How To Get Lost

2.07-2.14.07
How To Get Lost

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland Party Last chance to grab Get Lost tix here
* Interview Oberlin’s Sam Merrett of Full Circle Fuels
* Cool Cleveland Party RedZappa discount until Midnight tomorrow here
* Pop Quiz Jonathan Sheffer of Red {an orchestra}
* Podcast Eco-farmer Jerry Brunetti
* Sounds These Days from Joe Rohan
* Preview Tragedy and Triumph @ Bela Dubby and Valentine’s @ Severance Hall
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

Sometimes you have to go away in order to appreciate home. This week, you can do both. Take the bus or meet us at our Cool Cleveland party “Get Lost In Oberlin,” with drinks, snacks & a U.S. premiere, which enters you for a trip for 2 to NYC, so you can even get more lost. Read Peter Chakerian’s profile of Sam Merrett, who runs Full Circle Fuels of Oberlin, then check out his Pop Quiz with Red {an orchestra} artistic director Jonathan Sheffer, as Red prepares for our next CC party celebrating Frank Zappa on 2/16. We’ve selected the best of what’s happening this week, and organized it for you below. Sometimes we have to teach ourselves to get lost before we can find ourselves. Come along with us. —Thomas Mulready

It’s not the Journey, It’s the Destination!
Don’t miss Lost Highway! party Thu 2/8
Super low price until Midnight 2/7 here!

A Ride You Won’t Soon Forget Grab the CC Bus (or meet us there) Thu 2/8 cuz you don’t wanna miss the U.S. premiere of the thriller Lost Highway. Get a comp ticket to this performance with the CC party that starts at 5:30PM at the Feve ’til 7:30PM. LH is a haunting music theater work adapted from David Lynch’s cult film, and starts at 8PM. Win a complimentary weekend in New York City to see LH at the Miller Theatre on 2/23-25, complete with comp theatre tix, airfare from the Akron-Canton Airport and AirTran and hotel for two!

The Feve Bar in Oberlin is a straight shot on I-480 West to Route 10/20, at 30 South Main Street. See map here. The bus, compliments of Rockin’ Cleveland, will be provided at no charge, on W. 9th Street, by Mallorca Restaurant. Park in the lot next door. See map here. The bus will leave at 5PM sharp for Oberlin, then will return you after the performance of LH. When you buy your tix, mark the box to reserve your seat on the bus. Get discount tix before Midnight Thu 2/7 by clicking here.

Get Lost with all this for one low-price CC ticket:

  • The next big gig on Thu 2/8 from 5:30 – 7:30 at The Feve in Oberlin (pronounced “fev”).
  • CC’s legendary open bar with unlimited beer and wine. There will also be drink specials if you’re so inclined.
  • Mini Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Enchiladas, Pizza, Quesadillas compliments of the Feve.
  • Live jazz performed by The New Music Trio.
  • Coffee & Tea at FAVA (visual arts gallery across the street), with Desserts that include Assorted Brownies (Killer Peanut Butter, Chocolate Raspberry, and Amazon Chili Pepper) and Cupcakes (Chocolate with Espresso Icing) provided by Gypsy Bean and Baking Company and chocolate desserts/liqueurs at Ginko Gallery.
  • If desired, a complimentary bus ride to Oberlin, returning to Cleveland after the event (map).
  • A comp ticket to the U.S. premiere of The Lost Highway, based on the David Lynch film, in Finney Chapel at 8PM.
  • Bonus: by attending the Cool Cleveland party in Oberlin, you can register to win a complimentary weekend in New York City to see LH at the Miller Theatre on 2/23-25, complete with comp theatre tix, airfare from AirTran and hotel for two! Stop over to the Akron-Canton Airport booth at the party and sign up. Your chances are very good! Some lucky Cool Clevelander at the party will be partying in NYC!

Easy Rider Get an incredible discount if you order tix by midnight tonight Thu 2/7 here. Meet us at 5:30 – 7:30 on Thu 2/8 at the Feve in DT Oberlin (see map here). Park behind the Feve, behind the Black River Cafe across the street from the Feve.

Get your discount tix before Midnight Thu 2/7 here: https://CoolCleveland.net/tickets/020807/index.php

Oberlin Grad and alt-fuels champion Sam Merrett
Full Circle Fuels

Meet a 23-year-old sustainability superstar who just so happens to live in your backyard. You’re sure to see more of him (and his slightly-tilted, left-of-center baseball cap) in the very near future. The man behind Full Circle Fuels in Oberlin is changing the way people think about fuel and so-called “waste” products.

A native of Albany, New York, Stephen “Sam” Merrett (right, next to Full Circle pal Gideon Crevoshay) graduated in 2005 with honors from Oberlin College with a BA in Environmental Studies. He spent most of his time in college learning about biofuels, inspired by a field trip to Great Lakes Brewing Company during his sophomore year. That inspiration has led him to a Howard R. Swearer Student Humanitarian Award, a number of speaking and exhibition engagements and to receive some aggressive alt-fuel infrastructure funding — to “move the needle” so to speak — on biofuels retail sale and use…
Read the interview by Peter Chakerian here
Check out Oberlin at Cool Cleveland’s Get Lost In Oberlin party on 2/8— Get discount tix here
.

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Edgy and Whimsical If you haven’t seen Verb Ballets, you haven’t experienced one of Cleveland’s best . . . as they return to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History with five cutting-edge world premieres by resident choreographers. Experience the popular “Natural Selections” program on Sat 2/17 at 8PM. Hernando Cortez, artistic director remarked on this upcoming performance: “The eclectic array of dance styles will be fun, edgy, challenging and whimsical.” The featured choreographers include Marcela Alvarez, Erin Conway, Catherine Meredith, Brian Murphy and Mark Tomasic. Ticket prices: $25 adults; $19 seniors/60+; $12.50 students. The Museum lobby opens at 7PM with cash bar. Parking in Museum lot is free. To order tickets call (216) 231-1177 or 800-317-9155, ext. 3279. Tickets may be purchased the night of show, if not sold out. For more info go to www.cmnh.org.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

Zappa Unleashes the Power of Red! Fri 2/16
Super low price until Midnight Fri 2/9 here!

Heat Things Up with music from the rock’n’roll guitarist-turned-composer (of orchestral music) – Frank Zappa. Hear the music from some of Zappa’s inspirations, including Varese, Stravinsky, and Webern followed by four of Zappa’s most inventive orchestral works by Red {an orchestra}. Get your discount tix here.

Party with us and you get {all this} for one low price:

  • A RED hot CC party on Fri 2/16 from 5:30 – 7:30 at the Masonic Auditorium (Euclid and E. 36th)
  • CC’s magnificent open bar with unlimited beer and wine
  • Savory, tempting food samplings from Gypsy Beans and Baking Co. with their “Flavors Found Wandering the World” that include Goat Cheese Stuffed Red Peppers, Vegetarian and Meat Flatbreads, Provencal Crab Salad on Crostini, Stuffed Hummus Pita Pockets, Stuffed Grape Leaves and desserts that include Assorted Brownies (how about Amazon Chili, Coconut Almond and Peanut Butter?), and Assorted Mini Cup Cakes
  • A live Tango performance from Viva Dance
  • A comp ticket to the Zappa concert by Red {an orchestra} at 8PM (a $15 value!)

Too Hot to Handle? Get the deep discount if you order by Midnight Thu 2/8 here. Meet us 5:30 – 7:30 at the Masonic Auditorium at the corner of E. 36th and Euclid Avenue, Downtown Cle. See map here

Get your discount here: https://CoolCleveland.net/tickets/021607/index.php

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
One Good Turn Deserves Another Increasing the positive mentions of Greater Cleveland in the national media is a critical element of the Greater Cleveland Marketing Alliance’s (GCMA’s) mission. Here’s a review of positive stories about the region that appeared in January in the National Media Coverage Update, including articles from the Wall Street Journal Online, New York Times, The Food Network, The Washington Post and CNN Money www.gcpartnership.com/gcma_media.aspx. To learn more about the GCMA, please visit www.gcpartnership.com/AboutCleveland.aspx or contact Rick Batyko, Vice President for Regional Marketing, The Greater Cleveland Partnership at rbatyko@gcpartnership.com or 216.592.2225.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

Jonathan Sheffer of Red {an orchestra}
On The Importance of Being Zappa

Before his death from prostate cancer in 1993, Frank Zappa had become of the single most fruitful and imaginative American composers ever. Although notorious as a rock guitarist, bandleader and outspoken iconoclast – Frank was indeed frank, after all – the self-taught Zappa considered himself an orchestral music composer first above all else.

Red and company will perform a set of Zappa’s inspirations – including pieces by Webern, Stravinsky and Varese – as well as four of Zappa’s own most ingenious orchestral works next weekend. It’s an ambitious undertaking; no doubt Red is up to the task. We asked Red’s Jonathan Sheffer about the program.

Cool Cleveland: One of Frank Zappa’s famous quotes reads “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” That quote sounds like it could have been written about Red {an orchestra}. So, why Francis Vincent Zappa?
Jonathan Sheffer: Yes, indeed. I think for that reason you just mentioned. I think we are very concerned with progress as an organization, particularly in the loosest sense of what an orchestra does and how it chooses to present musical ideas and concepts. This is what made a great coming together of two institutions; that common denominator was Frank Zappa.

How did you go about picking the selections for this particular program? The sheer volume of what Zappa did throughout his musical career is staggering.
I knew that I wanted to feature his work with part of the program, but clearly it’s more interesting to provide context to listeners. When we began discussing this program with the Rock Hall, I told them it would be more of a classical music concert up front, and that it would be my job to go out and make those connections between his inspirations and creations…
Jonathan Sheffer gets quizzed here by Peter Chakerian
Join Jonathan and Red {an orchestra} at the Cool Cleveland Zappa party on 2/16— Get discount tix here.

