http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/ John Dillinger used his Midwestern sensibility to become a national celebrity in the 1930s By the summer of 1934, John Dillinger's fame had caught up with him and his debts were getting close. Even at the tail end of a one-year crime spree totaling at least six states (including Ohio and Indiana), 11 banks and $300,000, he remained a working-class hero. The law saw things differently, promoting him to Public Enemy No. 1.]]> Al Jackson has been doing stand-up comedy for about six years, and he’s played some tough rooms. None were tougher than the classroom where he taught seventh graders in Miami. “You think you’re the funny teacher,” he says, “but when you’re 26 and they are 12-year-olds, they think you’re old and washed up. They don’t think you’re funny at all and they do a lot to undermine your confidence. They’re like, ‘Whatever old man!’” Despite the response from his students, Jackson started looking into open mics. He performs at the Funny Bone Thursday-Sunday.]]> New Indian spot from Ambar group proves that Montgomery's in! When Kanak India opened in Montgomery six months ago, I was excited. Owned by the same family that owns Ambar on Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, I knew it would be good. Not surprisingly, it's a lot like Ambar. Which is fine, because we all love Ambar.]]> For the summer, the Shadowbox is offering a greatest-hits revue of material that has entertained audiences at the "sketch comedy and Rock & Roll Club" venue on the upper level of the Levee. Comedy skits and music have been retooled with new ensemble members and fresh casting, so even if you've seen some of this material before, it will have some new twists and turns. Their special Red, White and Box event starts at 7:30 p.m. with a bistro-style menu and cash bar.]]> Starting on Friday, the Newport Motorcycle Rally will take over the Newport Kentucky Festival Park with a performance by the Natalie Wells Band followed by a great fireworks show. Then on Saturday, the annual charity ride to benefit the family of Charles Barrett starts at 1 p.m. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and will run until 12:45 p.m. The ride is a Poker Run and has a total of four stops. Prizes will be given away and the entry fee is $20 per bike (includes any rider). Then, after the ride, Taylor Farley, G Miles and the Hitmen and the Natalie Wells Band perform. On Sunday, look for live music by Poker Face. And everyday this weekend, enjoy great music, food and, of course, motorcycles.]]> The LaRosa’s Balloon Glow, now in its 10th year, features as many as 20 glowing hot air balloons in every color tethered to the Moonlite Mall at Coney Island. They’ll be there, all lit up, from 8-10 p.m. for your viewing pleasure. And along with glowing balloons, there will also be live music from the Anderson Township Symphony Orchestra and the Bearcat Jazz Ensemble; entertainment from the guys who turn balloons into different animals and hats, stiltwalkers, jugglers and wake boarders; not to mention Coney’s classic rides. And, of course, at 10 p.m. there will be a gigantic fireworks display provided by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.]]> On their latest traveling tent revival, the Shack*Shakers will likely be singing from the upcoming chapter in their snake-handling hymnal, the fall-scheduled 'AgriDustrial.' Get on your go-to-meetin' duds and find out why News of the World called Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers the Rockabilly Sex Pistols. They play the Southgate House's Independence Day Throwdown #1 with The Tillers, Joshua Black Wilkins, Hillbilly Casino, The LadyBirds and more.]]> July 3 • Southgate House On their latest traveling tent revival, the Shack*Shakers will likely be singing from the upcoming chapter in their snake-handling hymnal, the fall-scheduled 'AgriDustrial' CD. Col. J.D. Wilkes remains the hypnotically frenetic presence behind the microphone and harmonica.]]> The Northside Fourth of July Festival starts at Hoffner Park at 6 p.m. on Friday when the Rock ‘N’ Roll Carnival comes to town and transforms the Park into a giant beer garden. There, you’ll get an eyeful of deliciously deviant and exotic delights such as fire breathers, aerial dancers, sword swallowers and drag queens. Man Halen, Wussy, Culture Queer and more bands provide the soundtrack until 1 a.m. Then, on the 4th, drag yourself out of whatever gutter you slept in and stumble into the parade along Hamilton Ave. at 11 a.m. It ends at Hoffner Park, where the carnival becomes a festival featuring Vaudeville shows, a gypsy circus, food and artist booths and more live music by The Lions Rampant, Fists of Love and seven more bands until 1 a.m.]]> Pioneer succeeded as a 19th-century 'sculptor of women' At the turn of the 20th Century, when a woman's most acceptable occupation was motherhood, Bessie Potter Vonnoh succeeded professionally as a sculptor, flouting convention by focusing on a career instead of raising children. Her success as an independent working artist rested on subject matter that supported traditional notions of women, which makes the Cincinnati Art Museum's current exhibition of her work all the more fascinating. ]]> How downloading reconnected me with my inner record-collecting child Don’t get me wrong: There is nothing tedious or unpleasant about my job as music critic, and I still have a great abiding love for music in all its complex and sometimes baffling forms. In a lot of ways, I think the problem is that, as a working journalist, I am overinformed. And now my son has introduced me to the world of downloading. Wow.]]> Despite insurance, little work done at fire-ravaged Clifton landmark Seventeen months after a major fire nearly claimed Old St. George Church in Clifton Heights, its iconic spires are still missing from the city's skyline. The church lies dormant, virtually moth-balled with temporary roofing while its owner, the Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corp., decides its fate. ]]>