Lucky

10.06-10.13.04

Lucky?

Dear Friend,

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland Interview with Trinity Cathedral’s Reverend Tracey Lind
* RoldoLINK on studying the rich, racist and greedy
* Talking Loud, Saying Everything with Cleveland keyboard whiz Nick Smith
* Cool Cleveland Book Review of Interrupted By God, by Cleveland’s Reverend Tracey Lind
* Cool Cleveland Sounds review of Lucky Pierre’s new CD, ThinKing

Cool Cleveland Interview
Tracey Lind

Trinity Cathedral is one of Cleveland’s oldest and most historic churches. Its Episcopal parish is headed by the civic-minded and openly gay Reverend Tracey Lind, a compassionate activist who serves as Trinity’s dean and senior clergy. Cool Cleveland spoke with her about Trinity’s multi-tiered, customized church programs, its environmentally friendly and sustainable church, how she relates to the lyrics of the band U2, and Cleveland’s desire for wisdom, God, and meaning beyond ourselves. The public book signing for Tracey Lind’s new book, Interrupted By God, (Pilgrim Press) is at Joseph Beth in Legacy Village on Sun 10/10 from 2-4PM. See Cool Cleveland Book Review below.

Cool Cleveland: How does the recent green renovation and the retail aspect of Trinity Commons fit into your plans, with Cafe Ah-Roma Coffee Shop, 10,000 Villages, and Sacred Path Books & Art bookstore?
Tracey Lind: Let me tell you how it came about. The bookstore was a dream of Cathyrn Pinnaird, who wanted to have a place with resources for the journey, so we made room for the bookstore. When I came here, I roamed around the city, went looking for a cup of coffee and I couldn’t find one in the area. So they said, “What is your vision of an urban Cathedral?” I told them we’ve got these storefronts, and I’m thinking of the Cleveland State University campus’ needs. One of my ideas is about a piazza-type place where people can rest, find refreshment and celebration. Maybe the church has to take that risk, and I think we’ve affected the redevelopment of this neighborhood. So, we added the coffee shop and there was another storefront that needs to be consistent with our values, but what do people need? Maybe a place where they can pick up gifts, and what about fair trade? So we formed a corporation and we invited 10,000 Villages to our location. They told us their business is not our ministry, so we found some funders who took some risks…the green part came about when we decided to put our money where our mouth is; take a risk. There are two prices: the price to our pocket book, and the cost to the environment; they are economic and ecological…and now we have a healthy workspace with nontoxic paint, natural light, recycled carpet, and a geothermal system that heats and cools. In that way, sustainability and community dovetails. And then you put WiFi here, in what will someday become the Euclid Corridor project. We’re also exploring turning Mather Hall into a hostel; wouldn’t it be great to have an alternative place to stay in Cleveland? What if every downtown church and every hospital in every neighborhood had a piazza like in Europe? What better way to use our interior and lobby spaces!
Read the Cool Cleveland Interview with Tracey Lind here

Be kind to strangers In cities where newcomers are rare, the transplants are rarely welcomed, according to Resources for Civic Leaders, published by Civic Strategies, Inc., who noted “standoffishness could hurt business.” Residents of Minneapolis, even though they’re so pleasant they’ve earned the nickname “Minnesota Nice,” can be cold in more ways than one, a phenomenon they hope to erase with a new site specifically created for transplants, called http://www.ImNotFromHere.com. Civic Strategies also noted, “For another approach to welcoming newcomers, there’s www.CoolCleveland.com, a web site and e-mail newsletter that tells people about happenings in the Cleveland area.” Let’s keep that welcome mat out. See http://www.Civic-Strategies.com/last_issue.htm

Coral buys Shaker Square Cleveland-based real estate developer The Coral Company has just added Shaker Square to its portfolio, the historic landmark, and they’ve already signed leases with many exciting locally owned merchants. The Square has been a neighborhood destination, dedicated to ensuring prime offerings in shopping, dining and gathering space and is scheduled to improve further through collaboration with all community stakeholders. Look for the new Sergios restaurant, East Coast Original Frozen Custard, and a complete outdoor theater created on the southern half of the square. http://www.thecoralcompany.com/retailshakersquare.html

County gives $375K to the big boyz The high and mighty art establishments are still getting choice portions of funding: Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Great Lakes Science Center; but we’re glad to report that some of the smaller guys received help: Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland Film Society, and the Tom and Susana Evert Dance Theatre. See PD here

People’s Art Show wants you Cleveland State’s 16th People’s Art Show is Cleveland’s free, unjuried, uncensored exhibition celebrating creativity, diversity, and imagination, and it’s open to everyone. Artists are permitted to submit two works of any size, in any medium, of any subject. All entries are exhibited. Bring your work to the Cleveland State University Art Gallery on Fri 10/15 and Sat 10/16 between 10AM and 4PM. Show will open on Fri 11/5 at the CSU Art Gallery and continues through Fri 12/10. Call 687-2103. Cleveland State Art Gallery, the corner of East 23rd St. and Chester Ave. (2307 Chester Ave.) http://www.csuohio.edu/art/gallery/

