighty somnambulist of a vanished dream.” — “Les Misérables”

The ArkThis 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. O Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys: 8 p.m. Nov. 9, $15.O May Erlewine & Seth Bernard: 8 p.m. Nov. 10, $17.50.O The Ragbirds, Appleseed Collective: 8 p.m. Nov. 11, $15.O Dick Siegel, the Brandos: 8 p.m. Nov. 12, $15.O Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, $20.O The Sweetback Sisters: 8 p.m. Nov. 15, $15.

Bar 145This new venue features burgers, bands and bourbon, if its slogan is to be believed. 5304 Monroe St. (419) 593-0073 or bar145toledo.com. O Dan Fester: Nov. 9.O Downstroke: Nov. 10.O Nine Lives: Nov. 11.O The Brave Youngster: Nov. 12.O Jeff Stewart: Nov. 15.O 88 Keys Dueling Pianos: Nov. 16.

The Blarney Irish PubCatch local acts while taking in the pub’s modern Irish and American fare. 601 Monroe St. (419) 418-2339 or www.theblarneyirishpub.com.O Jeff Stewart: Nov. 10.O Toast and Jam: Nov. 11.O Venyx: Nov. 12.

Blind PigA 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.O Karaoke: 9:30 p.m. Mondays, no cover.O The Meat Puppets, the Black Box Revelation: 8 p.m. Nov. 9.

O Keller Williams: 9 p.m. Nov. 10, $20-$23.O Blind Pilot, Gregory Alan Isakof: 9 p.m. Nov. 11.O The Hood Internet, Only Children, Ex Best Friends: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 12.O Ron Pope, Zach Berkman, Alexis Babini: 8 p.m. Nov. 15.O Toubab Krewe: 9 p.m. Nov. 16.

Bronze BoarBe sure to check out this Warehouse District tavern’s name-sake, overhead near the entrance. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www.bronzeboar.com.O Open mic night with Chris Knopp: Mondays.O Luke James: Tuesdays.O DJ Jerod: Wednesdays and Thursdays.O Swampkings: Nov. 11.O Bush League: Nov. 12.

Caesars WindsorIf 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 Riv-erside Dr. East, Windsor, Ontario. (800) 991-7777 or www.caesarswindsor.com. O Battle of the Blues bands: 7:30-11 p.m. Nov. 9.

Cheers Sports Eatery7131 Orchard Centre Drive, Holland.O Mak Mikel Band with Chris Shutters. 9 p.m. Nov. 12.

Cheetah’s DenA different band performs each week. 702 E. Broadway St. (419) 754-1903.O DJ Lamont: Tuesdays.O Devious: Thursdays (also open mic night)-Saturdays.

Culture Clash RecordsThis home to all things vinyl and cool will host a free show by Boogaloosa Prayer. 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 4020 Secor Road. (419) 536-5683 or www.thecultureclash.com.

Dégagé Jazz CaféSignature 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.O Gene Parker & Friends: 7-10 p.m. Nov. 9 and 16.O Michael Peslikis: 7 p.m. Nov. 10 and 17.O Skip Turner Band: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11.O Mark Williams Group: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12.O Leo Darrington: 7 p.m. Nov. 15.

The DistilleryKaraoke is offered Tuesdays, but paid entertainers rock out Wednesdays-Saturdays. 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www.thedistilleryonline.com.O Nathan Cogan: Nov. 9.O The Bridges: Nov. 10-12.O Kyle White: Nov. 16.

Doc Watson’sNamed in honor of the owners’ forefather, this bar and restaurant serves a variety of dishes and enter-tainment. 1515 S. Byrne Road. (419) 389-6003 or docwatsonstoledo.com. O Jeff Stewart: 10 p.m. Nov. 11.O Andrew Ellis: 10 p.m. Nov. 12.

Fat Fish BlueServing blues and similar sounds, as well as bayou-style grub. Levis Commons, 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com. O Bourbon Street: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

French Quarter J. Pat’s PubLive entertainment after 9:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Hol-iday Inn French Quarter, 10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg. (419) 874-3111 or www.hifq.com. O Noisy Neighbors: Nov. 11-12.

ICE Restaurant & BarThis local, family-owned enterprise offers food, drinks and music in a sleek atmosphere. 405 Madison Ave. (419) 246-3339 or icerestaurantandbar.com. O Dan and Don: 8 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18.O Berlin Brothers: 8 p.m. Nov. 12.

JJ’s PubLive 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. O John Barile and Bobby May: 8 p.m. Nov. 15.

Kerrytown Concert HouseThis 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.O Mostly Sondheim: 8 p.m. Nov. 10-11 and 7 p.m. Nov. 12.O Robert Demaine, Pauline Martin: 4 p.m. Nov. 13.

Manhattan’sThis “slice of the Big Apple” in the Glass City provides enter-tainment most weekends. 1516 Adams St. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com. O Open mic: 9 p.m. Monday nights.O Jam session hosted by Tom Turner & Slow Burn: 8 p.m. Tuesdays.O The Eight Fifteens: 7 p.m. Nov. 9.O Quick Trio: 6 p.m. Nov. 10.O Tom Turner & Slow Burn: 9 p.m. Nov. 11.O Jeff Williams Group, Isis: 9 p.m. Nov. 12.O Dan Grunkhe: 7 p.m. Nov. 16.

