SUMMER'S FINAL HOURS

As the last hours of summer passed with the setting sun last weekend, I was reminded of a classic episode from The Simpsons, where Bart realizes he only has a few days left to complete his Summer To Do list. While CincyWhimsy has had no shortage of seasonal fun, the most was made enjoying our final days of summer.

Bought stylish neighborhood bag from Emily Lyn Designs at City Flea

Urban architecture bike ride through the West End

Battled Allie at Rhinegeist and joined the ranks of
American Gladiators: Storm & Turbo

Nighttime tour of the Cincinnati Streetcar construction

Watched fog cover the basin from City View Tavern

Last Creamy Whip of the season at Putz's

Ordered a cherry dipped frozen banana

Scenic drive through Mt. Airy Forest

Discovered an all-accessible tree house

Saw a rainbow in a Westwood car wash

Visited President William Henry Harrison's tomb

Discovered an old C&O caboose in someone's yard

Sightseeing with Allison, who was visiting from Atlanta

Watched this sunset bring summer to a close

GHOST: THE MUSICAL

Broadway season kicked off Tuesday night at The Aronoff with Ghost: The Musical. Based on the 1990 romantic drama film, the live adaptation is new to the theatrical scene after opening in Manchester in 2011.

As someone who had not watched the movie, the musical version was easy to follow without prior knowledge of the plot. The story revolves around two lovers in New York City: Sam, an executive banker, and Molly, a bohemian artist. On their way home, the couple is attacked and Sam is killed. Caught in purgatory after his death, Sam learns that Molly is in danger and connects with psychic Oda Mae Brown to warn her.

Photo Credit: Broadway Across America

 
Flashes and flare throughout the production gives Ghost a modern edge over traditional, long-running musicals. Digital backdrops and illusions of the eye make the show a multi-sensory experience, leaving the audience wondering, "How did they do that?" Optical magic happens throughout the show, including Sam walking through a closed door, objects flying off the shelves, or a piece of paper folding itself.

My favorite song was "More" which involved the ensemble's portrayal of the bustling Financial District; a juxtaposition of dancing suits. There were also two scenes where Sam interacted with a ghost on the subway. I was astonished how the digital set created train cars that the actors could board and also made it look like it was moving at full-speed along the rails.

Photo Credit: Broadway Across America

For those who have seen the movie, you may recall that Oda Mae Brown was originally portrayed by Whoopie Goldberg. While these are some epic shoes to fill, the musical's actress, Carla R. Stewart, stole the show. Her over-the-top performance and raw, soulful vocals create the favorite character that heightens the entertainment in a Broadway show.

Photo Credit: Broadway Across America

Whether or not you remember the movie, Ghost: The Musical impresses with a fresh, tech-savvy showcase of Broadway.

Ghost: The Musical runs through October 6 at The Aronoff.

INSIDE OUT CINCINNATI

Over 1,100 people stepped in front of the lens to be part of Inside Out, the latest exhibit to open at Contemporary Arts Center.

Showcased are the works of French artist JR, who creates art for a variety of public spaces. His themes focus on people standing up for what they care about by postering black & white portraits of the community upon city surfaces. Cincinnatians were encouraged to become part of this international art project by visiting the Inside Out photography van, which operates like a mobile photobooth. Hundreds lined up each day to take part in the free project, with faces both young and old, and varying economic and lifestyle backgrounds.

Some pictures needed a redo.

Inspired by JR’s street pastings, Inside Out provides a global platform for people to transform their personal passion into public art. Participants in Cincinnati had their portraits displayed at the Contemporary Arts Center and at Fountain Square. In addition to being pasted on the street, images are also added to the online album, consisting of over 120,000 people from more than 108 countries.

Inside Out runs through February at the Contemporary Arts Center. The public display on Fountain Square will be up through the end of October. 

A STRANGE BRAND OF HAPPY

From George Clooney to regional production companies, Cincinnati has become a hotbed for filmmakers. Within its seven rolling hills, the city offers every kind of landscape desired from urban density to small town neighborhoods or vast country fields. Media group Rebel Pilgrim took advantage of the Queen City's diverse aesthetics and shot their latest feature-length film, A Strange Brand of Happy, entirely in Cincinnati.

Photo Credit: Rebel Pilgrim

Photo Credit: Rebel Pilgrim

While some films would pick out recognizable landmarks, like Fountain Square or Music Hall, Rebel Pilgrim wanted to showcase Cincinnati's ability to mimic Hollywood sets. Eleven locations were used in the production, none of which lead viewers to notice any distinctions of Cincinnati - in a good way. Having the potential to recreate Anytown, USA is a draw for filmmakers looking to shoot a film without the inconvenience of jumping around to multiple cities.

Photo Credit: Rebel Pilgrim

Photo Credit: Rebel Pilgrim

A Strange Brand of Happy is a romantic comedy starring David, an aimless bachelor who loses his job and finds himself chasing the same girl as his manipulative ex-boss. With the help of a motley group of retirees, he finds new direction.

