Local Music Series: Open Mic Night at Donkey

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Culture, Music

The open mic scene is a relatively niche-filled lane for Athens locals. They have found a home, though, at Donkey Coffee & Espresso on West Washington Street. The coffee shop serves as one of the city’s staples for artists, poets and musicians looking for a platform to channel their self-expression.

The popular coffee shop is typically known for its midday rushes, calm lounging and piercing scent of freshly-brewed coffee bean. Since starting its “Open Mic Night at Donkey” events some years ago, the shop’s also been at the forefront of Athens’ open mic scene.

Local Music Series: Red Brick Live

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Music, Culture

Tuesday nights on Court Street are typically reserved for non-sticky hardwood floors, unoccupied bathroom stalls and empty seats. Outside “Taco Tuesdays” at Broneys Alumni Bar & Grill, it’s a fairly slow night for most Athens bars.

So, for Red Brick Tavern owner Daniel DeLuca, opting to try something new wouldn’t pose much of a risk.

In place of the empty Tuesday nights at “The Brick,” DeLuca decided to have local bands perform live for the first time in nearly four years on Tuesday.

OU celebrates 50 years of Convo history

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Sports

The day was filled with tokens of remembrance from Ohio University’s past, as current students and alumni reflected on the memorable moments in the Convocation Center since its opening on Dec. 3, 1968.

With a basketball doubleheader, a concert and Bobcat fans on hand, OU celebrated the Convo’s 50th anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Shooters Shoot: A Look into Columbus Photography

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Art, Culture

In many ways, the power of an image fills the leaping holes in the crusade for fitting description. The responsibility or the “eye” to garner the essence of a picture is handled by few.

Fortunately for Columbus’ mid-level personal bloggers, self-described models and public figures, there’s been a rise in photographic lore.

Movie Review: 'Creed II'

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film

Just as the films that followed the Oscar-nominated “Rocky” in 1976, “Creed II” is a story of a heroically stout fighter, played by actor Michael B. Jordan, who’s pitted against the odds and overcomes obstacles both in and outside the ring.

It’s a formula that’s worked throughout the 40-plus years since the birth of the series, which spawned “Creed” and its subsequent second film. And it’s one that continues to work.

Top 5 Fall Fashion Trends

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Fashion, Culture

As fall approaches, the former summer days shorten, and the blazing heat descends into the confronting, dusk-filled winds. Like the climate, there’s a transition within the fall fashion season.

People’s wardrobes gradually begin to shift, as they swap out cut-off denim shorts, crop tees and pastel-colored blouses for oversized wool sweaters, plaid shirts and checkered single-button trousers. Among the many looks that have emerged during this year’s fashion month, here’s a list of the five biggest trends for the fall season.

It's On Us, Bobcats!

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community

Amid the chain of sexual assaults and rape allegations that have emerged on Ohio University’s campus since the start of the school year, the Athens community has been on edge.

Within a month’s time, according to The Columbus Dispatch, there’s been a total of 12 sexual assault cases, with over half (7) being reported as rape. As a result, the collective “It’s on us, Bobcats,” a group consisting of students Mallory Golski, Cody Shanklin and Hannah Burke, has formed.

Producer Matthew Rhodes and his Journey to Blockbuster Success

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Entertainment, Film

Following his freshman year at Ohio University, Rhodes left his parents' home in Cleveland, Ohio, and purchased a bus ticket to the epicenter of TV and movie production: Los Angeles, CA. With barely any money in his pockets, and Rhodes steadily inching closer toward homelessness, he stood outside production company studios asking producers for an opportunity, even offering to work for free.

The Process of Hollywood Stardom

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film, Entertainment

Jordan Tyner, a 25-year-old Columbus, Ohio native, has steadily climbed the Hollywood ranks as a freelance production assistant. Though he’s seemingly in the infancy of his professional career, Tyner has already worked with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Music Review: Travis Scott’s 'ASTROWORLD'

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Music

Since Travis Scott announced the title of his third album, ASTROWORLD, in 2016, along with last year’s collaborative project, Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho, with Migos front man, Quavo, fans’ anticipation arose to seemingly immeasurable bounds. As their expectations grew, Travis continued to tease the project’s release, announcing the album's progress while performing on his “Birds Eye View” tour.

The Man, The Myth, The Industry Legend

January 02, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film

With more than 25 years of experience as a Hollywood executive and producer, it’s safe to say Kyle Bowser has a knack for creative development. Though his professional trajectory wouldn’t be considered conventional, or even conventionally unconventional, Bowser made a mark on the industry almost instantaneously.

Music Review: TrigNO's 'Rawest 4m'

January 02, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Music

In a year’s time, TrigNO has emerged from the depths of the city’s pool of talented artists, setting the stage for his third project, Rawest 4m. Upon its release, the rapper/dancer performed at Native Tongues, linked with the city’s hottest producer, Sean Starks, and made the 11th issue of the fastest growing magazine in Columbus, Fly Paper Magazine. Shameless plug, yes, I know.

The City's Hidden Emporium

January 02, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Culture, Fashion

Over its 15 years of establishment, Athens Underground has developed a world within the borders of Athens, Ohio. The vintage store is filled with historic objects and ephemera from the fashion world’s past, all placed inside its small, tavern-style build.

Autism Speaks leads charge for awareness community-wide

January 02, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Culture

Alisa Askew isn’t fazed by other’s doings; she’s set on her own course.

No, she’s not interested in the pleasures of alcohol-filled day parties, night-long bar crawls, or late Sunday afternoon awakenings. Instead, she’s traded in her throwback LeBron James jersey, ripped jean shorts and fanny pack, opting for a more minimalistic look: bell-bottomed cut denim pants and a highlight-blue volunteer T-shirt.

A look into Alexander Wang's Fall '17 collection

December 30, 2019 by Earl Hopkins in Fashion, Art

Alexander Wang has been known to make statements in the fashion world. Since his debut in 2007, he’s had the ability to create trends that break boundaries in today’s industry. It’s his mark, and one that’s widened as his career has expanded internationally.

The release of the Alexander Wang Fall 2017 Menswear Collection further showcased his creative ingenuity, as he captured the vintage look of teen horror flicks, most notably Stephen King’s novel-turned-film, “Christine,” released the year of Wang’s birth (1983).

The State of Black Affairs

December 30, 2019 by Earl Hopkins in Community

It’s no secret: racial tension exists at Ohio University. The racial divide within the Athens community has resulted in several discriminatory acts, especially toward black students.

In the past, students have witnessed countless discriminatory acts, with Athens residents even painting hateful messages on the Richland Graffiti Wall. What is more telling, however, is the absence of administrators and organizations that aid black students and the issues they face in the aftermath of these incidents.