District A: Collaboration and commerce through the arts

District A, a collaboration between Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights sponsored by the Montgomery Corridor Arts Collaborative, launches with a street festival and art show on October 11.

Along Montgomery Road between Kennedy and Losantiville avenues, offerings of food, music and the creative and performing arts will invite festival goers to explore everything that the two adjacent neighborhoods have to offer.

"Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights are two of the most diverse neighborhoods in Cincinnati," says Kate Powell, vice president on the Pleasant Ridge Community Council board.  "There are many artists and musicians that have chosen live here because of the reasonable cost of living and this sense of community."

District A is serving as a demonstration of community collaboration and commerce through the arts.

"This collaboration is unprecedented and vital to the success of both business neighborhoods," Powell says.  "We both struggle with the same issues and weaknesses.  The District A collaboration has allowed us to open channels of communication and share resources between our two communities.  As we look to strengthen our business districts we want to support the arts-based businesses that have been cornerstones for many years - and cultivate more."

People will also have the opportunity to explore some of the communities' many eateries.

"Area restaurants will throw open their doors and reduce their prices so visitors to the district will have the chance to sample some of the great cuisine we have here," says Jathan Fink, creative director for District A.  "We'll have everything from healthy snacks at the new Pea Pod Café to exotic flavors from our own African restaurant, Emanu.  Each establishment is geared up and ready to show off exactly what they have to offer, tantalizing the taste buds of everyone who attends."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Jathan Fink, creative director, District A Street Festival; Kate Powell, vice president, Pleasant Ridge Community Council board
Photo of the work of Noel Martin and Coletta Martin courtesy of District A