Contemporary

4.2-4.9.08
Contemporary

In this week’s issue:

It’s easy enough to be contemporary— the harder thing is to stay contemporary. All art was once “contemporary art,” just as all music was once “new music.” Cool Cleveland falls on the side of contemporary, every time. Our focus is what’s happening this week, who is making it happen, and how you can get there, with just a click. View my interviews with the CMA’s new contemporary art curator Paola Morsiani and with the folks at the Akron-Canton Airport; both institutions are spending hundreds of millions to upgrade their facilities. We point you to kid’s summer camps, the new Akron Independent Film Fest, and an edible books festival. BFDers blog about McCain, Mansfield opines on felon disenfranchisement, and Roldo writes an opus on 1968. So do your thing with your mouse and get contemporary this week. Check us next week and we’ll keep you there.—Thomas Mulready

Akron Independent Film Festival

It wasn’t long ago that NEO film buffs were taking in the thrills of the Cleveland International Film Festival. But if you missed out, or couldn’t get enough, you’re really in luck either way. The Akron Independent Film Festival features some of the fantastic films that have graced the CIFF as well as some brand new (and very intriguing) contemporary missives. The AIFF dims the lights for cinema junkies with 5 features (including the bizarro road trip flick Fix, pictured here) and 34 short films. It launches Thursday, April 3 and runs through Sunday, April 6.

AIFF started in 2002 as a University of Akron project according to festival founder Rob Lucas, a local filmmaker who debuted his full-length comedy American Stories there last year. This is the festival’s 5th anniversary and first year in its new home at The Bang and the Clatter Theatre (located in the Summit ArtSpace Building).

“I think it’s different in a number of ways from the previous years. This is the first time we’ve expanded outside of the University of Akron. It felt like the right time, even though it was never really a campus function,” Lucas says, adding that once they started advertising the festival 11 months ago, the response was “tremendous.” He and the rest of the organization ended up with a total of 155 submissions from 16 different countries vying for a spot on the weekend roster…
Read more from Peter Chakerian here

Paola Morsiani
Curator of Contemporary Art, Cleveland Museum of Art

Paola Morsiani fills a large hole, both metaphorically and physically, at the new Cleveland Museum of Art. Not only has the Museum lacked a Contemporary Art Curator since late 2004 when Jeffrey Grove departed for the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, but now with new massive contemporary art galleries being readied as part of Cleveland’s renovation, Morsiani will finally have the space for newer that has always been missing at CMA.

Coming to her new position from The Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston, where she worked her way up to senior Curator, Morsiani not only has a firm grasp on the milieu of contemporary art, her background studying art at New York University and growing up in Italy and graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Padua offers her an international perspective. She dons the hard hat and speaks with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready from the under-construcution contemporary galleries at the CMA about how they will be able to exhibit a larger amount of the Museum’s contemporary collection, and how she will aim to fill holes in the collection, look for artists of more recent generations, and how she intends to interact with the community of artists living in Northeast Ohio. http://www.ClevelandArt.org

Into the Woods The UpStage Players Children’s Theatre presents a fairytale-flavored musical about a child-less couple who must venture into magical woods to find mystical items in order to have children. The production runs Fri 4/4 and Sat 4/5 at 7:30PM and Sun 4/6 at 2:30PM. You won’t believe what happens to Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and other childhood favorites. Shore Cultural Centre on E. 222nd St., Euclid. For more details, call 731-5739 or email: upstageplayers@aol.com. http://www.upstageplayers.com.

Swim for Diabetes Enough of the winter blues! Get in the pool for a great cause — Swim for Diabetes at 74 indoor pools throughout northeast Ohio the weekend of Fri 4/4 to benefit the local Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland. Swim laps, water walk, or just stay dry and fundraise to earn great prizes. All participants who raise $100+ receive a FREE ticket to Swim for Diabetes Night at Progressive Field. Raise $200+ and parade the field before the game! http://www.swimfordiabetes.com.

The Greater Cleveland Youth Leadership Conference will be held Fri 4/4 from 6:30 – 10PM and Sat 4/5 from 9AM – 3PM. U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones will serve as keynote speakers. All events will take place at Hathaway Brown School at 19600 North Park Blvd., Shaker Hts. The conference is no cost and open to all young African-American leaders in the Cleveland area. http://www.hb.edu.

