Love & Drunken Popcorn

A blessed Tuesday to all!

Five months into COVID-19, and many of us have the case of cabin fever and are really itching to eventually get back to our normal lives. I am slowly recovering from a knee injury. I am taking CBD/CBG oil for my physical pain, but now, I really gotta have something to lift me up spiritually (no pun intended). 

What do you get when you mash up booze and popcorn? The best guilty pleasure there is! I know this sounds way out of left field, but hear me out on this one!

Going through my social media outlets, I happened to stumble upon Drunken Popcorn LLC, a Black owned startup. I have heard great buzz about this unique twist on this movie theater staple, so I decided to get to know this pillar of the community. In fact, let us all get to know this pillar of the community; here is my conversation with founder Nikki Bane:

BCT: When and how did Drunken Popcorn LLC get started?

Nikki:  Drunken Popcorn was created in October 2018, a friend of mine helped me come up with the concept of alcohol coated popcorn. I gave it a name, perfected my recipe and branded my business Drunken Popcorn LLC as of 12/24/2018.

BCT: What inspired you to start this business?

Nikki: That’s an easy question, my children. I have 2 kids, and my son has autism. Everything I do in my life is for them.  

BCT: What is your most popular flavor?

Nikki: Brown Sugar Baby is my most popular flavor it’s made with Cognac. Apple Sizzle is the second favorite it’s made with Whiskey.  

BCT: Do you currently sell in stores?

Nikki: No I don’t sell in stores, online only for now. 

BCT: You currently infuse your fruit flavored popcorn with vodka, tequila, whiskey, cognac, pink moscato, as well as beer. Do you plan on adding more flavors and more liquor to your line?

Nikki: Drunken Popcorn starts with a sweet glaze that embodies the taste and aroma of your favorite alcoholic beverages. The glaze is then coated over air popped popcorn. I do plan to add more flavors/alcohol options... I’m thinking mixed drinks (cocktails).  

BCT: You also offer vegan/gluten free options?

Nikki: Yes I do, every flavor comes in vegan/ gluten free. 

BCT: I know this is weird, but this popcorn contains alcohol. Will we get intoxicated from eating it?

Nikki: I get this a lot lol... My product does contain alcohol, most of what makes you intoxicated cooks off and you’re left with the true flavors of the alcohol. 

BCT: As with all alcoholic beverages, is there a minimum age requirement to purchase or consume?

Nikki: Absolutely, you have to be 21 to drink alcohol so you have to be 21 to purchase.

BCT: Has Drunken Popcorn LLC made appearances at special events?

Nikki:  I have not as of yet (was close before Covid-19). DrunkenPopcorn LLC is a small business trying to find its way to the top. 

BCT: Will you introduce more snacks to your line in the future?

Nikki: Yes, I do plan to add more snacks in the future. I have big plans.

BCT: What are plans for the future of Drunken Popcorn LLC?

Nikki: God willing I plan to have several locations of Drunken Popcorn LLC across the world. I hope to one day see Drunken Popcorn in stadiums (I can customize the colors to match any event using any alcohol). I also hope to work with breweries and distilleries. I make Drunken Popcorn with beer and I would like to offer them a speciality product made with their in-house brews that you would only be able to get from them. 

BCT: Is there anything else that Cincinnati should know about Drunken Popcorn LLC?

Nikki: I'm a single black mom with two children. My son has autism, and I'm creating generational wealth for my family. Nothing is going to stop me now!

Though the most popular flavors are Brown Sugar Baby and Apple Sizzle,  I decided to go off the beaten path and have Mango Meet Up, made with vodka. Believe me, this. does. not. disappoint. The flavors are three-dimensional, and you actually experience the well rounded flavors of the mango and the vodka....without the hangover. 

That being said, I'm going to go and finish basking in this greatness, but Drunken Popcorn LLC is a force to be reckoned with, and I want you to experience this awesomeness for yourself!

