Astute

04.08-04.15.09
Astute

In this week’s issue:

The smart money is on Cleveland This week, local girl Toni Morrison rocks Oberlin, PlayhouseSquare announces their Broadway bundle and the Cleveland Play House offers a killer festival pass for their smash FusionFest. We help you keep the kids healthy, even help you with your taxes. Smart guy Mansfield wonders out loud about the new drug court, and wise man Roldo profiles a downsized investigative reporter. Budin roams Cleveland & finds it SRO. You can watch my backstage interview with rockabilly queen & Rock Hall inductee Wanda Jackson, Jennifer Boresz’s video with Fahrenheit’s Chef Rocco Whalen, or read Tim Zaun’s interview with Felton Thomas, the new Library director. And if you’re astute enough to do the math, you’ll realize that $14 for open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a chance to meet CSU’s executives-in-residence at our Future of Cleveland party on 4/22 is a deal that may not be repeated. You’re one smart cookie, Cleveland. –Thomas Mulready

$14 buys you all this?
Future of Cleveland party @ CSU 4/22

Bring your cool ideas for the future of Cleveland – in economic development, in housing, in education, in race relations. We want to know – so Cool Cleveland is teaming up with Cleveland State University to present an evening of visionary fun with a career-boosting twist (after all, what are universities for?) on Wed 4/22 from 5:30-8PM. More info here.

Network over a delicious menu of hors d’oeuvres and open bar with beer & wine in the spectacularly renovated Fenn Tower and meet 8 Executives-In-Residence for an F2F discussion about Cleveland’s (and your own) future: Steven Minter, former director of The Cleveland Foundation; former state senator Grace Drake; David Whitehead, former VP of FirstEnergy; Julian Earls, former director of NASA-Glenn; Barbara Byrd-Bennett, former CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and others. Networking, round-robin discussion (think speed dating with a civic twist!), incorporating your cool ideas, with everything live-blogged.

Can you believe this generous menu: Shrimp and Andouille Kabob, Caprese Skewers, Mushroom Duxelle Beggars Purse, Sweet Chili Chicken Satay, Mediterranean Platter, and more. Get the details here. Order your tickets before Midnight Thu 4/9 for your best value. As with all Cool Cleveland events, this price will rise each week.

Click here for more info & ticket discount until Midnight 4/9:
Newsletter/Csu042209

Chef Rocco Whalen is a hometown success story. He grew up in an eastern suburb of Cleveland. He’s the executive chef of Fahrenheit in Tremont, one of the hottest restaurants in town. And he uses as many locally grown and produced products as he can. Cool Cleveland correspondent Jennifer Boresz captures their conversation on video.

Chef Whalen has plenty of reasons to be proud of his success since opening the doors of his restaurant in 2002, because each year since then… business at Fahrenheit keeps heating up. He’s also passionate about the Tremont neighborhood with its trendy yet historic feel. With the Tremont Art Walk on Fri 4/10, it’s the perfect time to check out the local food, culture and history all at once. Watch the video, then check out the Tremont Art Walk and stop in to say hi to Chef Whalen. http://www.FahrenheitTremont.com

Marketing is dead Instead, communicate to your audience with Cool Cleveland Sponsored Links and Sponsored Videos: Info@CoolCleveland.com

To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list. Learn More.

HOT Our own Mansfield B. Frazier lights up The Daily Beast with a really hot column here
Great story on Gary Waters, the CSU Men’s Basketball program resurrection and their NCAA success as it appears in The Cauldron here
HOT How about some base-jumping off of CSU’s Rhodes Tower? Some people get their kicks playing golf. This guy likes to jump off buildings. Jump!
The Donald Rosenberg saga revealed (in part) in this pretty intriguing bit o’ journo here
Unique gifts for the hard-to-please? Three Words: Room Service Cleveland. Click
Poem of the Month In conjunction with National Poetry Month, Cuyahoga County Public Library launches Poem of the Month webpage here
Fine Arts Association and Lakeland Community College partner to form the Partnership for Arts Learning. Click
HOT Cuyahoga County to eliminate some 300 Voting Precincts?!? Hmmmmm. Click
Beck Center’s woes: will they close because of foundation giving scale-back? Click
Enrollment is rising at Ohio’s community colleges Not surprising, given the economic climate. Click
If local, live folk/roots music is your bag and you’re not reading FolkNet every month, then you really oughta be clicking here
Oberlin College welcomes author Toni Morrison to campus for a very special Convocation. The Nobel Prize and the National Book Award-winner is a native of NEO and one of the most celebrated novelists of all time. Click
HOT Savage lullaby Check out the voice on Cle’s Gloria Savage, shredding Summertime at Wilbert’s Watch the video
In-flight love April issue of Continental magazine (4.3 million circ!) spotlights Cle. Seat backs up and read!
Greenhouse Tavern opens this week on E. 4th St. (or so we’ve heard), with a working greenhouse on the roof. Eat
Break Up the Banks rally at Willard Park this coming Sat 4/11 is a part of national protest to “Decentralize – Nationalize – Reorganize.” Organizers say “If they’re too big to fail, they’re too big to exist.” Details here
Scope out new Cleveland stories on the Roxy, Gallucci’s and Higbee’s as well as Drug Programs, local pubs, and accordions here
GREEN Are you hip to the Cuyahoga Community Land Trust? If not, you really oughta click here
HELP PAWS kicks off Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month April is a big deal for the Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio. Learn how you can help here