Starlight: A Space Odyssey Chagrin Light Orchestra launches a space-themed concert (and the last of its 2007-08 season) Sat 4/5 at 8PM at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. The concert will feature popular scores from timeless science fiction classics, including Star Wars, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial; a Star Trek medley; Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and classical works by Holst (The Planets) and the Strauss Fanfare from Also Sprach Zarathustra, made famous in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. The show honors the passing of sci-fi author and guru, Arthur C. Clarke. http://www.cvlt.org.

20,000 Leagues Under the {Rare Blend} Sea Don’t miss the band’s two jazz/ fusion/ rock performances Sat 4/5 at 7PM and Sun 4/6 at 4PM, as they perform their unofficial soundtrack to the rarely-seen 1916 silent film! Mayfield Village Creative & Performing Arts, 6622 Wilson Mills Rd., Mayfield Village. Call 440-442-5506 to purchase tickets. http://www.rareblend.net.

SPONSORED:Spectacular Mammal Fossils? Join us at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for the Curator’s Forum Series: Fossil Mammals From 14,000 Feet on Wed 4/23 at 7PM. Dr. Darin Croft, Museum Research Associate will discuss why fossils are rare in the tropics – partly because the rocks they’re in are often covered by thick vegetation. Such cover isn’t a problem in the high deserts of the central Andes, however, and some of the rock formations there contain spectacular mammal fossils. Dr. Darin Croft discusses the new species he has discovered through his field research in northern Chile and Bolivia and what these fossils can tell us about the history of mammals in the tropics of South America. Members: $5; Nonmembers: $7; College students admitted free with valid ID. More info here: www.cmnh.org.

Forecast for Cleveland: A Hot Summer w/Cool Camps!

There are still a few piles of snow here and there, but with April now showing on the calendar, the summer season is (testing the power of positive thinking!) on the horizon. Wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Cleveland has plenty of answers!

One of the best things about being a parent is seeing the world through your child’s eyes, seeing that “spark” and sharing in their wonder as they discover the world. Sculpture? Theatre Improv? Painting? Jazz? Dance? Puppets? Playwriting? Contemporary Art? Bookmaking? Check. Read on for more about three of Cleveland’s very hot camps for Cleveland’s cool kids…

Read more from Jeannie Fleming-Gifford here

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 11-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

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

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RTA is looking for artists to send in proposal for an upcoming public art installation @ the Woodhill RTA Station. The project description and guidelines can be downloaded here. Deadline for proposals is the end of this month!

CSU students going to NYC with their short film called Wormhole. Students Eric Leiser and John M. Zazik III, recently received “Most Original” film at a recent Baldwin-Wallace College film competition. Wormhole was shot for a Film Production I class at CSU and now has also been selected as a finalist for Columbia University’s National Undergraduate Film Festival of 2008. Click for more.

Not loving “Progressive Field?” You’re not the only one. StillTheJake.com

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

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

Planning your 08/09 marketing budget? Consider Cool Cleveland’s desirable demographics: InfoATCoolCleveland.com

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Swedish Chamber Orchestra The Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) acclaimed VIVA! & Gala Around Town concert series welcomes the orchestra with conductor and music director Thomas Dausgaard and pianist Piotr Anderszewski on Wed 4/2 at Severance Hall. For more info on this and other VIVA! performances, visit http://www.clevelandart.org/viva.

Hide/Seek Don’t miss the Cleveland Institute of Art Painting Show today Wed 4/2 through Sun 4/6. No cost, open to the public. The Coffeehouse Gallery @ CIA, Joseph McCollough Ctr., 11610 Euclid Ave.

Edgeworks The Dance Department of Lake Erie College offers a studio performance by award-winning choreographer Helanius J. Wilkins, and members of his Eedgeworks Dance Theater Wed 4/2 at 7PM in the LEC dance studio located in the college’s Fine Arts Building. This performance is FREE and open to the community. The company members will perform an excerpt from their “hard-hitting” Cold Case Project and present work-in-progress from the determining factor. No cost, open to the public. For more information, contact Chris DiCello at dicello@lec.edu or 440-375-7455.

Kitao Sakurai was born in Kinugasa, Japan, the son of a baroque lute soloist. After moving Cleveland, Kitao began his career as a child actor. On Wed 4/2 at 3:30PM in Kulas Auditorium, check out Sakurai’s collaboration, visualization, and structure in short-form media. He’s made a a name for himself as a top music video cinematographer, photographing hit videos on MTV, VH1 and BET. Come and learn why. 11610 Euclid Ave. http://www.cia.edu.