Walk and Roll video now available on YouTube here or on their site here
Akron Art Museum buys art Adds 10% to collection in prep for renovation & grand re-opening in 7/07 Read
CSU offers Freedom Dance wksps for women & girls w/choreo Colleen Clark, Tuesdays thru March 623-7018
Cuyahoga cities merge trash collection, road salt buying 33 cities meet to discuss bulk discounts Info
Bang & Clatter to launch in Cle Akron-based theatre to open 150-seat venue in former May Co. Euclid storefront Info
College radio webcasters‘ gov’t record-keeping nightmare. And bands don’t see a dime until 14,285 plays Read
Sanders proposes uniforms, single-gender academies Cle schools CEO plans reforms: “bold, new initiatives” Read

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
$5 Tix and a Musical Petting Zoo at the Cleveland Orchestra? Check out Presidents’ Day weekend family fun at The Cleveland Orchestra — for less than the price of a movie! Specially-priced $5 tickets now available for the Family Concert “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” on Sat 2/17 at 11AM. It’s a staged, dramatic “story concert” of the everyday genius and eccentricity of Ludwig von Beethoven, as viewed through the eyes of a young boy. The actors, costumes, lively stage action and favorite Beethoven music performed by the Cleveland Orchestra will captivate your kids! To order your $5 tickets, call 216-231-1111 and mention promo code 3118, or visit www.clevelandorchestra.com and enter the code. Seating availability may be limited. And come to Severance Hall at 10AM for pre-concert crafts, music and the Instrument Discovery “Musical Petting Zoo!”
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

James Levin wins Governor’s Award in the Arts, along with Marcia Dobryzynski of Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, nationally known choreographer Columbus native Bebe Miller, and 5 others. Levin has dedicated his entire adult life to enriching the arts in our region, and to offering opportunities for young people and their creative energies. In the mid-1980’s, his dream of a Cleveland Public Theatre at Detroit & W. 65th Street seemed optimistic at best. Now, with the vibrant Gordon Square Arts District, and Detroit Shoreway’s successes, his vision of using art to transform neighborhoods and change lives is more than obvious to everyone. Kudos. Info

Cool Cleveland Podcast You know how to do it. Click here to listen: http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland02.09.07.mp3. Click here to subscribe: iTunes or other.

Cool Cleveland Kids You don’t want to miss what 11-year-old Max has for you and your family this week. Listen here: http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids02.09.07.mp3. Click here to subscribe: iTunes or other.

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.

Every week, all of us here at Cool Cleveland pour through gads of fantastic things happening in CLE and NEO, all in an effort to answer that ever-nagging question: “What’s cool to do this week?” Submitted for your approval, here’s a snapshot of what we found. Got a unique event coming up? Know of something that is a totally Cool Cleveland worthy event? We want to hear from you about it; our tens of thousands of readers do, too. Be a civic and cultural activist and turn on your fellow readers.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Mike Ferner Activist, author, Vietnam vet and Ohio native Mike Ferner discusses his lifelong commitment to dissent and acting as a government watchdog on Wed 2/7 at 7PM. His new book on Iraq, Inside the Red Zone, will also be a topic. No-cost, open to the public. Max Wohl Civil Liberties Center, 4506 Chester Ave.http://www.acluohio.org.

Black History Month Resource Ctr Explore this database and find Black History activities, biographical information, a historical timeline, and a black history quiz on Wed 2/7 at 4PM. Cle Public Library, Brooklyn Branch, 3706 Pearl Rd. http://www.cpl.org.

Reggae at the Rock Hall Black History Month celebration starts Wed 2/7 with clips from The Harder They Come 7PM at Rock Hall http://www.RockHall.com, Sun 1/11 reggae brunch with Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band 3-8PM at the Parkview Nite Club http://www.ParkviewNiteClub.com

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Mix It Up Check out two all-star exhibit openings at The Cleveland Institute of Art with a double reception Fri 2/16. First up, experience John Jackson (’77) in the Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts. Then tune into the opening of the young, fly and flashy 61st Student Independent Exhibition (SIE) in the Reinberger Galleries, Gund Building. Both receptions will be held from 5PM – 8PM. Twenty pieces of work by Jackson, sculptor, draftsman, printmaker and painter will be on display from Fri 2/16 – Fri 3/16. Jackson’s work has been exhibited at the Sculpture Center and The Cleveland Museum of Art. S.I.E. is a juried exhibition of work created by current CIA students and runs through Sat 3/31. For more information, visit our website at www.cia.edu or call 216-421-7407. The Cleveland Institute of Art . . . Making Art Work.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

Inside the Music of the Akron Symphony Orchestra Exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the Orchestra during a Dinner Rehearsal With the Musicians, Choir & Soloists, on Thu 2/8 from 6 – 9PM. E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. RSVP at http://www.art-cetera.org.

The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till The documentary film investigates the murder and subsequent injustice surrounding Emmett Louis Till’s death. Many consider this case to be the true catalyst for the American Civil Rights Movement. See the doc Thu 2/8 at 6PM. Cle Public Library, Memorial Nottingham Branch. 17109 Lake Shore Blvd. http://www.cpl.org.

HOT Lost Highway Olga Neuwirth’s haunting music theater work adapted from the cult film by David Lynch. Her moody and mysterious opera combines live musicians, singers, actors, electronics, and video. Thu 2/8 at 8PM through Sat 2/10. Finney Chapel, Oberlin. www.Oberlin.edu.

Pendulum: A Relationship with Paint and Café Marika Check out the featured works of KSU- and CIA-trained local oil painter Michael McNamara on Thu 2/8 at 6PM with an opening reception. Arts Collinwood Gallery, 15605 Waterloo Rd. Step in next door at the new Café Marika and get a sneak peak at what will soon be Collinwood’s hippest coffee spot. http://www.artscollinwood.org.

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah Subject of the film Emmanuel’s Gift (narrated by Oprah Winfrey), speaks at 6:30 PM on Thu 2/8 at the Stocker Arts, Lorain County Comm College. Emmanuel will share his cycling journey around his native Ghana and thoughts on Third World plight. No-cost public event. Register here. http://www.emmanuelyeboah.org.

Arts Collinwood fundraiser Sneak peek at new coffee spot Marika, 156th & Waterloo, with light bites, bakery, beer & wine, and an oil show by Michael McNamara Pendulum: A Relationship With Pain on Thu 2/8 6-10PM 692-9500

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Sisters and Lovers and A Long Way from Home are two jewels written by Connie Briscoe, the critically-acclaimed, best-selling author who will speak at the next Writers and Readers Series at the Cleveland Public Library. Join us Sun 2/11 at 2PM at the Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, E. 6th Street and Superior Avenue. This event has no admission fee and is open to the public. Born with a hereditary hearing loss, Briscoe never let her disability derail her from her life and career aspirations. She has published books that follow the themes of relationships of strong African-American women and their ability to persevere despite the challenges and obstacles life has put before them. A Long Way from Home, was nominated for an NAAACP Image Award. For more information, call (216) 623-2800 or www.cpl.org.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

CIM Chamber Music Concert Works by Xu Changjun, Greg D’Alessio, Andrew Rindfleisch, Marc Satterwhite(world premiere) and Melinda Wagner plus two Guest Composers: Melinda Wagner and Marc Satterwhite on Fri 2/9 at 8:00PM. http://www.cim.edu.

HOT For Art Witness the installation performance by artists Sally Hudak and Jerry Mann during the Tremont ArtWalk opening Fri 2/9 at 6PM. When is the work complete? What you see opening night is not what you will see at the closing reception, or at any point in between. Brandt Gallery, 1028 Kenilworth. http://www.brandtgallery.org.

Big Easy Mardi Gras Benefit Brooklyn Centre nonprofit Art House whips up New Orleans Style Mardi Gras theme — beads and all. Tasty treats and 50/50 raffle round out the event on Fri 2/9 at 8 PM. Lava Lounge, 1307 Auburn http://www.arthouseinc.org.

The Preview of Being Zappa Although famous as a rock guitarist and bandleader, Frank Zappa considered himself first and foremost, a composer of orchestral music. Join Jonathan Sheffer, Artistic Director and Conductor of Red {an orchestra}, as he presents the life and work of Zappa’s four orchestral pieces and three works by composers that inspired Zappa’s writing on Fri 2/9 at 7PM at the Cleveland Heights Public Library on Lee Rd. This preview of Red {an orchestra}’s program the following weekend is a no-cost, public event. http://www.heightslibrary.org.

Ofri Cnaani gallery talk at SPACES on Fri 2/9 at 6PM. Themes of Cnaani’s exhibition discussed, followed by reception. http://www.spacesgallery.org.

Meet the Beatles w/Rain The group Rain offers a new take on what the Beatles experience was like through their many heydays. The Cool Cleveland discount code is “NOW” and is good for 15% off all seats. Tickets are available at the Playhouse Square Center Box Office, online at http://www.playhousesquare.org or by phone at 241.6000. Restrictions apply: Discount is not valid with any other offers and is not retroactive. Two shows, Fri 2/9 and Sat 2/10. http://www.raintribute.com.

HOT Wing Watch & Wine Trail Self-drive tour of 7 NEO wineries, from Sandusky to DT Cle, receive a Schott Zwiesel and a heart-shaped candy dish to collect chocolate & wine samples at each stop on Fri 2/9 or Sat 2/10. Register.

Artemis String Quartet Top awards in the German ARD Music Competition and in the prestigious Premio Borciani have heralded the Quartet’s international breakthrough. Today, ASQ is one of the top ensembles of its kind. Part of CMA’s VIVA! & Gala series @ Plymouth UCC Church, Shaker Heights on Fri 2/9 at 7:30PM. http://www.clevelandart.org/educef/viva2006/html-pop.