HOT CPH moving to PHS? We already knew that Cleveland State University had raised $2M towards moving their drama department to PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theatre. Today we expect an announcement that the Cleveland Play House will sell their 12-acre site to next-door neighbors the Cleveland Clinic for $15M, and renovate the Allen from a 2500-seat venue to a 550- 350- and 175-seat theatre complex, and share it with CSU, creating a truly collaborative theatre and arts education enterprise. Read more

LaunchTown $5K winners CitizenGroove are three professional musicians and tech mavens from Case Western Reserve University (John Knific, Marc Plotkin & Kyle Napierkowski- not pictured) who have put together an Internet media and social network allowing musicians to profile themselves, promoters & labels to search for relevant bands to engage, and audiences to find the kind of linkages to music they will enjoy. Targeted to music schools and departments at first, their slick tool generates valuable marketing and demographic data, and it has a real opportunity to generate revenue. Their 10-minute proposal at Baldwin-Wallace’s Launch Town Entrepreneurial Awards 2009 beat out dozens of other cool ideas, like a Beverage Buddy Backpack for dispensing Pepsi at sports events, to My Sister’s Closet, an online and retail consignment shop for prom dresses. The annual competition is open to students of any major, not just business. Nice way to attract & retain talent! http://www.LaunchTown.org

PlayhouseSquare announced its entire 7-show line-up for their 2009-2010 Broadway Series this week. It looks like a musical feast: a musical take on Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Chicago, Xanadu, In the Heights, August: Osage County, Grease and Dirty Dancing comprise the schedule. http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org.

FusionFest: Here’s one heck of a deal Cleveland Play House’s multi-discipline arts festival returns this month and the best way to experience its variety is with their new “Festival Pass.” You choose what you want to see, when you want to see it. You can see all nine FusionFest productions, plus festival parking — a $284 value — for less than a Ben Franklin. Sounds pretty sweet to us. Details on the events here. The Festival Pass can be purchased by calling 795-7000, ext. 4 or online at http://www.ClevelandPlayHouse.com.

Michael Ruhlman was surprised when his new book, Ratio shot up the Amazon rankings from 5000 to 108 in one day after he posted to his blog, a couple of sites blurbed the book, and he experienced, “a brushfire of tweets on Twitter.” He was flooded with requests for signed books. “All this with no press, no TV, no radio and no appearances, purely the Internet. Amazing.” We think Michael, and his blog, is pretty amazing, too. http://blog.ruhlman.com

ARTMart: Members’ Show & Sale Call to Artists There is still time to become a member and show during this huge event at SPACESGallery on the Superior Viaduct. Installation dates for art fall on Fri 4/10 — Wed 4/15 from 11AM – 5:30PM. Visit http://www.SPACESGallery.org for more info and details.

Cool Cleveland Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events, in an easy-to-digest 3 minute audio format, for playback on your computer or iPod.

Click here to subscribe to the Cool Cleveland Podcast in iTunes.

SPONSORED: Fight AIDS with ART ArtCares, an art auction to benefit the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, will feature artwork donated by CIA students and established artists from Northeast Ohio and around the country. ArtCares will take place on Sun 4/26 at 6PM at the offices of the AIDS Taskforce. Call 216-621-0766 X270 or visit http://atfgcevents.weebly.com/artcares.html for tickets and more information.

Eat Right & Eat Well — Keeping Cleveland’s Kids Healthy

Remember those days of leisurely dinners at fine restaurants? If you have kids, perhaps not. Do you long to enjoy a dinner in a public place without feeling like you will be scolded if your little one dares to squeal, move around, or make a mess?

Luckily, there is hope. If you have kids along with you at any point during the day, the chances are pretty good that it won’t be long until you hear the words, “I’m hungry!” When those words spring up, it is good to know that Cleveland offers an abundance of choices that moms (and dads) can feel good about…

Read more from Jeannie Fleming-Gifford here

The 44th annual Student Art Exhibit opened at Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus last week and it’s quite cool. Student artwork hangs in their auditorium gallery, located in the lobby of the auditorium building, adjacent to the arts and music building. The gallery is open Monday through Friday whenever school is in session. The exhibit features students who have produced work in the Metro Campus fine arts program during the 2008-2009 school year. Categories include painting, drawing, life drawing, design, and ceramics. 2900 Community College Ave. On view through Tue 4/14. http://www.Tri-C.edu.