Please show your love and DM or email your order to DrunkenPopcornllc@gmail.com. Kudos to Nikki and her staff for putting love and commitment into this brand and into this community!

There Shall Be Glory After This!

Light photo created by wirestock - www.freepik.com

Well...These past three months have been a roller coaster ride! This past May, I suffered a knee dislocation and have been building myself up slowly so I can get back to exploring Cincinnati just like everyone else. 

With the ongoing racial unrest and the wrath of COVID-19 in our lives, we are living a new normal. We miss the warm embrace of our loved ones, and all the parties, sporting events, and family activities that we have been taking for granted have now become a luxury to us, for the time being. Things are uncomfortable right now, but this is only for a season. A cure will eventually be found, we will get back to the lives that we knew before, and all will be well. 

I want to continue to educate, inspire and encourage you by sharing Cincinnati's Black heritage, and hope that you will continue to stay on this ride with me.

In the meantime, if you want something to do during this time of social distancing (funny feeling that this will be the Merriam-Webster Dictionary's Word of the Year) and to help us understand Cincinnati's history of race relations, read last year's post on Fountain Square.

Remenber, THERE SHALL BE GLORY AFTER THIS!

American Originals: The Cincinnati Sound

Today, I have been surrounded by greatness. I was invited by Thea Tjepkema, a board member of the Friends of Music Hall to see American Originals: The Cincinnati Sound, an homage to King Records at Cincinnati Music Hall.

Former bandleader of the David Letterman Show Paul Shaffer and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Conductor John Morris Russell pulled out all the stops to deliver Cincinnati's jukebox like never before. For two hours, these gentlemen made the audience feel as if they were visiting with neighbors as they talked of the history of King Records and introduced tunes from the Cincinnati songbook.

The two vocalists of the matinee, Mikal Kilgore and Morgan James, really delivered.

"Jambalaya" by Hank Ballard really got me moving-and later hungry (Forgive me, but I ended up going to Chipotle for dinner afterwards).

As usual, Shaffer came out of left field and did push ups during "Shout" by the Isley Brothers, who btw grew up in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Lincoln Heights. Kilgore and James wore different T-Shirts saying "A little bit louder now" and "A little bit softer now", respectively.

The one that really struck a cord with me was Morgan James' rendition of It's a Man's Man's Man's World (It's a Man's Man's Man's World/But it wouldn't be nothing/Without a woman or girl), with today being International Women's Day.

For the finale, "Twist", Shaffer and Russell danced their own version of the Twist and several legends and their families came out on stage to sing along.

What sets JMR apart from other symphony conductors is that he thinks outside of the box and does something way out of left field to deliver world class performances with hometown flavor.

In addition, there was also a moving exhibit displayed on King Records. Currently, there are efforts for build and open a King Records museum here in Cincy.

Today was a day that both I and Cincinnati have been  surrounded by greatness.

Sorry, but I had to sneak this in. I was invited to the Taft Suite reserved for selected patrons and their guests.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum

Now, I know that we are three weeks away from Opening Day here in the 'Nati, but I just wanted to get my party started early, so yesterday, I went to the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum to check out the Shades of Greatness exhibit as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues. In August 2003, the Negro League Baseball Museum put out its one of a kind exhibit inspired by the Negro Leagues Baseball.

The RHFM contains exhibits showcasing both Reds and MLB history located on the 1st and 3rd floors, including one dedicated to the 1869 Red Stockings and was renovated in 2019. Guided tours of Great American Ballpark, Day Game Tours, Clubhouse tours, as well as private tours, are also available. There is also a gift shop as well as a theater.

I checked out both the Shades of Greatness and the Pursuit of a Dream exhibits, and let me tell you, these took me back to the glory days of baseball and being black where we dressed up and had respect for the game.

Oh, did I tell you that Cincinnati was the birthplace of American baseball?

If you want to jumpstart the party with me, here are some photos to get in the mood for the season. I'll try not to be too windy, but these are worth checking out! Enjoy and Go Reds!

