Daily Beat

Aug. 31: Come Blow Your Horn

Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist host a CD release party tonight for the excellent new Over the Rhine album, The Trumpet Child, at Coney Island's Moonlite Gardens. See the CityBeat interview with Linford here, with additional conversation here.

Linford, articulate and thoughtful as ever, discusses OtR's decision to release the new CD on their own, ending their label deal with Virgin/Back Porch Records. Linford and Karin have always exhibited a personal touch with their music and their fans, and when he recalls "writing personal notes which we mailed out, inviting people to come to Cincinnati to hang out with us," you know he's being serious. Many of us still have old cigar boxes stashed somewhere that once contained a CD or a band T-shirt or a little book, presents from Linford.

Back in 2003, when Over the Rhine was inducted into the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards Hall of Fame, Karin and Linford talked about how they continue to use their adopted home town of Cincinnati as inspiration and a base of operation. Four years later they're still home, even as they get ready to hit the road for a tour that takes them to both coasts through November.

• Other recommended music events tonight include Cari Clara's own CD release party at the Madison Theater with 500 Miles to Memphis and Ellison (see preview here); the Swing/Jazz/Ragtime duo The Ditty Bops reroute their tour of farms to the Southgate House (see interview here); Blues singer/guitarist Jon Justice has an EP release party at Mansion Hill Tavern with guests II Juicy and Them Bones (see recent interview here); and a local band fund-raiser for mental health research at the Mad Hatter (see more here).

• Lots of recommended events today, from pro volleyball to art gallery openings (see more here) to comedian John Henton (see preview here).

• Who's having the better day today: early bird fans of Riverfest; homeowners stuck with subprime mortgages, who might get some help from the federal government; UC football fans; or Philadelphia Phillies fans (like me).

• Who's having the worst today today: U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who still isn't gay; 10 professional wrestlers suspended for violating a drug policy; David Beckham and American soccer fans; ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, now being investigated by his former colleagues at the Justice Department for possibly lying to Congress; or Princess Diana's family and friends on the 10th anniversary of her death.

Have a great Friday and enjoy the decent weather.

— John Fox

Aug. 30: Stepping Up

More commemorations of the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina: Gambit Weekly, the fine New Orleans alt weekly, explains the need for government to step up; NPR has stories of people who have tried to save New Orleans but couldn't; and New Orleans itself marked the anniversary yesterday with marches, parades and tears.

• In blogland, Danny Cross finds babes instead of baseball at WLW's web site, Spill It includes more from the CityBeat interview with Over the Rhine's Linford Detweiler and Larry Gross does more laundry in Price Hill and finds more interesting people.

• In the news, U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) still isn't gay but is in deep doo doo with his Senate colleagues, Cincinnati has the country's third highest poverty level and Princess Diana is still dead.

• Among the recommended events today, check out the first night of the extended run of Thrill Me at Know Theatre of Cincinnati (see review here) or the first night of a weekend stand by comedian John Henton at Funny Bone on the Levee (see preview here).

• Tonight's music recommendations include the final night of It's Commonly Jazz at Jordan Crossing and Shooter Jennings at the Southgate House.

• Check out the photos from Monday night's exciting Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for theater at CCM.

Enjoy your Thursday.

— John Fox

Aug. 29: A Grim Anniversary

It's been two years since Hurricane Katrina swamped New Orleans and the Gulf coast of Mississippi, and there is plenty of news coverage of the anniversary and of the region today. Two of the best special sections I've seen are by The Times-Picayune (here), New Orleans' beloved hometown paper, and The New York Times (here), which has never stopped writing about the hurricane and the damage done.

Of course, President Bush showed up in New Orleans to say "Hi" and the Democratic presidential candidates all have a recovery plan, but very little recovery has actually happened in that region. It's a national shame.

• In blogland, Kevin Osborne wonders if it's time to dump the plans for The Banks downtown, Mike Breen writes about tattoos and Rock bands, Lee Butler tries to help football widows everywhere and Steve Carter-Novotni discusses the controversies surrounding transcendental meditation.

• In the news, U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (Bathroom Stalker-Idaho) says, "I am not gay." In a related story, GOP Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who dropped Craig as an advisor, says, "I am not a Mormon!"

Be who you are today, and try to enjoy it.

— John Fox

Aug. 28: At Least Be Consistent

We had a wonderful time at the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for theater last night at CCM. Look for photos and a report in this week's CityBeat, plus a slide show of photos on the web site soon. The winners are listed here in the nominee area.

In blogland, City Council candidate Greg Harris steps up to discuss why he thinks the Cincinnati Police Department needs reform; Steve Carter-Novotni talks about addictions and how to quit; and Carol Walters wonders why guys think farting is funny.

