newsletters

Check out each issue of Upbeat Nonsense in its original form.

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense #20: Trauma, trains and demanding the impossible

May 20, 2026

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3 min read

Upbeat Nonsense #20: Trauma, trains and demanding the impossible

“I roll with caterpillars in the dirt but I survive.” - STL GLD

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense #19: Daredevil, Dark Knight and data centers

May 13, 2026

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4 min read

Upbeat Nonsense #19: Daredevil, Dark Knight and data centers

“The scene goes dark; time to fight back, hero” - Open Mike Eagle

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense #18: Paprika and power plays

May 6, 2026

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4 min read

Upbeat Nonsense #18: Paprika and power plays

"It feels so close, but always disappears" - Quarterflash

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense #17: Art imitates life and it's a mess

Apr 29, 2026

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5 min read

Upbeat Nonsense #17: Art imitates life and it's a mess

“What are you changing? Who do you think you're changing?” - Jenny Lewis

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense #16: Anxiety and accountability

Apr 22, 2026

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6 min read

Upbeat Nonsense #16: Anxiety and accountability

"People call me rude cause I ain’t lettin’ ‘em try me.” - Megan Thee Stallion

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense #15: Earth, weed and fire

Apr 15, 2026

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4 min read

Upbeat Nonsense #15: Earth, weed and fire

Does this email pass the Bechdel Test?

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #14: Forbidden Fruits, La Reina and Gift of Gab

Apr 8, 2026

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5 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #14: Forbidden Fruits, La Reina and Gift of Gab

"You know I don't believe in hierarchy in female friendships."

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #13: Awakening spring

Apr 1, 2026

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8 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #13: Awakening spring

No pranks. Seriously.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #12: Just a sprinkle of pop culture

Feb 25, 2026

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7 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #12: Just a sprinkle of pop culture

When shit happens, all you can do it pivot.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #11: Cleveland pop and prosecutorial politics

Feb 18, 2026

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15 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #11: Cleveland pop and prosecutorial politics

Chayla Hope and Other Animal’s new EP, “Raspberry,” provides the perfect soundtrack as we head into spring.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #10: XORBIUS, why and zines

Feb 11, 2026

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15 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #10: XORBIUS, why and zines

There is not a single mention of Valentine’s Day – well, except that one – in this newsletter.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #9: Fantasy and football

Feb 4, 2026

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12 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #9: Fantasy and football

This week's issue just so happens to include a local fantasy and romance bookshop, plus a few football references. Shocking, I know.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #8: Dystopia and data centers in Ohio

Jan 28, 2026

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13 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #8: Dystopia and data centers in Ohio

Plus, the Sculpture Center is hosting its first all ceramics exhibition opening on Friday, Jan. 30.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #7: Mostly trains, less automobiles

Jan 21, 2026

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16 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #7: Mostly trains, less automobiles

Story Wars is set to host its first 'Champion of Champions' event on Jan. 28 and no, it's not at all like The Moth.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #6: I'd rather be fighting nightmares in Slumberland

Jan 14, 2026

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13 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #6: I'd rather be fighting nightmares in Slumberland

Plus, a jazz and funk-filled concert at the Beachland Tavern featuring Qualified and Thicarus on Friday.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #5: Here we go again, this time with ghosts

Jan 7, 2026

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14 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #5: Here we go again, this time with ghosts

This week it's a Pokémon-themed drag show and more drama with the Cleveland Music Awards.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #4: Cleveland Music Awards, Fallout Season 2 and Superman sports jerseys

Dec 24, 2025

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12 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #4: Cleveland Music Awards, Fallout Season 2 and Superman sports jerseys

When life imitates art, is it weird to find comfort in dystopian fiction?

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #3: What is this, a Holiday Episode?

Dec 17, 2025

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12 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #3: What is this, a Holiday Episode?

You asked for a holiday issue, so here it is! Digressions include: Geek Peek up for regional hobby shop award, a new Christmas EP from local artists and one gas station owner's unsuccessful attempt at limiting free speech.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #2: Knights of Guinevere, RTA cuts and a play about grief

Dec 10, 2025

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11 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #2: Knights of Guinevere, RTA cuts and a play about grief

This week we've got some slighter darker pop culture recommendations, an interview with the woman behind "I Wear My Dead Sister's Clothes," plus what to do about potential RTA cuts.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #1: Pop culture and police oversight

Dec 3, 2025

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13 min read

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #1: Pop culture and police oversight

This week's issue features: new allegations against a former Cleveland police oversight official, interviews with Bury the Pines and Snowflake Comedy Club, plus some music and TV shows to help get you through these dark times.

Dakotah Kennedy

newsletters

Upbeat Nonsense #20: Trauma, trains and demanding the impossible

Upbeat Nonsense #19: Daredevil, Dark Knight and data centers

Upbeat Nonsense #18: Paprika and power plays

Upbeat Nonsense #17: Art imitates life and it's a mess

Upbeat Nonsense #16: Anxiety and accountability

Upbeat Nonsense #15: Earth, weed and fire

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #14: Forbidden Fruits, La Reina and Gift of Gab

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #13: Awakening spring

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #12: Just a sprinkle of pop culture

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #11: Cleveland pop and prosecutorial politics

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #10: XORBIUS, why and zines

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #9: Fantasy and football

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #8: Dystopia and data centers in Ohio

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #7: Mostly trains, less automobiles

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #6: I'd rather be fighting nightmares in Slumberland

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #5: Here we go again, this time with ghosts

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #4: Cleveland Music Awards, Fallout Season 2 and Superman sports jerseys

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #3: What is this, a Holiday Episode?

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #2: Knights of Guinevere, RTA cuts and a play about grief

Upbeat Nonsense Issue #1: Pop culture and police oversight

upbeat nonsense