01.12-01.19.11
Adventure
Now the adventure begins. One of the beauties of NEO is that we get all four seasons, in full force. Welcome to winter on the North Coast. Fortunately, it’s basketball season, and the Cleveland State Vikings are on fire, as Larry Durstin’s in-depth profile attests. Claudia Taller’s adventure entails sampling the fare at Vieng’s, and Laurie Wanninger likes the lo-fi garage pop of Dolfish. Our video by Carol Drummond shows that the community is ready to honor artist entrepreneurs, and Mansfield is calling for civil discourse. That sounds like our kind of adventure. –Thomas Mulready
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In April 2006, when Gary Waters took over as head coach of a struggling Cleveland State program which had averaged only seven wins per season over the previous four years, he summarized the manner in which his Vikings would play by simply saying, “We’re going to get after it.” Since then he has repeatedly used that phrase to not only describe his team’s style of play but also his commitment to turn the CSU hoops program into a consistently successful one – both on and off the court.
Anyone who has witnessed how Waters’ Vikings play can certainly attest to the intensity at which they “get after it.” Utilizing an absolutely withering full-court-press defense and a disciplined offense, CSU has roared out to a 15-3 record thus far this year and is well on its way to the third 20-win season and third post-season appearance since Waters was hired.
Of course, the 59-year-old Waters is no stranger to success, especially when it comes to taking over a losing program. Before he was named head coach by Kent State in 1996, the Golden Flashes had been a perennial doormat for decades in the Mid-American Conference and had never won the MAC tournament… Read more from Larry Durstin here
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SPONSORED: Changing the World With Your Bare Hands Cory Booker, the dynamic mayor of Newark, NJ, known for his innovative ideas and bold actions, will speak on Wed 1/19 at Baldwin-Wallace College. The free lecture is part of B-W’s Martin Luther King Week and Enduring Questions: the Mark Collier Lecture Series. Details online at BW.edu
The State of the Internet From the explosion of mobile devices to the proliferation of social media, the Internet has taken a major leap forward (though some may say backwards) in the past year. Join the Web Association for a panel discussion & interactive Q & A session about the past & future of the Internet w/ Jason Tabeling, David Toth & Cool Cleveland‘s own Thomas Mulready on Tue 1/25 at 11:30AM.
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Cool Cleveland Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events, in an easy-to-digest 3 minute audio format, for playback on your computer or iPod.
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SPONSORED: Experience Cleveland in the 1970’s at the Western Reserve Historical Society’s “Somewhere In Time” bash on Sat 1/22, featuring a recreated disco, noted 70’s music celebrities, legendary Cleveland Agora listening kiosk, period costume & dance contests, and dance lessons from Get Hep Swing. Plus, raffle, silent auction, comp valet parking and 1970’s themed drinks. Come early for the CIP dinner, or party the night away later. Get your tix now by calling 216-721-5722 ext. 229, email somewhereintime@wrhs.org, or visit WRHS.org.
Justin Roberts writes intelligent songs detailing the collective human experience. He sings about subjects we all can relate to — being obsessed with trucks, getting distracted in the outfield, the magic of snow days and the fun of a simple cardboard box. OK, so kids are his target audience. But you’ll enjoy his songs just as much as a toddler due to Justin’s well-written lyrics and whimsical melodies.
Justin got his start playing in Minneapolis-based indie rock band Pimentos for Gus. He moonlighted (during the day, of course) as a Montessori preschool teacher. Before he knew it he was writing and singing songs for his students. The kids responded well and Justin recorded a few songs to send friends for Christmas. College pal and music producer Liam Davis got a hold of the songs and encouraged Justin to record professionally.