Mickey Finn’sA 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. O Open mic: 8 p.m. Wednesdays.O Rock the Stage, featuring local bands: 9 p.m. Thursdays, free.O Human Juicebox: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 11.O Dragon Wagon, Decent Folk: 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

Mutz @ The Oliver HouseHandcrafted brews … and live entertainment. 27 Broadway. (419) 243-1302 or www.oh-maumeebaybrewingco.com.O Open mic hosted by Breaking Ground: 10 p.m. Wednesdays.O Karaoke: 10 p.m. Thursdays.O DJ Nate Mattimoe: 10 p.m. Saturdays.O Triggernomotry, Highbinder, Meaghan Roberts: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 11.

Doc Watson’sDan “Boom” Herron, the Buckeyes” starting senior tailback, helped lead Ohio State to a 34-20 victory over Indiana in front of 105,195 at Buckeyes’ Stadium. Herron carried the ball 14 times for 141 yards and a TD. The Buckeyes are now 6-3 and travel to Purdue this weekend. We congratulate Dan Herron and the Ohio State Buckeyes for their outstanding performance.

OSU Kenny Demens, the Wolverines’ e

starting junior LB, had 11 tackles as

Michigan lost to Big Ten rival Iowa

24-16. The Wolverines are now 7-2

and travel to Illinois this weekend.

We congratulate Kenny Demens

and the Michigan Wolverines for

their outstanding performance.

UofMPLAYERS OF THE WEEK

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“What is that to the Infinite?” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 17

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OmniThis club is a venue for music (and music lovers) of all types. 2567 W. Bancroft St. (419) 535-6664 or omnimidwest.com. O Framing Hanley: 7 p.m. Nov. 9, $10-$12.O Yellow Dubmarine: 8 p.m. Nov. 12, $7.

One2 Lounge at TreoLive music starts at 7:30 p.m. 5703 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 882-2266 or treosylvania.com.O Andrew Ellis Duo: Nov. 11.O Estar Cohen Trio: Nov. 12.

Ottawa TavernCasual meals with weekend entertainment. 1815 Adams St. (419) 725-5483 or www.otavern.com. O The Loom: 10 p.m. Nov. 9.O Boogaloosa Prayer, Joey & the Traitors: 10 p.m. Nov. 10.O Icarus Himself, Miracle Vitamins: 10 p.m. Nov. 11.

Our Brothers PlaceTake 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.O Wayne: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.O DJ: Fridays.O Smooth jazz and R&B: Saturdays and Tuesdays.O Karaoke with Walt McNeal: 4 p.m. Sundays.

Pizza PapalisGet slices with a topping of entertainment. 519 Monroe St. (419) 244-7722 or www.pizzapapalis.com.O Don Coats: Nov. 12 and 18.

Robinwood Concert HouseA home for the avant garde and untraditional, this Old West End venue hosts artists on the experimental end of the mu-sical rainbow. 9 p.m., 2564 Robinwood Ave. $5 donation, unless noted. www.toledobellows.wordpress.com.O Travis Laplante: Nov. 16.

Spicy Tuna This sushi bar offers occasional entertainment to accom-pany the fishy dishes. 7130 Airport Hwy. (419) 720-9333 or spicytunasushi.com.O Karaoke: 10 p.m. Saturdays.O Kyle White: 6-10 p.m. Nov. 10.

Table Forty 4Upscale dining plus live entertainment is a welcome combi-nation. Bands start at 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 p.m. Saturdays. 610 Monroe St. (419) 725-0044 or www.tableforty4.com.O John Barile and Bobby May: 6 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18.

Tequila Sheila’sA corner bar-type hangout with DJ-provided tunes on Sat-

urday nights. 702 Monroe St. (419) 241-1118.O DJ Ghost or DJ MZ Ghost: Saturdays.

The Village IdiotTunes combined with pizza and booze, some would say it’s a perfect combination. 309 Conant St., Maumee. (419) 893-7281 or www.villageidiotmaumee.com.O Rick Caswell’s House Band: Friday afternoons.O The Bob Rex Band: Sunday afternoons.O The Eight Fifteens: Sunday evenings.O Frankie May & Ben Barefoot: Mondays.O Mark Mikel, Chris Shutter Band: Tuesday nights.O Old West End Records: Nov. 9, 16 and 30.O Wilbur Shaw: Nov. 10.O Hullaballo: Nov. 11.O Pete Anderson: Nov. 12.

Wesley’s Bar & GrillA huge variety of beers helps wash down the entertainment. 1201 Adams St. (419) 255-3333 or wesleysbar.com.O DJs Folk, Mattimoe and Perrine: Fridays.O Jeff Stewart: Nov. 12.

WoodchucksThe place to go for an eclectic mix of people and music. 224 S. Erie St. (419) 241-3045. O Against the Grain, Bathhouse Betty, Lost in Chicago: Nov. 12.

