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A REVIEW: The Last Showgirl

By
Ian Hubbard
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Pamela Anderson as Shelly in The Last Showgirl. (Royalty Free Image)

No Oscar nomination .. but thumbs up anyway

Had you told me at any point in the last x-amount of time that Pamela Anderson would give a fantastic performance in a narrative feature directed by Gia Coppola, a descendant of the Coppolas … well, I guess I wouldn’t quite know how to decipher that information. 

Not that Anderson wasn’t capable of the work; she was a prime target of a stereotype for her time. Do you remember the ’90s? She was a typecast from the get-go: The buxom blonde running alongside David Hasselhoff in Baywatch, the trophy rockstar wife and prized fantasy of many early-internet lumps who spent hours fidgeting with AOL.

Had she been given the chance to shine in a serious role, it wouldn’t have made a dent, save for the gossip columns taking her to task for even trying. Does Barb Wire even count? She was doomed out of the chute, never given the chance to actually show her talent. 

If she had filmed a few good roles and fallen into character roles, as is the usual arc for show business, her performance would be adorned with the tired acclaim of “She’s a revelation” or “Her performance is a resurrection.” Boy, do people love throwing those phrases around without knowing where they will land. 

Joke’s on them. Anderson’s performance in the The Last Showgirl, a 2024 drama film written by Kate Gersten, is worthy of such praise, without the “Oh hey, where did you go?” pretense. You finally get to see Anderson act her ass off in a prime role. 

Anderson’s character, Shelly, is the last member of a once-prestigious Vegas showgirl act, clinging to the past as the show is canceled after 30+ years. She has nothing to fall back on, thanks to ignoring Father Time. Her motherly advice to the younger dancers is follow the tales of her glory days. 

But nostalgia doesn’t pay the bills. 

Yet, it’s that nostalgia that keeps Shelly coming back and has been all these years, even as her facade of reality crashes and she’s left to sift through the detritus. 

She can’t pronounce her estranged daughter’s name during a desperate phone call; her costume snags in the next night’s show; her knees buckle on the way to the stage the night after; and she’s given the “old timer” treatment by the younger roster. 

All the while, she has Annette (played by Jamie Lee Curtis in a scene-chewing performance) as her mother hen. Annette was a former head of the show-line but became the jaded Casino cocktail waitress covered in fake bronze who chain-smokes, boozes and spits pearls at the youngsters. 

Curtis nails her role. As the cantankerous stateswoman, she bites into her cigarettes and stares bullets into a past she refuses to talk about. Especially with Eddie, the showrunner played by Dave Bautista. 

His role was a weird case. He was miscast, but I liked what he brought to the character. The character would’ve been easy to turn into the hackneyed club owner trope. At best, you’ll get Ben Gazzara in Killing of a Chinese Bookie. 

Bautista goes in the opposite direction, portraying Eddie like a dog giving you the innocent (but guilty) eyes. He can’t look up, and any time he’s scolded, he always looks away.  

Shelly in the dressing room. (Royalty Free Image)

But all tracks lead back to Pamela.

Great work eclipses the hands to whom the little golden statue is gifted. Anderson’s performance walks the thin line between child-like wonder and lashing out at what’s left when the curtain falls on her character. 

You can tell she’s done her homework. Her performance blends the right mix of childlike wonder and the refusal to give in to her seeping reality. I was reminded of Ellen Burstyn in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, with a touch of Naomi Watts in Mulholland Dr. Anderson has cited Barbara Loden’s Wanda as a massive influence as well.  

Is ‘The Last Showgirl’ a great film? The film didn’t receive a single Oscar nomination, but time, as always, will be the judge. I believe 20 years is the right amount of time to pass and to come back to an argument in full view.

Is Pamela Anderson’s performance terrific? I’ll put 10 toes in the ground and say “Yes,” despite her best actress nomination snub.

Stinky skunk cabbage emerges

By
Art Weber
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Mother Nature doesn’t pay much attention to winter weather advisories.

She’s already preparing for the arrival of spring. Though winter may look silent and frozen, there’s new life stirring under the snow and ice.

In the forest, the layers of fallen leaves are a nurturing blanket. Already, the first new growth of the year has emerged and is pushing through that blanket. If it hasn’t already, it will soon flower and announce its presence with a mildly unpleasant odor.

One up-close whiff and you’ll know why it’s called skunk cabbage, even though it’s not a member of the cabbage family, and it doesn’t smell like a skunk.

The plant is uniquely suited for survival in the coming weeks of winter weather, even providing an organically heated sheath to protect its flowers.

Look for it along small streams, and in the sloughs and seeps of the Oak Openings Region. 

NEWS SHORTS: Happenings

By
Press Release
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Pexels photo by Markus Winkler

(Happenings are compiled from press releases and placed in order of occurring dates.

NEWS SHORTS BRIEFS ARE UPDATED DAILY

HAPPENINGS

Destination Toledo welcomes Heartland Travel Showcase

TOLEDO – Toledo will host the Heartland Travel Showcase March 7-9 at the Glass City Center and various local attractions. This annual group tour trade show, produced by Ohio Travel Association, focuses on the Heartland region of the United States, encompassing Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Ontario. The event facilitates scheduled appointments between motorcoach and tour operators, and representatives from group travel destinations and attractions.

