OCTOBER at the Emporium

Feel the cool, crisp air… Hear the dead leaves fluttering in the wind, swirling about your feet… See the shades of bluegray of the sky at twilight… Ponder the need for more really good hot coffee to warm your chilled soul… It can only mean one thing. October.

October means many things at the Emporium: art, music, wine and beer, poetry. More specifically:

RRIDAY WINE-TASTING musical line-up:
10/6: live jazz by the G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble
10/13: jazz pianist Mark Delozier
10/20: bluesrock by Carl Schumacher and friends
10/27: (tentatively) blues stylings of Dave Schumacher and friends

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 9P-12A
Del Pueblo fundraiser with live music by local favorites Dr. Skillet.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 12-4P
Street Fair wine-tasting!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 7-10P
Open mic poetry and live jazz by members of the G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble, it’s… The Neighborhood! http://www.neighborhoodpoetry.org

Other news this month…

October’s art exhibit: Theresa Thinnes’ Abstract Photo.

Every Saturday this month from 11:30a-1p, Democracy For America will be outside the Emporium, handing out election information.

 

October has been beery beery good to me

Roll out the barrel, October is here. The Emporium coolers sigh with the weight of their precious beer. A number of the Octoberfest beers have sold out but we are trying to replenish them as we go.The Summit Octoberfest is already history. We do have more of the Flying Dog Dogtoberfest and the Harpoon Octoberfest. The Spaten Octoberfest is flying out the door by the case load!

A couple of new brews made their appearance this week. The Unibroue Seigneuriale (from Quebec) has arrived in 22 oz. bottles. This brown ale on lees is quite limited and quite tasty. Hop devotees must check out the Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA. We have a few six-packs left.

Tomorrow we’ll have the beginning of Major League Baseball’s playoffs. BOO YANKEES! Football is in full swing. On the rural lanes of Greene County the hedgeball pitches are being groomed. What a wonderful time of beer! Enjoy! Happy Octoberfest!

Vick (the beer guy) Mickunas

 

September Brewski Report

September is the most beautiful month in SW Ohio. The goldenrod is turning golden. The poison ivy is a lovely shade of crimson. The hostas bloom in delicate profusion. It’s almost harvest time and the harvest beers, pumpkin ales, and Octoberfest brews are wafting their fulsome scents from brewhouse to your house.

The Emporium coolers are bursting with the fruits of the grains. The Summit, Harpoon, and Dogtoberfest Octoberfest beers have sold out already. More is on the way. I hope.

Never fear, more October brews are here. There is the Dominion Octoberfest, Weyerbacher Octoberfest, Spaten Octoberfest, and my personal favorite, Avery’s The Kaiser Imperial Octoberfest.

We also have the Southern Tier Harvest Ale. They call it Quadrupulus Humulus Lupulus. Kentucky’s Blue Grass Brewing has released Hell For Certain Belgian style ale in 25.4oz. bottles. We also have Stone’s 10th Anniversary IPA and a couple of new pumpkin beverages; the New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale and the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale.

The real treasure arrived this week. It’s the extremely limited Great American Beer Fest 25th Year Beer produced by Boulder Brewing. You need to move fast on this one. It comes in 22 oz. bottles.

It’s hard work. I work hard. I plan to observe Labor Day with a couple of cold ones. Ah, my work is never done!

Vick (the beer guy) Mickunas

 

SEPTEMBER events

All right! September! Who’s lookin’ forward to some cool, crisp evenings and pretty leaves! I know I am. I am also looking forward to all the special events at the Emporium this month, which I will now tell you about:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with live music by guitarrist Dave Schumacher!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 8-11P
Live jazz by the G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with live music by Jeanne Ulrich and friends!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with live music by jazz guitarrist Les Groby!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 7-10P
The Neighborhood open mic poetry and jazz night! More information: http://www.neighborhoodpoetry.org

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with live music by one-man-band Bil Farrar!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with live music by local favorites Swingshift!

Our art exhibit this month will be Theresa Thinnes’ “Abstract Photo.” Stay tuned for more information and for the date of the opening!

