Graphic Novelist Tells 'Only Human' Tale from Kent

Dan Gorman launches campaign to fund publication of comic

Dan Gorman needs your help to publish a graphic novel, Only Human, born and bred right here in Kent. Gorman, 37, illustrates the comic and, with his partners, has launched an IndieGoGo online fundraising campaign to publish the seven issues of their comic, which is set to be released this August. The Kent resident is quietly building an audience for their story, which follows two very different people faced with similar challenges amidst society's crumbling foundations. "Our characters have an awakening ... that lets them step outside this bubble they're living in," Gorman, a freelance graphic artist, said. He described their genre as an emerging one: intellectual horror. The comic isn't necessarily filled with super heroes performing …

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Kent Stage Quietly Growing its Music Audience

Big-name acts draw crowds from afar

Since the Kent Stage opened in 2002, it has brought in a variety of well-known folk musicians to Kent. Booking acts from folk singer Joan Baez to musician Stephen Stills, the Kent Stage has become known among the folk circuit, Kent Stage booking agent Tom Simpson said. "We’re probably more famous in Nashville than we are in Kent,” Simpson said. “Within the music industry in New York and L.A., the major agencies all know who we are.” Folk music has become a focus for the venue because of its relationship with WKSU 89.7 FM, Kent State University’s local National Public Radio station, Simpson said. “WKSU had such a folk presence and they just fit naturally, that they were here and we were here and we could work together,” Simpson said. The …

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'Six Years' Most Popular Book at Kent Library

See what library patrons are reading, watching and listening to this month

Looking for a good movie or book? Look no further than the Kent Free Library, which shares with Kent Patch the most-read and most-watched books and DVDs checked out by library patrons. Here are the latest top 10 most checked-out books and DVDs and the top-three CDs. BOOKS DVDs MUSIC

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Celebration of Late Poet's Life is April 9

Friends, family of Merle Mollenkopf to hold event at Kent Stage

Friends and family of Kent's "poet laureate," Merle Mollenkopf, will celebrate the late poet's life on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Kent Stage. "If you happen to have a poem, song, or 'Merle' story that you'd like to share that night please feel free to do so," Mollenkopf's son, Mark, wrote on a Facebook memorial page for Mollenkopf. "We won't have too much of a formal schedule for the night, but if you know for sure that you'd want to share something, please let us know so we can make the time available." Mollenkopf, 78, died in February after battling esophegeal cancer. "He was an encyclopedia of poems," fellow Kent poet Maj Ragain said of his friend. "He was full of poems." Click here to read about how Mollenkopf's poems are preserved on …

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Kent Free Library has Fresh New Logo this Spring

What do you think of the new modern design done by Northcoast Zeitgeist?

In 2011, the Kent Free Library's newest executive director wanted to change the look and perception of the organization in the community — the latest change is to its logo.  One month ago today, the library unveiled its new, more modern logo that was designed by Northcoast Zeitgeist. "We are looking to project a more 21st century vision of the library as a real community gathering place instead of this quiet place where people are getting 'shushed' and the logo represents that plan to move out into the community more with that message," executive director Stacey Richardson said in this Akron Beacon Journal story. What do you think of the new logo and direction of the library? For more information on the library, visit the Kent Free Library…

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Kent Band Wraps Up First Tour

Hive Robbers back doing shows in the region

A group of Kentites just finished up their first official tour as a band and are back playing gigs in Northeast Ohio. The Hive Robbers just finished a three-show stint on the east coast, and once again you can find them in local venues like the Brewhouse Pub downtown. Hive Robbers is Aidan Bailey Williams (songwriter, vocals, guitar, banjo), Jimmy Dykes (songwriter, vocals, guitar, mandolin), Meredith Yeager (bass), and Sam Langstaff (drums). Williams, Dykes and Langstaff all grew up in Kent, and Yeager, who grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, attended Kent State University. The band's first official tour included shows at the Hellgate Social in Queens, NY, on Feb. 22; the Chatham Hall Winter Dance Performance in Chatham, VA, on Feb. 26; and Al's …

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Adults to Join in Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Event planned for adults Friday, children's egg hunt is Saturday

Adults will get the chance to hunt for candy and prize-filled eggs this year as part of Kent's annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Kent Parks and Recreation Department is holding an adult egg scramble Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Fred Fuller Park. Participants must be 18 or older. For the adult event, the cost is $10 and participants will get to use a flashlight to hunt in the dark for eggs. The eggs are filled with prize tickets for some big-ticket items, including: a bicycle from Portage Cyclery a tablet via PC Surgeons; a Cleveland Cavaliers hat autographed by Tristan Thompson; concert tickets to the Kent Stage and more. Nancy Rice, Kent Parks and Recreation supervisor, said they have more than $2,600 in prizes to give away at the event, which will …

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Kent State Students in 'Hair' Production

Junior, senior part of national tour

Two students at Kent State University are performing in the national tour of the musical Hair — all while maintaining their obligations as college students. Ohio.com reports that senior Liz Casper and junior Brittnie Price are performing in the show. "We all play teenagers in 1967 worrying about the draft and the war," Casper told Ohio.com. "For me, it’s more about our generation taking the power into our hands and doing what we think is right to make a difference in the world." Click here to read the full Ohio.com story.

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KSU President Shares New Photo on Facebook Page

The president is attracting more eyes on his photographs through the use of social media.