Commune

7.11-7.18.07
Commune

In this week’s issue:
* Grab an iPhone or Video iPod
* Cool Cleveland Party Time’s running out for discount tix!
* Cool Community Forum Downtown lunchtime discussion on the convention center
* BizTech Video Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready on the new iPhone
* BizTech Interview James Wood, ED of the Louisville CVB
* BFD Weekly Would we end up with a convention center?
* Sounds Knaves and Moneychangers from Vital Mines
* Preview Ingenuity 2007
* Comment Walking in Cleveland and into the past
* Pop Quiz Peter Chakerian quizzes Anne E. DeChant
* Straight Outta Mansfield Legislation that has Zero chance of passing
* RoldoLINK George Forbes, the Misdemeanor Culprit
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, Brewed Fresh Daily here

Communicate. Community. These are Cleveland’s buzz words this week. With the critical issue of a convention center and medical mart in play because of a proposed county tax increase, we felt that the legal minimum two public sessions didn’t give the community enough of an opportunity to discuss, raise questions and pose issues. So we’re hosting our own Forum this Thu 7/12, increasing public debate by 50%, and you’re invited to join us; register here, or post your comment here. Sharing food and beverage while listening to the best orchestra in the world, The Cleveland Orchestra, sounds like a fine way for NEO to interact this Sat 7/14 at our Cool Blossom party and concert. Get your discount tix here. Plus, we’ve collected dozens of links to cool events all week long, like our continuing Ingenuity Fest coverage, a commonsense communiqué from Mansfield, a shout out from Roldo, a pop quiz on Anne E. DeChant, and enough cool events to keep you talking all week. While you’re at it, scroll down and watch my video interview with Jim Wood, president of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, who helped that town regionalize by incorporating its suburbs, something Cleveland doesn’t seem to believe could happen. Not if we keep the flow of communication open. By the way, the antonym of “communicate” is “hush up,” “keep secret,” or “suppress.” We don’t think that’s very Cleveland-like, do you? —Thomas Mulready

Own your own iPhone Or video iPod, just for doing the right thing. Pay it forward. Our readers are the reason for our success — we grew virally from people forwarding CC to their friends and we’re asking you to help us again by forwarding this week’s issue to one person while becoming eligible to win one of several video iPods or the new iPhone! Send CC to your best friend(s), colleague(s) and family member(s) and please include a personal note in the subject line, encouraging them to sign up here. Pay it forward and you could win! Winners to be announced in a future issue.

http://www.coolcleveland.com/ipodgiveaway/index.php

Blossom CoolFest: Cleveland Orchestra, Sat 7/14
Lowest Price Tix until Midnight Thu 7/12 here!

When Was the Last Time YOU partied at Blossom? Here’s the skinny. We’ve done all the prep work starting with comp tix – for you – to see the orchestra. All you hafta do is show up thirsty and hungry on Sat 7/14 from 6-7:30PM. Can you handle that? You could also win two Pavilion ticket subscriptions to Blossom’s POPs Summer Concert Series.

Get your Blossom CoolFest party tix here.

You get all this:

• Pre-concert Cool Cleveland party from 6-7:30 PM
• Delicious Salmon Mousse, Mini Assorted Wraps (ham, turkey, cheese & veggie), Cheddar Shortbread, and Caponata (Eggplant) Crostini from the Mustard Seed Catering Co., and Totellini in Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade, Asiago/Fennel and Chorizo Flatbreads, Humus in Mini-Pita with Cucumber, Seared Eggplant and Wild Mushroom Polenta from Gypsy Beans & Baking Co.
• Open bar wine/beer with award-winning beers from Thirsty Dog including Balto Golden Lager, Hoppus Maximus and Old Leghumper
• Comp tix to the Mahler’s exuberant Symphony No. 1
• Special offers to Blossom 2007 concerts, including “The Lord of the Rings Symphony”
• Guaranteed parking just a few steps from party location
• Chance to win two Pavilion ticket subscriptions to Blossom’s POPs Summer Concert Series.

Blossom is less than a 30-minute drive from Cleveland, Akron and surrounding suburbs. For the complete 2007 Blossom Festival Calendar go here.

All Ya Gotta Do is Show Get the best discount if you order by Midnight Thu 7/12 here. See map here.

Ingenuity 2007
Four more spectacular days of intersecting Art and Technology

The thunder of 1,000 drums A four-day schedule jam-packed with contemporary dance, opera, ballet, theater, step dancing, breakdancing, and wild amounts of live music from every genre. Visual arts exhibits, poetry slams, parades and family-friendly activities, all “transformed by technology.” Of course, we’re talking about the third annual Ingenuity Festival of Art and Technology. This year’s run of the fest is cued up at Playhouse Square, home to some of the most stunning and celebrated performance venues in the entire Midwest.

Ingenuity begins with an extra special premiere on Wednesday, July 18 starting at 5:30PM at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square. Ideastream’s Dee Perry will host the preview event, which highlights some of the supporting cast involved. You’ll have opportunities to witness incredible talent from around town and around the globe during the next several days – the event formally launches Thursday, July 19 at 5PM and will run through the weekend.

Many artistic premieres will take place in the context of the schedule, as well as some of the brightest acolytes in art, dance, music, theater, technology and family fun. You can check out a complete list of the events here, though we here at Cool Cleveland thought we’d share a few personal selections we’re looking forward to…

Read more about the upcoming festival here

Cuyahoga County sales tax for convention center & medical mart

Join your Cool Cleveland colleagues at this free and open Community Forum on July 12, 2007 from noon to 1:30PM at the Cleveland Public Library, 325 Superior Avenue N.E. in Downtown Cleveland, in the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium. Map of parking here.

While a number of subject matter experts will be invited to invited to be in the audience as resources in the fields of government, economic development and convention centers, this Community Forum is designed to allow the public to ask questions and raise issues about the 1/4% sales tax recently proposed by the Cuyahoga County Commissioners to raise money for a yet-to-be-determined convention center and attached medical mart. There will be no panels, no presentations and no speakers. After a brief outline of the issue, the public will be invited to step up to the microphones and raise questions and issues, which will be transcribed and then posted to CoolCleveland.com, BrewedFreshDaily.com and the Meet.The.Bloggers* network of top regional blog sites.

To attend, please register by clicking here:
http://www.coolcleveland.com/forums/071407/index.php

To post your comment or question in advance, or if you are unable to attend, please click here:
http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2007/07/03/coolclevelandcombfdmtbyoucool-community-forums/

A copy of the press release is available for download as a PDF here:
http://www.coolcleveland.com/doc/SalesTaxForumAnnouncement.pdf

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Entrepreneurship & the Cleveland Indians – It doesn’t get much better than that! Join JumpStart, Northeast Ohio’s venture development organization, for a night of networking with entrepreneurs, community leaders, and all others wishing to advance the entrepreneurial community of Northeast Ohio, as the Cleveland Indians take on the Boston Red Sox in the fourth and final game of the series on Thu 7/26. The event includes all-you-can-eat picnic fare, soft drinks, a beer ticket, and a chance to win an autographed Tribe souvenir! For more information and to register, go here.
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A collective cache of hot tech and business news & events from around Cleveland and around the region. Send your business news and events to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

Apple iPhone
Thomas Mulready of Cool Cleveland

Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready needs another gadget like he needs a hole in his pork-pie hatted head. But he may have found his match with Apple’s much-hyped iPhone. While he finds the 8GB memory and battery life lacking, overall he found the iPhone exceeded his sky-high expectations. Why? Not so much the basic phone, iPod, web surfing and mail functions, although those are intuitive and easy to use. It was the less-hyped features tucked into the iPhone’s svelte package that blew him away, like live Google maps with directions & live traffic updates, the ear bud microphone, and integrated calendar, contacts & phone. Watch the video for the full review, then enter the Cool Cleveland iPhone giveaway for your chance to get your own: http://www.coolcleveland.com/ipodgiveaway/index.php

Convention Center fix With an unfortunate turn of the phrase, ultimate insider attorney Fred Nance is called “Fred the fixer,” as he is tapped to shepherd the Cleveland effort to land the convention center and medical mart project. Republican Jim Petro was hired to work with the state legislature in Columbus. To date, no details have been released on their progress. While are complaining that the fix is in, with a proposed County sales tax and no center or mart in sight, we at Cool Cleveland are being proactive. We’re hosting a Community Forum this Thu 7/12 at noon at the Downtown Cleveland Public Library. Get details at www.CoolCleveland.com, and register here.