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
WCLVnotes Time is running out to submit poems in this year’s WCLV Valentine’s Day Love Poem Contest. You’ve got until midnight tomorrow, Thu 2/8. Your poem can be any style or form — limerick, haiku, sonnet, rhymed or unrhymed, but no longer, please, than 14 lines. The ten winning poems will be read over WCLV on Wed 2/14 and posted on WCLV’s website. There are neat prizes – First Prize is a romantic getaway for two at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel and a dozen roses from Daisy Hill Greenhouses. Other prizes include gift certificates from Malley’s Chocolates and romantic CDs from Plácido Domingo and Joshua Bell. Because of the close deadline, e-mail love@wclv.com. All poems become the property of WCLV 104.9 FM. Visit www.wclv.com for program info.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

HOT A Taste for Change: What We Grow Matters Learn about the importance and impact of sustainable agriculture and local food systems and the backyard garden on Sat 2/10 from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Gardeners, foodies, farmers market patrons, environmental activists and educators welcome. http://www.cbgarden.org.

Yoga & Chocolate Indulge yourself with this blissful sensory celebration on Sat 2/10 at 6PM. Features 90-minute vinyasa flow class and several blissful chocolate samples. Complimentary Vosges Haut Chocolat goodie bag included. Inner Bliss Yoga, 19537 Lake Rd., Rocky River. http://www.innerblissyogastudio.com. http://www.deannablack.com.

Divine Wine and Art Agnon School hosts this community-wide benefit on Sat 2/10 at 8PM featuring fine, kosher-for-Passover wines from around the world — proof that there’s life beyond Manishevitz. Benefit also showcases the work of 13 renowned artists, continuing the school’s 33-year tradition of bringing fine art to the community. 26500 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. http://www.agnon.org.

HOT East End Mardi Gras with Mifuné Join the multi-culti musical outfit and their Afro-Electroniqué at the Beachland Ballroom Sat 2/10 at 8PM for an all-ages benefit for East End Neighborhood House. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

Change for Change is the Cleveland Colectivo’s first fundraiser on Sat 2/10 at 7PM at the Local Girl Gallery. Regional artists are creating and donating Social Change Banks (for saving pennies, nickels, dimes) to be auctioned off at the event. 100% of the proceeds go directly to 2007 Collectivo grantees. Food and beverages provided. Local Girl Gallery, 16106 Detroit Ave. http://www.clevelandcolectivo.org.

Theo Croker Jazz Quartet Rising star trumpeter leads this jazz unit at the Carnegie West Branch of Cle Public Library on Sat 2/10 at 2PM. 1900 Fulton Rd. http://www.cpl.org.

CC KIDS Hearts & Hugs Valentine’s Day Tea Love is in the air at this Valentine’s Day Tea Party. Kids can bring their special adult for yummy cookies and tea (hot or cold) on beautiful china dishes and make animal-shaped Valentine’s. on Sat 2/10 at 10AM; 12:30PM or 3PM. Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, 28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village. http://www.lensc.org.

The Real King James A show that takes a closer look at a title that has been chosen to mark 2 of Cleveland’s immortal icons. The Pop Shop will house artist Jim Morana’s artwork, short stories and more, in a solo exhibition. Opening reception on Sat 2/10 from 6 – 9PM. After party at Mullens. Lakewood. The Pop Shop.

CC KIDS Explore Your Roots Search for your ancestors with this African American Genealogical Society of Cleveland forum Sat 2/10 at 1PM. Cle Public Library, Langston Hughes Branch. 10200 Superior Ave. http://www.cpl.org.

North Collinwood Film Fest See works by Robert Banks and his students Paul Cusato, Craig Knowles and other film makers Joan of Art and Danyl Chambers on Sat 2/10 at 7PM. Second Saturday Coffeehouse, inside Immanuel Presbyterian Church, North Collinwood.

Respect the Elders See the enormously popular Kansas City-based Irish band Sat 2/10 @ the Irish American Club on Lakeshore Blvd. Euclid. Gear up for St. Pat’s Day a little early. Show begins at 7:30 PM. Call 731-0741 for tix/info. http://clevelandcelticpodcast.com. http://www.eldersmusic.com.

Have a Heart for Hunger is the 3rd Annual Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit the West Side Ecumencial Ministry’s Food Center at Brookside this Sat 2/10 beginning at 6PM. WSEM, 5209 Detroit Avenue. RSVP to Janet Thomas at 749-4295 or e-mail JThomas@wsem.org.

Women of Pride: Women of Color Hear Black History monologues by storyteller/actor Norma Powell on Sat 2/10 at 1PM. Cle Public Library, Collinwood Branch. 856 East 152nd St. http://www.cpl.org.

Make Mine with Ice is a spectacular ice carving demonstration by Kent State and Akron universities on Sat 2/10 at 1PM. Beverages and snacks will be available. Home Savings Plaza, corner of Water St. and Main St., Downtown Kent. http://www.standingrock.net.

HOT First Class Hip-Hop Cle’s largest Internet Hip-Hop station hosts a Black & White Ball web release party on Sat 2/10 at 8PM. Bad Boy Records affiliate Crybaby Gangsta, Cle’s Hot 16, Machine Gun Kelly, Los Capone, the Dead End Kids and others are featured. Wilbert’s Food & Music, 812 Huron Rd. http://www.firstclasshiphop.com. http://www.wilbertsmusic.com.

Love is in the Air Annual event at Vancura Gallery features jewelry, photography and Jaymi Zents’ “da vinci-like art” on Sat 2/10 at noon. Wine and Middlefield Cheese served. Vancura Gallery, 14279 Old State Rd. (Rt.# 608) Middlefield. http://www.vancuragallery.com.

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Secrets, Sources & Spin FRONTLINE “News War” premieres on WVIZ/PBS as correspondent Lowell Bergman examines the political, cultural, legal and economic forces challenging the news media today. This four-part special series begins with the two-part “Secrets, Sources & Spin” on Tue 2/13 at 10PM and Tue 2/20 at 10PM, followed by “What’s Happening to the News?” on Tue 2/27, at 10PM, which goes inside the embattled newsroom of The Los Angeles Times. The series concludes next month with a look at media around the globe to reveal the international influences on journalism and politics in the U.S. in “Stories from a Small Planet,” Tue 3/27, 10PM. And don’t miss the conclusion of “The Supreme Court” on Wed 2/7 at 9PM. Visit www.wviz.org for additional program information and the complete broadcast schedule. Mark your calendars now!
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

Shear Glory Day La Barberia, a string of East side hair salons, is opening its doors for complimentary haircuts to those in need: folks on fixed incomes, single parents, those trying to re-enter the workforce, in an attempt to create “an attitude of gratitude.” 12115 Mayfield Rd. in Little Italy, 11308 Euclid Ave. in University Circle and 6645 Mayfield Rd. from noon to 7PM on Sun 2/11 231-7474 http://Barberia.com

Connie Briscoe Join the NAACP Image Award nominee and critically-acclaimed author of Sisters and Lovers for a reading on Sun 2/11 at 2PM. Call 623-2800 or visit www.cpl.org.

Celebrate Baila Duro’s 1st Anniversary w/ Salsa Social Sun 2/11 at Noon at the Sachsenheim Hall (7001 Denison). Workshop by Toronto’s Mambo Tribe included. See http://www.bailaduro.com for schedule and pricing.

David Bazan CMJ Rock Hall MusicFest vet, troubadour and former Pedro the Lion leader shares his world-weary melancholia on Sun 2/11 at 9PM. Grog Shop, Cle Hts. http://www.grogshop.gs.

HOT Cleveland Orchestra in Oberlin Philippe Jordan, Principal Guest Conductor of the Berlin Staatsoper and pianist Angela Hewitt join the Orchestra for performances of Schumann, Ravel and Fauré on Sun 2/11 at 8PM. Oberlin. www.Oberlin.edu.

HOT Inner Sanctum 1st Anniversary features singer/songwriters Chris Allen and Kristine Jackson, as well as bands Lunavelis and CC Party alums Minor Setback on Sun 2/11 at 7PM. Proceeds benefit NEO Coalition for the Homeless and the Cleveland Food Bank. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

CC KIDS Parent/Child Classical Music Workshop features a collaboration between Woodmere’s Educational Play Center CHABAM and the Cleveland Orchestra on Sun 2/11 at 1PM. Dr. Arthur Lavin of Adv Pediatrics at CHABAM leads the event, offering guidance on introducing children to music in age appropriate ways. Orchestra violinist (and mother) Chul-in Park will speak about her life in music and play brief selections. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com. http://www.chabam.com.

CC KIDS SlamU Spoken Word Classes feat. a sharp after-school residency with Mayhem Poets beg. Mon 2/12 through end of the week. http://www.playhousesquare.org/arts-education.

Super Size Me Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock infamous film, TV show 30 Days and book Don’t Eat This have skewered fast food; now he speaks live in person at EJ Thomas in Akron on Mon 2/12 7:30PM 330-972-7570 http://www.EJThomasHall.com

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Who was Frank Zappa? One of the most accomplished composers of the rock era? Absolutely! His music combines an understanding of and appreciation for such contemporary classical figures as Stravinsky, Varèse and Webern. And Red {an orchestra} is on a mission to show Zappa’s journey — through these composer’s works — and on to his own original orchestral music! Join Red on Fri 2/16 and Sat 2/17 at 8PM in the Masonic Auditorium (Euclid & E. 36th) when they will bring you their next extraordinary concert, “The Importance of Being Zappa.” Red is also offering an exclusive discount to Cool Cleveland readers: 2 tickets for the Price of 1! Tickets start at $15. Just mention CC when you call Red {an orchestra} at 261.361.1733 or visit www.redanorchestra.org and type in Cool Cleveland in the comments section.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

Kwame Anthony Appiah is considered one of America’s leading public intellectuals. His books have tackled philosophical problems of moral theory, race, racism, ethnicity, identity, religion and nationalism. Hear his lecture “Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers” on Tue 2/13 at 8PM. Oberlin. www.Oberlin.edu.