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Own a Beautiful Townhome on Prospect Avenue The Montana Townhomes, located at East 36th and Prospect Avenue, are now nearly complete! Located in the heart of the beautiful Upper Prospect historic district, these ten, contemporary townhomes offer fresh, open designs, and a gorgeous brick and stone façade that extends right to the edge of the street. Features include two roomy bedrooms with vaulted ceilings, 1½-2½ baths, open decks off the gourmet kitchen, and a 1-2 car attached garage. You’ll be moments from Downtown and University Circle. For a sweetener, there’s 15-year tax abatement! Starting at $169,900, these fee-simple townhomes are a great bargain. For a complete list of properties and open houses this weekend, please visit www.ProgressiveUrban.com
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Giving Cleveland the love Global Traveler notices that “Cleveland is a surprisingly sane place to live,” citing the decent traffic flow, downtown’s enticing condominiums that have renewed life to historic buildings in the warehouse district, and its accessibility. Global Traveler USA here

Big Box on W. 117th Street? Rysar Properties Inc. wants to bring a big-box shopping center at the West 117th Street interchange with Interstate 90. Uh-oh. See Crain’s here and the PD here.

Cleveland goes, we all go with her Here’s a sobering thought: Regions that allow their core city to die will not be able to thrive. This tip was delivered from Ted Mondale, who helped move Minneapolis out of urban decay, when he spoke at Cleveland’s third symposium on regional thinking. It’s about time we take his advice. See PD here

Firm Up Your PR with Ads of Steel Give your PR options some muscle without working up a sweat. Impress your clients with your Internet-savvy offering by pumping up your marketing mix with Cool Cleveland’s weekly e-letter. Cool Cleveland’s audience demographic hits college-graduate professionals in the 25- to 50-year-old age range, with a household income of $51,000+. And Clevelanders tune in to find out what’s going down all around town. Work out with a pub that’s cooler than Pilates. Towel optional. Drop us a line at Info@CoolCleveland.com

Food Bank awards artists Cleveland Public Art and the Cleveland Foodbank announce the winners of a public competition for an art installation at the new home of the Foodbank. The competition asked artists to design an “art wall” and a “donor wall” for the Foodbank’s new community food distribution center, which is currently under construction near East 152nd Street and I-90 in the historic Collinwood Yards area. Noted artist, Andy Yoder, who is also a native Clevelander and 1982 Cleveland Institute of Art graduate, was selected as the first place winner, topping finalists Don Harvey and Stephen Manka. The Foodbank project is Yoder’s first commissioned art piece in Cleveland since his 1999 permanent commission for the then-new terminal at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. http://www.ClevelandFoodBank.org

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The Writers Series! Once again, Cuyahoga County Public Library will present four world-renowned writers through their Writers Center Stage series in Playhouse Square at the Ohio Theatre. Opening Tue 10/19, the ’04/’05 season features more literary favorites like humorist, satirist and poet Calvin Trillin, who will open the coming season. Mr. Trillin will likely offer verse and wit from his latest work Obviously on He Sails where he showcases his command of rhyme to describe the Bush administration through rhythmic prose. And, these presentations offer not only four great evening’s worth of entertainment; enhanced ticket packages offer the opportunity for select seats or the chance to attend a lunch with Calvin Trillin! More information on subscriptions, including benefactor and patron packages, are available online at www.cuyahogalibrary.org, or by calling 216.749.9486. Cuyahoga County Public Library – providing your community open access to resources that inform, entertain and enrich. www.cuyahogalibrary.org
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Combine art with nature at a one-of-a-kind after school program in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Instructors use the beauty of the National Park to inspire young minds and hands at this weekly program 10/11 thru 11/1 from 5-7PM. Sign up for one class or all four and take advantage of the national treasure in our own backyard through the eyes of talented local artists. Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Educational Center, 3675 Oak Hill Rd. in Peninsula. To register, call 330-376-9186 x230, or use the downloadable form at http://www.akronartmuseum.org/calendar_f.html

Art on Superior City officials, along with with Cleveland Public Art, have enlivened the Superior Avenue corridor between East 17th and East 30th streets with several improvements: new sidewalks, tree lawns, street lights and spaces for sidewalk dining and art displays. Cleveland is looking better already, and it’s about time. See PD here http://www.ClevelandPublicArt.org http://www.CityArtistsAtWork.com http://www.TowerPress.com

Lakewood Library looking for artists Lakewood Public Library is featuring a “Sunday with the Friends” series in their auditorium, they’re planning Spring/Summer 2005 events and will need performers. An honorarium of $100 per performance is offered; programs need to be up to an hour in length. For info call 226-8275 X127 and email mw44116@yahoo.com

Sending books into space is the best way to contact space aliens. Two Rutgers University professors say that transporting actual, physical writings, rather than transmitting radio waves, is probably the best way to contact extraterrestrial beings. http://theedge.bostonherald.com/lifeNews/view.bg?articleid=44910

Art in the Valley With Dr. Barbara Tannenbaum, Chief Curator and Head of Public Programs at the Akron Art Museum as their juror this year, for the 33rd Annual Juried Exhibit and Competition at the Valley Art Center. They are putting out a call for art on 10/22 & 10/23, with opening reception on Fri 11/5 from 6-8PM. 155 Bell Street, Chagrin Falls, 440-247-7507 http://www.ValleyArtCenter.org