How many places can you spot in the film?

Hyde Park Square
Urban Active - Bellevue

Dewey's Pizza -West Chester
Dewey's Pizza - Oakley

Queens Tower

Center City Collision

Sneaky Pete's Farifield

PowerNet Global

86 Club

Evergreen Senior Living

Speckled Bird

Northwest Woods

A Strange Brand of Happy opens in theatres nationwide September 13. See it in Cincinnati at:

AMC West Chester 18
Springdale 18 Cinema De Lux  

Kenwood Theatre   

CREAMY WHIP TUESDAY: HOLD THE NUTS!

Any place with a clever name gets people to stop by, which is exactly what drew me to Hold The Nuts! on a recent trip to Silverton. A walk-up, hole-in-the-wall creamy whip, Hold The Nuts! is located next to Italianette Pizza and run by the same folks. As I approached the window, a sign read: "To order ice cream, go to the Italianette." The clerk inside the restaurant called for the manager, who met me back over at the Hold The Nuts! window. Odd, but that's the charm of a small town ice creamery.

I kept it simple and went with a peanut butter dip top . I was handed a huge cone that only cost $2.00. Elsewhere, I've paid $2.75 or more. They also had Flavor Bursts, slushies with ice cream, and a large selection of shakes and Frost Bites (their version of a Dairy Queen Blizzard.) An ordinary but fun specialty is their selection of giant freeze popsicles, the kind in the long tube everyone enjoyed during childhood on a hot summer day.

Hold The Nuts! is located at:
6918 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

DIXIE TERMINAL BUILDING

From a distance, a non-descript office tower lines the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets among the many skyrises in the Financial District. Currently the home of Great American Insurance, this building was once epicenter of transit in Cincinnati.

Erected in 1921, Dixie Terminal was used for streetcar service until the 1950s. Streetcars arriving from Northern Kentucky crossed the Roebling Bridge and took elevated ramps over Third Street into the southern terminal. Passengers would arrive and depart through the grandiose north building. Over 100,000 passengers on Northern Kentucky’s Green Line streetcar were transported daily. A $3.5 million project, the facility was hailed as the "Gateway to the South." After the City of Cincinnati stopped streetcar service, Dixie Terminal was used as a bus terminal through 1998.

Dixie Terminal in the 1940s via CincinnatiViews.net

Streetcar entrance ramps into the southern terminal via CincinnatiViews.net

Streetcar ramps over Third Street in the 1920s via CincinnatiViews.net

Ten stories housed railroad ticket agencies, administrative offices of the Cincinnati Street Railway Company, Cincinnati Stock Exchange, and retail shops. Marble floors and wainscotting accent the interior, while the vibrant vaulted ceiling depicts children riding on the backs of animals. The entryway catches the eye from the street, with gold framing and Rookwood Tile archway.

Free and accessible to the public, the next time you're downtown, take a peek inside Dixie Terminal. Pause for a moment to remember the hustle and bustle that once passed through the halls during a time when rail was a key component to transportation in the Queen City.

HOME FOR CATS OPENS IN MADISONVILLE

Looking for a new furry friend? The Joanie Bernard Home for Cats, recently opened in Madisonville, providing a $1.6 million expansion to Ohio Alleycat Resource &Spay/Neuter Clinic (OAR), a non-profit, no-kill shelter.

Most creative cat van: the Neuterville Express

 

I wore my cat skirt for the occasion.

With an additional 4,800 square feet of space, the new building doubles the amount of feline housing provided by the old spay/neuter clinic. The sleek, modern facility features separate rooms for kittens, elderly cats, and cats with medical conditions. Each room contains screened-in porches, complete with a pet-sized doors for cats to access fresh air on their own. Added amenities aim to make the meet-and-greet experience more comfortable and interactive for both humans and felines.

OAR'S old facility, which houses 75 cats.

Joanie Bernard Home for Cats

A cat uses the pet door to access the enclosed porch.

Each communal room contains detailed stories about the cats, including age, breed, name, and picture. Experiences tug at the heartstrings from tales of lost kittens to Sparky, an 11-year-old cat that was displaced when his elderly owner passed away.

Sparky stole our hearts. Will someone take him home?

 

Sample of the descriptions outside each cat's room.

KITTEN!

OAR currently spays/neuters 8,000 cats a year, and expects that number to reach 16,000 with the new location. The Joanie Bernard Home for Cats is expected to increase pet adoptions by 25%, pairing 375 cats with their new forever home.

Unable to adopt? You can sponsor an OAR cat or kitten for as little as $10.00 a month. Each sponsor receives regular email updates about your cat, and you can visit him/her in person at the shelter! Check out the catalogue of kitties currently residing in the shelter.

And now, what you've been waiting for...

MORE PICTURES OF KITTENS!

OAR and Joanie Bernard Home for Cats is open weekdays 8:00am -4:00pm and weekends 1:00pm-4:00pm. Follow their Facebook page for your daily dose of fur therapy!