Foundations of Faith tours emerged from a partnership between Cleveland Bridge Builders and the City Club New Leaders group. See CLE Sacred Landmarks Downtown’s Old Stone Church and Trinity Cathedral on Tue 2/13 at 5:30 PM. Very affordable; package deals available. http://www.cityclub.org.

HOT Michael Symon’s Kitchen Check out how the master chef of Lola/Lolita warms up winter with One Pot Meals on Wed 2/13 at 6PM. Ask him questions, watch him work his magic and stay for a dinner party afterwards. Limited spots available, so act fast. Lola Bistro, East 4th St. http://www.lolabistro.com.

HOT Collaboration Among NPO’s is the focus of educational seminar and panel discussion Tue 2/13 at 6PM. Topics include how non-profit orgs can benefit from teaming up, including greater ops for donor funding. Wine and hors d’oevres included. RSVP to events@csvp.org or call 231-2300. Gallery at Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Ave. http://www.clevelandsvp.org.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

A wild and wonderful array of hot tech and business news & events from around Cleveland and around the region. Send your business news and events to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

Case & Swegelok collab on $5.5 grant from Ohio’s 3rd Frontier program, to commercialize a “paradigm-shifting technology” Read
Simbionix gets $3M equity round led by Early Stage Partners, for their surgery simulation “games” Info
Weatherhead’s Org Behavior #2 worldwide says Financial Times. Kudos to chair of Org Beh David Cooperrider Info
Akron General Medical Center opens tech transfer office to commercialize biomed products & devices Read
Ohio #7 for nano innovation according to Small Times mag, up from #16, because of patents & grants Read
“Web-stupid” L.A. Times retrains for web For every $1 they gain on web, they lose $2 on newspaper Read
08 Presidential candidates become web savvy Clinton’s off-key vid dies, Romney responds w/vodcast Read
Guerrilla marketing backfires in Boston Cartoon Network guerrilla campaign pays $1M to city, faces charges Read
Akron-Canton Airport “totally jazzed” about Cool Cleveland weekend in NYC for two lucky Oberlin partiers Read

Greater Cle Mktg Alliance Marketer’s mtg Wed 2/7 4PM covers creative concepts and msg devlpmt. Sheraton Rockside Info
Battelle’s NASA Ntwrkng highlights NASA start-ups, angel funds & entrepreneurial tools 4PM Wed 2/7 100th Bomb Group Info
Is Franchising for You? 2-hr intro by franchising expert Joel Libava at Corp College E. Thu 2/8 7PM 987-3075
Global Reach a series of 1-day practical programs to help mfgs & service firms in NEO to go global, starts Thu 2/8 Register
Sustainability Symposium: A Taste for Change: What We Grow Matters day-long symposium featuring eco-farmer/humorist Jerry Brunetti, urban food activist/community gardener Will Bullock, others on Sat 2/10 at Botanical Garden Register
eVolution in Manfg @ the MAGNET Innov. Ctr Thu 2/15 4:30 PM. NO-cost. Info
Gordian & OVA’s Private Equity Inv Summit II helps capital seekers Fri 2/23 @ Corp College, Warrensville Hts. Info
NEOSA Forum on Tech Edu in NEO “Myths, Legends and Opportunities” on Tue 2/27 at 8AM. Details
Topic: Timken @ Mellen Series Lecture DJ Lombardo Student Ctr @ John Carroll Tue 2/27 at 5PM Info
FIRST Buckeye Regional Robotics Comp @ CSU Wolstein Ctr Thu 3/22 – 3/24. Intense multinat’l competition teams professionals and young people solving engineering design problems. 25K students on over 1.1K teams in 35 regional comps! Info

Links to interesting NEO blogs
Hunter Morrison spoke at Midtown Brews on urban planning for more than two hours. Link
The idea of George W. Bush’s library here in Cleveland (floated by Forest City’s Sam Miller) is about as grand as the world’s tallest thermometer, thinks Ed Morrison. Link
Tackling The Tower proves to be more difficult than it sounds for the Chief Source running team. Link
Small businesses need a longterm technology strategy, thinks Roxanne. Link
The Town Fryer is closing and Jeff shares pictures of his last visit. Link
Check out training in alt.fuel vehicles at the Ohio Technical College’s open house. Link
Replacing combined sewage overflow will take years, but there are steps everyone can take to help in the meantime. Link

Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, where Peter Chakerian rants for your betterment and congenial friendship. When you’re through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Jerry Brunetti
Eco-farmer speaking at Sustainability Symposium 2/10

Jerry Brunetti is an eco-farmer who has witnessed first-hand the mindless devastation of traditional chemically dependent farming. In 1979, he founded Agri-Dynamics to educate and provide alternative products for farms and owners of livestock, horses, cats and dogs. Along the way, in 1991, he co-founded Earthworks Natural Organic Products to educate golf courses on how to balance their soils and reduce their use of pesticides and chemical fertilizer. In 1999, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and given 6 months to live. He’s obviously beaten the odds with a holistic approach of detoxification, immune modulation and by applying his eco principles to his own life. He’s a featured speaker at the all-day Sustainability Symposium on Sat 2/10 at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. http://www.CBGarden.org Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready spoke with Jerry via phone from his base in Martin’s Creek, PA about his transformational work, his eco work with farms and golf course, and what he’s got up his sleeve for his Cleveland visit. To hear the podcast interview, click here: http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/Brunetti1.mp3.

These Days
Joe Rohan
Off the Map Music

Sticklers for our “less than 1 year old” tagline at the end of each Cool Cleveland Sounds column will recognize that Joe Rohan’s release These Days is well over 12 months in age. Get over it, people. Every once in a while I’ll pull something out that’s a bit older — like John McGrail’s last CD, which I reviewed several months ago — and highlight it again with either an “in case you missed it,” or for a very specific purpose. With These Days, it’s both.

Rohan’s follow up to his debut Walk Along is great coffeehouse folk-pop. Not many people can do that sound in a meaningful, listenable way and maintain a strong sense of diversity and identity. Rohan’s 11-cut release does it all, from the country leanings of “Desert Love,” to a spry and hearty “Lovestruck Romeo,” where Rohan busts out one of the sexiest lines written locally. Sweet love like an opium rain, he waxes. Roll you over like a slow tidal wave. Talk about beating around the bush!

Though never one to go overboard on country, Rohan does decorate his zesty numbers (like the Skynyrd-inspired “Angeline”) with just enough “boot n’ spur” to give those rocking songs some earth. And when Rohan he scales it back, as he does on the solo cut “James Dean,” he lets the story take center stage. Very wise. As for “Cold Winter,” you couldn’t have picked a more appropriate song for the kind of weekend we’ve had: Rohan rasps it’s the kind that makes for angry bones with almost Jamie Cullum-like lyrical phrasing. Both fun, and well done.

“I was born in Cleveland,” the soulful Rohan writes on his website http://www.joerohan.com. “I’d use that line in a song but I’m too afraid that I might one day hear it being sung by the organ player at a baseball game.” I say, why not? These songs surely are his own, full of great character. Now if we could just get some more of them… so, yes. This CD is over a year old. You don’t have to email me and say so. Guess you could say I’m fishing for a thought from Rohan himself on when we might expect the next disc of his great new material to arrive.

Rohan performs at Flannery’s Pub, 323 Prospect on Saturday, February 10. For more info, visit http://www.joerohan.com and http://www.flannerys.com.

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

Hey Writers! Wanna write about Cleveland music? We’ve got a slew of recently-released CDs and DVDs by Cleveland-area musicians that could use your critical commentary for Cool Cleveland Sounds. If you’re interested, send us a note at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Sweiger’s Tragedy and Triumph @ Bela Dubby

Chris Sweiger’s current collection fits in perfectly with Bela Dubby’s retro furniture and cool atmosphere. The 20+ collages and countless pieces of jewelry are created with found items such as pills, animal bones, movie tickets, flowers, bugs, screws, and broken glass, and are all set in resin.

Sweiger (pictured) is a modest, approachable guy with a passion for stuff, and he likes to think of his work as “aesthetic soup”, with each part adding a little extra flavor to the whole. Everything we own, all the random stuff we take for granted, is evidence of our existence, and Sweiger sees the artistic nature of these items.

“I think you just have to put a frame around it and just throw it on the wall. These are artifacts.”

Pills are the grounding agent of the Pieces collection. Hundreds of donated Wellbutrins and other expired meds are strategically placed in each creation. At first I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but as I listened to Chris explain each work of art, and how this collection differs from last year’s, I understood. “Last year was all about chaos—that’s kinda what my life was like,” he told me. “This year, I wanted to be a little bit more orderly while still being a little bit chaotic.”

“henry” is a simple portrait of a friend plagued by amputation, addiction, HIV, psychosis, the suicide of his boyfriend; pills seem to fit naturally into that concept, and it’s one of my favorites.

The Ohio series particularly interesting and tangible. The four pieces show cropped maps of our state with pills, flowers, fish and bones embedded in resin. “fishy ohio” and “the heart of it all” are especially telling: the former features a page-long goodbye letter to Ohio, the state where Sweiger was born and raised, acknowledging that it is time to move on; the latter has a giant cicada that bulges out from the surface. Sweiger found the bug in Ohio, strangely enough, and I dug the placement of it—it doesn’t look homegrown, and it’s blatant and out of place, just like so many people I know. Genius.

If I save up enough money in the next few weeks, I want to buy “1+1=3”, a black and red acrylic paint and resin work with feathers and pills that pretty much sums up how I feel about relationships. It was refreshing to hear someone agree with me, that we are not “halves” trying to find each other to create a “whole”; rather, as the artist writes, “2 creatures find each other and collectively create a brilliant 3rd entity to be enjoyed, nurtured, and celebrated by the universe.” It’s a companion piece to “the miracle peacock conception”, which celebrates his boyfriend (last name of Peacock) who was never supposed to have been conceived; his father was one of the first to have had a reverse vasectomy. Love is an underlying theme of this collection, whether it’s his affection for his instant lotto-obsessed mother in “cash explosion”, his love-hate relationship with Ohio, or the passion he has for his boyfriend.