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Are you ready for RED? Are you ready for a redesigned classical music experience? One that melds live performance with theatre, film and other art forms and will redefine your perception of a live classical music performance? Join Red {an orchestra} and rediscover the classical concert experience, as they launch their third season on Sat 10/23 at Masonic Auditorium with their semi-staged theatre production, Franz Schubert: Unfinished/Refinished. Musical Director Jonathan Sheffer’s program focuses on the modern fascination with Schubert’s life and music, presenting colorized versions of his work as miniature masterpieces. Come see and hear why Elaine Guregian of The Akron Beacon Journal proclaimed, “Red’s performance sent members of the audience to their cars with something to talk about. I can’t wait for another show”. For subscriptions, individual tickets or for more information on Red’s season, please visit our website at www.redanorchestra.org or call 440.519.1733.
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Green RTA stop is nation’s first Converting its reputation as the city where the river burned won’t be easy for Cleveland (a museum to celebrate the fire on the river would be a good start), but here’s a step in the right direction. The new RTA Rapid Transit station at West 65th & Lorain is the first “green-built” rapid transit station in the nation, and possibly the only one of its kind in the world. Check it out at Plain Press’s new online publication at http://www.nhlink.net/plainpress

Filmmaker’s garage sale After 24 years in the film scenery and prop business, Jim Gelarden of Sideline Design is closing shop and devoting himself full-time to filmmaking. Over the years, he has worked on films like Seabiscuit and Telling Lies In America, and he has collected a bizarre range of props and stuff, “rooms full of furniture, rugs, lamps and draperies; rafters of Christmas party and holiday decorations; zillions of pictures, frames and signs; lots of antiques like vintage radios, cameras and telephones; backdrops; apple boxes; Formica; lumber; windows and doors; gigantic balls of yarn; old beauty school practice heads (great for Halloween decor) and a couple of bee smokers.” Sideline Design will hold their sale on Fri 10/8 and Sat 10/9 from 9AM to 3PM. Please do not bring children. Call 391-7000. Rear of the Shovel Works Building, 1588 East 40th Street. http://www.jimgelarden.com

Mall B public art

Take a walk down St. Clair or Lakeshore Avenues around East 6th Street, and have a look at what they’ve done to Mall B. Cleveland Public Art commissioned New York artist Brian Tolle (Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready served on the judging panel) to create the work pictured here, For the gentle wind doth move Silently, invisibly, a 2-year temporary public art installation that would bring life to one of our most beautiful underused public spaces. Tolle based his design around the city’s Group Plan, and used computer-driven modeling tools to form solid styrofoam Beaux Arts urns that look like they are being blown over by the strong Lake Erie winds. ParkWorks will keep them fresh with seasonal plantings. Congrats to outgoing CPA director Lillian Kuri, sponsors Breen & Fox and city officials who collaborated in this stunning piece of art. Check it out. http://www.ClevelandPublicArt.org

Cool Cleveland Classifieds
Wouldn’t it be great if you could advertise your autos, homes, and other stuff in Cool Cleveland? Well, don’t get too excited just yet, and don’t start sending us your classified ads quite yet. If you’re interested, click on the listings below, and watch this space in the coming weeks. Remember, there’s plenty of places to list your junk; we only want your cool stuff!

A home in the city From Laura Putre, former columnist for Cleveland’s Scene magazine, now living in Chicago as Editor of The Chicago Journal. Click here to read her comparisons of Cleveland and Chicago. She’s selling her Cleveland home: Live comfortably in the heart of the city. Lovely vintage two bath, four-bedroom colonial with two-car garage in the West Blvd. area. Recently remodeled. Finished basement, central air, all appliances. Large bedrooms; master bedroom has a walk-in closet. Hardwood floors, berber carpeting, marble foyer, landscaped front yard. Fenced backyard, vinyl siding. Ten minutes, and you’re downtown. Listed at $129,900; call Armand Rossi at ERA-Lentz, 440-842-7171.

Superclean Acura You’ll turn heads in this excellent condition, one-owner 1994 Acura Integra with classic styling. Only 60,000 miles, no accidents, well-maintained (includes all maintenance records). Sunroof, power windows, split rear seats and hatch offer huge cargo area. Sporty five-speed is fun to drive, delivers high gas mileage and reliability. Distinctive four projector headlights, firm suspension, 2-door hatchback coupe. Like new. $7500 or best offer. See photos here. To arrange a test drive, send mail to: Auto0100@CoolCleveland.com


Cool Cleveland This Week

10.06- 10.13

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Fall for The Circle Live music, jugglers, magicians, and so much more for lovers of autumn to come celebrate in University Circle. Bring the family to Wade Oval in the Circle this week and weekend for five days of fun and festival beginning Wed 10/6 and running through Sun 10/10. Special events have been planned at most all of the University Circle institutions. Call 707-5033. Check the weblink below for a complete listing of events and activities happening in University Circle. http://www.UniversityCircle.org/press_listing.asp?id=118

Auctioning the art of GuitarMania The original artist drawings for GuitarMania® II will be auctioned to benefit United Way Services and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s education fund. The goods up for auction include drawings and renderings submitted by local artists, so you’ll be purchasing local art while supporting local charity on Thu 10/7 from 5:30 to 9PM. Call 436-2121. The Tower Press Building, 1900 Superior Ave.