HOT Opening Day with the Captains Classic Park launches the Lake Erie Captains’ season Wed 4/8 at 6:30PM. If you can’t wait to see baseball, you’re in luck. Opening Day for the Captains (Class A Affiliate of the Indians) is the night before opening day with the Tribe. Celebrate spring at this hometown ballpark, which features a family atmosphere, food, and – of course – America’s Pastime. Visit http://www.CaptainsBaseball.com or call 440-954-WINS.

Full Moon Hike on Dike (14) hits Thu 4/9 at 7:30PM. Hike under the full pink moon on Dike 14, a contained disposal facility that is now naturalized but gated and not open to the public. Participants will be required to sign a waiver, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Terrain can be rugged, so keep that in mind when choosing footwear. Pre-reg required by calling 881-8141 ext. 3001. http://www.Dike14.org.

Easter Cruise on the Nautica Queen On Sun 4/12 from 1 – 3PM, join the Easter bunny and set sail on Lake Erie with the Nautica Queen. Good food and great views of the Cleveland skyline and shoreline make this a cool little excursion. http://www.NauticaQueen.com or call 696-8888.

Meet An Animal: Predators Furred, feathered and scaled predators will be featured at a no cost, open to the public “Meet An Animal” program at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village Sat 4/11 at 3PM. Cool, family-friendly live animal encounter. http://www.LENSC.org.

HOT Planetarium Spring Break Specials Also check out Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s jam-packed Spring Break Week Planetarium Schedule — filled with fun, educational and affordable programs all day, every day (excluding Easter Sunday). Soak up cool Twinkle Tots star shows, a full-dome Laser Lights & Music spectacular, plus a green, family-friendly Film Fest. The 30-45 minute compilation of short films is recommended for families with children ages 4 and up. Programs run throughout the day starting Mon 4/13 through Sun 4/19. http://www.LENSC.org.

Babes in Nature The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes hosts this cool event Tue 4/14 at 10AM. Even the youngest learners (2 months through 2 years) will enjoy an exploration of the natural world. Bring your stroller and get ready to roll into an adventure of the great outdoors! Visit http://www.ShakerLakes.org or call 321-5935 for details.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 13-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

Click here to subscribe to the Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast in iTunes.

Wanda Jackson is known as the “The Belle of Rockabilly,” or “The Queen of Rock,” but actually, she’s just the nicest lady you’ll ever meet. And then she gets on stage, and unleashes her trademark growl, her rat-a-tat-tat yodel and her sky-high shrieks, and you start to understand how she’s influenced generations of rockabilly, roots rock and cowpunk stylists. As one of the very first women who rocked, who toured with Elvis & Jerry Lee, who dressed with flash and style, and who took no prisoners, she’s become more than an icon, but a true inspiration to anyone who’s heard her records (Let’s Have A Party, Fujiyama Mama) or caught her still-vital live act.

In town to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and kind enough to speak with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready just moments before she took the stage at Cleveland’s famed Agora, Ms. Jackson exhibits the grace and charm of a woman who turned the world on to a new sound, even before they had a name for it. Watch the video, and experience the gracious personality of this legend of rock and roll. http://www.WandaJackson.com, http://www.RockHall.com

SPONSORED: Much of American’s Desert Southwest is defined by one river: The Colorado. Now You can experience white water rafting with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The trip takes place on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon August 2 – 9. [Register by 6/1.] Get a firsthand awareness of developing water issues in the western US. Info: www.cmnh.org/site/ClassesandPrograms/TravelPrograms.aspx.

A hot selection of tech and business news & events from around the region. Got business news? Send it to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

GREEN First Energy to construct biomass plant in Ohio. Isn’t the old adage that when Big Biz can see green-tech as economically viable, things will take off? Click
CSU’s Dr. Bibo Li has research featured in the distinguished scientific journal, Cell. Read
Here’s a must-see for Ohio Economic Developers Ohiosites.com gets replaced with a GIS-enabled tool. Click
Former Cle resident/NIN leader Trent Reznor is busting out iPhone app that extends his creative run with tech. Click
Local outfit Cinecraft Productions, Inc. wins 16th Telly Award in 20 years for the production of a Progressive Insurance recruitment video titled Come Explore Your Progressive Side. Watch
GREEN Greater Cle Green Building Coalition relaunches with much fanfare. LEED is hot, as is renewable housing. Read

Good Jobs in Bad Times WKSU-FM 89.7 examines the positive side of the current employment environment in Ohio with an insightful, eight-part series starting Mon 4/13 during the station’s daily broadcasts of NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered… they’ll also be posted online here.