Yeeha’sCountry and rock with a little “Coyote Ugly” style. 3150 Na-varre Ave., Oregon. (419) 691-8880 or www.yeehas.com. O The Websters: Nov. 11.O MAS FiNA: Nov. 12.

Zia’sThis Italian restaurant hosts magician Andrew Martin on Sunday nights. The Docks, 20 Main St. (419) 697-7138, (888) 456-3463 or www.ziasrestaurant.com.

Night Session Big Band This premier dance band plays bossa novas, tangos, mambos, waltzes, polkas and fox trots. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, South Briar Restaurant, 5147 S. Main St., Sylvania. $3-$5. (419) 517-1111, (419) 471-1560 or www.southbriar.biz.

Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of DixielandThese Toledo jazz legends perform weekly gigs. 8-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Trotters Tavern, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 381-2079.

Raq the CasbahThis band makes the world its cabaret, mixing French, German, Russian, Greek, African and Arabic sounds into fresh dance music. 8-11 p.m. Thursdays, Club Soda, 3922 Secor Road. (419) 473-0062 or www.toledoclubsoda.com.

18 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”He caught glimpses of everything, but saw nothing.” — “Les Misérables”

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THIS WEEKEND NOV. 11TH - NOV. 12TH NOISY NEIGHBORS

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Upcoming Jazz ScheduleNov. 18th & 19th: Bob Rex Trio Nov. 25th: Skip Turner Nov. 26th: Mark Williams Group

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This Weekend: Nov. 11th & 12thSkip Turner Band

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SwingmaniaWith 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) 708-0265, (419) 874-0290 or www.swingmania.org.O Swing Revival Party: 8 p.m. Thursdays, South Briar Restaurant, 5147 S. Main St., Sylvania. (419) 517-1111 or (419) 708-0265.O Big Band All Stars: Dancing is encouraged. 8-10:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trotters Tavern, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 381-2079 or (419) 708-0265.

AnDa UnionThe Inner Mongolian group digs into its native traditions to unearth forgotten sounds — music as it might have been played in the camps of Genghis Khan. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. $18-$42. (734) 764-2538 or ums.org.

‘Elijah’The Perrysburg Symphony Chorale and SonoNovo Chamber Ensemble will provide a musical narration of the Biblical figure’s life, as written by Mendelssohn. 7 p.m. Nov. 11, Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Trinity Plaza. $8-$10. (419) 243-1231 or www.trinitytoledo.org.

‘Christmas Bells Are Ringing’Lorie Line will stage one of her amazing Christmas produc-tions. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 , Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center, Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania. $45. (419) 824-3999 or www.franciscancenter.org.

The Dodworth Saxhorn BandBilled as “America’s premiere 19th century brass band,” this group will perform as a tribute to veterans and the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. 7 p.m. Nov. 11, Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh. $5. (517) 423-6617 or www.thetca.org.

Ryan BehanThis pianist will perform works by Franz Liszt in honor of Dorothy MacKenzie Price’s donation of a Yamaha C6 concert grand to the theater. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St. Free, but ticket required: (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

Rebirth Brass BandThis band will celebrate the birthplace of the Crescent City’s brass band tradition in “A Night in Treme: The Musical Maj-esty of New Orleans.” 8 p.m. Nov. 11, University of Michigan, Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor. $10-$46. (734) 764-2538 or ums.org.

TMA concertsVisual and audible arts combine for a new experience. Great Gallery (unless noted), 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or toledomuseum.org.O Academy Brass Quartet: 7 p.m. Nov. 11.

In the MoodAmerica’s “greatest generation” will get its due through the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, the Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and others. 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 12, Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center, Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania. $30-$35 (419) 824-3999 or www.franciscancenter.org.

Wee Rock concert seriesWhile the little ones dance, sing and get something special to take home, Mom and Dad can relax. 4-6 p.m. Saturdays, Westfield Franklin Park food court, 5001 Monroe St. (419) 473-3317 or westfield.com/franklinpark.O Just Kiddin’ Around: Nov. 12.

Motown Memories TourThe Contours with Joe Bilingslea of “Do You Love Me?” fame; the Original Jr. Walker Allstar Band (“Shotgun”); and the Shades of Blue, who sang “Oh How Happy,” will per-form. 8 p.m. Nov. 12, Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee. $25. (419) 897-8902, (248) 921-7000 or www.greateasterntheatres.com/maumeehome.asp.

‘Rigoletto’The Ann Arbor Symphony will play excerpts of the Verdi opera and Debussy’s “La Mer.” 8 p.m. Nov. 12, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. $10-$53. (734) 994-4801, (734) 768-8397, a2so.com or www.michtheater.org.

Matthew BellThis Midwestern boogie pianist will tickle and skip over the ivories. 2 p.m. Nov. 13, Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. $10. (419) 244-2787 or www.collingwo-odartscenter.org.

Sunday Night DancesNight Session will provide big band music for dancers and listeners alike. A 30-minute dance lesson will pre-cede the music. 5 p.m. Nov. 13, Paulette’s Studio of Dance, 4853 Monroe St., Building B. $10. (419) 654-3262 or www.dancetoledo.com.