Beyond appointments and professional networking, attendees will have ample opportunities to experience some of Toledo’s most popular attractions, dining, and entertainment, all hosted by Destination Toledo.

A site tour and opening celebration will include visits to the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, National Museum of the Great Lakes, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Huron Street Studios and Glass City Metropark. Guests will enjoy local favorites and connect with local businesses including Toledo Spirits Co., Tony Packo’s, Sauder Village, Book that DJ, Maumee Bay Brewing Company and over 20 others. Opening Celebrations will take place at Hensville, with entertainment highlighted by a performance from a local jazz legend, Ramona Collins.

March 7-9, 2025, Toledo | Glass City Center

Kwanzaa Park Neighbors meeting rescheduled for March

TOLEDO – The Kwanzaa Park Neighbors will welcome Bernadette Joy Graham, LPCC to the regular monthly Block Watch meeting. Graham, a licensed professional clinical counselor, will speak on Maintaining Good Mental Health. Graham, a Gulf War Veteran, will bring her many skills and experiences into the conversation to assist everyone to maintain good mental health.

There will be ample time for participants to join in conversation and to learn processes and techniques for maintaining good mental health. Toledo Police Officer Emily Felser will present the crime statistics for the neighborhood. At each meeting there is the opportunity for residents to raise issues and ask questions about crime in the neighborhood. Guidance is given to the residents concerning issues such as abandoned cars, unkept yards, etc.

Thursday, March 6: 6-7 p.m., at Padua center at 1416 Nebraska Ave.
The meeting is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.

Cold War speechwriter to share her experience at UToledo 

TOLEDO – The University of Toledo’s Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership will present a speechwriter’s account of one of the best-known lines of the Cold War.

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Clark Judge, a speechwriter and special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, will present The Story Behind ‘Tear Down This Wall.’”

Judge will discuss Reagan’s 1987 speech at the Berlin Wall that famously called for Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to open the wall that had divided the German capital since 1961. It is remembered as a turning point in the Cold War.

Free parking is available for attendees who register their vehicles in advance using the event link through ParkUToledo. Registered guests may park in any A Permit parking area on this date. All vehicles must be parked with their license plate facing the drive aisle.

Metered parking is also available in Area 12 within marked spaces facing the Center for Performing Arts. Metered rates can be found at the payment kiosk.

March 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the McQuade Law Auditorium. Lunch will be provided at the free, public lecture. 

Women of Toledo presents 2025 Women’s History Month

TOLEDO – Women’s History Month is an annual observance that highlights women’s
contributions to history and celebrates their social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

“Women are the real architects of society,” said author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Women of Toledo seeks to honor the lives and legacies of all women, past and present, and their contributions to the making of history.

This year’s Women’s History Month experiences include:

  • March 6 – HerHub Social Networking highlighting woman-owned business, 7 Little Cupcakes.
  • March 7 – Press Conference, TSA Porter Gallery
  • March 10 – International Women’s Day Signature Luncheon, Renaissance Hotel
  • March 12 – NWO Business Mentoring Coffee Connections highlighting woman-owned
    business, Sonia Organics
  • March 19 – HeforShe Connectors highlighting woman-owned business, Quench & Tempered
  • March 20 – HerHub Networking Luncheon, Toledo Botanical Garden
  • March 7 to 20 – Women’s History Month Glass Ceilings: Breaking Barriers, Building
    Future, A Seat at the Table Exhibition Chair Auction, TSA Porter Gallery
  • March 20 – Glass Ceilings Chairs Auction, TSA Porter Gallery
  • March 23 – Brunch So Hard, TolHouse
To learn more about the Women’s History Month, visit Women of Toledo.

TMA celebrates National Women’s History Month 

It’s a She Thing: Friday, March 7, 6-7 p.m.: Discover the incredible stories of female artists featured in the TMA’s European collection, guided by Megan Reddicks Pignataro, Ph.D., research aAssociate in European art. Registration is required. 

International Women’s Day: Saturday, March 8, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.: TMA and its Women & Allies Employee Resource Group presents a day of engaging programs to honor the voices, stories and achievements of women across cultures, highlighting their diverse experiences in the arts and beyond.  

Call for artists for Fourth Annual Disabled Women Make History (and Art) Show: This year’s art show will be held on May 17 at the TMA Glass Pavilion. Accepting submissions of art until March 17.  

Admission and parking to TMA are always free, welcoming everyone to explore its galleries. 

The museum is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and select holidays. TMA is located at 2445 Monroe St. 

For more information, call 419-255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org. 

Jupmode’s Here for Good program returns for 6th year

TOLEDO – Jūpmode, a locally owned screen-printing, embroidery and retail business, is proud to bring back its Here for Good Program for the sixth consecutive year, continuing its mission to uplift local businesses, artists and nonprofits through custom apparel sales.

This year’s program includes 350+ participants, spanning a diverse range of local businesses and organizations, from coffee shops and gyms to independent artists and nonprofits. Notable participants include Bittersweet Farms, Nature’s Nursery, Black Swamp Conservancy, Good Grief of NWO, Toledo Humane Society, Schmucker’s Restaurant and many more.

The online-only sale runs until March 23 at midnight EST. Shoppers can browse and purchase designs HERE. Partial profits go the organization selected.

March Madness at Side by Side Mindfulness

We are tackling the tricky emotion of anger for March Madness on Saturday, March 8. Looking forward to it!!