Creative Coffee Night will get you a coffee mug to paint, three hours of paint time, and exotic specialty coffee drinks: Carmel Creme Breve, White Chocolate Lavender Latte, and Death by Chocolate Cappuccino brewed by professional baristas from Phoenix Coffee. Don’t miss this caffeinated event where guests will receive a chance to win a free pound of coffee on Thu 10/7 from 6-9PM. Space is limited; get the hookup at 292-3403. Clayground Studio, 27629 Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere. http://www.ClayGroundStudios.com/events/index.html

Immigrant Integration Efforts helping elected leaders and communities respond to the changing needs stemming from the current immigrant boom. Hear the lowdown from Mayor Don Plusquellic, Akron Mayor and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, along with other distinguished speakers who will address how immigrants can become an economic asset on Thu 10/7 at 4PM. Call 330-524-2067. Corbin Rotunda, John S. Knight Center, 77 East Mill St. For info email rswilson@raex.com and visit http://www.Knightfdn.org

How the Internet Changed the Political Process Stop in for a continental breakfast and get the 411 on the history and effectiveness of the Internet as a campaigning tool. You’ll also be introduced to how and why politicians adjust their fundraising and communications strategies, and learn insider info from a panel of experts: Mike Connell of New|Media Communications, who provided web design for George W. Bush, will point out how politics are changing on Thu 10/7 from 7:30-9:45AM. The City Club of Cleveland, 2nd Floor, 850 Euclid Ave. Call 522-1383. http://www.CityClub.org

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Lead gets his props Lead Belly is perhaps one of the most influential songwriters in American history. His music is fundamental to the American songbook, but most people are unaware of the depth of his significance. Robert Plant, Los Lobos, Robert Lockwood Jr. and others will help the Rock Hall pay tribute to this legend, whose catalog includes Midnight Special, Rock Island Line and Where Did You Sleep Last Night. He influenced the likes of Muddy Waters, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, Neil Young, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash and countless others. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and CASE are paying homage to him with a week-long (11/1-7) series of concerts, seminars and programs culminating with a tribute concert with Robert Plant, Los Lobos, Alison Krauss, Dave Alvin, John Hiatt and more on Sun 11/7, 7:30PM at Severance Hall. Don’t miss this rockin’ event – visit www.RockHall.org for details!
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WIRE-Net For their 16th annual meeting, they’ve planned a day of innovative ideas and intelligent exhange to solve tomorrow’s challenges. WIRE-Net [Westside Industrial Retention & Expansion network] and their nationally renowned innovation expert, Robert B. Tucker, will propose ideas and insights on changing economic times, the challenges manufacturing companies face, and the key to success – innovation. Stay for hors d’ ouevres and a book signing of Tucker’s recent book, Driving Growth Through Innovation on Thu 10/7 from 5-7:30PM. Call 631-7330. Brennan’s Party Center, 13000 Triskett Rd. http://www.Wire-Net.org

Ian Hunter & the Rant Band Forgive Ian Hunter for writing our city anthem, Cleveland Rocks, a great song that we’ve heard just a few hundred too many times. And don’t get on the nostalgia train for the dude who sang David Bowie’s gay glam anthem All The Young Dudes, with Mott The Hoople. And don’t get all wet for the guy who hooked up with Mick Ronson and wrote the ’80s anthem, Once Bitten, Twice Shy, or get all uppity about how his songs like, Violence pre-dated and influenced punk rock. Instead, pick up a copy of 2001’s Rant, pop it in your car CD player and turn up the volume for tough, bitter, honest anthems for today. Ian Hunter is back in town and headlining; Owen McCarthy of The Everyothers will open the show on Thu 10/7 at 8:30PM. Call 383-1124. The Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road,http://www.BeachlandBallroom.com

Regionalism and Equity This forum will place the growing discussions on regionalism into a broader context and will change the way people think about the region, and create a more sustainable region for future generations. Find out how efficient provision of public services paired with environmental quality can make it happen on Fri 10/8 from 8:30AM-noon. Registration is required, call 523-7495. Atrium at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, 1717 Euclid Ave. http://www.urban.csuohio.edu/forum

25th Year Anniversary of Art Walk The festival has a new spin for this year’s art walk, and the event has a new name and a new energy: The Columbus Day Weekend Arts Festival. Little Italy has been the home of Cleveland’s finest and most established arts community for decades, and over 35 galleries and studios will open in the neighborhood with international and regional art. Make it a leisurely weekend while you check out artist exhibits and shop for one-of-a-kind art works. Italian food and live entertainment rounds out the weekend-long events on Fri 10/8 thru Sun 10/10 from 5-10PM. Event continues each weekend, thru Mon 10/11. Call 421-1717. Historic Little Italy.

Brian Straw farewell show His contribution to fellow Ohioans, Six Parts Seven’s revised document, Lost Notes From Forgotten Songs (Suicide Squeeze), is a performance Splendid ezine highlights as “an epic but intimate gothic ballad that recalls…Nick Cave.” See Straw before he moves to NYC; he’ll be supported onstage by members of Six Parts Seven, Perfect Guy, as well as the unpredictable Mikey Machine of Machine Go Boom this Fri 10/8 at 9 PM in Beachland’s tavern. Call 383-1124. Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd. http://www.BeachlandBallroom.com

Terrorism on Trial Hunting down terrorists and bringing them to justice has become the policy of the federal government­, but what kind of justice should the terrorists receive? Case Western Reserve University’s Frederick K. Cox International Law Center will sponsor the all-day international conference, a forum for leading experts in the field of counter-terrorism from the United Nations and the federal government. Prosecutors, prominent journalists, and scholars will critically assess past and current approaches to meting out justice to terrorists Fri 10/8 from 8:15-5:45PM. It’s a free public conference. Case School of Law, 11075 East Blvd. http://lawwww.cwru.edu

