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Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Friends of Music Hall Outdoor Tours Continue
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Music Hall Outdoor Building Tours are Coming Back!
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Tuesday, August 11, 2020
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!
Monday, August 3, 2020
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!
Sunday, March 8, 2020
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.
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Sorry, but I had to sneak this in. I was invited to the Taft Suite reserved for selected patrons and their guests.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
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.
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| P.S. & BTW, Barry Larkin led the Reds to win the 1990 World Series. |
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