At this month’s Side by Side Mindfulness class, kids will be drumming and roaring and learning to take care of their anger in ways that aren’t harmful. Parents explore to take care of our own anger and to support their kids when they are overwhelmed with anger.

Saturday, March 8 from 10:30 a.m. - noon. $35 covers the entire family for the class. Recommended for ages 3-10 years old.  
Other dates: April 19 and May 24.

Creativity comes alive at TPS Fine Arts Festivals

Enjoy the creativity of Toledo Public Schools, as students put their artistic and musical talents on display during the upcoming Fine Arts Festival series.

The TPS Fine Arts Festival events are free and open to the public:

  • Thursday, March 13 from 5-8 p.m. Waite High School
  • Saturday, March 15 from 9:00 a.m.-Noon Bowsher High School
  • Wednesday, March 19 from 5-7 p.m. Jones Leadership Academy of Business
  • Wednesday, March 19 from 6-8 p.m. Start High School
  • Thursday, March 20 from 5-8 p.m. Woodward High School
  • Friday, March 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Rogers High School

TPS kindergarten open house

If you have a child who is five years old or will be five years old by September 2025, TPS is offering a chance to meet the kindergarten teachers and principals at their elementary schools. No RSVP required. Call 419-671-9101 for more information.

Thursday, March 6: 5-7 p.m. at all TPS elementary schools.

The Mez downtown Toledo venue hosts grand opening event

The new downtown venue will feature delicious food, handcrafted drinks and guided mini-tours of the space at the event. The Mez is now booking for 2025 and 2026 events, with 2027 reservations opening soon. For event inquiries or to RSVP for the Open House, contact general manager Dani Bucher at 567-218-0575 or hello.themeztoledo@gmail.com.

Thursday, March 6: 6-9 p.m. at The Mez, 710 Monroe St., Toledo.

TLC Community Credit Union hosts fraud awareness seminars

TLC Community Credit Union is holding a series of Fraud Awareness Seminars designed to educate and protect community members from financial scams and fraudulent activities. These free events will provide valuable insights into recognizing and preventing fraud, equipping attendees with the knowledge to safeguard their personal and financial information.

Community members interested in attending can register at www.tlccu.org/seminar.
Space may be limited, so early registration is encouraged. The Fraud Awareness Seminars will be held at various locations throughout the
community on the following dates:

Tecumseh Library
Thursday, March 6 | 6-7:30 p.m.
215 N Ottawa Street, Tecumseh, MI
Dundee Senior Center
Monday, March 10 | 1-3 p.m.
284 W Monroe Street, Dundee, MI
Adrian Library
Wednesday, March 12 | 6-7:30 p.m.
143 E Maumee Street, Adrian, MI

Tecumseh Senior Center
Thursday, April 3 | 1-3 p.m.
703 E Chicago Boulevard, Tecumseh, MI
Adrian Senior Center
Wednesday, April 16 | 9-10:30 a.m.
327 Erie Street, Adrian, MI

Well-rounded garden workshop

Join Black Swamp Conservancy and Vicki Gallagher at Way Public Library for a gardening workshop that mixes native flowers and vegetables together in your garden. This class will show you how to bring your garden up a notch and your ability to sit back and enjoy nature in your backyard. Registration is limited to the first 30 participants. Learn more here.

Saturday, March 8: 1 p.m. at Way Public Library, Lower Level, 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg.

CrossBow brings soaring Celtic melodies to Tecumseh Center for the Arts

Known for their hard-driving rhythms and instantly captivating performances, CrossBow blends pop, rock and folk with traditional Celtic melodies to create a distinctive sound that appeals to music lovers of all ages. Purchase Tickets: Online at www.TheTCA.org or by contacting the TCA Box Office at (517) 423-6617.

Saturday, March 8: 7:30 p.m. at Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh, Mich.

ARPA grants for local artists – applications now open

The Arts Commission is pleased to share that applications for the fourth round of the Toledo-Lucas County Rescue Plan Grant program for individual artists are open through March 9.

This program, made possible through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the City of Toledo and Lucas County, has already supported over 186 local artists in their recovery from the pandemic’s impact.

Eligible artists in Toledo and Lucas County can apply for grants of $1,500, $2,500, or $5,000. More details, including guidelines and eligibility requirements, can be found at the Arts Commission.

Judy Collins plays at The Stranahan

Singer/songwriter, activist, author, poet and icon Judy Collins is celebrating her 85th birthday this year on tour nationwide. Tickets can be purchased here.

Wednesday, March 12: Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at The Stranahan Theatre, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo.

Native American culture celebrated through conversation, cuisine

TOLEDO – Sign up for an afternoon luncheon and forum to celebrate Native American culture through a unique blend of storytelling, history and cuisine, sponsored by the Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center and The Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance.

This event will offer an opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue while partaking in a curated menu inspired by Native American traditions. This collaborative gathering is designed to honor and preserve Native American heritage, giving voice to Indigenous communities while fostering cultural understanding and unity within the local community. 

Saturday, March 15 from 2- 4 p.m. at 1225 Broadway St., Toledo | For ticket information, go here.