SPONSORED: Tonight, 4/2, WCLV 104.9 FM will be live at Kulas Hall of the Cleveland Institute of Music for a concert by the CIM Orchestra conducted by Cleveland Orchestra Assistant Conductor Tito Munoz. The program has two blockbusters – Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with CIM student Martin Leung as soloist. Those of a certain age will remember that the 18th Variation from the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody was a pop music hit back in the 50s, stemming from its use in the film The Story of Three Loves with Charlie Chaplin. Details on all of WCLV’s programming on the web at http://www.wclv.com.

HOT Akron Independent Film Festival With over 40 films to showcase this year (on their 5-year anniversary) The Akron Independent Film Festival offers something for everyone beginning Thu 4/3 at the Bang & the Clatter in Downtown Akron. Founded by Rob Lucas in 2002, he ran the event at the UofA Gardner Student Center. It has since grown into a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a team of six board members. There are some familiar flicks this year (in case you missed them) and some entirely new and exciting ones as well. Check out the schedule of events and details at http://www.akronfilmfestival.com This is a must-see. Check out Peter Chakerian’s CC Preview this week.

Dido & Aeneas CWRU’s Dept. of Music presents a semi-staged version of Henry Purcell’s famous opera Thu 4/3 and Fri 4/4 at 8PM at the Harkness Chapel. The performances, stage-directed by Ellen Hargis and music-directed and choreographed by Julie Andrijeski, are no-cost and open to the public (tix required). Based on a story from Virgil’s Aeneid, the opera tells of the romance between the Queen of Carthage and the Trojan refugee. When Aeneas and his crew are shipwrecked in Carthage, he and the queen fall in love. But from there, heartbreak follows. 11200 Bellflower Rd. Call 368-2400 for tix.

HOT Notacon 5 The annual conference that explores and showcases technologies, philosophy and creativity overlooked at other “hacker cons” celebrates five years starting Fri 4/4. Exploration, participation and positive contributions are what it’s all about… and if you’re a techie or intrigued by the spectre of technology, this is the place for you. People from all across the country come to Cle for this one. Registration, schedule and details at http://www.notacon.org.

HOT Marjane Satrapi is a renowned graphic novelist, illustrator, and now award-winning filmmaker. Her major work Persepolis has won awards at Cannes, the New York Film Critics Circle and LA Film Critics Association and a nomination for an Academy Award. Hear Satrapi lecture Fri 4/4 (with doors at 4PM) regarding her life growing up in Iran as a child, and living through the Islamic Revolution and the war with Iraq. For more info contact: jlangsam@cia.edu. Amasa Stone Chapel @ CWRU, 10940 Euclid Ave. Co-sponsored by the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, CWRU and The Rose Wohlgemuth Weisman Women’s Voices Lecture. No cost, open to the public. http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/persepolis. http://www.cia.edu/tomorrow.

Jump in the Sac with the Pussyfoot Girls It’s a “Rock n Roll Dance Party!” with special guests the Memphis Morticians and El Muchacho Fri 4/4 at 9PM. This show features DJ Erin of WCSB’s “Hot Trash.” The Pussyfoot Girls host and perform. People are encouraged to wear vintage clothes, and there will be drink specials for anyone bringing a rock or a roll. Sachsenheim, 7001 Dennison Ave. http://www.myspace.com/sachsenheim.

Find Your Voice! This rock concert benefit features live performances by Cats on Holiday, The Magpies (formerly the Whiskeyhounds) and The Boys from County Hell on Fri 4/4 from 7PM – midnight at St. Helena’s Church on West 65th St. Support the Domestic Violence Center’s Shelter Renovation Project, which helps operate a 24-hour helpline, safe shelter, counseling, justice system advocacy, youth programming, Ujima program, supervised visitation, Latina project and community education. 1367 West 65th St. Donation includes admission, food, beer & wine. For tix, call Lizzie at 688-7229 or e-mail: eackerman@dvccleveland.org. http://www.domesticviolencecenter.org.

Respectively Retrospective The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve hosts collective works of Bea Mitchell and David Kaplan in a show entitled Respectively Retrospective. The show opens Fri 4/4 at 5PM with an Opening Reception. The exhibition runs through early May. 1834 E. 123rd St. http://www.artistsarchives.org.