ACM SIGGRAPH Electronic Theatre The show opens with a talk by West Coast animator Kevin Geiger, who graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art and now works for Disney and Simplistic Pictures. Afterwards, hit the screening of the Electronic Theater, an animation festival organized each year to present the best digital animations, visualizations, simulations, visual effects demonstrations and technical presentations from around the world. Event happens Fri 10/8 at 7PM. The best part: mention CoolCleveland.com and receive a discount at the door. Call 707-2647. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gartner Auditorium, 11150 East Blvd. For more info click here http://www.siggraph.org/s2004/conference/caf/index.php?pageID=conference or visit http://www.clevelandart.org/ET

Art Hut ’04: This Time It’s Personal Stop in during the Tremont Art Walk and view performance based, viewer participation type events. Got a thin wallet? No problem. The hut has over a hundred original art works priced below $10, and it’s a novel way to take care of early x-mas shopping Fri 10/8 at 8PM; this event gets crazed with the crowds, so come early and stay for the grand finale at 10PM. Call 330-304-8528. Asterisk Gallery, 2393 Professor Ave.

WCLVnotes This coming Fri 10/8, two broadcast series begin on WCLV 104.9. At 9PM, the first Music from the Western Reserve recital, A Night at the Opera, will be broadcast. It was taped on Sun 9/26 at the Chapel of Western Reserve Academy in Hudson. Then at 10PM, the New York Philharmonic concerts return to the WCLV airwaves. The WCLV produced and nationally distributed series by The Detroit Symphony has begun on Sundays at 1PM. And a new show featuring Fadel Fulkerson called The Singer’s Art is being heard Sundays at 8:30PM. a Cool Cleveland partner www.wclv.com

Pride and Prejudice The Ohio premiere of a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s enduring romance, and it’s only the third production in the United States which is seldom seen on stage. What happens when love trumps both prejudice and pride? See the theatric duel of personalities in one of the truest literary romances with prominent local actors on Fri 10/8 at 8PM thru 10/31. Call 440-525-4774. Lakeland Theatre at Lakeland Community College’s Performing Arts Center, 7700 Clocktower Dr. in Kirtland. http://www.Lakeland.cc.oh.us

Chinese Cultural Festival Come and learn about the unique history and customs of China at the Chinese Cultural Festival at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History this Sat 10/9 from 11AM-4PM. Authentic Chinese food, music, dance, martial arts demonstrations and a Chinese zodiac treasure hunt will all be part of the scene. This event is being held in conjunction with a new and hauntingly beautiful photographic exhibit by Linda Butler entitled Yangtze Remembered: The River Beneath the Lake. Call 231-4600. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Dr. http://www.cmnh.org

Mike Watt & the Second Men Watt, a punk rock pioneer and founding member of the highly influential Minutemen, is still delivering harshly adventurous music tinged with the variegated traditions of funk, folk, and free jazz. He joined with Perry Farrell in 1996 when he went on the road with Porno for Pyros, and created the opera Contemplating The Engine Room. He’s now on tour, ripping up our fair city on Sat 10/9 at 10PM. Get tickets at 440-775-8471. The Dionysus Discotheque, Oberlin College, Wilder Hall, 135 West Lorain St. in Oberlin.

Breastfest The female fronted concert series is back to raise funds for breast cancer patients and their families. Local artists will display and donate some of their art and photography, including independent artists Deby Cowdin of Vivid Art Gallery from the Colonial Marketplace and Linda Goik of Local Girl Gallery in Lakewood. Cleveland musicians Tracy Marie, Anne E. Dechant and Robin Stone will be pumping out estrogen filled entertainment Sat 10/9 from noon-7PM. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 1 Key Plaza. http://www.rockhall.com

Stained glass creation workshop Unleash your inner artisan in this class where you’ll be guided through the design process of stained glass. No experience is necessary, and all the basic techniques are taught in this hands-on training course. Classes begin Sat 10/9 from 10AM-1PM. Registration is necessary; call 440-526-6232. Brecksville Arts, 8997 Highland Dr. in Brecksville. http://www.BrecksvilleArts.org

Mercy Seat opening night On the day following 9/11, as the dust is still settling, a married man and his mistress begin to see this tragedy as a chance to disappear…to be dead to the world, and to begin a new life. New York Daily News praises it as “an intelligent and thought provoking drama…” Make the opening night on Sat 10/9 at 8PM, and call 321-2930 to see what’s brewing with Ensemble Theatre’s new series of plays. Studio One at Cleveland Playhouse, 8500 Euclid Ave. http://www.ClevelandPlayhouse.com

da Vinci mystery journey benefit lends a hand to VerbBallets, hailed as “One of 25 to Watch in 2004” by Dance Magazine. Experience an evening of traveling the “sacred city” via clues to three locations, while you leisurely enjoy hors d’ oeuvres, wine, dinner and dessert catered by Sammy’s. A silent auction and VerbBallets performance completes the event on Sat 10/9 at 5:30PM; journey begins 6PM. Dress code is black, from head to toe. Call for registration at 397-3757. Meet at the secured parking lot on Prospect Ave. across from 2332 Prospect, just east of East 22nd St. http://www.VerbBallets.org

Jesus & Her Gospel of Yes This art film is produced and directed by locals, starring numerous Kentites in a mostly Kent-set interpretation of the life of Christ. See renowned poets take on the position of God and Satan with a musical score by Pointless Orchestra on Sat 10/9 at 9PM. Call 330-676-1950. Electric Cultural Center, 252 North Water St. in Kent.