Residents urged to to sign up for severe weather alerts

TOLEDO – Lucas County commissioners and the Lucas County’s Emergency Management Agency are encouraging the public to make preparations for spring weather and to sign up for the Lucas County Alert system ahead of Ohio’s Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Severe Weather Awareness Week runs from March 16-22 throughout the state of Ohio, and a statewide tornado drill will occur on March 19 at 9:50 a.m. Lucas County will go live with a new alert system through provider Everbridge. This new system will send timely, geotargeted alerts and can be personalized to fit your individual needs, including allowing users to register up to five phone numbers, five email addresses, and five physical locations.

Alerts will be sent based on your registered locations, ensuring you receive only the most relevant information, whether it’s about severe weather, local emergencies, or community updates.

During Severe Weather Awareness Week, Lucas County residents are encouraged to prepare their homes, businesses and organizations for the upcoming months of potential severe weather and associated conditions such as flooding, wind events, hail, tornadoes, lightning and power outages.

Text alerts will come from 89361 or 89362, and email alerts will come from noreply@everbridge.net. Lucas County officials encourage everyone to save that information in their contacts under Lucas County Alerts.

WAKT 106.1 FM presents the Toledo Music Jam

TOLEDO – WAKT 106.1 FM, your local community radio station, is presenting
the Toledo Music Jam at the Collingwood Arts Center. The show will showcase local talent while supporting WAKT’s mission to amplify diverse voices and connect community.

Carmen Miller, Jennifer Westwood, Streetlight Curfew, Stone Productions and Open Door Policy will deliver an unforgettable day of music.

WAKT is owned and operated by the nonprofit Toledo Integrated Media Education
(TIME), which recently helped bring back the Toledo Free Press. In addition to music,
WAKT broadcasts locally produced talk shows, is an affiliate of the Pacifica Network,
and serves as the Toledo home of “Democracy Now!”

“We want WAKT to be known for its support of the local music scene in Toledo,” said
Nathan Staples, WAKT development director. “The Toledo Music Jam is just the
beginning. We hope to sponsor more live, local performances that support local artists,
the station, and the community.”

March 16: Hours are from 2-6 p.m. For tickets and information, visit Toledo Radio.

Cheap and Chic Event to Benefit The Victory Center

Who doesn’t love to shop and now you can shop till you drop at the Cheap and Chic Shoppers Event held at the Lamson’s Building 600 Jefferson Avenue in Toledo. 

Local boutiques including Ragazza, Sophia Lustig, Vivian Kate, The Little Being, Meig, Hip to the Groove, Madison Paul, I.M. Jaffe Jeweler and Pura Cashmere will be on hand selling their chic designs for “cheap money” all in support of the Victory Center.

Prepare to see designer looks at bargain prices in this once-a-year extravaganza from local boutiques who urge people to shop local. “Where else can you see the best stores in NW Ohio under one roof” states Pat Nowak.  

March 22: Shopping hours are 9AM-3PM.  Admittance is $5.00 and proceeds benefit the Victory Center. Lamson’s Building at 600 Jefferson Ave., Toledo

Order tree seedlings and more through Lucas SWCD sale

LUCAS COUNTY – The Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District (Lucas SWCD) is accepting orders for the Annual Tree, Shrub, and Garden Sale now through March 28. There are two ways to place an order: online through our website at Lswcd-tree.square.site (credit card only) or stop by the office during business hours to fill out an order form and make the payment (cash, check or credit card accepted at the office).

This year’s sale offers several hardwood species in 3-gallon pots including Northern Catalpa, Serviceberry, Black Gum, and Eastern Redbud. Also offered are bare root seedling packs of flowering shrubs like Gray Dogwood and Ninebark and three varieties of conifers or evergreens.

If you are interested in getting more than one species in a pack, you can order a Variety Habitat Packet or the Native Prairie Seed Packets, which contain seeds from flowers
and grasses collected locally from the Oak Openings Region. New this year is the Apple Tree Bundle, featuring two fan-favorite varieties to grow your own apples!

TARTA Adds Lourdes To Muddy Shuttle Lineup for 2025

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s Muddy Shuttle will connect baseball
fans with Toledo’s team again in 2025.

TARTA’s Muddy Shuttle will bring Mud Hens fans directly to the game from five area
park-and-ride locations for 17 games this season, including Opening Day on Friday,
March 28 against the Columbus Clippers. In addition to the new stop at Lourdes, $3
round-trip rides to and from the game will be available by parking at:
 Miracle Mile Shopping Center, 1727 West Laskey Road
 Maumee, Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key Street
 Waterville, Kroger, 8730 Waterville Swanton Road
 Oregon, Starr Elementary School, 3230 Starr Avenue

The Shuttle will run on Opening Day and for every Friday and Saturday home game
after Memorial Day. It will take off from park-and-ride locations one hour before first
pitch and will depart Fifth Third Field 20 minutes after the game or postgame
fireworks.

March 28: Mud Hens Opening Day | Game starts at 4:05 p.m.

ProMedica offers community events in March

The ProMedica Stroke Support Group will be meeting and discussing finding appropriate footwear with Dave’s Running. The support group will take place at the ProMedica Flower Hospital Conference Center (5200 Harroun Rd., Sylvania, OH 43560) beginning at 4:30 p.m. Stroke survivors, caregivers and supporters are all encouraged to attend. No registration is required.