DeHart Hubbard was the founder of the Cincinnati Tigers; yes, the same DeHart Hubbard who medaled in the 1924 Paris Olympics. 

Read more here.

P.S. & BTW, Barry Larkin led the Reds to win the 1990 World Series.

Schwartz's Point Jazz & Acoustic Club

These past several months have been whirlwind for me. I started a new job, which allows me to focus more on several personal projects, and my plate is only going to get fuller this year-more on that later.

In the meantime, I want let you in on a not so hidden Cincinnati gem: The Schwartz's Point Jazz & Acoustic Club. I had the pleasure of attending the jazz club as part of   the Over The Rhine Museum's Volunteer Celebration this past Thursday. I arrived about an hour early, but the owner Zarleen was gracious to allow me to hangout until the meeting got under way.

For some history of the jazz club. The building was built around 1870 and was initially used as a dental office by the Schwartz brothers after they purchased it. The brothers also made some changes to the building, most prominent are the clock and the cobblestones that once served for Liberty Street.

It opened legitimately in 2008 by Ed Moss, one of Cincinnati's premier pianists. When he passed away in 2016, he left the club to his daughter Zarleen, who grew up in the jazz club and other establishments that her father created.

What is very unique about this jazz club is that it offers healthy, nourishing fare through partnerships with local eateries, such as Dean's Mediterranean Imports (the stuffed grape leaves (dolmas), cheeses, and the pita chips, are so addictive!), as was the case for the Thursday meeting. The thing that really hit the sweet spot for me was the kombucha that was served along with the standard cocktails.

After the meeting, I decided to stick around for some of the performance of the Society Jazz Orchestra, which played the music of Moss, and for just $10 cover charge, I was treated to complimentary buffet of  lasagna and mac & cheese.

Many of the artists who grace this institution play original as well as some jazz standards, but whatever your taste, Schwartz's Point has it for you!

Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Photo by Farshid Assassi/ Assassi Productions

Happy New Decade! I just needed to recover from the madness of the holidays, regroup myself, and rethink my priorities in this new phase.

As we all know, today is the day to celebrate and give honor to one of America's civil rights icon, Martin Luther King Jr.

I made use of this great day and took advantage of free admission to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early to mid-1800s and used by enslaved African-Americans to escape into free states and Canada. The scheme was assisted by abolitionists and others sympathetic to the cause of the escapees.

Cincinnati was a very important city in the Underground Railroad as it was near the Mason-Dixon Line-that's the Ohio River for those who are not aware. The river served as a buffer between free (Ohio) and slave (Kentucky) states. Fun Fact: From Dixie Terminal (now Great American Insurance) to the Ohio River, a tunnel was constructed on the 3rd St side of the building on the site of the  former Lafayette & Franklin Banks for use for transporting bullion  by the Underground Railroad to transport slaves.

The NURFC opened in 2004 as part of a new group of museums of conscience, along with the Museum of Tolerance, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Civil Rights Museum.

There are revolving exhibits as well as lecture series, concerts, and other special events that take place here.

And now, for some highlights:

Exterior of slave pen

Inside the slave pen

The man artifact for the NURFC is this slave pen.

Built in 1830, it was the only known surviving rural slave jail, previously used to house slaves prior to their being shipped to auction. The structure was moved from a farm in Mason County, Kentucky, where a tobacco barn had been built around it. Visitors to the museum can walk through the holding pen and touch its walls. The first names of some of the slaves believed to have been held in the pen are listed on a wooden slab in the pen's interior; they were documented in records kept by slave traders who used the pen.

Now, that being said, Cincinnati has a very rich connection to Martin Luther King. He was close buddies with Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, late pastor of the Greater New Light Baptist Church right here in Cincinnati.  King, Shuttlesworth, and the Rev Ralph Abernathy made up the Civil Rights "Big Three".

To learn more about their encounters, click here.

Today, we all need to step back and take inventory of the freedom that we Americans sometimes take for granted and strive to be our best everyday, no matter what we do for and within our communities. King gave his best so that we can be our best.