Teacher and the Student: Charles Rosenthal and Ilya Kabokov A total installation by the celebrated Russian emigre artist Ilya Kabokov has radically transformed the galleries into a Beaux Arts-style museum. Walk into the exhibition’s classic retrospective of scultpture, drawings and paintings reconciling Soviet realism and socialist content on Sun 10/10 from 11AM-6PM. Call 421-8671. MOCA, 8501 Carnegie Ave. http://www.MOCAcleveland.org

Fourth Annual World Festival Cleveland’s cultural communities merge in a day long fest with ultra world sounds of Brazilian jazz and Ritmo y Razan. Watch gravity defying demonstrations of capoeira, a Brazillian martial arts form, and performances by an exotic Middle Eastern dance company. Visitors can purchase unusual arts from Ten Thousand Villages, and get down to free entertainment from a variety of dance groups and bands that represent almost a dozen different countries on Sun 10/10 from noon to 4PM. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Main Stage, 1 Key Plaza. http://www.RockHall.com

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Slavic Village Library Opening and Anniversary There’s much to learn about the nature of the city and city life via Slavic Village’s library, that’s making resources available on local history to the public. October 10th marks the 2nd anniversary of the opening of the History Center, complete with walking tours of the neighborhood scheduled throughout the afternoon on Sun 10/10 from noon-5PM. Call 739-0523. Mill Creek Falls History Center, 8404 Webb Terrace in Slavic Village.

Artistic Strategies for Troubling Times A sure-to-be-stimulating conversation and press conference between legendary theatre director Peter Sellars and Los Angeles Poverty Department (LAPD) artistic director John Malpede, which kicks off Agents & Assets, a collaboration coming in November between LAPD and Cleveland Public Theatre’s Y-Haven program, designed to work with formerly homeless men in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Sellars directed over 100 productions worldwide, including the massive and inspiring Los Angeles Festivals, and Malpede’s LAPD works in collaboration in Los Angeles’ skid row. Their discussion takes place at 7PM on Mon 10/11 at CPT, 6415 Detroit Avenue, 631-2727 http://www.CPTonline.org

Laurie Anderson in concert is one of the perks of the 2004 Interactive Media Forum: Creative Space, Digital Space. Be part of the forum and stay on later for an evening with Laurie Anderson, who will present the ultimate adjunct to this year’s conference with a concert performance at Miami’s Hall Auditorium on Mon 10/11. All conference registration fees include a ticket to the Laurie Anderson concert plus a special, invitation-only “meet the artist” reception immediately following the performance. Shriver Center, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. http://student.sba.muohio.edu/ims/contact.htm

Design and Entrepreneurship What role does design play in new ventures? Just look at shoes, toys or furniture, where design drives the products’ success. Speaker Allan Eva will discuss the critical role design played in his successful venture, Jet Dock Systems, its success attributed to both product and graphic design. During this presentation, Eva will discuss design as a business decision and a legal foothold on Tue 10/12 from 5:30-8:30PM. RSVP at 330-338-3001. Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 Carnegie Ave. http://www.idsa.org or visit http://www.ClevelandDowntown.gardeninn.com

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

RoldoLINK
Let’s Study the Rich, Racist and Greedy
by Roldo Bartimole

As a community, we now have established committees to study what to do about poverty in Cleveland. Again.

After the embarrassing news that Cleveland ranks No. 1 in poverty, Mayor Jane Campbell and other political, civic and corporate leaders jumped all over the issue. They launched a new examination of poverty and what to do about it.

Haven’t we done this before? Haven’t we done this, in some form, a thousand times before?

Does anyone remember the U.S. Civil Rights Commission hearings of 1965 in Cleveland to examine poverty, its causes and its consequences? Does anyone remember Mayor Carl Stokes 1968 Commission on Welfare in Cleveland? Or the 1990 study, An Analysis of Poverty and Related Conditions in Cleveland’s Neighborhoods? Or the 1992 Cleveland Foundation Commission on Poverty report on the long-term strategy for eliminating poverty?

The Cleveland Foundation promoted Center for Urban Poverty and Social Change at Case Western Reserve’s School of Applied Social Science, which has been in business for a decade studying Cleveland poverty. It now has a staff of more than 25.

Yet the poverty rises and intensifies.

So where are the solutions?…
Read RoldoLINK here

Talking Loud, Saying Everything: Nick Smith
Keyboard Whiz Comes Home, Speaks His Mind

Keyboard wizard Nick Smith brought his star-studded quintet to Nighttown to announce to the world that he’s ready to be heard. He breezed through the two sets, comprised entirely of his own compositions. The audience, in addition to throngs that came to holla at their prodigal son, was a veritable who’s who of local musicians, including bassists Gary Stevenson of Forecast, and Marty Simms, as well as drummer Robert Hubbard, trumpeter Curtis Taylor and pianist Jackie Warren. Cool Cleveland caught up with Nick Smith days after the show to get this hometown hero’s perspective on a variety of issues related to the Cleveland music scene. Smith got his entrée into the music business at the now defunct Front Row Theatre when he came out of the audience as an amateur and ended up playing twenty minutes with George Duke and Stanley Clarke during one of their performances. Smith now tours regularly with Clarke.