March 27: 4:30 p.m. (Stroke Support Group)

Collingwood Arts Center to host annual burlesque shows

By
Rachel Boes
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An audience watches a performer at the Speakeasy at Collingwood Arts Center in Toledo. (Courtesy Photo)

TOLEDO – Many forms of dance performance have toed the line between art and smut, but none compare to burlesque. The midwest’s love-hate relationship with the glamorous and sultry shows has resulted in crowds of performers moving in and out of cities, and with venues going in and out of business. Toledo is no exception.

Jess Worley. (Courtesy Photo/Nicole Alef|Moonrise Photography)

Burlesque has a storied home in the Glass City. Most famously, it was host to Town Hall Burlesque Theatre, a venue operational in the late 1960s. Madamed and founded by Rose La Rose, an accomplished burlesque performer who earned her fame at the infamous New York venue Minsky’s, Town Hall was classy.

However, its original intention of creating luxury shows, like Minsky’s, was short-lived. Soon, adult films made their way into the theatre, its purpose changed, and it was demolished in 1968. 

Today, burlesque shows are hard to come by in the city. The Collingwood Arts Center is changing that. The arts center recently hosted a speakeasy event, advertising burlesque performers. I witnessed a packed house, with multi-genre burlesque performances and the brooding atmosphere of a speakeasy. 

The arts center plans to make the event an annual occurrence, a silver lining for performers like Morris and Worley, both of whom seek to land in more venues around the Toledo area. But can the negative assumptions about burlesque be changed? Jess thinks so. 

The Victorian building has a lived-in atmosphere, transporting us to another time as I was led down a long, dark hallway in the basement of the Collingwood. Within an entirely black room, decorated in a classic burlesque theatre motif, there was a cash bar and Al Capone’s Vault (stacked with lottery tickets for a lucky winner). 

Gina Arnez. (Courtesy Photo)

Ruby Jade, Ada Atomic and Gina Arnez took the stage and wowed the audience with bumps, grinds and reveals. The audience generously handed out tips and wooed at their moves.

Jess Worley said the only place she’s seen burlesque performed in Toledo is the Collingwood Arts Center at the Speakeasy event. “It was incredible and I love the venue.”

The Toledo native has been a burlesque performer since 2021, though her performances have been restricted to Detroit because of the lack of demand for the art in our city. It’s been her mission to establish it here.

Worley has performed her routines at venues, like Detroit’s Northern Lights Lounge, Planet Ant and New Dodge Lounge. She has described her acts as fitting into two genres.

“I do a lot of classic, glamorous burlesque, but I do more nerdlesque recently,” she said. Nerdlesque refers to performers dressed as glamorized characters whose routines are filled with comedic tease and suggestion. 

Worley’s version had the crowd rolling. Donning a token Guy Fieri flaming button up, wig and mustache, she flaunts on top of a giant, plush cheeseburger to a great track.

“My friend mashed the songs together for me, a hip-hop song called ‘Guy Fieri’ and ‘Cherry Pie,’ of course,” Worley said.

If anyone takes props and costuming seriously, it’s burlesque performers. Worley’s cheeseburger prop made from a large ottoman was lovingly crafted by her and her dad on Father’s Day. 

The performers at the Speakeasy were no different.

Gene Morris as Liza Minelli. (Courtesy Photo)

Gene Morris, whose stage persona, Gina Arnez, dons a sparkling boa, said he wouldn’t call himself a burlesque performer. “I’m more of a female impersonator. When I started, people started telling me I reminded them of Liza Minelli, so I began doing her cabaret numbers.”

Morris is a Collingwood Arts Center advocate and has performed at several of their fundraising events. Although the act’s debut was on the main stage, this was the first performance of Gina’s in the underground theatre. “It was a really well-organized event and a lot of fun. The attendance was the best I’ve seen, the room was packed.” 

Gina Arnez, winner of Mrs. Amateur Great Lakes 1999, has been dancing around Toledo for some time.

David Morris, left, with husband, Gene. (Courtesy Photo)

“I’m originally from Morgantown, West Va. I moved to Toledo in ’94 for a job. I met my current husband, David, when I moved up here, and we’ve been together for 30 years now – married 11. We used to go to Caesar’s Show Bar all the time for a night out and I said well, I’d like to try that. I was 36 at the time and that’s kind of late to start performing, but he encouraged me to do so.

“When I’m on stage a lot of people don’t recognize me. When I’m not presenting as Gina, I’m quiet and reserved. When I’m on stage as Gina, I’m a completely changed person,” he explained.

“Burlesque has a bad reputation; a majority of people associate it with strippers. Yes, but it’s an art form. It’s not for the male gaze – it’s for the female gaze. I don’t make my costumes for the men. I make them for the girls, gays and theys. It’s about rebellion and protest, this is my body and I’m going to show it how I want to.” 

The crowds at the Collingwood Arts Center’s Speakeasy event are a testament to the demand of bringing burlesque back to Toledo. Although we may never see another exclusively burlesque venue like Town Hall, venues like the arts center are vital, living hubs for these forms of expression.  

Warren Haynes concert at Stranahan raises funds for hurricane relief

By
Max Alfonso
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The Warren Haynes Band performs at the Stanahan Theater. Haynes is from Nashville, N.C.,so $1 from each ticket goes to hurricane relief in his hometown. (TFP Photo/Kyle Brown)

TOLEDO – The Warren Haynes band rolled through Toledo as part of their winter tour last month, giving locals an opportunity to not only enjoy the show but contribute to hurricane relief funds.                            