Are You Feeling It? Did you know that, according to our recent survey, 45% of Cool Cleveland readers have become more involved in their community as a result of reading CC? How cool is that? For more info about advertising contact us at InfoATCoolCleveland.com.

Breuer boomlet The historic Marcel Breuer tower hasn’t been demolished yet, but the prospect of a new County HQ at E. 9th & Euclid has historic rehab developer John Ferchill ready to build condos, retail and office space on the site. And 8 buildings are being considered for redevelopment as the “First Five” along Euclid Avenue between Public and Playhouse Squares. Whether a government center for 2000 employees is the ideal backdrop for housing and retail may be beside the point. Discussions may be put on hold if the convention center/medical mart tax is instituted. At least for that project, the public will have an opportunity to air their thoughts at our first Cool Community Forum on 7/12 at noon. Register.

Len Komoroski Pres. of Quicken Loans Arena/ Cleveland Cavaliers speaks at SBL Cleveland Thu 7/12 at 11:30A. Forum Conf Ctr. 1375 E. 9th St. No-cost; RSVP req’d, Sherrie Scarton 250-7000
Understanding Intellectual Prop w/Suzann Moskowitz of Ulmer & Berne Tue 7/17 at noon. Protect your IP on a shoestring budget! Cle Foundation 1422 Euclid Ave. RSVP to jthomas@civicinnovationlab.org
Cleveland+ Learn about the brand, the campaign, and the tools w/Thomas A. Waltermire, CEO of Team NEO Wed 7/18 @ 11:30AM. Marriott Cleveland East Harvard Rd. & I-271 Register
Dr. Bridget Duffy of Cle Clinic speaks at B’Wood mo luncheon Wed 7/25 @ 11:30. Register
New Biz Plan Svc Intro w/ Melissa DeGennaro, Principal at marketQUEST, Inc Thu 7/26 at noon. Write a biz plan to take your initiative to the next level. Cle Foundation 1422 Euclid Ave. RSVP to jthomas@civicinnovationlab.org

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It’s All Guitars See! Rock! Buy! Now’s your chance to see and purchase one of 27 Fender® Stratocaster® guitars artistically transformed for “It’s all Guitars!,” a project of United Way of Greater Cleveland’s GuitarMania® that introduces public art, guitars and community involvement to high school students throughout Greater Cleveland. The guitars are on display at Cuyahoga County Library branches now through Wed 7/18 and will be auctioned at the House of Blues on Sat 7/28, with proceeds benefiting United Way. Auction admission is $10 and doors open at 1PM. These guitars are unique works of art that can be displayed or plugged in and played! For more information about where to see the guitars and the auction, visit www.cleveland.com/guitarmania.
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James Wood
Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO

How did Louisville go from the 67th largest city to the 16th? And how did they steal one of Cleveland’s biggest festivals? When Shaker Heights resident Gary Jacob lost support and decided he needed to relocate Abbey Road On The River, the nation’s largest Beatles festival, from its original home in Cleveland, he sat down with officials in Louisville, KY, including the mayor and James Wood, the President of the Greater Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Wood immediately put him in touch with the head of Louisville-based Fifth Third Bank, and within months, Abbey Road had a new sponsor & a new River, and Louisville had a new major event to compete with the Indy 500 over Memorial Day weekend. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready visited with Wood in his office overlooking the Ohio River & festival grounds, and discussed how Louisville laid out the welcome mat for Jacob, the economic impact of this popular annual event, and how Louisville recently incorporated its suburbs, regionalized its government, jumped from 67th largest city in the U.S. to 16th, and saved tax payers a pocketful in the process. http://www.AbbeyRoadOnTheRiver.com http://www.GoToLouisville.com

Pastor Dan Cle rapping preacher makes waves on Yahoo! Watch
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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

HOT Mulready @ 20/30 Club Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready speaks on how technology is redefining the future of networking, at the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club’s Networking at Noon luncheon, and non-members are welcome at 11:15AM on Wed 7/11 at The Forum Conference Center, One Cleveland Center, E. 9th & St. Clair Register

Open T.A.N.K. The Kent State University School of Art Galleries hold their summer juried exhibition at the KSU School of Art’s Downtown Gallery starting Wed 7/11, with a special opening reception Fri 7/13 from 5-7PM. The Artists Network of Kent invited artists from NEO to submit work for this Juried exhibition. Eligibility for the exhibition was limited to artists who live, or once lived in Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, Trumbull, Portage, Summit, Medina, Ashland, Richland, Holmes, Stark, Columbiana, Carroll or Tuscarawas counties. Exhibition runs through Sat 7/28. 223 N. Water St., Kent. http://dept.kent.edu/art/galleries.

Mac’s Backs Poetry For over two decades, Mac’s Backs has offered a poetry reading on each 2nd Wednesday of the month. Featured readers for this Wed 7/11 at 7PM installment are Alice Cone, author of As If a Leaf Could Be Preserved, Eris Dyson, winner of the 2006 Hessler Street Poetry contest for her poem Embrace This Belly, Natalie Palmieri a regular at readings and open mics around town and Jason Williams, artist and editor of the My Favorite Bullet zine. Mac’s Backs, 1820 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Hts. http://www.macsbacks.com.

HOT Ingenuity Forum features a keynote address (via technology) by Steve Deitz, director of ZeroOne: The Art and Technology Network on Wed 7/11 at 4PM. at the CSU Levin College of Urban Affairs. Ingenuity, Cleveland’s Festival of Arts and Technology will be hosted this year by Playhouse Square and Cleveland State University; this forum will be an opportunity to preview Ingenuity and to experience synergy created by artists and tech innovators fueling Northeast Ohio’s new economy. The Levin Atrium, 1717 Euclid Ave. http://urban.csuohio.edu/forum. http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com.

Looking for Cool, Ingenious People Cool Cleveland is looking for volunteers to help sign people up for CC at the Ingenuity Festival. The shifts we are looking for are: (1) volunteer for Saturday July 21 from 5-10; and (2) volunteers on Sunday July 22 from 5-10. Contact tl@coolcleveland.com for details.

Westfield Junior PGA Championship The most tour-like event in junior golf for players and attendees, the Westfield Junior PGA Championship features roped fairways, covered grandstands, real-time scoring, leader boards, pairing sheets, player biographies and a full-service food pavilion. Admission and parking are free all four days. Tee times begin Wed 7/11 at 7:30AM daily through Sat 7/14. Visit http://www.westfieldinsurance.com for more info.

HOT Chris Ronayne The president of University Circle Inc. will sort out the development activity currently underway in University Circle and outline other projects still on the drawing board at noon on Wed 7/11 at The City Club of Cleveland. Art & architecture critic Steve Litt will serve as the program’s host. http://www.cityclub.org.

More Sparx in the City The East 4th St district gets hot this Thu 7/12 at 6:30PM with live music from the international Cle sensation Lost State of Franklin, Steve Madewell, Chris Nekvinda and stilting by Pick up Sticks. Then, check out the incomparable 216 Beatriders at lunch the following day Fri 7/13 at 11:30AM at 200 Public Square. Sparx keeps the city hopping! http://www.cleveland.com/sparx.

Literary Cafe Poetry Nite Fabulous feature readers, an open mike, and the Penpad-Padpen Spontaneous Poetry Open grace this venerable monthly Cle poetry event Thu 7/12 at 9:30PM. Featured poets are Carmen Tracey and John Dorsey. Write on the spot, share your thoughts, and get into a year-end Literary chapbook. Literary Cafe, 1031 Literary Rd., Tremont. http://literarycafe.net.