Fast-forward to the present: Justin released his seventh critically-acclaimed family CD, Jungle Gym, and is a 2011 Grammy nominee. Cool Cleveland‘s Sarah Valek got the chance to speak with Justin Roberts before he plays the Grog Shop on Sun 1/16 at 2:30PM… Read more from Sarah Valek here
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical Things go hilariously wrong at the laundromat in this play based on Mo Willems’ popular kids book. Knuffle Bunny is “chock full of adventure, song, and gigantic dancing laundry” and it opens on Sat 1/15 @ PlayhouseSquare. Get your tix now!Click here for more Cool Cleveland Kids events
SPONSORED: It’s time to hone your skills! Affordable, programs in Music, Theatre and Dance for ages 4-18 Saturdays starting Sat 1/22 at Tri-C Metro. ArtsPrep offers top instruction in fundamental techniques, plus rehearsal time for a production at end of term. Private music lessons also available for all ages. Register NOW: TriCPresents.com
Vieng’s Asian Bistro @ Crocker Park
On my second visit to Vieng’s Asian Bistro, the elegant decor, amazing array of available foods, and the attentive service were just as impressive as on my first visit. Entering the door of the restaurant, the secret place within is hidden until one rounds the alcove’s corner, and the deep colors, dark wood, low lighting, and Eastern motif are revealed. It’s the most romantic Asian restaurant I have enjoyed, seconded by a Thai restaurant in Toronto near Yonge Street. Whether it’s the high booth seating, the wall waterfalls, or the grass-papered walls, the restaurant is cozy as sitting by a fire in a comfortable living room.
Those who like sushi should sit at the sushi bar and sip a drink while watching the sushi being made. The booths saddle right up to the gilded countertop topped with glass behind which the fresh seafood is tastefully displayed. Small white plates for soy sauce, fresh ginger, and wasabi are waiting for California rolls ordered while drinking a Mai Tai. Statues of The Buddha and active dragons, painted pottery in lighted alcoves, and tasteful hanging glass track lights and paper lanterns complete the gold-touched decor… Read more from Claudia Taller here
SPONSORED: Remember, Celebrate, Act! Join Cleveland Public Library for the annual commemorative program in celebration of the achievements Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with guest speaker, George Fraser, president of FraserNet and who is considered by many to be one of the foremost authorities on networking and building effective relationships. On Mon 1/17 at 1PM, 1962 Stokes Boulevard. CPL.org
WED 1/12
Sound & Noise Art Show You never know what to expect at the Sound & Noise Art Show on Wed 1/12 @ Bela Dubby. Well, you kind of do: You know theres going to be sound
and art
but theyll be presented in unexpected ways from Skin Graft, Andrew Kirschner, Highly Funktioning Kult & Greenlander.
Click here for more events on Wed 1/12
THU 1/13
Altar Boyz @ PlayhouseSquare The story of a fictitious religious boy band trying to save the world one screaming fan at a time. The show takes place on the band’s last concert of their “Raise the Praise” tour. Too funny. Produced by the Beck Ctr & performed at the Hanna. Opening on Thu 1/13 at 7:30PM.
Click here for more events on Thu 1/13
FRI 1/14
Jenniffer Omaitz & Joshua Parker @ The Sculpture Ctr Two new exhibits from two promising local artists opening on Fri 1/14. Jenniffer Omaitz: Shadow Structures and Joshua Parker: Humans are the only species on the planet that create trash, one good turn deserves another and the worst part about dying is that you can only do it once – but don’t worry, the water’s still fine here. Exciting artwork that pushes all boundaries. [Pictured: Jenniffer Omaitz, Inner-City]
Click here for more events on Fri 1/14
SAT 1/15
PWO Wrestling @ Akron Civic Theatre Pro Wrestling Ohio is “old school meets new age” wrestling. Unlike other wrestling programs, PWO does NOT contain course language, extreme violence or excessive sexuality. Just straight up wrestling. Watch the PWO Tag Team Champions vs. The Sons of Michigan on Sat 1/15 at 7PM.
Click here for more events on Sat 1/15
SUN 1/16
Stone-Cold Hike Experience the uniqueness of Deep Lock Quarry, an area which provided much of the building stone for Akron. Brave the cold on Sun 1/16 & explore the beauty & history of the 1.2-mile Quarry Trail on a guided tour. Tour leaves at 2PM.
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SPONSORED: This Sun 1/16 at 7PM, The Cleveland Orchestra presents its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert. The concert is sold out, but WCLV 104.9 and WCPN 90.3 will broadcast this important civic and artistic event live. William Anthony Waters conducts the Orchestra, the Central State University Choir and the Celebration Chorus. Randel Goosby is the soloist in a movement from the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3. Severance Hall rocks with this concert. Dont miss it. Full details on all of WCLVs programming at WCLV.com
MON 1/17
White Picket Fence @ Wilbert’s The ‘Cuse comes to Cle. Honest, unadulterated indie rock band White Picket Fence [pictured] & garage/grime rockers The Dead Friends, both from Syracuse, NY invade Wilbert’s on Mon 1/17 at 7:30PM.