Asheville, N.C., native Warren Haynes and his band made a stop at the Stranahan Theater, the band’s third stop on the Million Voices Whisper tour 2025. A donation of $1 from each ticket sold went toward the hurricane relief fund in Asheville.

Warren Haynes. (TFP Photo/Kyle Brown)
Saxophone player Greg Osby. (TFP Photo/Kyle Brown)

Last November, Warren Haynes performed alongside the Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Garden, and money from the concert was to be donated to the hurricane relief funds in North Carolina and Florida. The show was sold out, and over $4.5 million was raised.

The MSG show included ticket sales, merchandise and sponsorships, and direct donations all contributed to the relief fund. The winter tour is focused solely on ticket sales as part of the donations to support the cause.

The fans at the Stranahan Theater were very happy to see Haynes perform, and by the end of the show, fans were standing and singing along. Between sets, there were interjections of “We love you, Warren!” which he would acknowledged.

Haynes performed songs from his new album Million Voices Whisper that he released last November, but he also played classics like Tear me Down and Soulshine.

It hasn’t been made public yet how much money was raised for the concert; that will be accounted for once the tour is complete. While the music itself was the driving force behind the crowd’s enjoyment, the love for Haynes’ and the support for his hometown of Asheville through its continued disaster relief efforts was palpable.

Warren Haynes fans shop for memorabilia. (TFP Photo/Kyle Brown)

BGSU football head coach Scot Loeffler trades a falcon for eagle

By
Lori King
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On The Flyby Sports Podcast, co-hosts and school rivals Chas McNeil and Max Alfonso dive deep into the longtime rivalry between the Falcons and Rockets in all sports, including stats, scores and predictions.

For this episode, McNeil breaks the news that BGSU football head coach Scot Loeffler departs BGSU after six seasons after leading the Falcons to three straight bowl games. Loeffler will be the quarterback coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Main topic is conference shakeups, but they also recap this past week’s sports news and update you on the playing schedule for the coming week.

New episodes of the The Flyby Sports Podcast drop every Saturday (except March 8 – Spring Break)

The Flyby Sports Podcast is a production of the⁠⁠⁠ Toledo Free Press⁠⁠.
Max Alfonso, left, and Chas McNeil host The Flyby Podcast in the Toledo Free Press podcast room. (TFP Photo/Lori King)

NEW! Toledo-area Winter Activity Guide

By
Katie Siebenaller
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Side Cut Metropark in Maumee on Feb. 17. (Courtesy Photo/Toledo Metroparks)

Though there’s warmth on the horizon, winter isn’t over quite yet, so check out our comprehensive winter guide. March is unpredictable, so there’s still hope for snow activities.

Stay tuned for a spring guide that’s currently being developed. Updates will we added as the year progresses, and we’ll have summer and fall guides, too!

Winter Guide

Parks

Metroparks Toledo

Metroparks Toledo locations across Northwest Ohio offer a plethora of winter activities, including cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing and winter hiking. Oak Openings Preserve’s Cannaley Treehouse Village is open year-round — a unique winter getaway — and Glass City Metropark hosts ice skating and ice bocce at The Ribbon.

419-407-9700 | Hours: 7 a.m. to dark every day
Glass City Metropark. (Courtesy Photo/Toledo Metroparks)

Maumee Bay State Park

Enjoy sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and winter nature hikes at Maumee Bay State Park. The park also offers indoor lodging and cabins during the winter months.

419-836-7758 | 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon

Maumee State Forest

Maumee State Forest is comprised of 3,332 acres in Fulton, Henry and Lucas counties. Maumee State Forest features a 2-mile self-guided hike/interpretive trail called the Stewardship Trail, 66 miles of unmarked firelanes for hiking, eight miles of bridle trails, eight miles of APV trails, a tree improvement/research and chestnut tree area, and wet-sedge meadow.

3390 County Rd. D, Swanton

Ottawa & Jermain Parks
Ottawa Park is Toledo’s largest regional park. It’s home to Northwest Ohio’s only open-air ice rink, available for ice skating and hockey. Call to check availability and visit the rink’s website for program information and admission fees.

Winter park goers have plenty of options for fun at Ottawa & Jermain Parks — ice skating, hockey, cross-country skiing and three sledding hills of varying size and steepness.

419-885-1167 | 2015 Parkside Dr., Toledo

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium has a full calendar of activities and events, including their famous annual Lights Before Christmas, in addition to all of their regular exhibits. Check website for membership and ticket information.

419-385-5721 | 2 Hippo Way, Toledo

Toledo Farmers’ Market
Stroll through the Toledo Farmers’ Market to find fresh produce, breads and sweet treats, homemade gifts and more from local vendors.

419-255-6765 | 525 Market St., Toledo | Hours: Saturdays (November-April) 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sledding

Conneaut Park Sledding Hill
A hotspot in BG for sledding, the hill was once the city’s reservoir system.

Conneaut and Haskins Rd., Bowling Green | 419-354-6223

Rivercrest Park

419-872-8020 | 13761 Eckel Junction Rd., Perrysburg

Sylvan Prairie Park

Visit the new and improved sled hill and enjoy three different slopes.

8601 Brint Rd., Sylvania | Hours: 7:30am-90 minutes before sunset

Northview High School

A fun ride for all ages, the sled hill at Northview High School is long, moderately sloped and lit at night from the school parking lot.