Magical Musical TalesThe Ann Arbor Symphony will tell the tale of elephant Babar and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” then let children on stage to play “toys” for “Kindersymphonie.” 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Mich-igan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. $10. (734) 994-4801, (734) 768-8397, a2so.com or www.michtheater.org.

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UT concertsThe university’s music students and friends will perform the pieces they’ve been perfecting. (419) 530-2452 or www.utoledo.edu/as/music.O Guest pianist William Wellborn: 3 p.m. Nov. 13, Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall, Tower View Boulevard and West Campus Drive. (419) 530-2452.O Jon Hendricks’ 90th birthday celebration/Jazz Night: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, Crystal’s Lounge, Ramada Hotel & Con-ference Center, 3536 Secor Road. $5. (419) 535-7070. O Jazz Lab Band and Vocalstra: 8 p.m. Nov. 15, Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall, Tower View Boulevard and West Campus Drive. $3-$5. (419) 530-2452.

Scholars of a Different NoteThis concert series features BGSU vocal and instrumental music students. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Wildwood Preserve Metropark Manor House, 5100 W. Central Ave. (419) 407-9700 or metroparkstoledo.com.

Toledo School for the Arts concertThe young singers will join voices under the direction of in-structor Jamie Dauel. 7 p.m. Nov. 15, Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Trinity Plaza. (419) 243-1231 or www.trinitytoledo.org.

Trans-Siberian OrchestraThese rockin’ masters of musical theater will bring their Winter Tour to town. 4 and 8 p.m. Nov.16, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave. $29-$57.50. (419) 321-5007, (800) 745-3000 or www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com.

Gerstein Returns for Rachmaninoff Kirill Gerstein will perform interpretations of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerti 1 and 4 with the Toledo Symphony, which also will take on Weber’s “Overture to Oberon” and Narong Prangcharoen’s “Phenomenon.” 8 p.m. Nov. 18-19, TMA Peristyle, 2445 Monroe St. $21-$51. (419) 246-8000, (800) 348-1253 or www.toledosymphony.com.

Fall Festival of Music Toledo Swiss Singers present a cornucopia of music, under the direction of Micah Graber. Doors open at 5 p.m. with au-thentic Swiss dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19, Oak Shade Hall, 3624 Seaman Road Oregon. $22 for dinner and concert (advance sale only). $10 concert only. Ages 12 and under, $8. Call Elaine for tickets (419) 206-0975.

Gala New Year’s Eve Benefit PartyA dinner/dance featuring music by the Duane Malinowski Orchestra will benefit the Toledo Police Museum in Ottawa Park. Appetizers, chicken and steak buffet, countdown couture, champagne and send-off snacks are included. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Post 3587, 2020 W. Alexis Road. $60. (419) 450-5060, (419) 866-0665 or (419) 536-7606.

BOWLING GREEN

ArtTalksVarious artists will discuss their work, techniques and topics in the world of art. BGSU Fine Arts Center (unless noted), between Ridge and Wooster streets, Bowling Green. (419) 372-8525 or art.bgsu.edu/galleries.O Tamara Brantmeier, painter and art department chairman at the University of Wisconsin-Stout: 7 p.m. Nov. 10, Room 1101.

BGSU concertsThe 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. O Vocal Jazz Ensemble: 8 p.m. Nov. 10, Bryan Recital Hall.O University Men’s Chorus: 8 p.m. Nov. 12, Kobacker Hall, $7-$10.O Sounds of the Stadium: 3 p.m. Nov. 13, Kobacker Hall, $7-$10.O Praecepta: 8 p.m. Nov. 14, Bryan Recital Hall.O Jazz Lab Band II: 8 p.m. Nov. 15, Kobacker Hall.

BGSU footballThe Falcons will use their talons on their gridiron oppo-nents. Doyt Perry Stadium, Wooster St., Bowling Green. $13-$18; season tickets, $80-$150. (877) 247-8842 or www.bgsufalcons.com.O Ohio University: 8 p.m. Nov. 16.

Grounds for ThoughtThis BG coffeehouse serves a mean brew of blues, jazz, rock and more by the world famous and locally renowned in an intimate setting. 174 S. Main St., Bowling Green. (419) 354-3266 or www.groundsforthought.com.O Frank Vignola: 8 p.m. Nov. 17.O Gang of 35 photo opening, Joe Baker Band: 8-11 p.m. Nov. 18.

Grumpy Dave’sThis venue offers humor-fests (maybe to make up for the crankiness) on Tuesdays, and the occasional musical diversion. Above the Easy Street Cafe, 104 S. Main St., Bowling Green. $3-$5, unless noted. www.grumpydavespub.com.O Open mic comedy: 9 p.m. Thursdays.

Howard’s Club HBowling Green comes alive at this venue for rock and more. Doors typically open at 9 p.m., with the show starting an hour later. 210 N. Main St., Bowling Green. (419) 352-3195 or www.howardsclubh.com.

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20 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”We bow to the man who kneels.” — “Les Misérables”

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By Mike BaumanToledo Free Press sTar sTaFF WriTer

[email protected]

Since he was a child, drummer/vocalist Sean Stockham of the rock two-piece Middle Class Rut has been drawn to music.