• Recommended music shows tonight include The Format at Bogart's with guests that include Alt Country band Limbeck (see preview here).

• In the news, Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Rosa Blackwell has announced she's retiring next summer when her contract runs out. The decision adds even more turmoil to a district facing a budget shortfall, an emergency tax levy and the loss of key school board candidates to a petition signature snafu.

• It's being reported that U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) pled guilty a few months ago to soliciting an undercover police officer (a man) for sex in the bathroom at the Minneapolis airport. Of course, he has a long history of voting against gay rights in the military and the workplace. At this point, it's pretty safe to assume that any conservative Republican male who's anti-gay is actually a closeted homosexual. Not that there's anything wrong with that — except the self-hatred part and the mean-spirited part.

• Lots of talk about Attorney General Alberto "Embattled" Gonzales' departure from the Bush administration. At least he was consistent.

Have a consistently good Tuesday.

— John Fox

Aug. 27: Award-Winning Monday

Tonight is the 11th annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, the city's longest-running theater awards program that's become the local version of the Tony Awards. Sure, it's an honor just to be nominated (check out the nominees here), but it's a lot of fun to win a CEA.

Jack Louiso, artistic director of Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, will become the 10th theater member of the CEA Hall of Fame (see more here), 20 awards will be presented and live performances will be offered by composer Richard Oberacker, Know Theatre, New Stage Collective, the Fringe Festival and Footlighters (see run of show here).

If you're a fan of Greater Cincinnati's incredible live theater scene, you should join local actors, directors, company members, backstage staff and supporters at tonight's event. A pre-show reception begins at 7 p.m. featuring food from Pacific Moon and a wine tasting from Valley Vineyards; curtain is at 8. You can order tickets here for a little while yet today. After that, any remaining tickets will be available at the door at CCM.

• People having a bad day today: Attorney General Alberto "Embattled" Gonzales, who is finally resigning; anyone who owns a home; Joe Locker not enjoying being panhandled; and the perennial bad news bear, Michael Vick.

• Those having a good day today: Little League kids from Georgia; people who wanted Alberto "Embattled" Gonzales to resign; those living near Fernald, the area's newest nature preserve; and Jack Louiso.

Have a good day yourself.

— John Fox

Aug. 26: Tasty Treats

Two tasty events today will appeal to very different kinds of people: a barbecue picnic down on Fountain Square featuring local bands, food and a screening of the Cincinnati-based and -produced film Three Barbecues: A Blackened Comedy (see more here) and  the final day of Taste of Blue Ash with lots of restaurant booths and musical headliners America (see more here).

• In blogland, Rick Pender discusses the upcoming New Stage Collective season, which includes an ode to Jerry Springer and a gay-themed baseball play that, for some strange reason, hasn't made it to open-mindedness-challenged Cincinnati. Steve Carter-Novotni looks at ways to beat clinical depression. Larry Gross brags about the traffic his Living Out Loud blog gets. Greg Flannery isn't getting much help solving a local media rumor.

• Two recommended music events today are former Jayhawks frontman Mark Olson with The Hiders at the Southgate House (see more here) and a Gospel showcase at Corinthian Baptist Church in Avondale (see listing here).

• In the news, Democrats are having a tough time in Florida, China is having a tough time coping with growth and Ohio is having a tough time dealing with depleted National Guard ranks.

Take it easy and enjoy your Sunday.

— John Fox

Aug. 25: Beer and Jokes

Drinking beer and telling jokes, now that's a great way to spend a Saturday. Check out Cincinnati USA Brew Ha Ha this afternoon and evening down at Sawyer Point. Michael Schiaparelli explains here which beers he'll spend his first 10 tasting tickets on. Bring a designated driver!

Other recommended events today include Visionati downtown on Court Street between Vine and Walnut (see more here), the Serious Comedy Showcase at Belterra Casino (see more here) and two great edgy plays, Thrill Me and The Last Five Years (see more here).

Recommended music shows tonight include Austin-based "chainsaw" rockers Lions at the Gypsy Hut (see more here), Michigan-based Punk trio Sah at the Mad Hatter (see more here),  local favorites Fairmount Girls and Le Technopuss13s at The Comet (see listing here) and Pike's CD release party at the Poison Room (see listing here).

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday. Maybe you'll get lucky and have it rain on you.

— John Fox

Aug. 24: Hold Your Tempers

The hardest-working man in Cincinnati show biz, Maurice Mattei, hosts a CD release party tonight for his latest album, The Tempers Perform the Best of Maurice Mattei: Volume 3. Mike Breen calls it "the album of (Mattei's) career so far," which is saying something considering he releases half a dozen CDs every year (almost). See more from Mike about the album and Mattei's new band, The Tempers, here.