The Content Marketing Revolution Customer satisfaction, retention and brand loyalty are top objectives for all marketers, including direct marketers. Learn the scoop w/ Clyde Miles, Chief Strategist at Optiem on Tue 4/14 at Windows on the River. Register

Stu Lichter, President of IRG and developer of the Goodyear project lectures at Thu 4/16 edition of the Akron Roundtable Luncheon. Details here
Navigating Your Nonprofit Through Challenging Times Learn strategies and tools for fiscal planning and decision making Fri 4/17 at 7:30AM at DoubleTree Hotel, Cle South — 6200 Quarry Ln, Independence. Click
Top 10 Women Business Owners of NEO is supercool NAWBO Cle biz event Wed 4/22 at 5:30PM at Exec Caterers, Landerhaven. Details
Labor Economy Summit for NEO hits Fri 4/24 at CSU Continuing Education Center, E. 30th and Chester. Find out how your org can optimize collaboration, attain peak productivity, and drive innovation and more. Call 330-725-4885 for tix. Details
Pine & Gilmore TEE Party The Strategic Horizons party celebrates 10 Years of The Experience Economy on Tue 4/28 from 1 – 4PM at Ritz-Carlton Cleveland. Check it out! Details
HOT Tapping the Power of New Social Media, Social Networks & eMarketing Learn how to maximize your biz impact w/ better outreach Fri 5/8 at 9AM. Penton Media Conf Ctr, 1300 East 9th St. Click
Don’t miss “Smart Business Live!” feat. Richard Seaman of Seaman Corp. on Thu 5/14 in Akron. Score the details and registration here
Calm Effectiveness: How to Motivate Self & Others During Times of Stress & Change hits Fri 5/15 at 9AM at Penton Media Conf Ctr, 1300 East 9th St. Register
Creating Brand Ambassadors within Your Board & Staff This BVU event hits Fri 6/26 at 9AM at Penton Media Conf Ctr, 1300 East 9th St. Learn more

Leading With Style The Ohio Women’s Bar Association (OWBA) and the Rennillo Family Foundation host their 2nd annual event Wed 4/22 from 5 – 9PM at 100 Erieview Tower. The cross-networking/ shopping/ pampering event draws NEO’s top professionals (women and men) and raises money for Cleveland-Marshall College of Law’s Courtroom project. Details at http://www.OWBA.org.

How Non-Profits Can Profit From Digital Strategies is subject of Web Assoc. luncheon at Windows on the River Thu 4/30. Feat. Todd Bertsch of Evolve Creative; Cathy Zapata of Metrics Marketing, and CC contributor Marc Majers from The Cleveland Institute of Art, and Leading Hands. Register

SPONSORED: eco-SMART Manufacturing Program MAGNET, the nonprofit supporting manufacturing in northern Ohio, has developed a comprehensive set of services to help manufacturers meet growing worldwide consumer and regulatory demand for products which respect environmental, conservation, health and safety concerns. For more information on MAGNET’s new sustainable manufacturing program, call Greg Krizman at 216.432.5311.

“Hey, Arts Funders! Look What’s Happening Here!”

Everyone knows about the downturn in the economy and no one can deny it. One the other hand, if you never watched TV or read any news online or in newspapers or magazines, and all you ever did was attend Cleveland-area arts events, you might not suspect that there were any problems. Take the 2009 Cleveland International Film Festival, for instance. That event broke its own attendance records by a significant number: more than 66,500 availed themselves to the event, beating the previous record set in 2007 by about 14,000.

The Cleveland Orchestra’s staged production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro sold out four performances at Severance Hall [pictured] in late March with ticket prices starting at $65 and going as high as $210. Even the relatively tiny organization Heights Arts is having one of its most successful exhibits and sales ever, with its sale of antique prints from Vixseboxse Art. It runs through April 18 at its gallery on Lee Road, just south of the Cedar Lee Theater. And that’s just the beginning…

Read more from David Budin here

SPONSORED: Energy + Motion = E-Motion! An emotionally charged performance by the Dancing Wheels Company featuring world premieres created by Mark Tomasic, Peter Kalivas, Lisa K. Lock and Keith Young. Join the Company at the Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square on Sat 4/18 at 8PM and Sun 4/19 at 3PM for a mix of thought-provoking, compelling and humorous dance works that you won’t want to miss. For Dress Circle or group tickets call the Dancing Wheels office at 216-432-0306. All other tickets at the Playhouse Square box office at 216-241-6000 or online at www.PlayhouseSquare.com. Generous funding for this performance was made possible by Ohio Arts Council, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Dominion, Key Bank, The John P. Murphy Foundation, Kulas Foundation and MetLife Foundation.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT GREEN The Return of the Cuyahoga & Lake Erie: Ohio’s Great Lake We don’t tell you to stay home and watch TV. Just not who we are. But in this case, it’s worth your time. Starting Wed 4/8 at 9PM, Return of the Cuyahoga details the comeback of a river that caught fire on June 22, 1969. The fire started a chain of events that included the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, Earth Day, the creation of Environmental Protection Agencies at the federal and state levels and a rapidly growing consciousness about the environment in America. The program is followed by Lake Erie: Ohio’s Great Lake, which focuses on how our Great Lake was created and a historical timeline featuring archival and newly shot HD footage. Two hours of awesome, family-friendly programming that might learn ya a thing or two. On WVIZ/PBS ideastream. http://www.WVIZ.org.