419-824-8570 | 5403 Silica Dr., Sylvania

Harroun Community Park

Harroun Community Park is home to two different sled hills: one steep with grooves and bumps along the way for a thrilling ride, and the other hill, located near the Lathrop House, offers a tamer ride for the little ones.

419-885-8733 | 5500 Main St., Sylvania (at the rear of St. Joseph Church parking lot)

Navarre Park

Sledding at Navarre Park is fun for all ages, with a hill that varies in steepness and bumps.

1001 White St., Toledo

Homecoming Hill at Homecoming Park

Homecoming Hill boasts a long and fast ride with its moderate slope.

419-337-0900 | 715 Lawrence Avenue, Wauseon

Please comment with any personal favorites we missed. Send suggestions for all seasonal go-to destinations to editor@toledofreepress.com

Rock’n’roll and the alcohol demon

By
Steven J Athanas
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Steven J Athanas. (Courtesy Photo)

… Wherein our hero comes forth with (some of) his vulnerabilities

From the memories of former Homewreckers band front man Steven J Athanas

If female charm was something that steered my libidinous map in the ‘70s, ‘80s and beyond, it wasn’t my only vice. My carcass was ripe with shortcomings, cravings, challenges that consistently threw me off my path … see, that’s the thing about vices; you can never have too many – or so you think.

When one works in an environment where spirits (of the alcoholic variety) are dominant, where the establishment itself is maintained through the sale and consumption of said spirits … well, it’s oh so easy to fall prey to its charms.

I think we can all agree that the whole nightclub scene has always been aligned with liquor – to the point of being nearly non-existent without it. Kinda stating the obvious, I suppose.

“Oh, demon alcohol, sad memories I can’t recall,
who thought I would fall, a slave to demon alcohol?

Ray Davies, lead singer of The Kinks

To an extent, this codependency is true of rock’n’roll. Take the holiest of holies, the Catholic Church. Their summer festivals would be pretty lame if not for the pairing up of rock’n’roll and beer. I’ve been there; I speak from experience. Many’s the time that the “king pole” that holds up the tent (I had to Google that one) was transitioned into a makeshift stripper’s pole. How many “Hail Marys” to cleanse your soul of that?

So it’s quite a challenge to not succumb, when you’re in the thick of it. And to add to that, quite often we got our drinks free! At Howard’s Club H in Bowling Green, I had a signal for one of the bartenders. If I positioned my hand like I was gonna shoot myself in the head, it meant “Gimme a shot!” So easy. Honestly? There were nights I had no business driving home from BG.

As a matter of fact, there once was a time I was driving home around 3 a.m., inebriated, and I heard the sirens. The officer got out of his car, walked up to my car and asked, “Is there a reason you were going so fast?”

I, of course, was frantic. I’m not sure why I said it, but I responded “‘Cuz I got real bad diarrhea.”

He laughed and said, “Get outta here.”

A close one, for sure.

I mean, the term itself, bar band, pretty much says it all. I won’t pretend to be some sort of sociological analyst, but I would think that most musicians in that situation would be vulnerable, to one degree or another. There were some nights when the band’s bar tab came frighteningly close to surpassing our fee!

The Homewreckers once had a sax player who had a drinking problem. Our relationship went back to when I was a kid, as this guy’s family grew up next to my family in the Colony. We were neighbors. He was older than me, and I would hear him practicing in the summer when the windows were open. I was entranced.

Wayne Cochran: The dude that our sax player played with. How y’not gonna run a pic of that ‘do???!? (Courtesy Photo)

Truth be told, Bobby was influential in getting me into rock’n’roll. He had played with Wayne Cochran and others of note, and got a lot of his chops from playing the bars in the French Quarter in New Orleans, which some might call the drinking capital of the U.S.

When he joined the band, it was sadly the old cliché: He drank like a fish. The amazing thing was it didn’t affect his playing! He was a great saxophonist in spite of his drinking. I’d never encountered anything like it. He bitched about having to play Clarence Clemons’ sax work on Rosalita. “That guy sucks,” he’d grumble, but he’d always nail it.

We once played a weekend gig on Catawba Island, and they gave us a few cabins to stay in. One day we rehearsed in the afternoon at the club. When we got back to the cabins they were unexpectedly locked and we had no keys. The sax player, already three sheets, yelled and bitched, then finally, after waiting too long, just ripped the door off the hinges.

The amazing thing was we didn’t get fired for his stunt. We chose to not let the club owner know until the end of the gig, and the repair bill was taken out of his pay (all of it).

So you might be asking: What about me? 

I am not ready to spill all my beans (or grapes, as the case may be); it’s too close to the bone, the word “uncomfortable” comes to mind. Does that surprise you?

My parents were both heavy partiers. We had an in-ground swimming pool in our backyard in Old Orchard, and many a night there would be wild revelry from my parents and their friends. It’s fair to say that liquor was always around in my life.

Still, it would be misleading to put that all on my folks. The people I hung with, playing in bars for five decades, the availability of booze…it drew me in. I mean, I don’t wake up craving a screwdriver first thing in the morning, never had a DUI, don’t get sloppy drunk (anymore), but I will have a glass or two of wine with dinner on most nights.