“I was really into Michael Jackson growing up, and I actually wanted to be Michael Jackson,” Stockham said. “I was really angry that I was white because this was back of course when Mi-chael Jackson was still relatively black, and I just felt cheated, basically, that I was a little white boy. And then I wanted to be Bruce Lee, and I felt even more cheated that I wasn’t Chinese, so it’s been very, like, a tormented childhood.”

Stockham jokes, but he did have an early passion for music that he refused to quit as he grew older. That’s a big reason he and fellow Middle Class Rut member Zack Lopez (gui-tars/vocals) are still jamming together and will perform at Frankie’s Inner City on Nov. 15.

The duo first met as teens in Sacramento. “He was living in Oakland and then coming

in Sacramento because his parents had a house there,” Stockham said. “They’d come over there on the weekends, so we just kind of met through a mutual friend who was also kind of into music at the time, and we wanted to get something to-gether with some people and start trying to play music in their garage.

“So that’s kind of how Zack and I were in-troduced, and I think we pretty much started playing music, like, that day and kind of haven’t really stopped.”

The pair became part of the band Leisure, which got signed to Dreamworks. However, that group disbanded in 2003, and the friends put their musical aspirations on hiatus as Lopez went to work in construction and Stockham to studios in Los Angeles, tuning drums for people making records. Once his first son was born, Stockham moved back to Sacramento to be closer to his parents.

After a few years apart, Lopez started making trips back up to Sacramento from LA to jam with Stockham.

High demandHard work paying off for Middle Class Rut.

n MIDDLE CLASS RUT CoNTiNUes oN 21

Middle Class Rut will play at Frankie’s Inner City on Nov. 15.PHOTO COURTESY BRIGHT ANTENNA

“In the gloom, some mighty angel was standing, with outstretched wings, awaiting the soul.” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 21

They eventually had a collection of songs and decided to form Middle Class Rut with just the two of them.

“Anybody can go and get a job and get the old nine-to-five, and we did that,” Stockham said. “Obviously it’s not very fulfilling, espe-cially when you’ve spent the better part of six, seven, eight years, like, grinding away, trying to make the music thing work. To try to just flip it around and now try to be just the av-erage dude that goes to work every day, it just doesn’t work. It doesn’t feel right. I think we just knew that we had something left.”

Middle Class Rut put out three EPs be-tween 2007 and 2009 and sent the song “New Low” to a Sacramento radio station, where it quickly became popular.

“That just kind of started a fire that I don’t think we were even really ready for,” Stockham said.

Soon after, Middle Class Rut was in high demand. The band decided to sign with Oakland indie label Bright Antenna. Its first album, “No Name No Color,” a compilation of 12 songs the pair recorded, was released in October of 2010.

Trips to Europe followed, as well as tour slots with the likes of Alice in Chains, Social Distortion, Them Crooked Vultures and 30 Seconds to Mars.

“I think generally speaking, everybody’s really kind of impressed by it and excited to see two people up there kind of going off,” Stockham said of their being a two-piece. “Obviously we’re not insecure about any-

thing, and we don’t care that we don’t have a bass player or that we don’t have some singer in spandex doing gymnastics all over the place and swirling a microphone around. And I don’t think anybody else really misses that, either.”

The video for “New Low” has more than 2.5 million views on YouTube, and the song peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and No. 12 on the Rock Songs chart. Middle Class Rut’s second single — “Busy Bein’ Born” — has reached Top 25 radio airplay, including multiple appear-ances on “The Hitlist with Cal Cagno” of Detroit’s 89X.

After years of persistence, Stockham and Lopez are finally getting to where they want to be musically.

“We’re not glossy individuals,” Stockham said of Middle Class Rut’s music and live perfor-mances. “We don’t put on makeup or put on a different outfit to go up on stage. It’s just kind of real. It’s just who we are. I think people that like that kind of thing just have responded to it really well.”

On Nov. 15, Middle Class Rut and Toledo’s own I of Radio will perform at Frankie’s Inner City, located at 308 Main St. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door the night of the show and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster out-lets, as well as locally at Culture Clash (419-536-LOVE) and RamaLama Records (419-531-ROCK). Doors are at 7 p.m. and all ages are welcome.

For more information, call (419) 693-5300 or visit the website frankiesinnercity.com. O

n MIDDLE CLASS RUT CoNTiNUed FroM 20

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November 18, 2011–March 25, 2012Canaday Gallery

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22 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”A faith is a necessity to man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.” — “Les Misérables”

By Nathan EliasToledo Free Press sTar sTaFF WriTer

[email protected]

The Center for Visual Arts at the Univer-sity of Toledo recently opened its newest ex-hibition, featuring work by new faculty mem-bers. The works of Ben Pond, Barry Whittaker and Seder Burns are showcased in the theme of “Landscape and Reclamation.”

Pond, lecturer for the department of art at UT, said a portion of his work focuses on Toledo and his perception of the city.

“What I find about Toledo is that it’s a combi-nation of beauty and ugliness,” he said. “I’m very much inspired by how Toledo looks in certain areas, such as the beautiful buildings Downtown and nice metroparks.”

Pond’s most recent work is a conglomeration of moving images composed as drawings. The work was prompted by a concern for things that are always in flux, he said.

