Soapbox - Features

New brew in town: Party Source expansion taps into region's passion for beer

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

From growlers of fresh beer made to last for a month to Skype tasting sessions with the nation's top brewers, the new Party Source Campus is custom designed to offer expansive exposure to American artisanal spirits.

Putting polish on the Crown in OTR

Casey Coston — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The renovation of the much-admired but long-neglected Crown Building on the edge of Findlay Market is more than a story of timely real estate development. It's the tale of a creative and determined couple with a dedication to historic preservation and a deep belief in the value of living and working in the heart of Cincinnati.

Kenton Co. students immersed in innovation, tech

Feoshia H. Davis — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A new generation of digital natives is learning through innovation and high-tech training in Kenton County academy programs.

Cutting edge: Cincy Sharp keeps local chefs in fine form

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Like a surgeon with his scapels, chef Chris Weist knows the value of a well-sharpened knife. His business, Cincy Sharp, caters to the city's top chefs as well as any food enthusiast in search of the perfect blade.

My Soapbox: Aaron Rubinstein, artist

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

One artist has been a part of Cincinnati's Summerfair since its inception. This year, Aaron Rubenstein's daughter, also an artist, joined him to continue the family tradition.

Locals set off on #besomebody world tour

Maria Seda-Reeder — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

What does it take to #besomebody? Three locals set off to share an international message of self-determination and positivity, fueled by branding expertise and creative street cred.

Fringe's tin anniversary filled with heart

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Find out what Cincinnati's Fringe Festival really needs as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Producing Artistic Director Eric Vosmeier gives Soapbox's Elissa Yancey the scoop.

Metro blazes new trails with green efforts

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Metro has been "going green" for more than 25 years, but partnerships with progressive organizations have helped it broaden sustainability efforts.

Women in the kitchens, part 2

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Last week, Soapbox's Andrew Welsh introduced you to Take the Cake's Melissa Mileto, whose fashion background contributes to her artistic references in the kitchen. This week, he talks food, art and inspiration with the chef-owners of Nectar, Eat Well Cafe & Takeaway and Honey.

Soapdish: Rhinegeist taps into history to build future

Casey Coston — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Over-the-Rhine brewery Rhinegeist, set to open this year, embodies a 21st century spirit of creativity and adventure in the neighborhood with roots in beer and city-building.

Women in the kitchens, Part 1

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Melissa Mileto grew up in Baltimore's Little Italy. Today, Take the Cake's chef and joint-owner oversees one of the city's busiest and most creative kitchens. She kicks off Soapbox's series that spotlights Cincinnati's female chef-owners.

Rise of the rest: Creativity loves company

Eric Peterson — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Startups aren't just for Silicon Valley anymore. As entrepreneurs find expected pleasures—and great quality of life—in cities like Cincinnati, a new kind of energy is building. Read about the rise of our startup sister cities, from Boston to Denver.

My Soapbox: Jason Langdon, Cincinnati Mini-Maker Faire

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Louisville had a fire-breathing pony. New York had 3-D printers and makerbots galore. Cincinnati Maker Faire Founder Jason Langdon looks forward to seeing what the local science, DIY and art community has to offer in the city's first all-ages, all-genres celebration of maker culture this October in Washington Park.

Seeing stars: Innovative collaboration brings top performers to school stages

Jessica Noll-Korczyk — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Bringing local, national and international artists to work with students at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts does more than whet their appetite for the arts. It builds disciplined, savvy learners with deep bonds rooted in Over-the-Rhine.

My Soapbox: Lucia Jackson, Kintimate Costumes, Etc.

Elese Daniel — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Need a kid's, guy's, marching band, Viking, witch doctor or Santa costume? Lucia Jackson has you covered, all from her Northside attic.

My Soapbox: Nick Shah, UC Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence winner

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Nick Shah, who will graduate from the University of Cincinnati later this month, has already proven himself a 21st century Renaissance man. With a degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in Spanish, he'll start med school at UC this year, but he's already a fixture at the Ronald McDonald House, where he shares his talents as a pianist every week. Shah chats with Soapbox about his plans for the future and what he hopes to contribute to the world of medicine.

Raw music in a digital age: Young Heirlooms find beauty in folk traditions

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

After years of work and an expansive list of side jobs, Christopher Robinson and Kelly Fine illustrate the value of dedication to their music with the release of the first Young Heirlooms' studio album, a self-titled collection born and brought to life in Cincinnati.