Steven J Athanas (Courtesy Photo)

Having said all that, yes, there was a time when I would get pretty shit-faced way too often. The question became, “What am I gonna punish my liver with tonight?” Getting it free in the bars and then going to after-hour parties, well it was pretty wild – what I recall of it.

I do recall an incident when I was with The Raisin Band. We were on the road, somewhere in the Deep South, and we had a night off between gigs. On a warm summer night, we ventured to the liquor store and picked up a bottle of Rebel Yell (seemed apropos). After consuming no small amount, a couple of the guys decided to take a ride to get some food: not the best idea. The rest of us continued partying, and after awhile the two returned and they had a stop light! They had somehow taken down an actual traffic stop light and brought it back to the room, laughing their asses off. No inhibitions there!

But here I am, still vertical to the planet, able to function as a (somewhat) normal human being. There is/was no AA, no interventions, no come-to-Jesus moment for all of this. All of those wild, wild times, putting Life on the line, all that wild abandon, just lost its charm for me. I sure as hell don’t think I’m any kind of Superman, able to leap tall vices in a single bound, it just happened, and I’m thankful for that. My therapist would probably tell me I’m full of shit, but that’s where I’m at and I’m sticking to my story.

At this stage, it goes without saying I am very lucky for all the stupid shit I got away with. They’re good stories, I think, and the reason I write this column. As we all know, some of us aren’t so lucky.

Anyway, I gotta wrap this up, ‘cuz as they always say, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere …”

Jus’ kiddin’.

RELATED CONTENT: Confessions of a rock’n’roller girlaholic)

Steven J Athanas: Netanyahu

By
Lori King
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College students with undocumented parents could fear FAFSA

By
Signal Statewide
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Protesters Isabella Chavez, 17, and her brother, Felipe Chavez, 24, of Wauseon, Ohio, protest Donald Trump at the intersection of Secor Rd. and Central Ave. in Toledo on Feb. 8. Felipe Chavez graduated with an undergraduate degree, but mentioned that over four years ago, when he applied for FAFSA, he was a worried about applying for aid because not all of his family members are U.S .citizens like he is. (TFP Photo/Stephen Zenner)

Though current law protects shared personal information outside of the federal financial aid process, some fear it won’t be protected

This story was originally published by Signal Statewide. Sign up for their free newsletters at SignalOhio.org/StateSignals. Statewide is a media partner of the Toledo Free Press.

Amy Morona | Signal Statewide

President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on immigration is causing Ohio college advisers to rethink the financial aid guidance they offer families of U.S. students that include an undocumented parent or guardian. 

“There are families that are concerned that if they do file the FAFSA, then that information could be used by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] in a deportation process,” said Nancy Dunn, who helps families prepare and enroll in college in her role at College Now Greater Cleveland. 

About 5 million American households are estimated to fall under the mixed-status umbrella, meaning at least one parent is not a U.S. citizen. But any child born in the United States, regardless of their parents’ legal immigration status, is an American citizen under the U.S. Constitution. 

That makes them eligible to seek federal and state aid to pay for college. They can do so by filling out the Free Application For Federal Financial Aid, commonly known as FAFSA. But the form requires detailed information about the identity of the applicant’s parents or guardians, including immigration status. 

Though current federal law protects that information from being shared outside of the financial aid process, some fear that privacy won’t be guaranteed by the Trump administration. 

The president signed a flurry of immigration-related executive orders on his first day in office, though none explicitly dealt with financial aid issues. (Trump did sign an executive order that refuses to recognize future children born here to undocumented parents. Attorneys general from 18 states sued to block that executive order on his second day of office.)

No ‘one size fits all approach’ for families

It’s estimated that close to 31,800 children in Ohio are U.S. citizens living with at least one undocumented family member, according to the American Immigration Council.

Though they don’t have exact numbers, College Now’s counselors have been talking to mixed-status families specifically in places such as Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina counties. 

In late 2024, a national advising group told families to make a “considered decision” before submitting their FAFSA.

Dunn, College Now’s director of advising programs and services, and her team members are echoing that in their conversations here in Ohio. But each situation is different, she said. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach.   

“We want our families to talk to each other, to understand the decision they need to make that is the best decision for their family,” she said.

For some families, “filing the FAFSA is not an issue for them, because they know their information could potentially already be available to immigration [agencies]” through things such as tax or work documents. 

Others are still deciding to wait. Dunn and her team are encouraging students in those families to reach out directly to the financial aid offices of the colleges they’re considering attending.  

Perhaps, she said, those institutions would be willing to extend deadlines for school-based aid or give students additional information to consider. 

Ohio colleges hesitate to talk about potential FAFSA changes 

Current Ohio law says some of these students may be eligible for in-state tuition rates at public colleges.

At the state’s largest university, a website touts a welcoming environment for students of various immigration backgrounds. 

“Your humanity matters,” officials write. “You are welcomed here, you are resilient, you have a community at The Ohio State University.” 

Still, though, the university declined Signal Ohio’s request to interview the point person helping those students. 

“We’re not going to speculate on specific policy changes,” an Ohio State spokesperson wrote via email. “As always, should federal regulations change, we will follow the law and work to ensure our students, faculty and staff have the resources needed to succeed.” 

Some of the state’s private colleges followed suit. Several interview requests went unanswered. 

(Amy Morona is the Statewide higher education reporter)

Signal Statewide is a nonprofit news organization covering government, education, health, economy and public safety.

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