Sweiger is best known for his jewelry, including necklaces for the LGBT Center and Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland (birth control pills encased in resin), and he has a wide array for sale at Bela Dubby. I bought a bloody bandage on a black leather cord, and my friend bought a Miller High Life bottle cap necklace, which matched his outfit perfectly! What goes with a used bandage? I’ll find something.

Chris Sweiger’s collection will be on display and available for purchase at Bela Dubby until the end of February. Check out his jewelry online at http://www.artifactualcreations.com. Bela Dubby is located at 13321 Madison Ave. Lakewood; get directions at http://www.myspace.com/beladubby.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Dana Aritonovich mrsgrohl1ATyahoo.com

Valentines from the Cleveland Orchestra

Looking for a really special Valentine for your sweetie? Here are several options, courtesy of the Cleveland Orchestra, the Severance Restaurant and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. It’s a sort of mix-and-match type offer, so choose as you will. Of course, we start with the music: two four-concert weekends of splendid romantic classics, with two renowned conductors making their Severance Hall debuts, and the beginning of a mini-series that was very popular in its inauguration last year.

Actually, famed conductor Nicholas McGegan makes his Cleveland Orchestra debut as well next week, beginning Thursday, February 15, and continuing through the matinee on Sunday, February 18. Mr. McGegan is internationally renowned for his mastery of the Baroque musical compositions of Antonio Vivaldi and J. S. Bach, among others. It’s these two composers, however, who are the impetus for the Valentine special, during which the conductor will also be performing the harpsichord continuo.

Concertmaster William Preucil will perform all four portions of the Four Seasons concerto by Vivaldi, while Associate Concertmaster Ellen dePasquale, Principal Flute Joshua Smith, Principal Oboe Frank Rosenwein and Principal Trumpet Michael Sachs will be soloists in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. Also on the program is the Suite No. 1 of Bach.

Fine dining as engineered by Sammy’s at Severance Hall will add to your musical enjoyment before any of the concerts. In addition, all ticket holders for any of the concerts by the Cleveland Orchestra during these two weekends are invited to take advantage of the special “Cleveland Orchestra/Valentine” discount at The Ritz-Carlton, downtown Cleveland ‘s only four-star, four-diamond hotel.

The following weekend will bring the popular guest conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya to the Severance Hall podium for the first time, although he has conducted at Blossom in recent years. Soloist for these concerts will be the audience favorite, pianist Horacio Gutiérrez, in the First Piano Concerto of the great romantic composer, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Also to be performed is his Romeo & Juliet, Fantasy-Overture and a Suite from The Three-Cornered Hat of Manuel de Falla. Dates for these concerts are February 22 through 25th.

The Musically Speaking preview series returns on Sunday, February 25, at 2 p.m. Free to ticket holders of the concert is a chamber music performance by members of The Cleveland Orchestra, highlighting interesting connections about the music or composer to be performed at that afternoon’s concert, which begins at 3 pm.

For tickets or other information about the concerts, call the Cleveland Orchestra ticket office at 216-231-1111, or visit the web-site: http://www.clevelandorchestra.com. For information or reservations at the Severance Restaurant, call 216-231-7373. For reservation information at the Ritz-Carleton for either weekend, call 216-623-1300 and mention The Cleveland Orchestra Promotional Code Offer “CUE“. In addition, although you will be required to show your concert ticket upon check-in to receive the special rate, you are not required to stay the same night as your concert, as long as you stay on one of the concert nights from either weekend. This offer is based on availability, and may expire at any time. For on-line reservations, go to: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/cleveland/reservations/default.asp.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net


Quick 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

Angels Among Us @ Geauga West Library 1/28 Don’t think anything cool happens at your local library? Think again. Geauga West Library hosted Kim Wasielewski, a certified angel therapy practitioner®, for an afternoon of getting to know the angels. Despite the Lake Effect snow storm, the room was filled with debunkers and believers alike which made for a lively event. Check out the library website for upcoming and ongoing programs like the Writer’s Group that meets again on 2/14. (Read More). If you want to catch Kim’s next angelic program on 2/17, you’ll find more information at http://www.yogabykim.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Nan Frost nanettehfATsbcglobal.net.

Godfathers of Groove @ Nighttown 1/30 It was another enjoyable night of jazz at Nighttown last Tuesday, as the Godfathers of Groove opened up a two night stand with a hot show on a cold and windy night. Featuring two of the legends of pop and jazz from the ’60s, along with a son of one of their contemporaries, who is an established artist in his own right.

The Godfathers of Groove are Reuben Wilson on Hammond B-3, Grant Green, Jr. on guitar and Bernard Purdie on drums. Purdie is perhaps the most recorded drummer in history, working with almost everyone in pop, soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz over the last forty years. His drumming can be heard on such landmark recordings as “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” by Aretha Franklin, “The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King, and on the Steely Dan Aja album. He has over 4,000 recordings on his resume.

Organist Wilson recorded several hit records in the sixties and seventies on labels like Blue Note and Groove Merchant. His recent solo CD’s are on the Savant label. The youngest member of Godfathers of Groove, guitarist and vocalist Grant Green, Jr. is carrying on the legacy of his legendary father, jazz guitarist Grant Green. He has recently released a highly successful solo CD, and is in high demand as a session player in his hometown of New York. City.

The trio did a two set show, featuring almost all arrangements that allowed improvision and solos by all three performers. Asked the title of several of the tunes after the show, all three band members gave different titles to the same song. Amongst the highlights were a jazzed-up version of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” their acid jazz arrangement of “Masters of Groove meet Dr. No” from their 2001 album of the same name, a medley of New Orleans tunes with a great second line beat by Purdie, and their encore of “Everyday I Got the Blues.”

Probably the biggest surprise of the evening was the vocals to several songs supplied by Grant Green. He supplemented his outstanding guitar work with equally strong vocals ala George Benson. Again, it was another performance by an act almost perfectly suited to Nighttown’s back room. Most of the audience arrived early, enjoyed dinner, sat through both sets, and left satisfied on all fronts.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

Dohnányi & Dvorák @ Severance Hall 2/1 Yes, it is cold outdoors, but inside Severance Hall, it was bright and sunny. What a perfect antidote to our frigid winter weather was provided by the return of the Cleveland Orchestra to its original home, after they’d just spent two weeks in Florida.

Guest conductor Iván Fischer knew just what he was about from the very first note of Symphonic Minutes by Ernst von Dohnányi, grandfather of our former music director. By the way, Christoph von Dohnányi, now Music Director Laureate returns to the Severance Hall podium on Wednesday February 28, for one night only – concert begins at 7PM.

I wish someone could tell me why Dohnányi’s music is so generally ignored.

It’s everything pleasant and cheerful and well-constructed and listenable. This five-movement suite is no exception, as evidenced by the happy audience on Thursday evening, half of which was on its feet, cheering and applauding loudly, as soon as the final note was played. Jeffrey Rathbun handled the multiple English horn solos with ease, especially in the fourth movement, which featured a back-and-forth dialogue with the celesta of Joella Jones. The perpetuo mobile of the finale was so lively and rhythmic that Mr. Fischer was dancing on the podium. And who could blame him?

It’s easy to see why Hilary Hahn is so highly regarded in the musical world: her performance of the Antonín Dvorák Violin Concerto had everything one could want. Every note was performed with a bold, brilliant sound and absolute pitch wrapped in a sense of beauty and confidence. The double-stopped octaves and intricate rhythms were as nothing to her. Mr. Fischer and the Orchestra were attentive and involved collaborators.

Again, the audience was responsive, and Ms. Hahn gave us an additional treat: a gorgeous display of (not in unison) double-stopped playing of the second movement – Malinconia – of the Sonata No. 2 in A minor of Eugene Ysaÿe. This solo work references the Dies Irae theme throughout.

After intermission, it was more Dvorák—the Symphony No. 8 in G minor, Op. 88. In spite of many tragedies of his life, Dvorák’s music is consistently bright and happy sounding. Every movement of this symphony contains familiar-sounding melodies, prompting the listener to feel ‘at home’ with it. Mr. Fischer obviously has a deep empathy with this music and was able to transmit this to the orchestra, who granted his every wish. When a large chorale or organ-like sound was called for, it was exactly that. The opposite was also true, such expressive pianissimo playing is so rarely heard anywhere, other than here. The solo wind players excelled themselves as did concertmaster William Preucil, whose elegantly languid solo led into a virtuoso display of scales and fragments of scales from the other string sections. Especially impressive were the endings of sections throughout the evening: forceful, crisp and biting. Marvelous concert!

This weekend brings back pianist Angela Hewitt in Ravel, along with music of Schumann and Fauré, and guest conductor Philippe Jordan. Concerts are Thursday and Saturday, with a repeat in Oberlin on Sunday. For tickets or other information, call the ticket office at 231-1111 or visit their website at http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

Equus @ Beck Center 2/2 Opening night of this difficult, challenging production was nothing less than (another) unqualified success for Beck, with director William Roudebush (formerly of the Cleveland Play House) goosing the pace to a series of taut, sizzling vignettes, without losing emotional impact. The Martin Céspedes choreography of six mute near-nude male equine figures, preening, stretching and eventually forming the sculptural and psychological center of this tale of sex, rage, religion, pain, jealousy, pornography, drugs, class, psychotherapy and mental illness is simply not to be missed. Don’t be fooled by Beck Center’s meek & mild exterior. Under Scott Spence’s artistic direction, today’s Beck is one of the region’s finest theatres, and Equus is edgy performance art at its most fluent and flamboyant. See it or put up with everyone else raving about it. Thru 2/25 http://www.BeckCenter.org.