Carla Snyder Joseph-Beth Booksellers hosts Cle-based chef and author Snyder on Wed 4/8 at 7PM. Her 300 Sensational Soups (co-authored with Meredith Deeds) is the definitive collection of recipes for soup lovers; it was named one of the top cookbooks of 2008 on ABC’s Good Morning America. Snyder and Deeds have co-authored three other cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-nominated Big Book of Appetizers. 24519 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst. http://www.JosephBeth.com.

Arn Chorn-Pond The renowned human rights activist from Cambodia survived the Khmer Rouge and is the subject of the Emmy-nominated film The Flute Player. He lectures at Cleveland State University’s Mather Mansion #301 on Thu 4/9 at 6PM. Pond’s topic Child of War – Man of Peace is part of CSU’s Cultural Crossings Lecture Series No cost, open to the public. Reception follows. 2605 Euclid Avenue. More details here.

Radio Mystery Theater Night Visible Voice Books (1023 Kenilworth Ave., Tremont) hosts this old school audio experience Thu 4/9 at 7PM. Long before TV, people used to gather around the radio and listen to their favorite shows. Enjoy this timewarp as you listen to famous voice actors performing great stories by many classic radio writers. Browse one of the best bookstores in Northeast Ohio and enjoy a great wine at their recently opened wine bar while you’re at it. http://www.VisibleVoiceBooks.com.

HOT Cleveland’s All City Art Show is presented in conjunction with the National Arts Program and opens in the Arts Collinwood Gallery with a no cost, open-to-the-public reception Thy 4/9 from 6 – 9PM. The popular program features art from Cleveland residents of all ages and artistic backgrounds, Last year, over 200 entries filled the gallery! Art enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. 15605 Waterloo Rd., Collinwood neighborhood. http://www.ArtsCollinwood.org.

HOT No Child… Cleveland Public Theatre offers the Ohio Premiere of No Child… on in the CPT Bookstore Theatre starting Thu 4/9 with a paid preview. Written by Nilaja Sun, directed by Lisa Ortenzi and featuring Nina Domingue, the award-winning one-woman show based on Sun’s experiences teaching at Malcolm X High School in the Bronx. Domingue plays a host of characters in this solo show — including teachers, students, parents, administrators, janitors and security guards. Created in response to the U.S. Government’s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Runs through late April. http://www.CPTOnline.org.

Here and Away The Kent State University Library’s Level 3 Gallery hosts an opening reception for this exhibition presented by Bob Gray and Cathy Manus-Gray on Thu 4/9 from 5 – 7PM. This presentation honors those who serve and those who wait; it’s subtitled A retrospective of a year’s deployment and it sounds intensely moving. Show runs through the end of April. Details at http://www.CathyatHerbanGardens.com. For more info, call 330-657-2248 or visit http://www.PeninsulaArtAcademy.com.

CSU Dance presents “A Spring Dance Concert ’09” This repertory concert featuring the Cleveland State University Dance Company, faculty and alumni and guests from Antaeus Dance and the Lake Erie College Dance Company performing both contemporary and traditional dance works. Works will be staged by guest artists Dianne McIntyre, Cha Lee Chan, and Antaeus Dance Company will premiere of an excerpt from Molt, a new work with music by CSU’s Greg D’Alessio. Check it out Thu 4/9 at 7:30PM in Drinko Recital Hall, CSU Music and Communication Bldg., 2100 Euclid Ave. Tickets available at the door only. For info, call 687-4883.

HOT Mariza: fado Cleveland Museum of Art’s VIVA! & Gala Around Town series presents two-time Latin Grammy-nominated singer Mariza in a program of fado (or passion songs) of Portugal on Fri 4/10 at 7:30PM at the Ohio Theatre, PlayhouseSquare. Just as tango is in Argentina and flamenco is in Spain, fado is the national music of Portugal; Mariza is treated like a rock star in her home country of Portugal. http://www.ClevelandArt.org.