He expressed an attraction to the media and how it influences his creative process. He said he draws as he watches television, films and online media, and tries to capture the moving images into one beautiful mess.

“It seemed like an impossible task —

to document something that is constantly moving or changing,” Pond said.

Whittaker, assistant professor of new media in design practices at UT, incorporates various forms of media into his work, depending on the concept at hand.

“I’m interested in whatever tool is most ap-propriate to the idea,” Whittaker said. “It’s not about locking myself into any specific media. I’m not completely for or against any media. I’m more interested in what’s most appro-priate for the idea.”

One of Whittaker’s collaborative pieces is an interactive video game that responds to voice.

“You either sing or yell,” he said. “Your voice activates the landscape.”

For the theme of “Landscape and Reclama-tion”, Whittaker is concerned with the mapping of landscape based on language.

“I’m interested in miscommunications —things get confusing when they are translated the wrong way,” he said. “The pieces all relate to language and its effect on the landscape.”

Some of his work focuses on simple phrases, type and text.

Whittaker said he takes inspiration from maps and signage when exploring text-based projects.

Landscape and ReclamationNew UT faculty artists featured in exhibit.

n LANDSCAPE CoNTiNUes oN 23 PHOTO COURTESY SEDER BURNS

www.toledosua.org Call 419-329-2209

Join us and meet the students, parents, faculty, and staff of St. Ursula Academy. We’ll answer your questions about SUA — academics, scholarship availability, activities, and student life. There’ll be tours, classroom visits,and refreshments.

High School Placement Test Prep/Parent Info Sessions Saturday, November 19, 9:00 –10:30 a.m. Reservations required. Call 419-329-2209.

High School Placement Test at St. Ursula AcademySaturday, December 3, 8:30 a.m.

St. Ursula Academy Open HouseGirls Grades 6-12Sunday, November 13, Noon – 3 p.m.

I WILL SERVE my God, my Family, my Friends, my School, my Community, my World.

Scan this QR Code for quick access to our website.

Take this required test at SUA for an opportunity to compete for scholarships.No reservation is required. $20 test fee is payable on Dec. 3.

Technology for the 21st century — All students receive Apple MacBook laptops.

Announcing Grades 6-8Middle School tours and information available at Open House

“Those who pray always are necessary to those who never pray.” — Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 23

I can help get you started. Farmer’s Insurance has been in business for over 80 years and

continues to serve our communities with excellence.

Contact me today to learn more or to set up a personal one on one meeting.

Considering a career in Insurance?

27121 Oakmead Dr. Suite A| Perrysburg, OH 43551Of ce: 419-872-4658 Cell: 419-944-6863

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Holiday with HeartCharity Gayla

Dec. 3rd, 20115:30 p.m.

Saturday,

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Benefi ting the Pride of Toledo Foundation & AIDS Research – Dr. Joan Duggan of UTMCEvent In Memory of founding member Dick Flock

34th Annual Dinner & Dance for the LGBT Family & Friends

www.hwhcharitygayla.orgFor reservations and more information, visit:

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Burns, visiting assistant professor of new media at UT, works primarily with photography.

“Doing photography allows you access to things and gives you a cause to explore,” he said.

For the “Landscape and Reclamation” theme he tried to capture landscapes that were actually reclaimed. One example is a shopping plaza in Michigan built over a landfill.

“It’s where I go do all my shopping,” he said. “I feel it’s very important to respond to your own life and what is relevant to it. These are the things you have something to say about.”

Burns visited three locations that are part of his regular commute. Two of them are re-claimed landfills. The third location hosts sal-vaged concrete that is ground up and used as road aggregate.

He stressed the importance of artists utilizing the space around them as inspiration for their work.

“This is where you’re at,” he said. “This is your landscape. This is your life.”

The exhibition runs Nov. 7-Dec. 11. The re-ception will be from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 19 at UT’s Center for Visual Arts. O

n LANDSCAPE CoNTiNUed FroM 22

ProMedica will offer free blood sugar checks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at Westfield Franklin Park. November is American Dia-betes Month; experts suggest it is a good time to talk to your family doctor if you are diabetic to ensure that you are properly managing your medical condition.

ProMedica offers diabetes education ser-vices at offices in Fostoria, Maumee, Oregon, Te-cumseh and Toledo. All programs are recognized by the American Diabetes Association.

Its staff of registered dieticians and coun-selors works with patients and their physicians to design treatment plans, help patients understand their medication and monitor their blood sugar levels. They can also assist with meal planning and developing an exercise routine to help keep

diabetes under control. The newest location is the ProMedica Dia-

betes Care Center at 2655 W. Central Ave. in Toledo. The center offers classes on the disease process, medications, meal schedules, exercise, stress management, prevention of complications and blood-sugar monitoring. Medicare and most health insurance providers may cover the cost of diabetes education.

People are advised to verify their insurance coverage. There is also assistance available to people without insurance or those who may not be able to afford diabetes education services.