Visions of a City with a Soul @ Cle Artists Foundation 2/2 Curated by Sharon Dean & William Busta, four Cle photogs (Arthur Gray, William Barnhill, Jasper Wood and Andrew Borowiec), create an essential kaleidoscope of imagery in B&W of our city from the 1920’s to current times. Besides Cleveland’s great grey gossamer sky, these images share a fascination with deep contrast, not only of industry and daily life, or the monumental and the mundane, but also of the filtering effects of our atmosphere, evening out the light, and bringing out subtle detail. The bustling, bursting city, too busy to reflect on its mechanized, modern movement, is juxtaposed against its own soul: billowing smoke, innocent bystanders, a churning train, a child rolling a hoop down an alley. At Beck Center thru 3/31 http://www.ClevelandArtists.org.

Equus @ Beck Center 2/2 Matthew Wright. If you haven’t already, note the name. Since May of 2005 he´s played Argan in Moliere’s Imaginary Invalid, Officer Lockstock in Urinetown, Alfie Byrne in “A Man of No Importance”, and now as the nearly burnt-out psychiatrist Martin Dysart, a talented man questioning the meaning of his own life and skills, in Peter Shaffer´s harrowing and moving play, Equus, at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood.

In each role Matthew Wright has expressed a whole interiority of character with subtle but distinctive exteriorities. But it’s not just the snotty French or the broad American or the lilting Irish or the snipped English accents that he handles so well; it´s how he stands, how he walks, how he uses his entire body to reveal character and react unaffectedly to other characters. As Martin Dysart he’s terrific with a whole new character, a whole new set of insightful mannerisms, and a whole new body language. The difficulty of the role is that Wright has to get inside all of Dysarts’s masks. You can see Wright’s nuanced skill in his transitions between Dysart’s relations with the judge, the nurse, each of his patient’s parents, the stable owner, and the several bedeviled incarnations of his patient. Dysart in Equus is not one role, it´s a set of roles, and Wright nails each one. This is the kind of performance you don´t get to see very often. Matthew Wright. Note the name.

Martin Cespedes’s choreography is spectacular and central to the power of this play. Six waxed young men in flesh-colored dance belts transform themselves into horses through only mannerisms and Cespedes’s choreography. What an amazing piece of work Cespedes has rehearsed this ensemble into giving the audience — Franklyn Singley as Nugget, with Jose Ayala III, Bill DePetro, E. Ray Goodwin, Jr., Ryan Lahetta and Vincent Martinez as other horses, and all of them together as a single composite horse. It’s hard to say enough about how the visual and visceral sheer physicality of the strength and innocence of the horses these men play so well affects the audience, and gives Dan Folino the foundation on which to build his own character. The audience believes in the wonder of the horses, and as a result Folino, who is a wonderful actor, can take Cespedes’s choreography and these actors’ portrayals to help him reveal his character’s obsession with horses. Folino does a great job as an emotionally distraught Dionysian in an Apollonian world he doesn’t understand. He’s particularly good at the slow transition from tormentedly numb patient to revelatory ecstatic by way of the sullen recalcitrance of a teen.

Bernadette Clemens is cheeky and natural as Jill Mason; Geoffrey Darling does a strong and subtle Frank Strang, the anguished father; Jeffrey Glover is just right as the gruff stable owner, Rose Leininger is terrific as the efficient Nurse; Lenne Snively is phenomenal as the heart-broken mother — it’s worth the price just to see her; Alison Garrigan does her grounded-in-practicalities but insightful character extremely well in a sharply-honed portrayal of the judge, Hester Salomon.

The very minimalist set design by the ubiquitous and gifted Don McBride is well-conceived and evocative. McBride gets inside each play he designs for, and sets everything where it needs to be on and off stage, so that his work goes almost overlooked most of the time. Trad Burns lights McBride’s set and the actors with a cunning insight, and Richard Ingraham’s sound design alternately soothes and shakes the audience.

The Beck’s Artistic Director, Scott Spence, brought William Roudebush from Philadelphia to direct, and Roudebush brought his best stuff. The staging and pace are both excellent. The actors commonly get all the credit for powerful and nuanced portrayals of character, of course, but Spence and Roudebush provide the visions and decisions it takes to bring ensembles powerfully together, as this one has been. Credit is due all around.

Equus at the Beck is an outstanding production. Everything has come together: sight and sound, story and presentation, acting and direction fuse together into a powerful whole where gifted people produce an experience that will stay with you.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Marcus Bales marcusATdesignerglass.com

Equus @ Beck Center 2/2 Every once in a while a theatre-goer has an experience which almost defies words. After the final curtain of Beck Center’s production of Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award winning drama Equus, I sat stunned. I had just seen what I consider to be the best over-all local production in my viewing experience. I don’t say that lightly. Readers of my reviews know that I am guarded in making sweeping generalizations. In this case, I honestly and whole-heartedly believe that I saw total brilliance at the show’s opening night performance.

Words flood my mind. Words like “brilliant,” “splendid,” and “captivating.” Later, I spent a fitful night, tossing and turning as I attempted to sleep, but, instead, lived and relived the theatrical experience.

Equus concerns Alan Strang who appears to be an introverted, obedient, not overly bright 17-year old with a passion for horses. One night he blinds six horses with a hoof pick. What drove him to do it? He is placed under psychiatric surveillance. He is an unresponsive patient who is woken each night by terrible nightmares, and his yelling “eck” over and over. Psychiatrist Martin Dysart eventually is able to help his patient grasp the answer to the psychological puzzle. In the process, Dysart finds out as much about himself as he does about his client.

Dysart reflects: “That boy has known a passion more ferocious than I have felt in any second of my life. That boy stands in the dark for an hour, sucking the sweat off his god’s hairy cheek!”

Shaffer based the play on a true English crime. From sketchy details, Shaffer constructed a fictional account of what might have caused the incident. Many theatre critics consider Equus to be one of the most significant English language plays of the last half of the 20th century.

William Roudebush’s reimagination of the script brings forth meanings I never knew the play contained. I saw the original Broadway production in 1975. I find this production to be superior.

From the moment one enters the theatre to see six buffed males wearing only skin colored dance belts going through stretching exercises and watch as they morph into horses who paw the ground, flex their powerful flanks, whinny and gallop, until the startling conclusion, the viewer knows this is a special experience. Roudebush, aided by Martin Cespedes’ amazing choreography, has created a focused and involving experience that is not all show, but one that develops the author’s intent and purpose.

Roudebush doesn’t use gimmicks, such as having the horses created by the use of wire head sets, as was the case on Broadway. He and Cespedes transform men into horses. He doesn’t flaunt the full-frontal nudity, which is drawing ticket buyers to see Daniel Radcliff (of Harry Potter fame) in the forthcoming revival of the play in London. The nudity is so natural, so well ensconced into the essence of the play, that it is neither lewd nor intended to whet the prurient appetite to see an actor and actress perform unclothed.

Matthew Wright who portrays Martin Dysart, the psychiatrist, rivals Anthony Perkins’ performance in the original Broadway production. Wright clearly creates a human with unique abilities to work with those with mental illnesses, but who has personal frailties. The psychiatrist’s strengths and vulnerabilities are obvious in this intelligent character study.

Dan Folino’s Alan Strang, has a vulnerability and introspection that I think exceeds Tom Huce, who played opposite Perkins. Folino, known to local audiences mainly as a marvelous singer (e.g., Beauty and the Beast) creates a tortured soul who is totally believable in his angst. Folino knows just when and how to not only go inside his soul but collapse in a primal scream. Folino’s performance is dazzling.

The rest of the cast is absolutely on target. Rose Leininger, Alison Garrigan, Lenne Snively, Jeffrey Glover and Bernadette Celemens each develop clear and consistent characters.

As the horses, Franklyn Singley, Jose Ayala III, Bill DePetro, E. Ray Goodwin, Jr., Ryan Lahetta and Vincent Martinez are mesmerizing. We never see men, we see horses. WOW!!

Don McBride reformatted Beck’s stage from a proscenium, having part of the audience sit on the stage, facing the rest of the audience, who populate the regular auditorium seating, allowing the spectators to become an intimate part of the action. This reformatting means that, at times, members of the cast are facing away from some audience members. Though there is a minor loss of sound, it does not cause the missing of many lines and is more than compensated for by the overall experience.

Light designer Trad A. Burns creates effects which greatly enhance the entire experience. The casting of shadows, the key-color lighting of certain parts of the stage, and the making for clear transitions, was a work of genius. Richard B. Ingraham’s sound design was also well conceived.

Capsule Judgment: Beck’s Equus is not a go-see, it is MUST-see. If you only go to one theatrical production this year, make it Equus. It is brilliant, amazing, compelling and awesome!!!

The production of Equus runs through February 25 at The Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. For ticket information call 521-2540 of visit them online at http://www.beckcenter.org..

Roy Berko’s blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberko@yahoo.com

Apollo’s Fireworks! @ St. Paul’s Church 2/2 One of the first things you notice at any performance by Apollo’s Fire is how happy the musicians are. Or appear to be. They smile continually, and the string players dig into their soft-voiced gut strings with such gusto! They truly seem to having such a wonderful time making their music. Obviously, this contributes greatly to the enjoyment of their audiences, too. Such was the case on Friday evening at St. Paul’s Church in Cleveland Heights for the program titled Handel Fireworks, led by Music Director Jeannette Sorrell.

Fortunately, the musicians contented themselves with replicating only the marvelous music, having eschewed the historical detail that literally brought down the house at the performance in 1749. Well, actually, it blew up, taking the ‘fireworks’ part just a tad too seriously. However, the music did survive, and thank goodness for that!