HOT Vanity Crash & Queue Up The two local acts will make a rare concert appearance together Fri 4/10 at the Hi-Fi Concert Club in Lakewood. Vanity Crash has been on something of a hiatus since singer Dan Folino’s acting career exploded (he’s been on-stage non-stop for 18+ months). Vanity Crash [pictured] was the by-product of the Hedwig and the Angry Inch production at Cleveland Public Theatre; Queue Up was responsible for making Hedwig happen musically. That band reformed this past fall, featuring the dramatic voice of Ali Garrigan. Baby Shaker opens. 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. Call 221-4747 for info. www.MySpace.com.

Deflowered: My Life in the Pansy Division Mac’s Backs and B-Side Liquor Lounge in the Coventry ‘hood are co-sponsoring/hosting a party celebrating the pioneering gay rock band Fri 4/10. A new documentary about the group (with the same name) is now out on DVD. Jon Ginoli has just published his memoirs about the band and will be on hand to sign autographs and perform a short set of tunes. Ginoli formed the group in 1991. B-Side Lounge, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd. No cost, open to the public. http://www.BSideLiquorLounge.com.

Tremont ArtWalk Do you really need us to tell you that the second Friday of every month is one of Cleveland’s coolest nights out? One of the region’s most intriguing and enduring visual arts events? Well, we do it anyway and this Fri 4/10 from 6 – 10PM is no exception. So, go ahead and make a night of it. Check out all the places to soak up art by clicking http://www.TremontArtWalk.org.

Meeks & Roskilly Mastroianni Photography & Arts celebrates their new studio, an installation by Shannon Meeks and Photographs by Amy Roskilly this Fri 4/10 from 6 – 10PM as a part of the Tremont ArtWalk. Definitely worth checking out. Email bethmastroianniarts@gmail.com or call 235-6935 for details. 2688 West 14th St.

SPONSORED: This weekend, WCLV 104.9’s programming is chock full of really significant music. On Fri 4/10, WCLV observes Good Friday with a performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion from the 2007 Bach Festival at Baldwin-Wallace. On Sat 4/11, at 12PM Noon, the Metropolitan Opera presents Round Two of Wagner’s ‘”Ring Cycle” with Die Walkuere. On Easter Sunday, 4/12, at 3PM, WCLV offers Bach’s Easter Oratorio. Complete details on WCLV 24/7 classical music programming, go to http://www.WCLV.com.

Empire of Passion On Sat 4/11 at 5:30PM (repeats Mon 4/13 at 9PM) check out a ghost story set in 1895 where a middle-aged wife and mother conspires with her much-younger lover to murder her rickshaw-driver husband. Nagisa Oshima won the Best Director prize at Cannes for this 1978 film. New 35mm color print, w/subtitles. http://www.CIA.edu/Cinematheque.

HOT Men In Suits, Ladies in Little Black Dresses This party, hosted by TropicalCleveland.com, sizzles at Sunset Lounge on Sat 4/11. This was an absolutely huge hit last year [pictured], so they’re doing it again. Possibly it’s because people want to show off their elegant style. Hors d’oeuvres, live music, DJ Corre Camino & DJ Felix, no cover before 10PM. http://www.TropicalCleveland.com

Travesty Dance Group On Fri 4/10 AND Sat 4/11 at 8PM, the troupe presents Reflect. Resurge. Renew. — a contemporary dance concert on the main stage at Weathervane Community, 1301 Weathervane Ln., Akron. TDG made its debut at Mather Dance Center at Case Western Reserve University nearly 12 years; they’ll deliver a full repertory concert of dance/theatre works by Cle’s Kimberly Karpanty and Houston, TX native Karen Stokes. Well worth checking out. http://www.TravestyDanceGroup.org.

Art House is having a Garage Sale for a benefit. They’re in search of donations such as furniture, clothing, art, baby gear, children’s toys, electronics, books, games, sporting goods, tools, lawn equipment, and other miscellaneous treasures. Items can be dropped off on Sat 4/11 from 10AM – 2PM; Wed 4/15 from 10AM – 8PM; thu 4/16 from 10AM – 7PM, and Fri 4/17 from 10AM – 3PM. Call Art House at 398-8556 for more information. Their garage sale starts next week. Details at http://www.ArtHouseInc.org.

Efrat Klipshtien The artist from Tel Aviv, Israel recently arrived in Cleveland to begin her nine-week residency as the 26th SPACES Gallery World Artist. As part of her first residency program, Klipshtien will conduct a no cost presentation on her past works, speak about her ambitions in Cleveland during her stay, and present a special performance titled Opening Out on Sat 4/11 at 7PM. http://www.SPACESGallery.org.

HOT The Room The hottest (and most unlikely) cult movie of the past two years makes its Cle theatrical debut Mon 4/13 at 7PM at the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque. The Room is a “hilariously inept 2003 indie drama” that flopped on its first release but has since become a midnight movie hit in L.A. Produced, written, and directed by Tommy Wiseau, this misbegotten vanity project was the subject of a six-page article in Entertainment Weekly. Be among the first in NEO to discover this terrible (but tasty) treat. Adults only. http://www.TheRoomMovie.com. http://www.CIA.edu/Cinematheque.