HOT Cool Cleveland party, Mahler One, Then Bruckner Music Director Franz Welser-Möst conducts The Cleveland Orchestra in a program featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 at the Blossom Festival on Sat 7/14 at 8PM. The program begins with György Ligeti’s Atmosphères, first performed by the orchestra in September 1988, and includes works by Debussy and Ligeti. Don’t miss a beautiful night under the stars at Blossom Music Center, or our Cool Cleveland party onsite beforehand! The following night Sun 7/15, come back for Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 and Johannes Moser debuting as as soloist in Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C major. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

Countryside Farmers Market Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens co-sponsors the market in Akron on Thursdays starting Thu 7/12 at 3:30PM. Local farmers (including those in the Cuyahoga Valley) sell locally grown produce, locally raised meat and poultry, locally produced cheese and baked goods as well as other specialty foods in the parking lot at Stan Hywet. No-cost, open to the public (including the treehouse display “Treemendous Treehouses”) for customers coming to the market. Runs through Thu 9/27. http://www.stanhywet.org.

Mojito Madness Have a blast at this “Kickoff to Summer Party” at XO Prime Steaks (corner of St. Clair and W. 6th) this Thu 7/12 at 7PM. Complimentary Bacardi mojitos and hors d’ oveures will be served. Space is limited; RSVP to jsgcle@gmail.com for yourself and a guest, but feel free to pass along the invite.

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Get Up to Speed As a working professional, you are equipped with knowledge and skills that enable you to earn your degree at an accelerated pace. If you attend B-W part-time evenings and/or Saturdays, you can earn all the requirements for a major in just two years! Complete your degree on the fast-track in: Business Administration, Human Resources, Management and Marketing. Other majors such as Accounting, Finance, Organizational Leadership, Communication and Criminal Justice will be coming soon, and generally take a few semesters more. Once you’ve completed your major, continue on to finish your degree. B-W advisors, mentors and faculty are committed to your success. You’ll earn a degree of distinction with skills that will help you advance in today’s competitive market. For more information contact 440-826-8012.www.bw.edu/adult.
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Read, White and Blues The Beachwood Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library fortifies its Read, White and Blues summer with a no-cost blues affair Thu 7/12 at 7PM. Well-known member of the local blues community (not to mention B.B. King sideman) Dennis Chandler presents an evening of blues music and history. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Open to the public. For RSVPs, call 831-6868 or visit http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org. 25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. http://www.dennischandler.com.

Thrity Umrigar The author signs If Today Be Sweet — a novel that celebrates family and community — on Thu 7/12 at 7PM. The “honest but affectionate look at contemporary America — the sterility of its suburban life, the tinsel of its celebrity culture, but also the generosity of its people and their thirst for connection and communication” is an incredible read. Umrigar shows how cultures can collide and become better for it. Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 24519 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst. http://www.josephbeth.com. http://www.umrigar.com.

It’s a Double Binary Nationally known DJs Le Castle Vania and Lazaro Casanova headline Cleveland’s new club night BINARY at Anatomy Nightclub and Ultra Lounge on Sat 7/14. The showcase of these two DJs also serves as the official Ingenuity Festival pre-party. Anatomy in the Warehouse District, 1299 W. 9th St. Doors open at 9PM, with the party running until 2:30AM. http://www.anatomycleveland.com.

HOT Nineteen It’s more than just a prime number. The 3rd Annual 19 exhibition features an impressive roster of artists and launches with an Opening Reception Fri 7/13 starting at 6PM. The show runs through Sat 8/11. Asterisk Gallery, 2393 Professor St. 330-304-8528. http://asteriskgallery.com.

Barrymore LCC presents the NEO premiere of this stage show, offering a glimpse into the world of the actor (A-list Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore’s grandfather) starting Fri 7/13 at 8PM. A known alcoholic, John Barrymore’s story begins here with the 60-year-old legendary actor preparing a comeback in Richard III. Cle’s acting master craftsman Mitchell Fields plays the lead. LCC Performing Arts Center. http://www.lakelandcc.edu.

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Beautiful, Exotic, One-of-a-Kind Original artwork can be found at the Cain Park Arts Festival, a nationally recognized show displaying some of the best artwork you’ll ever see. Where else can you find such an array of unique items that includes puzzle coats, digital drawings, art shoes (that rockers wear!), slashed and reconstructed leather, aluminum furniture, artglass window panels, welded steel jewelry, hammered copper with cast concrete, 3-D found objects, assemblages of cast & painted aluminum and so much more. The Cain Park Arts Festival has no admission fee and is open to the public. Introduce yourself as a “Cool Clevelander” at the t-shirt table, and you’ll get $2 off the price of a 2007 Cain Park Arts Festival t-shirt. Dates: Fri 7/13 – Sun 7/15 (Fri 3-8PM, Sat 10-8PM, Sun 12-5PM) at Lee and Superior in Cleveland Heights. Free parking shuttle on Sat and Sun. Contact 216-371-3000 or www.cainpark.com.
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David Kay of Dead Letter Room and Decadant Design will be showing art in Tremont for the July ArtWalk on Fri 7/13 starting at 6PM as a part of the upcoming artwalk. His artwork will remain at Visible Voice Books through July, so if you can’t make it on the 13th, stop by and check it out when you can and support a really cool business as well! Visible Voice Books, 1023 Kenilworth Ave. http://www.myspace.com/deadletterroom. http://www.myspace.com/decadentdesign.

Nitsch Night Check out a Hermann Nitsch screening of selections from Aktionen 1962-2003 this Fri 7/13 at 8PM at Parish Hall Cleveland. Presented in conjunction with the Mike Weiss Gallery, the event features music by Vin Bine Dung, Beemask, Skin Graft, and members of Emeralds, as well as Noumena. Please note: this show is not for young people or those with weak stomachs; films are of a graphic and gory nature. You’ve been warned. http://www.parishhallcleveland.com.

HOT Spawn of the Petrosexuals Tremont’s resident theatre company, convergence-continuum, continues its 2007 season at the Liminis theatre with a new work written especially for the company by local playwright Christopher Johnston. Spawn of the Petrosexuals launches Fri 7/13 at 8PM. Inspired stylistically by underground comics / graphic novels, Spawn takes the audience to a dysfunctional dystopia where the world’s oil is gone and society is controlled by powerful overlords and their mutant commandoid enforcers. Liminis, 2438 Scranton Rd. Call 216-687-0074 or visit http://www.convergence-continuum.org for more.

Landscapes Baycrafters Center for Fine Art and Education hosts local artisans Edward Beyer and David Ward for a 2-week exhibition called Landscapes on Fri 7/13 at 7PM. Examine their breathtaking works at Baycrafters, Cleveland Metroparks Huntington Reservation, 28975 Lake Rd., Bay Village. No cost, open to the public… though donations are welcome. Runs through Tue 7/31. For more info call Baycrafters at 440-871-6543 or visit http://www.baycrafters.com.

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WCLVnotes WCLV 104.9 FM has a fresh new website that is easier to navigate and includes much information to increase your enjoyment of WCLV’s classical music programming. There’s easy access to the very complete daily listing of musical selections. And a blog by WCLV’s Program manager Bill O’Connell has been added to WCLV’s listings of the Choice CDs of the Day. And the item about each CD of the Day is linked to ArkivMusic, WCLV’s music partner, enabling you to purchase the CD of the Day and benefit WCLV. Try the new WCLV website at www.wclv.com. You’ll love it.
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HOT Luau on the Lake Get your island hopping kicks with Luau on the Lake at Wendy Park on Whiskey Island Sat 7/14 from 4PM to dusk. Sand volleyball, open bar, live music and a feast fit for a king are just the beginning, with proceeds benefiting Shoes and Clothes for Kids. For more info, call 881-7463 or visit http://www.luauonthelake.com.

Detroit Cobras Killer hooks, mad garage rock energy and singer Rachel Nagy’s fire make this former CMJ Rock Hall MusicFest act from the Motor City a must-see. Grab a PBR or two and check them out Sat 7/14 at 9PM at the Beachland Ballroom on Waterloo. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

Digital Botanical Arts Spend your Saturday mornings at the Cleveland Botanical Garden with award-winning nature photographer John Radigan as he leads you in the creation of Digital Photography – The Intimate Image starting Sat 7/14 Express your most personal visions of the world through photography. Class runs through early August and is limited to 15 participants. Register at http://www.cbgarden.org or call 721-1600 x143.