HOT Mr. Marmalade convergence-continuum’s Cross the Threshhold season launches with this production on Fri 4/4 at 8PM. Lucy is a four-year old girl with a very active imagination. Unfortunately her imaginary best friend, Mr. Marmalade, doesn’t have much time for her. What with his high pressure corporate job, he can barely pencil her in for a play date anymore. And he’s so stressed and angry these days, not even to mention his drug problem. Hilarious mayhem ensues. Runs through early May at the Liminis. Details, directions and showtimes at http://www.convergence-continuum.org.

Something Dada Improvisational Comedy Since 1994, Something Dada has challenged the concepts of theater and comedy to present a furiously paced “in your face” comedy experience that is structured completely on audience suggestions. This weekend is no exception. Come see what the buzz is about at the Tower Press Building, 1900 Superior Ave., this Fri 4/4 at 8PM and Sat 4/5 at 8 & 10:30PM. Call 696-HAHA (4242) for details or visit http://www.somethingdada.com.

Waitress Fundraiser A fun, creative benefit for the Domestic Violence Center hits Fri 4/4 at 7PM, 9:30PM and midnight. Come see Waitress the movie on the big screen for just three bicks. Bring a pie for the “pie baking contest.” If pie eating is more your speed, a donation gets you a spot in the pie eating contest. More info is available at http://www.domesticviolencecenter.org. Call the Domestic Violence Center at 688-7296 for details. Stosacker Auditorium at Case Western Reserve University.

HOT Edible Books Festival The 5th year of Loganberry Books’ and Strong Bindery’s hosting of the Edible Books Festival hits Sat 4/5 at 1PM. It’s an international event with exhibitions and competitions all over the world, but here in Cleveland they have just one rule: make edible art that has something to do with books. Don’t be late, because the creations don’t last long. 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Hts. For details on this fun event, visit http://www.loganberrybooks.com.

Zensai Spring evokes the fantasy of a dazzling array of white and pink flower petals from Japanese cherry blossoms. Admirers of Japanese horticulture can look for these wonderful blossoms, along with other gems from Japan’s rich horticultural tradition, when Cleveland Botanical Garden presents Zensai: The Horticulture of Japan starting Sat 4/5 at 10AM and running through late June. ”Zensai” means “entry garden.” In this spirit of welcoming, visitors can appreciate the pristine beauty and sublime tranquility of Japanese horticulture and a photo exhibit by Haruzo Ohashi. http://www.cbgarden.org.

Youth Challenge holds their 2008 annual benefit at The RainForest, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this Sat 4/5 at 6:30PM. Enjoy live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, while viewing silent auction items-including destination packages, sporting event tickets and more. Alicia Booth of WEWS-TV 5 and Allan Fee of WQAL-FM 104.1 host the auction, which supports the sports and recreation programs the children with physical disabilities and teen volunteers participate in. Info and a special online raffle is available at http://www.youthchallengesports.com. Call 440-892-1001 for more info.

Apollonova The Pop Shop hosts its next show on Sat 4/5 with an opening reception from 6 – 9PM. Entitled “AAA” (Apollonova Art Association: http://www.apollonova.com) the group will display their best works. The no-cost art exhibit opening will be followed by an after party at Mullen’s (located next to gallery). The Pop Shop Gallery, 17020 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Call 227-8440 or visit http://www.popshopgallery.com.

36th Annual Tri-C Juried Student Art Show View the latest works from art students at Cuyahoga Community College’s Eastern Campus at Gallery East during the exhibit’s opening reception Tue 4/8 starting at 6PM. Awards will be presented for outstanding works during the reception. No cost, open to the public. Exhibit runs through early May in Gallery East, Room 135 in the Education Center Building. Tri-C Eastern Campus, 4250 Richmond Rd., Highland Hills. For more info, call 987-2473.

HOT In the Continuum The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland is collaborating with Cleveland Public Theater to present a special advance performance of In the Continuum. The benefit performance will take place at the CPT campus on Wed 4/9 at 8PM. Preceding the play will be a reception and art exhibition Metacrisis beginning at 6:30 PM. This critically acclaimed two-woman show is making its Cleveland debut. Focusing upon the lives of two women who are quite literally words apart, the play follows the very different paths of a young woman in South Central, LA and a professional woman in Zimbabwe. Contact Sarah Stankorb at 357-2223 or email: sstankorb@atfgc.org for ticket info. http://www.atfgc.org.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

SPONSORED: Be Part of a Live TV Broadcast Volunteers are needed for the 2008 WVIZ/PBS Televised Auction. It’s great team building for your company’s employees. Individuals also love the networking, and the camaraderie. And it’s all in support of your public television station. Join the fun. Call 216.916.6100 or visit www.wviz.org.