To contact a ProMedica diabetes education program, visit www.promedica.org (click on “medical services” on the home page, and look for diabetes under “continuing care”). O

ProMedica offers free diabetes testing

24 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”Not being heard is no reason for silence.” — “Les Misérables”

TOLEDO DENTAL ACADEMY

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Northwest Ohioans have always enjoyed the hot flavors of Mexico, and our warm hospitality. Come to one of our restaurants and experience a delicious dining adventure tonight!

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“BIEN VENIDOS AMIGOS”Specializing in Mexican Food since 1955

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

Closed Sundays & Holidays

419-865-5455

Loma-Linda’s

419-825-3474

Everything Mexican From Tacosto Enchiladas to Delicious Burritos

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

BARRON’S CAFE

419-841-75237742 W. Bancroft (1 Mi. West of McCord)

Mon. - Sat. from 11 a.m.Closed Sundays & Holidays

• 20TH ANNIVERSARY •THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTE

& CANTINA IN TOLEDO

Casual Dining • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

mexicoBRINGING THE FLAVORS OF

419-729-97753025 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

Original Recipes from Both Mexico and Germany

ARTURO’S FRITZ & ALFREDO’S

By Sarah OttneyTOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

[email protected]

A new company operated by a family of fourth-generation Ohioans has been rapidly ex-panding the availability of its handcrafted vodka across the state, including in Northwest Ohio.

Buckeye Vodka, which launched in April, has been successful beyond its founders’ expec-tations, with more than 2,000 cases sold in its first six months, said Jim Finke, CEO of Dayton-based Crystal Spirits LLC.

“We really hit the ground running and we’ve done something nobody thought we could do,” Finke said. “We didn’t hire a distributor to start with; we just kind of did it ourselves and every-body was telling us we were nuts, but we’ve had a great response. The market has really surprised us. We are more than double our projections. We didn’t think we’d be where we are today.”

Buckeye Vodka is now available at more than 260 locations, with plans to expand into about 80 more stores in the coming months, said Finke, a Dayton native who graduated from Bowling Green State University.

The brand is also available at hundreds of bars and restaurants across the state, including Bar 145, Black Pearl, Chud’s Grille, Dale’s Bar and Grill, The Distillery, Easy Street Café, El Camino Real, Ferdos Mediterranean Restaurant, Fricker’s (Bowling Green, Fremont, Maumee, Perrysburg), Georgio’s, Howard’s Club H, In-verness Club, Mancy’s Italian Grill, Matthew’s Creative Cuisine, Maumee Bay Brewing Co., Parkway Lounge, La Scola Italian Grill, South End Grille, Swig, Trotters Tavern, The Village Idiot, Wesley’s Bar & Grill and Zia’s.

Finke said the quality that most sets Buckeye Vodka apart from other vodkas is that it’s made with distilled water — thanks to his brother-in-law Tom Rambasek, Crystal Spirits president and

owner/operator of The Crystal Water Company in Dayton.

“Since 80-proof vodka is 60 percent water, water is a key component of vodka,” Finke said. “We use his distilled water in the vodka, which very few companies do. I don’t know anyone else who does that; it’s too expensive. But it makes for a very clean, pure product.”

Between Rambasek’s water company and Finke’s wholesale distribution business, The Finke Company, manufacturing vodka was a perfect fit for the family, Finke said.

Rambasek converted a company warehouse into a distillery, where the vodka — which is gluten-free and made with regionally grown corn — is filtered 10 times through a high-tech, state-of-the-art, custom-built 20-foot column still to eliminate impurities.

“The logo and the look of it and the fact that it’s made in Ohio gets people to pick it up and try it, but the proof is in the pudding and when they taste it, they go back after it,” Finke said.

Finke and Rambasek, along with Finke’s brother Chris and friend Marty Clarke, devel-oped the Buckeye Vodka concept in 2009 after realizing the spirits market was growing despite the recession.

“Dayton’s a lot like Toledo. People there are friendly, they’re salt of the earth, a lot of blue-collar workers. Everybody’s business was suffering and whole area was just hurting,” Finke said. “We wanted to do something to keep money in Ohio, to keep it local. There’s no reason you can’t make a good vodka here in Ohio or the United States.”

The brothers had always thought about op-erating a family business and started looking for opportunities, Finke said.

They set out to create an ultra-premium, ultra-smooth vodka they could sell for less than $20 — a goal they accomplished. A 750-milliliter bottle of Buckeye Vodka retails for $19.15 with a 1.75-liter size slated to hit shelves Dec. 1, Finke said. O

Ohio-made Buckeye Vodka expanding across the state

Crystal Spirits CEO Jim Finke, Chairman Chris Finke and President Tom Rambasek.PHOTO COURTESY CRYSTAL SPIRITS LLC

“He who is escaping never coughs and never sneezes.” — “Les Misérables” TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / NOV. 9, 2011 n 25

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t was a revelation when it was first released two years ago. “Batman:

Arkham Asylum,” the best superhero game ever made at that point, told a tale of the Dark Knight as he attempted to quell a re-bellion within the walls of Gotham’s infamous institu-tion. Coupled with a great combat system, a slew of classic characters, secrets galore and genuinely grip-ping atmosphere, it was the Batman game people had waited years to play.