Harmony in the Gardens The group Harmonia performs a benefit concert for the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation Sst 7/14 at 6:30PM. Come support this worthwhile organization, which began honoring Cleveland’s cultural heritage in 1916. This group has consistently remained committed to the city and is still actively expanding and adding new gardens. RSVP to Mary Hamlin at mwh426@netscape.net. Judson Manor Ballroom, 1890 E. 107th St. Seating is limited. Visit http://www.culturalgardens.org for more info on the org and the event.

Sit, Stay, Forward . . . We double dog dare you to help your favorite e-zine reach more northeasterners than humanly possible by forwarding this issue to several friends that you think would enjoy it. Oh, and thanks.

Ballroom Blitz Boot Camp Rebecca Sweet of Viva dance teaches the basics of four styles of ballroom dancing – waltz/fox trot, Argentine tango, mambo/cha-cha and swing – in this accelerated dance course Sat 7/14 starting at 11AM. Individuals and couples are welcome; participants may sign up for each one-hour session independently or for all four sessions. http://www.playhousesquare.org/arts-education.

HOT Rockabilly Deluxe It’s a weekend of live entertainment, food, beverages, motorcycles and hot rods at the 4th Annual Rockabilly Deluxe! This 2-day extravaganza starts Sat 7/14 at noon and runs until Sun 7/15 in the evening and features performances by Little Miss Firecracker and the Pussyfoot Girls, “Full Contact Musical Chairs” by the Burning River Roller Girls, a skate demo by Ohio Surf and Skate and live performances by the Slack-Jawed Yokels, The Fury 3, The Marauders, Lords of the Highway and Sasquatch and the Sickabillys. Leroy-Thompson Choppers, 8685 Twinbrook Rd., Mentor. http://www.myspace.com/rockabillydeluxe.

O’2L The band, which features members of the seasonal sensation Trans-Siberian Orchestra, releases their new CD Eat a Pickle on Sat 7/14 at 9PM. O’2L features TSO guitarist Al Pitrelli (Savatage, Megadeth, Asia), keyboardist Jane Mangini and vocalist Kerry Keeling. The Winchester Tavern & Music Hall, 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood. http://www.thewinchester.net.

Erie Queerie Film Fest Are you experiencing withdrawal from the Cleveland International Film Festival? Well, here’s some good news! On Sat 7/14 at 7PM, a smorgasbord of queer silver screen films from around the country and around the world will be shown. Many of the films have been at the top of Logo’s Short Film “Click List” and have screened and won awards at numerous recent film festivals. Enjoy the shorts and then mix and mingle during intermission! Seating is limited, so act fast! Purchase your tickets here or call Maya at 651-5428 ext. 21 for more info. Talkies Film and Coffee Bar, Ohio City. http://www.lgbtcleveland.org.

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Passenger or Conductor? You decide at Holden Express: A Garden Railroad at The Holden Arboretum now through 9/23. You will marvel at six thousand sq. ft. of beautiful, enchanted gardens set in an outdoor wonderland with 2,000 feet of track winding through it. Immerse yourself in the magic. All aboard! Located just 30 minutes east of DT Cleveland, Holden Express will be open from 10AM to 5PM (and until 9PM Wednesdays) daily through Sun 9/23. Holden Express has no-cost admission for members; Nonmembers: $6 adults, $3 children ages 6-12 and $2 children ages 2-5. Seniors: no-cost admission each Tuesday. Holden Arboretum is located at 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland. For more info contact www.holdenarb.org.
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Jack Schantz & All That Jazz Jazz trumpeter Jack Schantz, head of jazz studies at University of Akron and leader of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, leads an all-star sextet that performs a sampling of music spanning the history of jazz this Sun 7/15 at 6:30PM. Part of the “Music at the Farmstead” summer concert series, the gig takes place at 3486 Riverview Rd., between Bath and Ira Rds, in a restored 1898 barn in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Bring picnics to the grounds if you wish, starting at 5PM. For tickets or info, call 330-666-9686.

Colorforms & Screen Vinyl Image The bands perform at the rockin’ venue Now That’s Class Sun 7/15 at 9PM. Experience the Colorforms by clicking here and Screen Vinyl Image here. Kickstart your July with some sweaty vibes. Now That’s Class, 11213 Detroit Ave. http://www.myspace.com/nowthatsclass.

HOT Akron Art Museum Inaugural Day and Ribbon Cutting Celebrate the first full day of the new museum’s regular operations with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tue 7/17 beginning at 11AM. Tour the brand new galleries displaying the museum’s collection of art from 1850 to the present, watch the film that describes the development and significance of the museum in the new auditorium. The museum store will feature new museum merchandise, books, educational toys and gifts and other great items to commemorate your visit. Akron Art Museum, 70 E. Market St. http://www.akronartmuseum.org.

Raise your cool quotient Promote your products and services (or your client’s) with the edgy, weekly e-newsletter that delights the senses, ruffles the feathers and gets down with Cleveland’s cool like no other. Click here for testimonials. Contact TL@CoolCleveland.com for info about advertising.

Imagination Writer’s Conference is a conference at Cleveland State University featuring prolific writers and faculty. The 6-day conference on “writing in the slip stream” launches Tue 7/17 and runs through Sun 7/22. It’s all about imaginative writing, and features classes and workshops without genre bias or boundaries. Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Ave. http://www.csuohio.edu/imagination.

HOT The Changing Face of Cleveland The Gordon Square Arts & Cultural District and Cleveland District of Design — a pair of very exciting community development initiatives — are the subject of a City Club of Cle program Wed 7/18 at noon. Ward 17 Councilman Matt Zone, Dan Cuffaro, chair of the Department of Industrial Design at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Dr. Ned Hill, vice-president of economic development for Cleveland State University will speak, with synergy being the call of the day. http://www.cityclub.org.

The Future of Food Here’s a wake-up call for anyone who wonders where their daily nourishment comes from. The Future of Food, a 90-minute film that was one of the best-reviewed documentaries of 2005, will screen at the Euclid Public Library Wed 7/18 at 7PM. The film explores unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. Think you’ve got something wholesome? The only thing missing from some of these Frankenstein foods are the bolts in the neck! Light refreshments will be provided. Euclid Public Library (Shore Room), 631 E. 222nd St., Euclid. http://www.thefutureoffood.com.

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“Having a Party” . . . “Twistin’ the Night Away” . . . “Wonderful World” . . . the list of Sam Cooke hits goes on and on. 90.3 WCPN ideastream presents its newest radio documentary in the American Music Masters series – “Sam Cooke: A Change is Gonna Come” on Fri 7/13 at noon (repeats Fri 7/13 at 9PM and Mon 7/16 at 7PM). In a tuneful journey that traces Cooke’s amazing life and mysterious death, this profile also includes stories from the people who knew him best. This 90.3 WCPN production is in partnership with Case Western Reserve University and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and made possible by a grant from the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. For more information, connect with www.wcpn.org.
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Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Interesting Faces, Colorful Wings This exhibit at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History showcases the abundant tropical beauty and cultural climate of Kerala, India. The exhibit features colorful butterfly photographs by native Keralan Dr. Unni Krishnan Pulikkal and black-and-white images of Kerala’s people and places by Cle photographer Herbert Ascherman. Check it out during the CMNH’s late night during this week, Wed 7/11 from 10AM to 10PM. Exhibit runs through Sun 8/26. Complete info at http://www.cmnh.org.

Art for Kids Joanne Ryan will teach a 3D focus class using clay and found objects on Wednesdays starting Wed 7/11 and running through 8/1. Kelly Porter-Santamaria will teach a 2D focus class using drawing, collage and found objects on Fridays beginning Fri 7/13 through 8/3. Jodi Pittner will work with both classes using collage-building processes (texture, paint, paper, found objects, etc) as a group (which is actually both 2D and 3D). Classes start at 9:30AM and end at noon. Starts Wed 7/11 Peninsula Art Academy, 1600 W. Mill St., Peninsula. http://www.peninsulaartacademy.com.