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TUE 1/18
2011: The Year of Energy Efficiency E4S Third Tuesday Networking event on Tue 1/18 is kicking off the new year w/ a showcase of opportunities to put energy efficiency to work for your organization & our region. Because change starts w/ you. 2011 is gonna be big — it’s the first year of Sustainable Cleveland 2019 initiative.
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WED 1/19
Into It. Over It. aka Evan Weiss produced exactly one song every week for a full calendar year. You can say he’s ambitious, maybe even a little crazy. The fruit of his effots is aptly titled 52 Weeks, a brutally honest document of what we call life. Hear him on Wed 1/19 at 7PM @ the Grog Shop.
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If you are one of those people that hates Valentine’s Day, Cleveland-raised Dolfish has given you one reason to look forward to the love struck holiday: the release of his debut album. Yes, Dolfish (aka Max Sollisch) is releasing the appropriately titled Your Love is Bummin’ Me Out on Mon 2/14 under the Irish label Indiecater. (Catch him performing @ the Beachland on Fri 1/14.) His style is difficult to label, but I’m going with lo-fi garage pop. This could be the album that Wheatus (Teenage Dirtbag) considered releasing.
Within each of the five songs, altogether totaling 8.1 minutes, Dolfish puts vocals as the focal point. The drums and guitar follow simple sequences, almost in a manner to prevent getting further attention, as if they’re there solely to support Sollisch’s singing. Which brings me to the question… what is he singing about? Read more from Laurie Wanninger here
It was Ben Bradley, the famed editor of The Washington Post, who once described one of the roles of a muckraking newspaper is to expose “low deeds [done] in high places” … and a noble role that is. The very foundation of our American democratic principles rest on the rock-solid notion of a free and unfettered press. That’s why it’s codified in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
With that said, I doubt if our Founding Fathers meant for freedom of speech to do damage to the citizenry … but that could be what is once again happening in America … and indeed, right here in Cuyahoga County…
Read more from Mansfield Frazier here
Read other recent pieces by Mansfield Frazier here
Watch this video about the COSE ABI (Arts Business Innovation) awards competition, which opens Wed 1/12, and closes at 5PM on Fri 3/4. Four arts businesses will each be presented with $1,000 cash, in-kind professional business services, a one-year COSE membership and the publicity of being an ABI award winner for being the best in their category for innovative and professional business practices. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in their honor later this spring.
The four categories in which to enter are: young entrepreneurs for individual start-up artists under 30 years of age, individual arts businesses for the one-person/freelance type enterprise, established arts businesses for those companies with two or more employees and the fourth is for non-profit arts businesses. Watch the video and read more from Carol Drummond here
Quick previews & reviews of recent events
Submit your own preview, review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com
CD Review: The Modern Electric I absolutely LOVE this band, well-seasoned from such young talent! I first heard them on a local spotlight on 91.3 The Summit in Akron. Hoping I can break away from my life and see them with Fitz & The Tantrum on Jan. 28 at The Grog Shop…
Read the comment from Julie here
Possibilitarian Puppet Theater: A politically odd New Year’s celebration This event has become a stalwart of my end of year calendar. After the mass and funeral march, we all walk and play various improvised instruments enclosed in a large piece of fabric with a sail. As we walk, a dirge a la New Orleans funeral processions is played and sometimes sung. This year we sang, Aint gonna study war no more. As we reached the corner of Lancashire and Coventry, we were joined by another musician who played along on a melodica. The point, the message of the last stroll? We are all in the same boat. Yes, we are. Heres the thing about speaking out…
Read the comment from Susan Miller here
Read and comment here: http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog
Most clicked
Here are the Top 5 most clicked links from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.
1) Not Feeling 100 Percent? Visit one of NEO’s holistic health centers2) Cleveland-Based Company Hosts Film Premier
3) Ohio Knitting Mills: A store, a museum & a love letter to Cleveland
4) One Big College Town: Higher Education Transforms NEO
5) North Union Farmers Market: Indoor Winter Market
We’re grateful for the adventurous minds of our writers: Roy Berko, Carol Drummond, Larry Durstin, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield Frazier, Elsa Johnson & Victor Lucas, Laura Kennelly, Claudia Taller, Sarah Valek and Laurie Wanninger. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.
What’s your adventure this week?
–Thomas Mulready
LettersATCoolCleveland.com
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