Bridging the gap: Enjoy the Arts streamlines path to arts patronage

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In its 32^nd year, Enjoy the Arts may be older than most of its target audience members, but its new website doesn’t show it. With a fresh look and a new approach to its high-value services, the audience-growing nonprofit is planting serious roots in the digital age with some help from local startups.

Shades of Grayscale: historic brewery revives to showcase local culture, spirits

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On the site where the first brewery in Over-the-Rhine began operating in 1829, a new generation of artisans is redefining the boundaries of the historic neighborhood’s 21^st century renaissance.

Flights of fancy: A toast to OTR wine bars

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Wine purveyors in Over the Rhine share "a community of love and attention," says Joanna Argus, joint owner of 1215 Coffee Lab & Wine Bar. As that community grows, Soapbox's Andrew Welsh tours what aficionados have dubbed "Wine" Street and beyond.

My Soapbox: Chase Whiteside, New Left Media

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Chase Whiteside wasn't setting out to start a YouTube sensation. But when he and filmmaking partner Erick Stoll documented a Tea Party rally in Washington, they started a documentary-making partnership that has now taken root in Cincinnati. He shares his love of film and his hatred of the Internet with Soapbox's Elissa Yancey.

Modern Makers: The Big Dinner with Chef Frances Kroner of Feast

Scott Beseler — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Soapbox's Scott Beseler shares a visual feast of the latest Modern Makers event, a celebration of food and art at the Niehoff Urban Design Studio in Uptown. Music by Maria Carrelli.

My Soapbox: David Le, Pho Lang Thang group

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

David Le and his restauranteur partners want to make Cincinnati an easy place for Asian Americans to live—and eat. Through Pho Lang Thang and Quan Hapa, he's sharing familiar recipes, with a healthy dose of culture, to an ever-growing fan base. He chats with Soapbox about his inspiration, his strategies and his goals for the future.

From Guatemala with love: Deeper Roots partners with growers for richer roasts

Robin Donovan — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

What do a dairy barn in Mt. Healthy and this year's TED conference have in common? A shared love of top-quality coffee from a Guatemalan village that locals know thanks to relationships nurtured with Deeper Roots, a local roasting company and coffee consultancy.

My Soapbox: Kyle Neyer, University of Cincinnati

Andrew Gable — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

When 23-year-old University of Cincinnati track star Kyle Neyer considered his senior year at his hometown college, he knew he had a chance to make a difference. He wanted to make it easier for other gay and lesbian athletes to feel supported and welcome among their peers and fans. So, he spearheaded the production of an inspiring and inclusive video: "You Can Play."

Bayer Becker symposium awakens Cincinnati neighborhoods

Caitlin Koenig — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Urban Awakenings series looks at redevelopment projects in four Cincinnati neighborhoods—Walnut Hills, Northside, Over-the-Rhine and East Price Hill—that are focusing on revitalization, and what developers can do to help.

My Soapbox: Janelle Hopper, Contemporary Arts Center

Elissa Yancey — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Janelle Hopper, public programs manager at the Contemporary Arts Center, takes a holistic approach to connecting the community with art. In her three years on the job, she's showcased eclectic guests, from the Smithsonian's new media strategist to Sigur Ros. She shares her goals, her insights and her passions with Soapbox.

From cradle to career, creating new cycles of success

Jessica Noll-Korczyk — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Whether she is downtown in the offices of Strive or coaching track at Clark Montessori, Nia Williams understands the power of a challenging, encouraging mentor. Without hers, she says, she wouldn't be where she is today.

Brunch bunch: crowds hungry for fresh choices by city's chefs

Andrew Welsh — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Cincinnati's brunch scene is sizzling with creative dishes baked from scratch by the region's top chefs. Their ever-changing menus range from the ridiculous—crispy pork and shrimp fried rice with a fried egg and Flamin' Hot Cheetos—to the sublime—try French toast with Rogue Mocha Porter maple syrup.

On OFFF: Designers that will blow you away

Scott Beseler — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Even if you didn't get a chance to attend the sold-out OFFF event hosted by the Contemporary Arts Center, you can still experience the mind-blowing designers' work from the comfort of your computer. Slideshow by Soapbox's own mind-blowing photographer, Scott Beseler.