Cedar Lee Summer Festival Check out this family-friendly street festival, featuring the magic of J.R. Grieco, balloon art by Swifty the Clown, the Euclid Beach Rocket and Thriller cars, informational tables by area non-profits, a special tribute to Harry Potter and live music by Susan Weber & Monet’s Orbit on Thu 7/12 at 6PM. Bring the family and celebrate with the Lee Road merchants! Weber will perform in the minipark between the Cedar Lee Theater and the Lemon Grass restaurant at 6:30PM. Sponsored by the Cedar Lee Special Improvement District. Cedar & Lee Rds., Cle Hts.

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A Photo Op for Kids & Teens If you haven’t seen the “Ansel Adams: A Legacy,” exhibition headlining the grand master of American landscape photography, you just haven’t lived. Adams had an eye for majestic vistas and his work appears at the Cleveland Institute of Art now through Sun 8/19 and is a co-presentation with the Cleveland Museum of Art. You’ll get to see over 100 images spanning his career (1902–1984). The images show the strong contrast and large size that Adams preferred between the 1960’s and early 80’s. There’s no charge for admission, which is open to the public. For more info and visit www.cia.edu for special gallery hours.
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Bobby Sanabria & Friends The Roberto Ocasio Latin Jazz Camp launched it’s 3rd annual season on the campus of Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory in Berea yesterday. See what he and the musicians he mentored were up to with this no-cost performance Fri 7/13 at 7PM. The multi Grammy-award nominee Sanabria performs in concert at BW with the students and Ocasio’s LJP. Open to the public. For more info, contact Bev Montie at 440-572-2048. http://www.latinjazzproject.com.

Italian-American Fest in Cuyahoga Falls runs this weekend, launching Fri 7/13 through Sun 7/15. For the 60th Anniversary, they’ve brought in a whole slew of new entertainers and vendors, Gondola rides, a Pizza-Eating Contest featuring Cle legend David “Coondog” O’Karma and a cool car show. Great kids and family fun. http://www.it-am.org.

HOT Sand Sculptures Arts Collinwood will be hosting its popular Sand Sculpture contest for the 5th year running on Sun 7/15 from 1-4PM at Wildwood Beach. The event has become a mainstay of summer fun on North Collinwood’s lakefront. Each year, 100+ cool kids and and families turn out to build creative castles, forts and (one particular year) a life-size VW Bug! Get your beach fix! Wildwood Beach, part of Cleveland Lakefront State Park off Lake Shore Blvd., across from E. 174th St. Once you’re there, just follow the signs. Call Arts Collinwood at 692-9500 for details. http://www.artscollinwood.org.

Dog Days of Summer Great Lakes Brewing Company is one of the few restaurants in Cleveland that is dog friendly! GLBC opens Sun 7/15 at 2PM for well-behaved pooches and their owners. They’ve got a ton of canine goodies on the menu, including a doggie psychic, doggie masseuse, a caricature artist, bandanas, bowls and a host of tasty vittles for pups and their owners. All dogs must be on leashes, and like any normal night at the brewery, misbehaving dogs will be asked to leave. Rain date is Sun 7/22 http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com.

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/CoolClevelandKids07.13.07.mp3. Click here to subscribe: iTunes or other.

BrewedFreshDaily.com, run by Cool Cleveland’s George Nemeth, scans over hundreds of area feeds everyday and provides links and commentary on a range subjects—from coffee to economic development in Northeast Ohio. Here’s an excerpt:

Ed Morrison suggests that globally, more citizens are having a direct say in how the government is spending money, while here in Cleveland, it’s a novel idea. Linking to the Guardian UK, he wonders if we’d end up with a convention center if the voters were allowed to decide. Finally, he proclaims Cool Cleveland, BFD, and Meet.The.Bloggers* are “are in step with broader, global trends.”

Here’s a smattering of the response:

Read and add your comment here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Much remains unknown about plans for the Med Mart, but “Fred the Fixer” has been tapped by the GCP to deal.
Mr. Euclid Beach Park is mourned by his friends.
The legacy of REI lives on.
The PD jumps the gun and publishes a story about a store that may have to find another location in a year.
Village Green attends the Solar 2007 Convention.
Is Downtown Cleveland down on nightlife?
800 Foreclosures in Cuy Co by Wells Fargo since Jan ’07.

Check Brewed Fresh Daily here, where Peter Chakerian comments on the news of the week in the Cool Cleveland e-blast. When you’re through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Knaves and Moneychangers
Vital Mines
Self Released

A while back, I was at a Whiskeyhounds show and a fellow attendee asked me why there’s an overabundance of Americana music coming out of Cleveland. “From where better,” I muttered back, thinking that even defining Americana music as a genre is to take a very narrow view. Necessary in some review situations, but narrow nonetheless. To this reviewer, “Americana” and all its subsets are simply classic American music; more often than not, the historically-aware music serves as underpinning for very human American experiences lyrics. If there aren’t real American stories and existential anxieties to be found in the “Rustbelt Buckle,” after the decline of heavy manufacturing and industry, then where?

A lot of local groups tap into that well of emotion with great posture and the quartet Vital Mines is no exception. Led by the raspy, sandy vocals of Dan McCafferty, Vital Mines embraces the jangle of alt-country and roots styles, while leaning on influences that range from Dylan and Springsteen, to classic rock, to Whiskeytown and R.E.M. And while his vocals occasionally veer off-key, he and Brian McCafferty (bass), John Pistone (guitars) and Mark Miller (drums) show a great deal of promise on Knaves and Moneychangers. It sounds a lot like they do live, which makes the 11-track offering a great calling card…

Read the review by Peter Chakerian here

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

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

Mightier than the Sword Interested in writing for Cool Cleveland? Let us know your area of interest. We’d love to hear from you. Letters@CoolCleveland.com

A Walk Into the Past

The Detroit-Superior Bridge, now known as the Veteran Memorial Bridge, is an icon of Cleveland’s history. We see it everyday. Some of us drive on it one our way to work every morning. We take for granted, nothing out of the ordinary. But nothing could further from the truth. Built as a replacement to the old Superior Viaduct, the Detroit-Superior Bridge was, at the time of it’s completion in 1918, the largest double-decker bridge in the world, one deck, at street level for automobile traffic and a lower level for subway or streetcar traffic. At a length of 3,112 feet, it was supported by twelve arches varying height from 58 to174 feet. At the highest point in its arch, the bridge stands 110 ten feet above the Cuyahoga River. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

On Sunday, June 29, the office of the Cuyahoga County Engineer opened the “subway” deck of the bridge to the public for waking tours. A few times each summer, for the past couple of years, the Cuyahoga County Engineer opens the subway deck to raise awareness of Cleveland’s recent past and because of the publics curiosity about the subway deck. And, it’s all without charge…!
Read the comment by Ernie Papp here

Anne E. DeChant

Anne E. DeChant recently completed her fifth effort, Girls and Airplanes Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian spoke to DeChant after she returned from Florida last week, They talked about the new disc, the power of writing, travel, fly fishing, Joni Mitchell, and, well, the F-bomb. The interview is the latest installment of the Cool Cleveland Pop Quiz.

Cool Cleveland: What will it take to stop that second class treatment of citizens in this country?

It’s gonna take what it always has taken: a group of concerned citizens not being afraid to vocalize, willing to take chances, speaking their minds and taking action. That pretty much is at a low right now. I hope [that] returns. I think health care has gotten pretty bad, the conservative right-wing fear ploys are a slippery slope, and the paranoia of same-sex marriage… ignorance is wiped out by education. As a collection of people, we need to be pissed off enough to be active, not apathetic. Change can’t happen any other way.

Social justice and faith seem as vital and critical to your songwriting as individual introspection has been over the years. What informs your songs these days? And how much of what you write is truly first person as opposed to being delivered through a character? Much of your work can be interpreted either way.

Anything that is human, really. It’s the same old story: conflict in life, suffering, and any kind of drama in every day life – which is where I think most real drama is –that’s what interests me. Whether it is in a book, movie or a story I’ve heard, at the end of the day it’s about the human condition. I write about a lot of different kinds of human beings. If I feel like writing from a specific gender or point of view, then that’s what I do. Because I’m interested in all kinds of relationships, a lot touches me, and that makes me understand pain, suffering or help bring something that might reach into cliché into clarity…
Read the pop quiz administered by Peter Chakerian here

Commonsense legislation
(That’s why it probably has a zero percent chance of passing)

“When the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” – President George W. Bush

State Sen. Shirley Smith — with the support of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) director Terry Collins — is sponsoring a piece of legislation that would make the successful transition from prison back into the community less of an uphill battle for formerly incarcerated persons. Senate Bill 197, if passed, would essentially allow persons with past criminal convictions on their records a better shot at employment since they (after a period of five years of good behavior) would not have to list the convictions on job applications. Getting the bill passed, however, is (for a myriad of reasons) going to prove to be a major challenge…
Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

George Forbes, the Misdemeanor Culprit

Please, tell me I’m having a bad dream.