If there was one thing that could be held against “Asylum,” though, it would be that its setting was somewhat confined. Enter the sequel, “Arkham City.” Now, a massive chunk of Go-tham — turned into a city-sized prison where the inmates are allowed to run wild — is the setting, giving the player an incredible amount of freedom to roam and explore.

The feeling that you are stepping into the Caped Crusader’s shoes is more powerful than ever.

The plot sees Batman traversing the city in an effort to learn the truth behind the institu-tion’s existence, and why a madman like the vil-lain Hugo Strange has been put in charge of it. There’s also an overriding sense of doom, aided by the returning Joker, who appears to be dying of a mysterious malady.

The original game’s excellent combat me-chanics have been retained, as fights with a group of enemies flow with a grace of power and skill. Also back are all the trademark Bat-gadgets seen the first time, plus oodles more — if anything, the game may be a bit too overpopulated with gadgetry, as it’s a lot to keep up with, but man does it feel cool.

Once the main campaign is finished, “Arkham City” still provides oodles more to do. In addition to the original game’s Riddler chal-lenges, greatly expanded in number, the game features a vast selection of side missions for a player to find.

These aren’t silly quests, either — these are full-fledged narratives featuring even more classic villains and tremendous set pieces. Players even get the chance to play as the infa-mous Catwoman. (Note: Unlocking Catwoman requires a pass code provided with new copies of the game.)

All told, “Batman: Arkham City” does ev-erything a sequel to a successful game should do — it takes what was accomplished, polishes and expands it, and uses it to tell a compelling story. Fans of “Asylum” shouldn’t hesitate to snap this one up — and neither should fans of great games everywhere.

For a second opinion, I invited Toledo Free Press Star video game reviewer Michael Siebenaler to share his review:

“Batman: Arkham City,” the sequel to the 2009 video game “Batman: Arkham

Asylum,” does not disap-point. It is an amazing one-player game experience with up to four profile saves. The Batman and Robin option cannot be too far away. Great additional elements include add-on content, leader boards and 3-D ca-

pability, but the real expe-rience comes from the ini-

tial setup, characters and varied gameplay.

Players get a peek of Catwoman early in the story and then can play this coun-terpart character (using the

included code), who basically gets a guest role in this installment. The villain encounters add nice touches, like an optional attack on the Penguin after beating his thugs. This delightful option is subtle, as developers avoided any visual cues or icons, which matches the intuitive experience.

Some boss characters go down a bit too easily, but the overall challenge level is high.

Grapple, sneak, jump, eavesdrop and fly around the environments as each scenario presents dif-ferent challenges and thrills. Sometimes the Dark Knight can fall off ledges from player missteps (a common gameplay frustration), but not at highly vital moments, like from the top of a tall building. The smooth enemy-to-enemy fighting lets players create smooth fisticuff sessions interrupted only when baddies get a lucky hit.

Batman gets a nice technology assist with the detective mode, which is available anytime but does not include the helpful navigation tools. This game series has now produced one of the few adapted properties where the extra mate-rials (see the included catalog) actually enhance the experience instead of making players cringe with awkward commercialism where game de-velopers just want more money.

Developed by Rocksteady Studios and pub-lished by Warner Bros. Interactive, this game is available on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The “Batman: Arkham City Collectors Edition” includes bonus game content, art book, music soundtrack, bonus movie, special figure and more. The Nightwing Bundle Pack is available now while the Robin Bundle Pack releases Nov. 22, which is also the release date for the PC version. A Wii U version is also planned for 2012. O

26 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM Catch “Jedi of Pop Culture” Jeff McGinnis Tuesday mornings on 92.5 KISS-FM.

Thomas F. Pounds, President/[email protected]

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 2011 with all rights reserved.

Publication of ads does not imply endorsement of goods or services.

Michael S. Miller, Editor in [email protected]

EDITORIALMary Ann Stearns, Design Editor

[email protected]

James A. Molnar, Lead [email protected]

Brandi Barhite, Associate [email protected]

Sarah Ottney, Special Sections [email protected]

Jason Mack, Web [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIONPam Burson, Business Manager

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS [email protected] Jim Beard • Amy Campbell • Zach DavisJohn Dorsey • Matt Feher • Jerry Gray

Dustin Hostetler • Stacy JurichVicki L. Kroll • lilD • Martini • Jason Mack

Jeff McGinnis • Whitney MeschkeRachel Richardson

Julie Webster • Don Zellers

Chris Kozak, Staff Writer EmeritusLisa Renee Ward, Staff Writer Emeritus

Darcy Irons, Brigitta Burks, Marisha Pietrowski Proofreaders

ADVERTISING SALESRenee Bergmooser, Sales Manager

[email protected]

Casey [email protected]

Matt [email protected]

Chick [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION (419) 241-1700

[email protected]

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol. 2, No. 45 Established 2010.

Strange days in Gotham

POPGOES THE CULTURE

JEFF mCGINNIS

I‘Batman: Arkham City’ does not disappoint.

Come see Mike Colbert today!

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28 n NOV. 9, 2011 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM ”Happily, God knows where to find her soul.” — “Les Misérables”

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toledo free press star – nov. 9, 2011

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