George Frideric Handel was born in Germany and studied there and in Italy before moving to England. His music is flavored by all three countries. It was an early work Dixit Dominus that opened the concert. Five vocal soloists—sopranos Kiera Duffy and Sandra Simon, mezzo-soprano Margaret Bragle, and tenor Scott Mello—along with virtuoso chorus drive this setting of Psalm 110, which uses every emotion possible in the musical writing, which leans heavily toward the dramatic. And thrilling! Crisp, clear articulation gave clarity to every syllable, and the ornamentation was an added treat.

Several selections from various Water Musick Suites—in F, G and D which opened the second half of the program were mostly familiar to our ears. It was bright music, but softer in a more subtle way than when played on modern instruments. Ms. Sorrell’s attention to dynamics and tempos adds much to the overall performance. Pairs of horns—and added gradually, as needed—flutes, oboes and trumpets contributed extra oomph to the texture of the music.

Timpani were added for the finale – the Musick for the Royal Fireworks. For all intents and purposes, this might be construed as a mini-concerto for timpani and orchestra, and Matthew Bassett made the most of the opportunity. From the opening fanfare of the Bourrée to the Ouverture which ended the selection, he was superb, as was the entire orchestra. The music was, by turns, stately and ceremonious, jaunty, songful and reverberant in the wonderful acoustics of St. Pauls.

Next up for Apollo’s Fire is the St. John Passion of J. S. Bach, from March 29 to April 3. For tickets or other information, call 216.320.0012 or visit their website at http://www.apollosfire.org.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

Big [Box]: Wearing Rainbows and Numbers @ CPT 2/3
Hot stuff: Two monologue shows by Mary Weems – the first about women on the edge, the 2nd about mental patients — got impressive productions from director Tony Sias and a smokin’ hot cast. Standouts: Kendra as a wobbly yet sympathetic crack whore, Errin Berry’s centered young lesbian, Kimberly L. Brown’s spiky daughter, Morris Cammon as a dignified older woman, Abdullah Bey’s hapless orphan, Jimmie Woody’s loose-limbed numbers runner, and Taba Aleem’s schizophrenic.
In progress: Despite the strong performances and some good writing, the monologues in Numbers didn’t hang together as well as the powerful Wearing Rainbows.
Details: CPT, http://www.cptonline.org. Big [Box] continues thru 2/18.
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein, LindaATcoolcleveland.com

Luna Negra & DANCECleveland @ Ohio Theater 2/3 The dancers of the Luna Negra Dance Theater are a talented group of performers. At the performance this Saturday, my favorite part of the program was “Enamorados,” which featured a Tango style of music, with a sensual, evocative dance between two lovers that pursued each other with the same amount of passion that ultimately divided them. The “Last Twelve Minutes” was also a personal favorite, with a futuristic dance about what seemed to be the end of the world, with a chaotic struggle measured to a tribal drum beat. I enjoyed the solo and duet performances the most, because the dancers were playful and animated, expressing raw, emotional stories that unraveled with poetic grace. From Cool Cleveland contributor T.L Champion tlATcoolcleveland.com

Music of Jacques Brel @ Kalliope 2/3 As I sat watching Kalliope Stage’s The Music of Jacques Brel, my mind wandered back to the early ’70s when I saw the opening night of Berea Summer Theatre’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. This magical production starred Cliff Bemis, David Frazier, Providence Hollander and Terri Pieto. It was directed by Joe Garry, with musical direction by David Gooding.

In 1973 Garry was approached to bring the musical to the defunct State Theatre in downtown Cleveland. The projected two-week run become so popular that it was performed for the next two-and-a-half-years. It heralded the revival of what is now the Playhouse Square Foundation, the second largest theater facility outside of New York City’s Lincoln Center. Many think, if not for Jacques Brel, the theatres in Playhouse Square would have been bulldozed and the history of Cleveland forever changed.

Brel, contrary to common belief, is Belgian, not French. He made his impact, however, as a French cabaret singer and a commentator on life. His songs are generally about love, death and the struggles that life is, but he also wrote about the ironic nature of existence. He incorporates strong emotional perceptions and creates visual images with meaningful poetic vocabulary.

Instances from the BW/Playhouse Square production stand out. Gary and Gooding’s show flowed seemlessly from song-to-song, creating a unity of life’s highs and lows. Another factor was the quality of the voices and acting of the cast. There were no weak segments in that production. Emotions were felt and clearly displayed. There was no posing nor feigning of feelings. Especially exciting were the renditions of “Carousel” — a glorious song about how we are euphorically carried on the merry-go-round of life — and the final selection, “If We Only Have Love,” a tribute to all that is good about living.

Interestingly, as nicely done as Kalliope’s The Music of Jacques Brel is, it lacks many of the special components. The cast can sing well, but they generally lack the immersion, the magical qualities that are need to make the show great. They sometimes sing words, not meanings. They sometimes feign emotions.

Director Paul Gurgol’s concept doesn’t meld the songs. There are unnecessary blackouts between many numbers which break the mood. For some inexplicable reason, Michael Hamilton, the musical arranger and/or Gurgol decided that “Carousel” is a song about getting out of sync with life, that life is frustrating confusion. And, try as they might, “If We Only Have Love,” fails to explode with emotion and invite us to leave the theatre on an emotional high ready to face whatever the world throws at us.

Yes, this is not the same script. Kalliope’s The Music of Jacques Brel and Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris are different, but they are still Brel. And, no matter how you slice it or dice it, Brel’s musical sounds, meanings and passions are present. Hamilton’s arrangements often weaken the meaning of the songs. One tune has almost a country sound, several are given farcical interpretations which, though they may be audience pleasing, don’t do justice to Brel. Hamming it up, isn’t Brel. Feigning feeling is not Brel.

This is not to indicate the Kalliope production is bad. It isn’t. The average theatre-goer, as apparently did the majority of the opening night audience, will enjoy the experience. The musical fits into Kalliope’s intimate performance space. The cast, Jodi Brinkman, Joan Ellison, Chaz Statham, Adina Bloom and William Marshall have strong and clear voices. There are some nice moments. There is some good humor. But, there isn’t the consistent greatness of Brel. There is a quality of ordinariness that doesn’t inspire us to understand and appreciate the greatness that is Brel.

Capsule Judgment: Director Paul Gurgol chose to do The Music of Jacques Brel rather than Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, because he wanted to put his “own stamp” on the happenings. He did so. He has produced a pleasant, but not totally inspiring theatrical experience.

The show runs through March 11 at 2134 Lee Road. For tickets call 321-0870 or visit Kalliope online at http://www.KalliopeStage.com.

Roy Berko’s blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberko@yahoo.com

Home & Flower Show @ I-X Center 2/3 Northeast Ohioans, hungry for signs of spring, were eagerly coming out of hibernation to attend the 64th annual Home and Flower Show at the IX Center. Nothing dull or boring here, 20 indoor acres packed full of colorful tulips and hyacinths, interior design ideas, live cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, and roofing materials. Three full sized, professionally decorated homes – the “Irish Castle,” the Cape Cod, and the Ranch – were built for this show from the ground up to spotlight new building materials, design creativity, and living green in the 21st century.

Construction crews worked round-the-clock for 22 days to build the two-story, three-bedroom, energy efficient, not-to-be-missed Irish stone castle, furnished with contemporary, colorful off-the-chart furniture and accessories. In the Ranch, one-story floor home, there are three bedrooms and two baths, all wheelchair accessible. The Cape Cod home, a modular home, resembles a cottage by the lake with three bedrooms, a stone fireplace, walk-in closets, and a large kitchen fully equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and Merillat cabinets.

Walking up and down the aisles of the show lined with over 500 exhibitors and 75 craft displays, hundreds of people were heard talking… “Honey, come over hear and look at this beautiful granite countertop, It would look great in our kitchen and we need new counters.” Or “Come look at this floor, we could do this in our entryway, front hall, and back room. I could even help you lay the tiles.” Rumor has it there are plans in the making for next year’s show, to construct an Italian Villa. Stay tuned.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Schaul susn1ATatt.net

Windsong Winter Concert @ Archwood Church 2/3 Windsong, Cleveland’s Feminist Chorus, presented its winter concert It Takes a Village… to raise one child on Saturday evening. The bitterly cold weather didn’t deter the large audience one little bit. But then, the energy generated by the 30 women warmed things up considerably! Under the direction of its artistic director and conductor, Karen Weaver, the chorus provided 18 examples of why they sing—for their own enjoyment as well as that of others.

Argerie Vasilakes, an alto who is the usual narrator opened the program with spoken words that led into the South African (Xhosa) work Babethandaza, arranged by Ysaye Barnwell. Accompanied by six of their members on various forms of percussion instruments, the women joyfully marched from the rear of the sanctuary to the front, assuming their usual concert placement. Barnwell also wrote the music for the setting of On Children by Kahlil Gibran, performed in the second half of the concert.

Several of the chorus members were featured as soloists throughout the evening: Michelle Mischak in the a cappella version of Gather; Cynthia Sicking and Kathie Lester in Imani, which also featured more percussion. Actually, the splendid Karin Tooley, who is usually kept busy as the accompanying pianist, did marvelously well at percussion in several of the numbers, due to the sudden absence of the previously scheduled performer. Among those selections featuring percussion were Turn the World Around by Harry Belafonte, which also included rhythmic clapping, Mahk jchi with Kathryn Kay as narrator, and Sikuyo(We are Walking).

Come in from the Firefly Darkness allowed Ms. Tooley to return to the piano as did the rousing Spiritual Shine on Me, which brought the first half of the concert to a rousing finish, with the assistance of soloist Joanne Federman.

Two examples of relatively modern art song opened the second half of the program: A Girl’s Garden, with words by Robert Frost and sprightly piano accompaniment by Randall Thompson, plus Dominic Has a Doll with words by e e cummings and music by Vincent Persichetti. The latter could be a tad upsetting unless you can decipher all the words, when you learn that Dominic does indeed have a doll wired to the radiator of his truck. Seems someone threw it in the trash, and he re-claimed it, his wife cleaned it up, and so he’s now displaying the lost creature on his truck! (Fortunately, the chorus has excellent diction, making the words intelligible.)