George Forbes indicted. On mere misdemeanors!

After all the questionable deals Forbes pulled during his long tenure in City Council, much of it as its president, he gets caught taking little grub and a couple of flights. You gotta be kidding.

Moreover, the crime is NOT reporting the gifts. Spare me.

Has Cleveland sunk so low that even its Premier Power Broker proves to be a minor league delinquent? How embarrassing…
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

A Narrow Bridge @ Bang & Clatter 6/29 Catharsis. Aristotle said that certain kinds of plays should move the audience through pity and fear, producing a catharsis that leaves the audience satisfied or purged or both. I imagine that something of the kind is what Cliff Hershman and The Bang And The Clatter Theatre are trying for in “A Narrow Bridge”. Certainly the material is harrowing enough: statutory rape, illegal drugs, and frauds of all kinds. But the construction of the play seems to be that of a sit-com, and that works hard against the actors trying to convince us that their characters are truly suffering, and deserve our sympathy.

Nonetheless, it’s a very interesting night of theater, and I recommend you see it. The actors, Chuck Simon as the father, Blue; Jennifer Hoffman as his step- daughter, Kim; Anne McEvoy as his second wife, Edie, and Tony Weaver as his step-son, Willy, aren’t so much a blended family as a tossed one. They spend the entire play re-arranging the deck-chairs on their family Titanic, each of them determined, in his or her own way and for his or her own reasons, to deny the iceberg. These are demanding roles, and the actors do pretty well, but they are not helped by a number of theater problems.

First, the play’s structure is plot-heavy, and the characterizations are light: the bare-midriff mall-slut daughter, the cluelessly insecure second wife, the smiling, conniving businessman, the ex-jock stoner son. Second, the stage is cluttered with rooms that are not convincingly rendered as separate. Third, the lighting design seems to be simply all the lights on or all the lights off, while the sound, music mostly, interferes with some of the dialog. Even getting the characters on and off stage quickly seems to be a problem; it’s hard to maintain the drama and tension between scenes when the lights come up and there’s nothing happening for what seems like very long moments, or when the darkness goes on and on.

The actors struggle to create these roles. Chuck Simon’s role as the father, Blue, seems the best-written. Blue bullies everyone, seeing the weakness, sticking the wedge in, and levering people to get what he wants. But he’s on stage too much, which doesn’t give the audience a chance to reflect, through the other characters’ interactions with each other, on what ill-used insight can do.

The other characters are presented as so uncomfortable with each other that they cannot talk, and that failure to connect dooms them to being Blue’s not very interesting puppets. It’s sit-com city: everything revolves around and reacts to Blue – and he’s just not that interesting. He’s the tool of the destruction of the family, but the real central problem of this family is that the mother, Edie, and her daughter, Kim, cannot speak meaningfully to one another. That problem goes unexplored.

The action doesn’t flow naturally from character; but rather lurches along from plot point to plot point like a sit-com that has misunderstood what its supposed to be doing, and just isn’t funny. The plot knocks the victim characters about like a ball banging into tottering nine-pins, and each of them is self-absorbed in their sit-com-ish roles of resolutely being a type instead of a person. Even the ending seems only to confirm Edie as the long-suffering survivor type, about to be taken advantage of again, as Kim continues to manipulate the adults in her life, while Willy just runs away from it all again. Blue scams and leaves, certainly to scam again.

Nothing changes in this sort of bleak ending. The problem here is that it’s just not bleak enough – there is no sense that these people represent us, or humanity, nor does the play offer us any catharsis, because we don’t like or empathize with any of the characters, or their situation, to begin with. It’s like those documentaries of the desperately poor in the ghettos of large South American or East Asian cities where the brutal hopelessness of it all creates a distance from rather than an empathy for the characters, and we’re just glad to get up and stretch at the end.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Marcus Bales marcusATdesignerglass.com

Peter Pan @ Porthouse 7/5 Following the Porthouse Theatre production of Peter Pan, I asked Alex Berko, my 11-year old grandson, who serves as my “kid’s view of children centered plays,” what was the message of the play. He said, “Some people never want to grow up. They want to be kids forever.” I followed-up by asking, “Would you like to stay a kid forever?” He replied, “No, I want to experience everything in life.” Ah, to be young and innocent.

The story of Peter Pan centers on a mischievous boy who spends his never ending childhood having adventures on the island of Neverland as leader of the Lost Boys. The story features many fantastical elements, including Peter’s ability to fly and his friendship with a fairy named Tinkerbell. There is also a crocodile who stalks the fearsome Captain Hook, the pirate leader who is Peter’s nemesis.

Barrie created Peter Pan in stories he told to the sons of his friend, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, with whom he had forged a special relationship. When Davies’ death from cancer came within a few years after the death of her husband, Barrie was named as co-guardian of their boys and unofficially adopted them. These experiences are all alluded to directly and indirectly in the play.

In addition, the ticking clock within the crocodile, who seeks out Captain Hook is parallel to the time that is chasing after all of us. Some, in order to avoid the ticking clock seek physical youth through plastic surgery and pursuing the “fountain of youth.”

Other mind joggers are: What’s the role of women? What’s the function of motherhood? Is there a best way to bring up children? And, who are the true “bad guys?”

J. M. Barrie’s concept of eternal youth gave birth to a psychiatric term, “The Peter Pan Syndrome” used to describe adults who are afraid of commitment or refuse to act their age.

Peter Pan first appeared in print in 1902 in the book The Little White Bird. In 1904 , a play version, Peter Pan, Or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, premiered in London.

The production at Porthouse, is an adaptation of various play versions and director Matthew Earnest’s imagination. Just as with his wonderful production of Our Town, which was part of Porthouse’s 2006 season, Earnest pulls out all sorts of creative juices to give the show a “new” approach. He has added original music (don’t anticipate hearing “I Got to Crow,” or “I’ll Never Grow Up.” They aren’t included), has young adults playing the children, makes the audience use their imagination to create illusions, and has generally assembled a good cast to showcase his ideas.

The visualization of Tinkerbelle, the creation of a “water-filled lagoon,” and boats floating around the stage, are all inspired concepts.

Emily Pote, who was a Times Theatre Tribute award winner for her portrayal of Emily in ‘OUR TOWN,’ again excels as Wendy. Monica Bell makes for a sympathetic and wise mother. Matthew Troillett is filled with wide-eyed wonder and youthful exuberance as Michael, Wendy’s youngest brother. Both Gabriel Riazi (Tootles, one of the lost boys) and Elizabeth Ann Townsend (Nana, the Darling families dog and child care keeper) are delightful.

Jonathan Ramos lacks the necessary charm and pluckiness of Peter. Most of his lines are presented with little affect. He lacks facial expression, and does not inhabit the role. John Woodson does not develop well either his role as Mr. Darling or of the evil Hook. As Alex stated, “The pirate leader just wasn’t scary enough.”

Alex’s other comments: “The first act was a 10 out of 10, the second a 7 1/2.” His reasoning? “The first act was fun and there were lots of clever things happening, such as the kid crawling out of the bucket. However, the second act was slower and didn’t hold my attention as well.” He also liked the flying effects and some of the music.

Capsule judgment: Overall, Porthouse’s Pan is an excellent evening of theatre. It adds new dimensions to the story, well beyond those of the Walt Disney animation or the stage production. It may be a little long for younger children, but it is a fine way for older children and their parents to see a play that they can view and discuss and delight in.