For Good After two years of hard work by Hathaway Brown eighth-grader Emma Wahl, the curtain will open Mon 4/13 on For Good, a special, cabaret-style benefit concert headlined by Broadway stars. The culmination of an independent study WEST Fellowship project, proceeds from the show will be directed to Artists Striving To End Poverty, an organization that aims to empower young people through the arts. Details and schedule at http://www.HB.edu/ForGood.

Confessions of a Not-So-Good Catholic Girl Author Deanna Adams will be discussing and signing her book Wed 4/15 at 7PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lyndhurst. This collection of true stories isn’t just about being Catholic good or otherwise — it’s about growing up a baby boomer in the Midwest and while the author doesn’t shy away from the not-so-good events of her life, she finds humor, faith and wisdom in each one of them. http://www.JosephBeth.com.

Northern Ohio Illustrators Society sponsors a presentation by Plein Air artist, award winning illustrator, and gallery owner Lawrence Churski, who will talk about his illustration career and his transition to an accomplished Plein Air artist on Wed 4/15 at 7PM. Kulas Auditorium, the Cleveland Institute of Art. No cost, open to the public. Details at http://www.NOIS.com.

CIM Concert at Severance Hall… gratis! Wow!! That’s right. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra at the home of the Cleveland Orchestra Wed 4/15 at NO COST. Come and hear the extraordinary young musicians of the CIM as they perform under the direction of Cle Pops Carl Topilow. Soloist Stefani Collins will perform the daunting and rarely heard Dohnanyi Violin Concerto No. 2. Call 231-1111 or visit http://www.CIM.edu.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Up in Smoke, Plus an Insightful Opinion Piece

I want all of my faithful readers to go to the bank or an ATM and withdraw a fist full of cash, and then take it home, build a bonfire in the backyard and throw the money onto it. No? You mean you don’t care to do that? Then why are you about to allow some elected officials do just that with your hard-earned dollars?

This isn’t hard to follow: A huge portion of your tax dollars go toward keeping non-violent felons locked up; the vast majority of them are incarcerated on drug charges; drug courts around the county have proven to be a successful alternative to incarceration, thus preserving tax dollars and putting them to use for better purposes, such as education…

Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

Cleveland Journalism Suffers Another Loss

One of the unsung heroes of Cleveland journalism quietly ended a long broadcast career here last week with no fanfare. The city’s news business lost another dedicated newsman whose long and distinguished service — dating back to the 1970s — went more or less generally unobserved. Mark DeMarino, the reporter, legman and researcher for WJW-TV Fox 8’s I-Team, shared in numerous awards — including the coveted Alfred I. DuPont/Columbia Journalism Award for broadcast excellence. It’s comparable to the print journalism’s Pulitzer Prize…
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

“April 15th is the deadline for filing your individual tax returns,” says Frank Revy of Nottingham Tax and Financial

The deadline applies for your Federal, State, and Local returns.

Most people have filed their returns by now. However, you might be a sizeable portion of the demographic that still hasn’t gotten around to preparing their tax returns.

If your situation isn’t complex, my advice would be to get off your duff and do it! Either take the time, or shell out the dough to hire a professional — but do it now! The IRS even provides free help to file your return.

If your return is more complex, you might want to consider filing an extension.

Here are some extension filing basics…

Get the basics and comment on the BFD post Tax Deadline

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Dan Hanson posts photos of the Bruce Springsteen exhibit at the Rock Hall.
Plant a row for the Hungry.
Could the City of Toledo go bankrupt?
Be experimental or become irrelevant.
One family moves to LA only to come back. Find out why.

Leading “The People’s University”
A Discussion with Cle Public Library Executive Director Felton Thomas

Felton Thomas celebrated his own inaugural day as the executive director of Cleveland Public Library on Monday, January 19. He succeeds Andrew Venable, Jr. who retired last year. Thomas embodies over 20 years of library science experience and passion. He grew up in poverty in Las Vegas, and at age 12, discovered his local library as an alternative to truant behavior. His frequent attendance inspired the Children’s librarian to suggest he volunteer as a page. He did, and age 13, became the youngest person to work in the Las Vegas-Clark County Library system.