 

my beery theory

After many years of devoted scrutiny I have found a way to detect the arrival of late August without perusing a calendar. So,how do I do it? I look in the beer cooler. Do you see those fresh Octoberfest beers in there? Voila! Welcome to late August. That’s right, the Octoberfest beers are here. The first one to arrive was a most excellent brew from Summit Brewing in Saint Paul. Close behind was the Dogtoberfest from Colorado’s Flying Dog Brewery and Boston’s Harpoon Octoberfest.

When you think of October (OK, late August) what else comes to mind (besides Octoberfest) that other thing? Halloween! It’s true, late August is also the time when we start to see the pumpkin ales. We have several in stock already, the most notable (so gourd for you!) is the Dogfish Head Punkin from tiny Delaware.

Other brews worthy of note in our waning summer daze; the Beyond the Best of Deus. This Flanders Ale (not Ned Flanders) from Belgium is a treasure, a champagne style Cuvee Prestige 2002. Yummeth!

One other tres magnifique brew amonks us these days is also from Belgium. The Saint Bernardus 60th Anniversary Abbey Ale-ABT12 has arrived. This limited edition gem comes in a lovely commemorative tin that will be treasured by savants who take that luscious plunge.

Prosit!

Vick (the beer guy) Mickunas

 

A reminder of upcoming events, plus: OUR NEW LOOK!

The past few weeks at the Emporium have seen quite a bit of change. If you haven’t been in lately, come and check out our newly-painted floor! and new track-lighting! I can frankly say that the Emporium looks like a different (and better!) place. If you liked our calming ambiance before, you’ll love it even more now. Here’s a wee photo for a tease:
If you can’t view the image, go to http://static.flickr.com/70/215077837_b667a86bb8_o.jpg
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While I’m showing you pictures… Last weekend’s art show opening was quite successful: In addition to drawing quite the crowd, we made it on the news! A photo from the event:

If you can’t view the image, go to http://static.flickr.com/65/215077836_29604aa635_o.jpg

The art display—“Love, Loss, and Longing: The Impact of U.S. Travel Policy on Cuban-American Families; An exhibit in photographs and words”—will remain gracing our walls until August 30. Come see it.

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And now, a reminder of our upcoming events…

FRI, AUG 18, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting. Deb Stallard, Patrick Drews, and Bruce Niccolini return to play us some jazz! Also, Yellow Springs’ own Michael Brown will be pouring his wines.

MON, AUG 21, 7-10P
The Neighborhood Poetry Night: Open mic and live jazz by the G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble. Visit their web site for more information: http://www.neighborhoodpoetry.org

FRI, AUG 25, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine tasting with live music by Dayton’s own guitar virtuoso Eric Loy.

 

Live Strong Potluck

A last-minute announcement…

Please join us Thursday, August 10 at 6:00pm for the Live Strong Potluck for cancer support and network.

 

A reminder of this week’s events

Here is a reminder of this week’s events!

WED, AUG 9, 7-10P
Viewing of the film “The Miami Model,” a documentary about the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) protests in November 2003. This movie exposes modern police repression and breaks through the mass-media blackout that surrounded the protests in Miami to show most recent models of repression of dissent.

FRI, AUG 11, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with a reading and signing of Aaron Saari’s recently published book, “The Many Deaths of Judas Iscariot” at 7. Nerak Patterson will not be performing this evening as scheduled (though he will come back); we are working on getting the lovely G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble. We’ll keep you posted.

SAT, AUG 12, 4-7P
Opening for the new artwork: “Love, Loss, and Longing: The Impact of U.S. Travel Policy on Cuban-American Families.” The artwork will be displayed from August 10-30. See below for more information. Yes, there will be a wine tasting.

Love, Loss, and Longing: The Impact of U.S. Travel Policy on Cuban-American Families
An exhibit in photographs and words

Sponsored by:
The Latin America Working Group Education Fund
The Washington Office on Latin America

Photos by Nestor Hernández, Jr. and Juan-Sí González (YS multimedia artist)
Narratives by Jeanne Lemkau (YS pschologist) and David Strug

Will hang at The Emporium August 10-30/ Opening reception Saturday August 12, 4-7

There will also be a recent movie filmed in Cuba showing at the Little Art right before the opening (at 2PM) which is a fund-raiser to support the exhibit. The film is “Love & Suicide” and more info should be available on the LA website soon.