Peter Pan continues at KSU’s Porthouse Theatre, through July 21. For tickets call 330-672-4102. or 800-304-2363.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.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

Jekyll & Hyde @ Beck Center 7/6 In 1977 I saw Tom Hanks in Two Gentlemen of Verona when the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival still performed in the Lakewood High School Auditorium. He was terrific. This weekend I saw Dan Folino as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. He was terrific, too. If you want to be able to brag that you saw Folino as I brag I saw Hanks, you’d better get there and see him while the Beck Center, and the Cleveland area, still has him.

Jekyll and Hyde is not your grandmother’s musical. At the end the stage looks like Hamlet, bodies littered about; in the course of it, Hyde pulls a woman’s heart out of her chest, and stabs and plays with the viscera of another victim, and breaks a couple necks. Jekyll insults people right and left in Folino’s OCD/Asperger’s Syndrome interpretation, and the message of the whole starts out with the excellent Ensemble’s cynical “Façade”. It’s dark. And it doesn’t end happily.

But what happy selections Director Scott Spence has made for the cast. Dana Hart does an excellent ideal father as Sir Danvers Carew, father of Jekyll’s fiancé, Lisa, played with sincerity and purity by Maggie Stahl. Ian Atwood’s narrator/lawyer John Utterson sings very well – I especially liked him in the quartet with Folino, Hart, and Stahl. Doug Collier has a great time playing against type as the smug and offensive Simon Stride. Amy Hall pierces with both her speaking and singing with well-played condescension and lack of manners as Lady Beaconsfield. Jeffrey Glover menaces his way through the brutal role of Spider the pimp, rasps his way through a reprise of “Facade”, and darkens every scene he’s in.

Amiee Collier, back from a Boston engagement, and newly in possession of her Equity card, blows down the house with “Bring on the Men” and “Someone Like You”, and she and Maggie Stahl challenge one another vocally, exchanging toppers, in their big duet, “In His Eyes”, as each admires one side or the other of Jekyll/Hyde. She plays right up to Folino’s powerful evocation of Hyde, too, in “Dangerous Games”. She’s an actor to be reckoned with, and not even Folino can out-sing her.

Don McBride’s set is marvelous. The brooding dark Victorian stonework and lattice, the big turntable in the middle that makes scene changes fast and crisp, and especially the pair of stairs up either side that Spence uses to great effect in his staging. I liked Martin Cespedes’s daring use of “bad choreography” for the girl dancers behind Aimee Collier’s “Bring on the Men”, which adds a verisimiltude to the scene that the kind of precision he’s perfectly capable of would have ruined. And Scott Spence has gotten excellent performances out of all his cast. The numbers by the whole company are difficult to stage, but Spence gets them just right. Larry Goodpaster’s orchestra paces the show firmly and well.

However, Dan Folino is the center of this presentation. The show itself is clunky, badly conceived, and ill-wrought, as characters seem to know too much or not enough at various times in the play so that the plot stumbles blindly. But it doesn’t matter. Folino and his supporting cast have the chops to go from set piece to set piece and convince the audience within each one. Dana Hart, Ian Atwood, Aimee Collier, Doug Collier, Maggie Stahl, and Jeffrey Glover make the cut-out characters they’ve been stuck with by the authors of the play whole with their singing. Folino acts with authority and sings expansively; he’s gaining confidence with every role. Catch him while you can.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Marcus Bales marcusATdesignerglass.com

Jekyll & Hyde @ Beck Center 7/7 Beck Center’s Jekyll & Hyde is a must see! Based on the novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert, the show opens with Jekyll saying: “In each of us there are two natures. If this primitive duality of man: good and evil, could be housed in separate identities, life would be relieved of all that is unbearable. It is the curse of mankind that these polar twins should be constantly struggling.”

The play centers on Dr. Jekyll’s experimentation with a drug that he perceives will free patients from mental anguish. Since he cannot get funding for human subjects to experiment upon, he tests the potion on himself, thus releasing his evil alter ego. The original novel’s vivid portrayal of the psychopathology of a split personality is credited with allowing mainstream society to identify the phrase “Jekyll and Hyde” as bipolar behavior.

The musical’s original script conception was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn. The music was composed by Wildhorn and the lyrics written by Leslie Bricusse (”Stop the World, I Want to Get Off’).

The show went through numerous rewrites in order to try to develop a clear voice. Many songs were added and dropped from the original concept and the story adjusted as the show went through many staged readings, recordings and two national tours before its Big Apple appearance. Eventually, Jekyll & Hyde opened on Broadway in April, 1997. It ran for 1,543 performances, thanks to self-dubbed “Jekkies,” who saw the show over-and-over and created an online discussion group and role-playing games based on the show in order to counter numerous negative reviews.

One such review stated, “the show was overwhelmed by a muddy story adaptation, transparent lyrics and a forgettable, old-fashioned score. Lacking a point of view, or even accessible characters, the show is cold. When Hyde goes on a killing spree in a musical montage the number becomes bizarrely comic. In a tale of good and evil, there’s a problem when murders elicit a giggle.” In a year of virtually no competition, Jekyll & Hyde was not even nominated in the best musical category for a Tony Award.

With that background, how can I enthusiastically state that the Beck production is a must see? The answer: Director Scott Spence, choreographer Martin Cespedes, musical director Larry Goodpaster and a marvelous cast, have taken a problematic play and made it into a gem. An absolute gem!

Spence has a clear vision for the show. He envelops his audience in the power of Stevenson’s original concept. He is blessed with the talented Dan Folino portraying both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Folino gives a tour-de-force performance. His singing is enthralling, his acting compelling. The portrayal is perfectly nuanced. especially his consistent obsessive compulsive mannerisms, which do much to separate Jekyll from Hyde. His vocal presentations of “I Need to Know,” “Take Me As I Am” (sung with Maggie Stahl), ”This is the Moment,” and “Confrontation” were brilliant.

Furthering the excitement of the show are the glorious voices of Maggie Stahl (Lisa Carew, Jekyll’s fiancé) and Amiee Collier (Lucy Harris, a prostitute befriended by Jekyll and bedded by Hyde.) The duo were compelling in “In His Eyes.” Collier’s renditions of “Someone Like You” and “A New Life” were captivating.

Dana Hart (Sir Danvers Carew, Lisa’s father) and Ian Atwood (John Utterson, Jekyll’s lawyer) also have excellent singing voices and developed clear characterizations. The choral sounds are lyrical and except for a male chorus member who upstaged others by his overly affected gestures and constantly looking at the audience instead of concentrating on the stage action, the interactions of the supporting cast helped create a proper tone.

The full-voiced orchestra (musical direction by Larry Goodpaster) and the choreography (another gem of a conception by Martin Cespedes) added to the over-all positive effect.

Don McBride’s set, Alison Garrigan’s costumes and Trad Burns lighting also greatly helped. The only technical flaw were the finicky microphones that didn’t consistently work and the overly loud volume when they did. (Oh for the days when shows were not miked and the performers were required to project on their own. This cast might have done well without the electrical help.)

Capsule judgment: A standing “O” for Scott Spence, Dan Folino and the cast and crew. Please, you of the Cleveland area, support this production. It deserves full houses every night!

Jekyll & Hyde runs through August 5 at The Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. For ticket information, call 521-2540 or visit http://www.beckcenter.org.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.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.

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 & A Viennese Evening @ Blossom Music Center 7/7, 7/8 It was hot in more ways than one last weekend when Franz Welser-Most conducted The Cleveland Orchestra in back-to-back classical barn-burners. The Orchestra’s summer home at Blossom Music Center, with gorgeously green sloped lawns and carefully planted “wildflowers” seemed more beautiful than ever, even with temperatures that had folks in the pavilion waving programs to cool off. Patrons on the lawn were the lucky ones; tucked under the shade of the trees, they caught the cooling breezes.

Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9 (the “Choral” symphony) dominated Saturday’s program. It’s hard not to get into the joyous spirit of this work that pulls out all the stops, includes a huge choral section (wonderfully sung by the great Blossom Festival Chorus prepared by Betsy Burleigh), and makes full use of a stage full of musicians (namely, our stellar Cleveland Orchestra).