He continued his career journey at the University of Hawaii where he earned his master’s degree in library science. Cool Cleveland spent some time with Thomas in his tenth floor, glass enclosed, Main Library office overlooking Lake Erie recently. The hot topic? National Library Week, of course, which starts this Monday, April 13. This year’s theme is Worlds Connect @ Your Library and it couldn’t be more fitting…

Read more from Tim Zaun here

Quick reviews of recent events
Submit your own review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Lo Cor de la Plana @ Cleveland Museum of Natural History 3/29 We went to hear Lo Cor de la Plana the Sunday before last not really knowing what to expect, except that as part of the CMA’s VIVA! & Gala Around Town series it would surely be interesting. And it was. Extremely…
Read more from Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas here

Monty Python’s Spamalot @ Palace Theatre 3/31 On the way out of the Palace, where we had just seen Monty Python’s Spamalot, my 13 year-old grandson, who has picked up the nickname “the kid reviewer,” was smiling. He animatedly stated, “That was a perfect 10. It’s the best show. Well, at least the best show I’ve seen so far!” He had been laughing hysterically…
Read more from Roy Berko here

The Lady with All the Answers @ Cleveland Play House 4/1 While sitting in the audience on opening night of The Lady With All the Answers, the personal story of Eppie Lederer (known to many as Ann Landers), my mind flashed back to when I was a youngster and on Thursday afternoons my maternal grandmother would sit my cousins and I down and read us Bintl Briv, an advice column published in The Jewish Forward newspaper…
Read more from Roy Berko here

The Importance of Being Earnest @ John Carroll Univ. 4/3 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde is one of my two favorite plays — the other being James Goldman’s Lion in Winter. They are vastly different from each other with two exceptions. They are both costume dramas, and they’re both witty wars of words…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

The Mineola Twins @ convergence-continuum 4/4 Paula Vogel, the author of The Mineola Twins now in production at convergence-continuum, has been a productive playwright since the 1970s. She is the kind of writer whose works fit perfectly into the convergence play selection criteria of choosing scripts that challenge the audience…
Read more from Roy Berko here

A Faculty Recital @ Baldwin-Wallace College 4/5 The level of local talent available on any given Sunday in Cleveland’s musical world is simply astonishing. Faculty members and guest artists combined for a stunning recital on Sunday afternoon in Gamble Auditorium on the Baldwin-Wallace Campus in Berea…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Terra
Mariza
4Q World Connection

What does it say about global consciousness when no less a pop music authority than Rolling Stone raves about a Portuguese fado singer? The times they are-a-changin’, it seems. Mariza is the reigning queen/diva of fado — a majestic-and-mournful style of vocalizing that cuts to the quick and transcends the boundaries of language and culture. When I first heard Mariza’s Terra, I was reminded of hearing RealWorld artists Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Shiela Chandra for the first time — that “sad yearning” spirit and longing of insular Spanish lands. The lyrics were written by poet Pedro Homem de Mello; Mariza (considered pop royalty in Portugal) brings her “pan-national” healing power to a larger audience without twisting the identity of the soul-bearing vocal style. And to cap off the slate of beauty and sadness, a delicate reading of the Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” (?!?) offers the listener exactly that. One of the coolest things you’ll experience this year, hands down. And she’s headed here for a rare live gig this Fri 4/10 at the Ohio Theatre, PlayhouseSquare, as a part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s VIVA! and Gala Around Town series. Don’t miss this rare, intimate glimpse into some amazing artistry. Learn more by clicking here.

Bonus Interview: CC contributors Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas recently spoke to the CMA’s Director, Performing Arts, Music, and Film, Massoud Saidpour, about Mariza. Saidpour booked the fado diva; their inspired Q&A appears here

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

Most clicked
Here are the Top 5 most clicked links from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) The Future of Cleveland networking party at CSU with execs-in-residence on 4/22. Discount tix available until Midnight Thu 4/9.
CoolCleveland.com

2) Hidden Cleveland Tours . If you missed last week’s, check out the next one in May.
HiddenClevelandTours.eventbrite.com

3) Mansfield says “He Must Be Gay” Prejudices of Any Kind are Damaging.
CoolCleveland.com

4) Borders Books & Music on the way out? Some insiders think so.
Consumerist.com

5) Now is the critical time to support the Beck Center. And Cool Cleveland readers do.
CoolCleveland.com.

Our Astutes for this week include Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Jeanie Fleming-Gifford, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield B. Frazier, Roy Berko, Claudia J. Taller, Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas, David Budin, Roldo Bartimole and Jennifer Boresz. 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.

• Experience the Cool Cleveland podcasts and videos each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com
• Join the conversation at Brewed Fresh Daily http://www.BrewedFreshDaily.com
• Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time
• Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com, and your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com
• Receive your own copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine at http://www.CoolCleveland.com
• Think about moving to the Cleveland Plus region: ClevelandPlusLiving.com
• Friend us on Facebook: http://www.profile.to/thomasmulready
• Follow us on Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/thomasmulready

Perspicaciously yours,
–Thomas Mulready
LettersATCoolCleveland.com
Cool Networks LLC / 14837 Detroit #105 / Cleveland, OH 44107

All contents (c)2009 Cool Networks LLC all rights reserved

 (:divend:)