Cool Cleveland: When you say, “We don’t have the musical outlet” here in Cleveland, what do you mean?
Nick Smith: We have Nighttown and that’s great, but we need other avenues; there needs to be more studio work here. So that way, guys can develop their reading skills. There needs to be a situation where there’s someone who’d be willing to try to represent and help these guys either to get a record deal or get their projects on the road. Had I not left Cleveland, a lot of the opportunities that have happened for me, I think, would not have happened… When Cleveland was jumping, we were kids or we weren’t born yet. I can recall my father telling me about a lot of the clubs that used to be on Euclid and Cedar, ’cause that was the Strip of Cleveland. But unfortunately, over the years you’ve known me, we had The Reason Why right here on Shaker Square, we had Maxwell’s and a lot of these clubs are no longer here. You need more than one or two venues… We have musicians who use this as a forum to attract women. That’s fine, but okay, you’re here. You’re a big fish in a small pond. Now you wanna go tackle the world, but there’s women everywhere… What’s good about L.A., or one of the good things…once you become known and people embrace you and take you in, you can get hooked onto different kinds of work. For example, you watch TV, someone has to compose the music for the commercials. You go to the movies, someone is doing the music for the movies…so it’s not always about being out front. That’s what I mean about outlets here. You don’t have that here. Only other opportunity they have here besides the Tri-C Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals is the orchestra, and unless you’re great and classically trained…that door is kind of small, especially, and I hate to say, for brothers.
Read Talking Loud, Saying Everything with Nick Smith by Vince Robinson here

Cool Cleveland Book Review
Interrupted by God by Tracey Lind
Pilgrim Press

See Cool Cleveland Interview of Tracey Lind here

Very early in Tracey Lind’s first book— page one of the Preface, actually— the Dean of Cleveland’s Trinity Episcopal Cathedral sets the tone for her coffee-table quality volume of devotional essays and accompanying photographs. Born of Jewish and Christian parents, she is also a lesbian who spent a large amount of time ministering to homeless men and women most folks avoid out of embarrassment or nervousness, Lind considers herself “belonging to the edge, to the fringe.” Identifying herself as an Evangelical Universalist– meaning she follows Jesus, but doesn’t necessarily expect you to do the same– Lind confides that by living on the edge, “I can see all kinds of things that I couldn’t see if I only lived in the center of safety and privilege.”
Read the review of Interrupted by God by Reverend Tracey Lind here

Instant Karma
Quik reviews of recent events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what’s really happening. We’d love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 9/30

The Cleveland Orchestra performed a bit of a variety show last week that was, on the whole, quite pleasant. The evening began with György Ligeti’s Chamber Concerto. Mr. Ligeti may be the greatest living composer today (if you allow me to go out on that limb) and his music is always a treat. Mr. Ligeti’s compositions often create an atmosphere in which it feels as if you are walking through a very strange forest or landscape, his music can be rather trippy. (More on Ligeti later.) The variety show continued with Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D with Thomas Zehetmair on violin. Mr. Zehetmair performed very musically with attention to rhythmic and musical line, staying on task and keeping the showmanship to a minimum. The evening concluded with Jean Sibelius’s Lemminkainen Suite, which was based on a Finnish epic poem. The details of the poem includes the hero being hacked up into little pieces only to have his mother rake him out of the river and magically reassemble him; moms are great. And so was the music. Franz Welser-Most, who slept through the first half of the concert, conducted the work at a relaxed pace letting the music unfold and slowly reveal itself. The work was filled with those Sibelius trademarks: quiet play with low rumbling tension as if something was about to erupt from beneath the surface. Though the work was obviously Sibelius, you could not help from hearing the Richard Wagner influences throughout the work. In movements one and two, bits of Tristan and Isolde snuck in and out while the third movements opening theme had hints of Parsifal. Now let us return to Mr. Ligeti, a composer whose work is seldom heard in this country. Why not a Ligeti festival in Cleveland, maybe part of the Arts Festival or maybe the Cleveland Orchestra might take a risk (hey take a walk on the wild side). This would get world wide recognition, and isn’t that what we need here in Cleveland? from Cool Cleveland contributor Brian Schriefer

Othello @ Bad Epitaph Theatre 10/2
What: Alison Hernan’s gender-bent take on Shakespeare’s tale of a tragic Moor driven to madness & murder by the manipulations of his envious underling Iago.
Reasons to go: Magdalyn Donnelly is a lovely Desdemona – fiery and dignified. Nathan Gurr’s hunky, dagger-twirling Cassio is fun. Hernan uses the new space well, and her costumes are beautiful.
Caveats: Lots of camp comedy here, but with such uneven acting, it’s hard to tell how much is intentional. Meg Chamberlain plays a lesbian Iago as an eye-rolling villainess like Joan Crawford in high dudgeon, wreaking havoc among men who can only think with what’s between their legs: a dim-bulb Roderigo (Joshua Brown), a whore-mongering Cassio, and the easily led Othello (M. Scott Newsome, handsome but dull except when he’s angry). It’s messy and long (2½ hours), but now and then things spark – especially when Desdemona is on-stage.
Backstory: Hernan is a co-founder of Bad Epitaph, and this is her directorial debut. It’s also the first theatrical presentation in the new ORTHODOX space, a former church with gorgeous painted panels & golden icons.
Target audience: Those who enjoy Shakespeare enough to be tolerant of uneven productions.
Details: ORTHODOX, 6203 Detroit at CPT, Cleveland. 216-556-0919. Through 10/23. http://www.badepitaph.com.
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein Linda@coolcleveland.com