It was too bad that the rich and lyric voices of guest soloists Twyla Robinson (soprano), Guang Yang (mezzo-soprano), Clifton Forbis (tenor) and James Morris (bass-baritone) had some trouble being heard over the orchestra, but what was heard made one want more. Morris, who sang the role of Wotan/the Traveler in the old James Levine Metropolitan Opera version of “Der Ring des Nibelungen” will always be “the real” Wotan to me, so it was a thrill to hear him in person even if he had trouble with some sustained notes.

The opener for the Saturday program, a new piece for the Orchestra (and me) John Adams’ “Guide to Strange Places” meandered around musically, exploring orchestral sonorities. An errant thrush or warbler, an uninvited guest soloist, however, drew the most attention and stole the show as he took the instrumental solos as a personal challenge and after each passage emitted delightful and ever-increasingly intense warbles and trills. Amazing.

This Saturday Beethoven performance drew the biggest crowd I’ve seen since last summer’s “Bugs Bunny on Broadway.” An hour before the 8 p.m. performance, most of the best seats on the lawn were taken by folks with fancy chairs, insect repellent candles and very interesting drinks and snacks. (I’d like to report that the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream has gone up 20% since last year–that’s $6 for two scoops. I’d also like to add that the hourly wage for the workers there seems not to have gone up at all–unless I was misinformed. And as long as I’m talking about prices, $25 for a burger and fries in the snazzy Blossom restaurant seems a bit steep. The Cool Cleveland Party with a lawn ticket and eats next weekend is a real bargain.)

Fewer people trooped out on Sunday, but those of us who did got to “perform” as conducted by Franz himself during one of the two encores. But, not to get ahead of myself, the evening was dedicated to the 18th- and 19th-century composers that put Vienna on the map as “the” place for music and musicians.

To open, the orchestra played a rather calm version of Mozart’s “Symphony No. 28 in C major, K. 200,” followed by a faster-paced rendition of Richard Strauss’s “Suite from ‘Der Rosenkavalier,” a masterpiece whose sweet melodies led naturally into the waltzes that took up much of the second half of the program. But before the waltzes, as a waltz-warm up, the Orchestra galloped away with Franz von Suppe’s “Overture to Light Cavalry'” (if you’ve seen an old movie, you’ve heard it when the cavalry gallops to the rescue),

To introduce the waltzes, Welser-Most spoke from the stage, reminding us that the waltz, originating from the “people” as it did (like hip-hop today), was considered quite scandalous: dancing it required touching. When the audience laughed, Welser-Most said “No, that’s true. That’s an historic fact.” He’s right, but it’s still funny and he is still a very charming speaker.

The conductor also noted that for generations the Strauss family (excluding Richard Strauss–no relation) was itself “an entire music industry.” Dances played included Josef Strauss’ “Dynamiden Waltz,” (a luscious piece also known as “The Secret Powers of Attraction”), “Polka: A Woman’s Heart,” Eduard Strauss’ “Polka: No Brakes,” and Johann Strauss, Jr.’s “Emperor Waltz.” When it comes to waltzes, Welser-Most really has “the moves”–he seemed perfectly at home as he “danced” on the podium.

For an encore, Welser-Most offered two short dance pieces (no introductions were given). And it was during the last one that we got a chance to “play” under his direction. As the audience clapped in rhythm, he’d motion for us to start, to clap softly, to clap louder and to stop. It was a simple pleasure, but it made for a great ending to a great (if very hot) evening at Blossom. For information about Blossom go to http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com http://lkennelly.googlepages.com”’.

Ze Renato Trio @ Nighttown 7/8 Nighttown was hopping Sunday night with the Brazilian beat of the Ze Renato Trio. The intimate music had everyone in the audience either tapping their feet, finger- drumming the tables, or dancing in their chairs. “It’s the kind of music that makes you want to move your hips,” said one fan. Led by singer, composer, and guitarist Ze Renato, the group brought to life the integrated sounds of samba and bossa nova. He sang in melodic Portuguese about love and relationships.

This is the first solo US tour, 8 major cities, for Ze Renato, previously with the popular group Boca Livre. The 51-year old musician from Rio de Janeiro, has developed his unique style from a lifetime of music working with such Brazilians greats as Chico Buarque, Noel Rosa, Ze Keiti, and Tom Jobim. Bass guitarist Jacques Figueras and drummer Rogerio Boccato appear with Ze Renato, enriching his music giving it a fuller body.

In Brazil, their music is more than just entertainment. They take their music seriously as an art form, a reflection of their heritage and society. Brazilian music borrowed complex harmonic elements from traditional European music, but was more distinctly influenced by the African slaves coming into the country in the 1800s bringing with them the beginnings of the samba beat and rhythm.

Samba is generally considered to be the national musical style of Brazil. Having evolved from samba in the 1950s, the bossa nova music style is described as more complex harmonically using less percussion. With Ze Renato’s contemporary expression of music combining samba and bossa nova, he never forgets his roots. This was happy music for the soul, and I was definitely moving to the beat by the end of the performance.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Schaul susn1ATatt.net

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On the convention center/medical mart (See BFD here) It’s clear that proponents of a Convention Center have no interest in creating a sustainable, livable Urban Environment that would cause potential organizations seeking a place to hold their convention to choose Cleveland over other cities. Until the following issues are addressed, it’s all smoke and mirrors.

1) So-called “Greenspace” – Of the handful of patches of grass in Downtown, not one contains a dog-run, playground or facilities that would encourage future residents to move into the newly renovated lofts and apartments.

2) Is there a tax-incentive or financial-assistance program for small business owners that would allow them to open a 24 hr. laundrymat/dry-cleaner and a 24 hr. (or at least open until 3 am) Convenience Store stocked with essentials? How can individuals expected to move Downtown, presumably from the Suburbs, be enticed by the fact that after 10pm they have to get in their cars and drive back to the Suburbs if they need something as simple as a carton of milk?

3) The same assistance that should be created for Amenity-Businesses should be available for Cultural Significance-Businesses such as coffee-shops, art galleries and special-interest museums which would allow them to stay open longer for all the potential new residents.

4) Subsidies for the owners of parking lots and parking structures. Las Vegas is the best example I can think of. How do you get people to come and spend all of their money enjoying themselves? Free Parking. In addition, the dozens of strip malls and “retail environments” in the surrounding areas have completely stripped Downtown of any unique shopping experience. How can one expect people to come Downtown, pay to park and shop for things they can get closer to home with free parking.

5) Stop Cleveland Clinic from continuing to build along the avenues structures that belong in the Suburbs. The fact that every Clinic building on Euclid Ave. is not designed as a storefront with potential retail space is appalling. No Urban planning involved in any of those closed-door meetings.

6) By the way, we still have the Marriage Amendment Law that tells progressive entrepreneurs and companies that their Human Resource Department’s policies of fairness and inclusion don’t mean jack, unless, of course, you are “one man and one woman united in marriage”. The fact that so many people in this state still do not understand the economic impact of this bone-headed law astonishes me.

In conclusion, unless Cleveland’s Downtown is transformed by new residents, in the new lofts and apartments, creating a vibrant ACTUAL city life, visitors to the proposed Convention Center would come to their event, go to the bars of the Warehouse District and return home, telling their friends and colleagues, “Cleveland is a ghost town. Hardly, anyone is around. I saw some people in the bars, but I had to pay $7 a shirt at my hotel for laundry and I couldn’t buy some aspirin after our late session. And the dumbest thing of all…they are right on one the most beautiful coastlines in the country, but they don’t have any boardwalks, beaches or restaurants easily accessible from our hotel and convention spot. What a shame!”
from Cool Cleveland reader Timothy Johnson timothygjohnsonATgmail.com

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1) Cool Cleveland Party Photos of the Wade Oval Wednesday part by Janet Century.
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2) RoldoLINK A Plan for a Mart, Convention Center
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3) Foreclosure Fight Club Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis and others see NEO foreclosures as a personal crusade.
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4) Foreclosure Fight Club Part Deux Foreclosures have hit Northeast Ohio hard, but some communities are hitting back.
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5) Ohio Lavender Festival Nothing like an event at a family-owned lavender and herb farm in Streetsboro — just minutes away from Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
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Keep Talking Dialogue leads to change. And change is good. Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Laura Kennelly, Marcus Bales, Roy Berko, Ernie Papp, Roldo Bartimole, Mansfield B. Frazier and Lorem Ipsum. 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.

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