Also hosting a CD release party tonight is the local Roots Rock band 40 East. Actually they're debuting a five-song EP, Fall In Love or Fall Apart. Mike Breen says the EP is "a great start for this promising quartet," formed from members of previous local bands The Hinges and All Their Eyes.

• Two wildly different weekend events kick off today: the Jam Band-and-camping extravaganza Ohmstead 2007, organized by locals The Ohms at Trusy Pines Campground in Bethel, Ohio, and the Germania Society Oktoberfest, billed as "Cincinnati's original and most authentic" Oktoberfest (and certainly the first up on the calendar).

• You're running out of chances to see the summer's final live theater productions: Know Theatre's Thrill Me, New Stage Collective's The Last Five Years, the Sartori Group's Hello Again and Jersey Productions' Grease. Rick Pender has the lowdown on all four shows here and here.

• Lots of other music shows to recommend tonight: Eat Sugar, Bad Veins and The Lions Rampant at Fountain Square, Mustard Plug, Brasilia and much more.

• In blogland, Porkopolis is trying to confirm media rumors, desecrate the American flag and recycle old TVs — in other words, it's Friday. Living Out Loud wrestles with the relative worth of McJobs. Look for Jason Gargano's Friday Flicks movie highlights later today on the A&E blog (12, yes 12, films open today, and Jason has the lowdown on each one).

• In the news, it looks like City Councilman Jim Tarbell will run for Cincinnati School Board this fall on a slate with former board members Anne Power and Sally Warner.

Enjoy your Friday. Stay cool.

— John Fox

Aug. 23: A Snow Day in August

Who's having a better day today: local kids (especially Cincinnati Public School students) who get some days off because of the heat; local playwright Alan Jozwiak, whose new play runs this week at the Indianapolis Fringe Festival; Steve Carter-Novotni, who's enjoying his wild dreams; Nate, your annoying co-worker who spends too much time in the bathroom; former Jayhawks co-founder Mark Olson, who gets the "crush" treatment from Mike Breen; Google CEO Eric Schmidt and people who support a free and open Internet; or the Texas Rangers?

Some people not having a good day: Cintas officials, who are having a pretty bad week; former Enquirer business reporter Jim McNair; Utah mine owner Bob Murray; Death Row inmates in Texas; and the Baltimore Orioles.

• Recommended music events today start with Wild Carrot and Tracy Walker playing the acoustic lunch program on Fountain Square (hint: bring water); Marc Fields Sextet at the weekly "It's Commonly Jazz" event at Jordan Crossing (hint: bring water); and The Sheds with friends at Roh's Street Cafe (they'll probably have plenty of beverages for sale).

• Plenty of non-music events to recommend, too — check the CityBeat picks here.

• Here's the Run of Show for the 11th annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for theater coming up Monday night at CCM (get tickets here).

Have a cool Thursday.

— John Fox

Aug. 22: Take a Picture, It'll Last Longer

Another round of who's having a worse day: Hamilton County taxpayers, who must finance the county's $8 million lawsuit settlement over the morgue photo scandal; overweight people who can't blame the so-called "fat virus"; more people in Mexico waiting for Hurricane Dean; New York City's fire department leadership, criticized for deaths in a high-rise fire last weekend; Gen. David Patraeus, whose upcoming "surge report" will change the entire course in Iraq one way or another; and the perennial contender, Michael Vick.

Here's who might be having a good day: Local musician Maurice Mattei, whose new CD is "the album of his career so far" (says Mike Breen here); Ohio State Rep. Bill Seitz, who will move over to the state senate for the next year in a deal brokered by the local Republican Party; former Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen, who might get back into politics; LOL Girl's co-workers, who usually see more of her on hot days; and former UC and Highlands High School star Gino Guidugli, who's a backup quarterback in the Canadian Football League but getting paid.

• The 11th annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for theater are coming up Monday night at CCM (get tickets here). Check out Rick Pender's excellent profile of CEA Hall of Fame inductee Jack Louiso, who will be honored at Monday's event.

• Three-day wristbands are now on sale here for the 6th annual MidPoint Music Festival Sept. 26-29. The wristbands also get you into the ultra-exclusive pre-party featuring the reunited Superdrag.

• Recommended music shows tonight include Rumpke Mountain Boys, Ricky Nye and a Mad Hatter rock party featuring Scary Kids Scaring Kids.

• Lots of recommended events to choose from as well: art shows, museums, Krohn Conservatory, Reds and Braves, etc., etc.

Enjoy your Wednesday.

— John Fox