 

AUGUST: Artwork, Music, Theater, Literature, and Lots of Wine

August’s Calendar of Extra-Special Events

THU, AUG 3, 1P
A possible reading of Allen Ginsberg’s “The Howl” by students from Antioch College.

FRI, AUG 4, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with live music by solo accoustic guitarrist Ryan Judy.

SAT, AUG 5, 9P-MIDNIGHT
Del Pueblo fundraiser with live music by Dr. Skillet—$5 cover.

SUN, AUG 6, 2P
“Poetry Night at the Unicorn Cafe”: a new, original play by Alex and Olivia Byrnes. There will be a talk-back with the playwrights after the show.

WED, AUG 9, 7-10P
Viewing of the film “The Miami Model.”

FRI, AUG 11, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting with a reading and signing of Aaron Saari’s recently published book, “The Many Deaths of Judas Iscariot” at 7. Nerak Patterson will not be performing this evening as scheduled (though he will come back); we are working on getting the lovely G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble. We’ll keep you posted.

SAT, AUG 12, 4-7P
Opening for the new artwork: “Love, Loss, and Longing: The Impact of U.S. Travel Policy on Cuban-American Families.” The artwork will be displayed from August 10-30. See below this calendar for more information. Yes, there will be a wine tasting.

FRI, AUG 18, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine-tasting. Deb Stallard, Patrick Drews, and Bruce Niccolini return to play us some jazz! Also, Yellow Springs’ own Michael Brown will be pouring his wines.

MON, AUG 21, 7-10P
The Neighborhood Poetry Night: Open mic and live jazz by the G. Scott Jones Freedom Ensemble. Visit their web site for more information: http://www.neighborhoodpoetry.org

FRI, AUG 25, 6:30-10P
Our weekly Friday wine tasting with live music by Dayton’s own guitar virtuoso Eric Loy.

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Love, Loss, and Longing: The Impact of U.S. Travel Policy on Cuban-American Families
An exhibit in photographs and words

Sponsored by:
The Latin America Working Group Education Fund
The Washington Office on Latin America

Photos by Nestor Hernández, Jr. and Juan-Sí González (YS multimedia artist)
Narratives by Jeanne Lemkau (YS pschologist) and David Strug Will hang at The Emporium August 10-30/ Opening reception Saturday August 12, 4-7

There will also be a recent movie filmed in Cuba showing at the Little Art right before the opening (at 2PM) which is a fund-raiser to support the exhibit. The film is “Love & Suicide” and more info should be available on the LA website soon.

 

the brews news

I never cease to be amused by the inventiveness of our American craft brewers. They don’t need much of an excuse to brew up another tasty batch of whatever. Anniversaries are a favorite pretext to concoct something exotic. For example; The pride of Louisiana, Abita Brewing is celebrating their 20th anniversary with their 20th Anniversary Pilsener. California’s Lagunitas celebrates 10 years with their Crispy Summer Ale. Colorado’s Avery marks their 13th with Weizen Doppelbock, 22 ouncers at a hefty 9.5% alcohol content. Minnesota’s Summit Brewing marks their 20th with 12 packs of their 20th Extra Special Bitter Ale.

But really, who needs anniversaries to brew up something special? Michigan’s Bell’s Brewing just put out 5 liter kegs of their flagship Oberon Ale. Colorado’s Left Hand has their super-hopped Twin Sisters IPA in corked 750ml. bottles. At a whopping 9.6% alcohol, these bottle conditioned jewels are flying out the door. Colorado’s Great Divide has just put out 4-packs of their Yeti Imperial Stout and Hercules Double IPA.

Our top selling beer this summer is Bell’s Oberon Ale in 6-packs. Some new favorites this week: Lagunitas special release; Sirius Cream Ale. This high gravity brew is smooth and silky. Then there is the Lagunitas Chronic…I mean CENSORED. Apparently, the State of California had some qualms about this rich copper ale with the now banned appellation. The beers just keep on flowing into the Emporium. I’m falling behind in my work.Slipping on the suds, I’m Vick “the beer guy” Mickunas signing quaff for now.