Spoils of Akron Podcast

Episode 71 - Playing the Bard Card

Tess Burgler tells us that Shakespeare should be seen, not read, which is why the Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s summer outdoor performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens are a hit among Akronites. Burgler, the group’s managing director, talks to Cody and Chris about their new home at Greystone Hall in downtown Akron and how they’re now able to offer productions year-round, along with producing classic and modern plays in addition to Shakespeare’s works. She also explains the meaning behind “original practice” when performing Shakespeare and why she refers to the Bard as “Will.”

Episode 70 - Beeswax and Shipping Containers

Kaley Foster is an amazingly driven and talented Akronite. Along with running a beeswax candle company, she’s the creator of the Akron Sustainer, a refurbished shipping container that educates residents about more sustainable living. Kaley speaks with Chris and Liz about the spirit of collaboration inherent in Akron, the health benefits of beeswax candles and the cultural resurgence occurring in the Northside District of downtown Akron. Also, Liz shares her affinity for tiny things along with some honey sticks.

Episode 69 - Shane Wynn's Cleavage

Now that we have your attention, this week we welcome back Shane Wynn, who has risen to prominence for her artful photography skills and the fact that she's basically at every Akron event with camera in hand. Shane's also a great storyteller, and she shares some humorous tales with us: about the wonder that is Glendale Cemetery, favorite burgers (and what exactly a “ham dog” is) and thrifting, along with chatting with Liz, Cody and Chris about Square Fest, the Akron Zoo, Akron Farm & Flea and the aforementioned “cleavage incident," which took place at the now-closed Bucket Shop.

Episode 68 - Kofi Boakye: Made in Akron

At only 16, Kofi Boakye has accomplished more than some do their whole lives. The pianist performed earlier this year on the EJ Thomas stage with the Akron Symphony, and he'll be headlining a concert at the Akron Civic Theatre Sept. 30. Kofi attends Akron Early College and is a dynamic public speaker with a keen sense of self. Ryan and Chris sit down with him to find out what motivates this talented young man and what his future may hold.

Episode 67 - Talking books with David Giffels and Jane Ann Turzillo (LIVE from Musica)

At today’s Akron Farm & Flea event at Musica, Ryan and Chris spoke with noted Akron authors David Giffels and Jane Ann Turzillo about publishing books in a digital world, the state of journalism and why they choose to live in Akron. The author of “The Hard Way on Purpose” and “All the Way Home,” David also wrote the forward for the upcoming “Akron Anthology” book of Rust Belt essays, whose release party is Oct. 18, 6 p.m. at the Akron-Summit County Public Library. He also gives us some information about his new book. Jane’s latest release is “Unsolved Murders & Disappearances in Northeast Ohio,” and she specializes in historical crime. Visit davidgiffels.com and www.janeturzillo.com to buy their books and learn more about the authors.

Episode 66: All That Jazz

We apologize for the cliche title, but it does fit this week’s podcast, in which we speak with local (and internationally known) jazz musician Theron Brown, who stopped in to promote the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, this weekend (Aug. 26 and 27) throughout Downtown Akron’s Historic District. The festival features a lineup of exceptionally talented local and regional performers, along with food trucks and children's activities. Find "Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival" on Facebook for details.

Episode 65: From Porch to Rocking Porch

Highland Square’s PorchRokr Festival, which takes place this Saturday, Aug. 20, has become one of the premier Akron arts and culture events, with 130 bands prepared to take the stage (or the porches), along with a beer garden, local vendors, kid zone and a silent disco among the many activities planned for the all-day event. Liz and Chris speak with Katie Carver Reed and Anita Marron, two of the organizers behind PorchRokr. But they're quick to point out that it takes a big team to pull off this effort; close to 100 people, in fact. For a list of bands, vendors and other attractions, visit www.porchrokr.org for a downloadable map and schedule.

Episode 64 - Lemon Coladas, Marathon Chefs and Cody’s Funny Joke

The “Core Four” hosts are back after months apart and they have some catching up to do. Ryan and Cody recite lines from a recent musical they starred in, Liz discusses why she wasn’t allowed to paint at NOTO North, and Ryan talks about his attempt to help a friend break a world record in the upcoming Akron Marathon, which involves her dressing like a chef while she runs. Cody also tells what he refers to as the funniest joke he knows and Chris has problems telling the difference between lemon and pineapple.

Episode 63 - LIVE from Middlebury Better Block

Chris and Liz visited Day One of the Middlebury Better Block, which runs July 30 and 31 and features pop-up shops, live music, food vendors, a BMX bicycle course, community pool, newly painted crosswalks and other amenities at the corner of East Market Street and South Arlington Road. We spoke with an all star lineup, including Jason Roberts, cofounder of the national Better Block Foundation, Kyle Kutuchief from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Marissa Blewitt from Neighborhood Network of University Park, Kelly McHood from Rooted Akron, City Councilman Jeff Fusco and a host of others.

Episode 62 - The Truth is Out There

Do you believe in Bigfoot? How about the Beast of Whitehall? This episode treads into mysterious territory as Liz, Cody and Chris welcome Kelli Nikola and Curtis Bower, from Akron-Summit County Public Library, who discuss an upcoming cryptozoology program. The event, which takes place at Main Library July 23, features a Bigfoot investigator and a local filmmaker/journalist who studies elusive creatures, like the Minerva Monster and the Beast of Whitehall, spotted in Upstate New York. Curtis and Kelli, librarians in the Science & Technology Division of the Library, also discuss what compelled them to careers as librarians and how the changing scope of technology affects their jobs.