Cool Cleveland Sounds
ThinKing by Lucky Pierre

Lucky Pierre’s ThinKing (Lucky Pierre Music)

ThinKing is the first Lucky Pierre record in 16 years. The Cleveland-based group fronted by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin McMahon, once included Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails in its ranks and released several seven-inch singles and a six-song EP Communiqué between 1979 and 1988. After that, McMahon formed Prick, a glam-tinged industrial outfit who were signed to Reznor’s Nothing label, toured with the likes of David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails, and released two acclaimed records: Prick (1995) and Wayward (2002). Now things have come full circle with the highly welcome return of Lucky Pierre. While ThinKing was largely recorded in McMahon’s Lakewood apartment, it has the sonic attributes of a big time studio release with its explosive crystal clear sound. Combining electro-pop influences with more traditional rock n’ roll, at times McMahon comes across like the perfect marriage of Gary Numan, David Bowie, and Ray Davies. Throughout this CD, one is dazzled by innovative instrumental passages, effecting melodies, and crashing choruses. In a better world, songs like Beginning, Automatic, and Cloud would be worldwide radio smashes. Lyrically, McMahon is an extremely sharp observer of the idiosyncrasies of everyday life in the tradition of the aforementioned Davies. He even sings a little like the Kinks legend on some of the more stripped down numbers like the first-rate Attitude. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait 16 years for another record! http://www.LuckyPierreMusic.com
from Cool Cleveland music contributor Ben Vendetta

Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On Republicans reading Cool Cleveland I am beginning to think that you really believe that only Democrats like and appreciate the arts. While it is true that most of Hollywood’s actors guild is composed of Dems, it remains true that more than half of this country is the other. I have been reading your e-mails for more than three months and have yet to find one favorable mention of anything remotely resembling a conservative view. It’s time for you and your writers and staff to get a grip on reality and address our entire art loving community, instead of insinuating that only Dems love the arts. You are attempting to do our great city a service. You should attempt to address the entire community instead of just the Democratic minority. Realizing that the Cleveland community encompasses 7 counties with a population demographic of nearly 3 million, and the great majority of those are Republicans, should dissuade you from your current lean. If, it is as a politically challenged service you remain, I would expect the demise of your wonderfully promising publication soon. Search out the others. We are artists, art lovers, jazz lovers and fun lovers too. from Cool Cleveland reader Mike Costanzi

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Top 5
Cool Cleveland uses Opticast tools to track which articles were clicked the most. Here are the Top 5 from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) Art/Tech/Dance Cool Cleveland’s latest gig and afterparty at the brand-spanking-new Garage Bar was wall-to-wall cockin’ around and krunk as hell. Over 500 people stepped out to chill with CC, and the event was so bangin’ that Miller Beer reps showed up, glommed on our crowd, then ran our crowd photos in Free Times. See our photos here Newsletter/Party

2) Judicial candidates ranked The Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition (JCRC) has recently unveiled their judicial ratings on the JCRC website. http://www.judge4yourself.com

3) Tunick photo enters Museum’s collection Spencer Tunick’s Ohio 1, featuring the greatest participation of volunteers in a North American installation documenting the live nude figure, entered the permanent collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art. http://www.clevelandart.org/whatsnew/mediakit/index.asp?refid=362

4) Presidential debate parties Last Thu 9/30, the hippest Clevelanders weren’t hanging in a lounge, playing poker, or even surfing the web. They were attending or hosting one or more than a dozen debate parties. http://www.johnkerry.com

5) Awards of Achievement Every year, Northern Ohio Live does us all a favor by selecting the best and brightest of our region with their Awards of Achievement. http://northernohiolive.com/AofA2004/

In search of a different perspective? We’ve heard the requests over and over again on the streets: Cleveland is establishing a new preference for news and events, and we really appreciate those who support Cool Cleveland when making media choices. Thanks to our readers who are making the change over to our city’s prime source for events, feeding the masses USDA prime communication and activities. Apprise other like-minded individuals you know of our website; they’ll thank you for the hook up. Now, anyone can register for the e-zine at http://www.CoolCleveland.com (and check out the new site) or have ’em send an e-mail to Signup@CoolCleveland.com

Marketing in demand Gain exposure quickly for your company with viral marketing’s progressive edge at CoolCleveland.com, reaching thousands of readers directly. Check out how advertising through our permission based email subscriber list targets tens of thousands of our subscribers, who visit the links to our sponsors, and then forward the CC e-zine to more readers who are exposed to CC’s advertisers. Find out more by e-mailing us a note to Info@CoolCleveland.com and we’ll sit down and talk with you.

Hard Corps storm the scene It’s the people at CC who relentlessly make the magic happen week after week, sorting through the pandemonium of content, events, personalities and email we receive. These people manage it all and help us deliver what’s going down in Cleveland. Thanks to CC mavericks Tisha Nemeth, Ben Vendetta, Vince Robinson, Deb Remington, Daiv Whaley, Linda Eisenstein, Bill Nagode, George Nemeth, TL Champion, Brian Schriefer and everyone who has a hand in CC. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

See the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com

Feelin’ lucky?

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com (:divend:)

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