Everything Possible, which celebrated the differences among us featured soloists Michele Kovach and Kat Catts, while Seasons of Love (from Rent) put Ginger Needham, Jen Telischak and Lynn Brewster up front in the spotlight. Holly Walker was the soloist in We Rise Again.

No Ne Li Domi could only be called a patter song, with its fast paced wordplay, whereas Sisters, while affirming the bond between women, with snapping fingers, then threw in some rhythmic clapping, which not everyone could keep straight, inadvertently providing a bit of comic relief.

Two great American jazz artists provided the closing songs: A-Tisket, A-Tasket by the great Ella Fitzgerald, included the scat singing in a jazzy arrangement, while Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got that Swing! brought the evening to a happy and tuneful ending.

Opening for Windsong was Solstice, a group of eight young women from Case Western Reserve University, who sing a cappella style. Giving a whole new meaning to the term ‘girl group’ they did beautiful close-harmony versions of One Fine Day, If Ever I Would Leave You, I Won’t Say I’m in Love (from Hercules), Sounds of Silence and I Won’t Give Up.

Windsong’s spring concert will be at Trinity Cathedral on Saturday June 2. For tickets or other information, call 561-4505, or send them an e-mail at: windsongchorus@yahoo.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net


Cool Cleveland readers write
We encourage our readers to speak out by sending us letters and commentary. Send your letters to Letters@CoolCleveland.com. You must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional). You may also create a new Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail e-mail address and submit it with your letter. Letters submitted to Cool Cleveland, or edited portions, may be published in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland at our discretion.

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Thank you Cool Cleveland I enjoy receiving Cool Cleveland. Thomas Mulready is one of the great things we have going for us in Cleveland! I have just changed my email and would like to continue receiving the newsletter. Many thanks.
from Cool Cleveland reader Ellen Schermer ebschermer@yahoo.com

Thank you so much for including information on Chris Sweiger’s 2/3 art opening at Bella Dubby. I’ve always loved Cool Cleveland as a reader…now that I help to promote my friends’ and their amazing projects I don’t know where we’d be without this amazing resource.
from Cool Cleveland reader Tim Marshall mediaqueergmail.com

On the Port Authority, ODOT & conflict of interest (See John Carney’s conflict of interest on Port Authority here) I want to thank you guys for helping to get the word out about issues that we’ve been working on for awhile. The Port and ODOT are timely and critical. I think we’re starting to make a difference. In today’s PD there’s an article that the commissioners passed a resolution to urge Ohio legislators to add Port Authorities and other boards to file Disclosure Statements with the Ohio Ethics Commission- That’s progress. Let’s keep up the pressure and stay in touch on the issues that will make Cleveland and NEO a better place to live, play and work.
from Cool Cleveland reader Ed Hauser ejhauserATameritech.net

An idea for Frank Jackson (See Mayor Jackson plans here) Roosevelt did it in the 30’s. It worked in many ways. Frank Jackson could do it here and make Cleveland a model of progressive government. We have a huge homeless population. And from what I’ve seen in midtown, seems like we have a city full of trash, some of it recyclable. Why not recruit the homeless to work on city projects like trash pick up and recycling. They could receive money, food, increased social services through a “work-fare” style program, places to live, etc… Yea, I know. He’s already hired those guys in the safety green vests. It’s been discussed before. It’s a mini-WPA. It’s socialism. I’m thinking it’s just a way to clean up Cleveland, give more of the homeless something to do besides walking around and panhandling and give the city some positive press about how it cares for all its citizens.
from Cool Cleveland reader John Gouskos jt_gouskosATyahoo.com

On the Digital Airport Initiative (See Digital Airport needs your support here) Dear Mayor Jackson & Staff, Ricky Smith, and CoolCleveland.com: My name is Christopher Hongosh and I am a true Clevelander. I was reading news on CoolCleveland.com and there is concern about media and advertisements within our number one visited spot in Cleveland, Cleveland’s Hopkins Airport. I went to Arizona State University and graduated in May 2006 with a degree in Tourism, Business and Communications, and I chose to move home to Cleveland – people are still asking me why. But I love Cleveland, though tourism is not hot here- yet. First and most importantly we need to develop and increase a positive image of Cleveland. Good marketing persuades everyone. Reaching out to tourists first and seeding a positive image will instill great things about Cleveland to those who may just be here on a layover. For evidence look in an airplane seat pocket magazine you will find, Las Vegas and Phoenix area Convention and Visitors Bureau advertisements. Where is our CVB? Tourism too usually benefits a local economy because there is often little leakage when people travel; tourists support the local community and attractions. It is all about image and marketing. People believe mass media. You should include media time allotments for local use, local companies and local positive brand image in Cleveland’s Hopkins Airport.
from Cool Cleveland reader Christopher T. Hongosh chongoshATgmail.com

On the making of a dismal failure (See video interview of Christopher Axelrod Your Pipeline of Rock Nomads here) As a lover of music and user of both MySpace and YouTube, I can tell you right now that, based on its concept, Your Pipeline of Rock Nomads will be a dismal failure. I realize the site is a “work in progress” but I think anyone working on it should save themselves the time and money on any further development. The reason sites like MySpace and YouTube gained so much success is because they were novel and attracted a niche of people from their onset – for NO CHARGE. In my opinion, there is nothing novel about combining the success of MySpace and YouTube and catering to bands. I think the big point that Axelrod misses is that with the availability of so much information to young people these days, they are getting smarter: they are privier to what’s out there and look down on anything that is merely a knock-off of something else. Additionally, while bands might (and I would strongly advise them not to) put up videos of themselves, who is going to watch them? Any person who has some musical integrity would not sit through 5 minutes of an amateur band taping themselves, much less a whole cadre of bands taping themselves. If anything, music is about the live performance and the way it is able to capture the attention and emotion of the audience. Videos simply aren’t capable of the same effect – videos are made by bands typically after they’ve captured the attention of a LIVE audience en masse. In any case, I hope that I am wrong and that my commentary becomes the dismal failure, because I am a supporter of unsigned bands and musicians and only hope that something as offensive, crude and lame as this will work.
from Cool Cleveland reader Mike Shafarenko mshafarenkoATgmail.com

On Ed, tax abatements,etc. Can teach em. Will it do much good? IS it “right areas”… HOW many Einsteins gonna get. HOW many Amgens for that matter……… CAN study THAT to death tooo…………… Hey. U guyz intertwining Wurlds here i.e NPRPD soooo………. SOME of ‘teaches’, mostly guyz, do ($*@*!@ stuff. IS minority BUT…..”WE do NOT show video ‘underskirting’ pics to students………”. Or are BotchedBostonBriteLiteBruhaBoyz somewhut deepER symptom of whut ArtCrew, OURS or anyone elses, has to go thru AND this is one of crews THAT has HARDtime gettin employment………… IF can crack THAT nut be a HOMERUN……… SORTA seein it w/the COSE healthcare deal,etc. Sad gotta play wigged out “games” so can get out of town $$$ to whutever…….. TIL gets sooo out of hand, DC &/or Columbus ‘steps in’…….. SURE our littlelegion dooooooooooooown in ColumbusLand DEBATING this right now & comin up w/a PREemption BILL to…………. Soooo whutever WHO is publicly gonna go to a Renegade marketing, etc.etc.etc. for ‘ideas’ at least officially. CAN pic outfits sifting thru blogs tryin to figure out ‘demographics’. Can pic ‘fallout’………. Sad part. Other blogs right on the $ far as well ads…… CounterCounterCulture is now the NewCommerce…..? I think……… One of em…UndergroundArt or something like that. LOT of foreign. CHINESE, Japanese WRITINGS…. Site could least have ‘interpreted’…………. THINK of alllllllll the fun HigherUps have tryin to sit there figurin this stuff out…………… CAN already pic the lookalikeLiteBriteRenegadeWhutevers being pasted, put up, worn, etc.alllllllll over the place……..ONCE weather warms up…………….. 2 DynamicDuo LIVE forever……… CAN already pic those dreadloches allllllllllll over the place………………….. Kiddies have fun apin whut these 2 did in schools cross wholllllllleee country………………………… CAN already pic OUR UrbanHipChicUberKrew puttin this stuff in windows just like do the Xmas Story SensousLamp……………….
from Cool Cleveland reader Robert Westbrook rwrafflesATsbcglobal.net

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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

1) RoldoLink Jackson’s Boilerplate.
www.CoolCleveland.com

2) 20th Dumbest Moment in Business according to Business 2.0 was Fiji Water’s poke at Cle’s water.
CNN.com

3) Don’t miss Lost Highway party Thu 2/8 or the chance to win a complimentary weekend in New York City to see Lost Highway at the Miller Theatre on 2/23-25, complete with comp theatre tix, airfare and hotel for two!
Get yr tix here

4) Comment My Life with the Lightspeed Box.
www.CoolCleveland.com

5) Kucinich is “conscience of the Democrats” The political humor site Radar posts a YouTube of Dennis launching into Sixteen Tons.
RadarOnline.com

On the Lost Highway to Tour de Frank Does it make sense? Did Peaches en Regalia the first time you heard it? We thought not. If there’s anyone who can put David Lynch and Red {an orchestra} in the Yellow Jersey — and you up front to witness it — well, it’s your friendly, neighborhood Hard Corps. Props to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Linda Eisenstein, Kelly Ferjutz, Roy Berko, Susan Schaul, Dana Aritonovich and Frank Zappa. 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.

Download the Cool Cleveland podcast each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com. Click on the Cool Cleveland Blog here. 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: Letters@CoolCleveland.com. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

You gotta get lost before you can be found,
–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2006 Cool Networks LLC all rights reserved

(:divend:)

Post categories:

Comments are closed.
[fbcomments]