Rick McQueen & Kristie Van Auken
Akron-Canton Airport

Rick McQueen and Kristie Van Auken are the dynamic duo of the Akron-Canton Airport, offering details on the audacious $110 million capital improvement plan they’ve recently announced. Between 2000 & 2006, CAK was the 2nd fastest growing airport in the country and they doubled their passenger ridership. Coming off this period of rapid growth, and riding high on the popularity of their flagship AirTran and Frontier airlines, Northeast Ohio’s other airport will soon be expanding their largest runway to accommodate the big birds that will be able to fly anywhere in North America, including Cancun, Tornto and the Caribbean.

Rick and Kristie met with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready in their recently remodeled terminal (they already spent $60 million on recent renovations), to discuss their new COSE Business Club, with comp wi-fi, printers & fax machines, available to all passengers, and they talk about developing the new Port Green Industrial Park, which, along with the nearby CAK International Business Park, has created $46 million in payroll and 1000 new jobs. www.AkronCantonAirport.com

Could your business or organization use a Sponsored Video? Learn more at InfoATCoolCleveland.com

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

An overhaul of Ohio colleges includes lowering costs, expenses and raising enrollment. Read
Is the “for sale” sign up at National City? Read
What about Great Lakes water? Is it for sale, too… or will it be? Read
Well, here’s the answer to foreclosures in Northeast Ohio. Click
Does Mittal need to talk to their neighbors and, um, clear the air on some things? Read

Scot Rourke of OneCommunity is Visionary of the Year

The New York-based think tank Intelligent Community Forum has named Scot Rourke of Cleveland’s OneCommunity as their Intelligent Community Visionary of the Year for 2008, and he will address their Building the Broadband Economy summit in NYC on 5/16. OneCommunity evolved from work done by Case CIO Lev Gonick, who felt that ” the region’s nonprofits should play a more active role in its recovery from industrial decline.” They purchased “dark fiber” (unused fiber optic cables under Euclid Avenue), held off resistance from profit-conscious telecom giants, and built coalitions to connect 1500 schools, libraries, governments, hospitals and universities to an ultra-broadband backbone allowing lightning exchange of massive files, distance learning, and telemedicine. Send Scot a letter of congrats, and offer to join his OneCommunity team: infoATonecommunity.org

Environmental sustainability roundtable hits Wed 4/2 at 2:30PM at Sheraton Independence. Register”’
Civic Inno Lab Meet The Champions Breakfast hits Trinity Commons Tue 4/8 at 8AM. Meet the honorees and see about their innovations. Click
Preparing Summit County for a 21st Century Economy luncheon features Cavs Prez Len Komoroski Fri 4/11 at 11:30AM. RSVP online or call Jill Bacon Madden at 330-374-9470
Research ShowCASE 08 Scientists, scholars in 2-day collaboration highlighting research @ CWRU Wed 4/16 & Thu 4/17. More
CAAO’s Doing Biz Beyond Your Borders at Midtown Innovation Center, 4415 Euclid Ave., Suite 201 on Fri 4/18 at 9:30AM. http://www.caao.net. Topic: Doing Business Beyond Your Borders Networked Approach to Building Prosperity in Regions 2-Day Wksp at Punderson Manor Resort beg Wed 4/23. Details
Cleveland Opportunity + Expo 2008 is designed to provide small and mid-size businesses in Cle an opportunity to promote and introduce products or services and establish new relationships. It hits Fri 5/23 at 10AM at the Galleria. Click

SPONSORED: Are You a New NEO? If you’ve recently moved to Northeast Ohio for work and love it here, and are available to talk about it in a video interview for ClevelandPlus, send email with your name, contact info, where you work and when you moved here. Send your info to Rebecca Smith at rsmithATlandaupr.com or call (216) 912-2849 and they’ll contact you to get your unique take on all that’s cool about the region.

Fighting for the Principle, Not the Person

No matter how lucidly or succinctly a writer attempts to frame an argument, people, in some cases, can and will take away whatever they want to believe from what they’ve just read. Such is the case regarding my column last week. I wrote about felon disenfranchisement as it applies to John Boyd — a candidate in the Ward 6 Cleveland City Council race who has been to prison. It seems the law barring him from holding office is fuzzy, and I championed his running… which is quite different from me endorsing his candidacy, as some surmise. As a journalist I don’t endorse candidates, but I do endorse ideas and causes that I feel are right… and this one certainly has the right feel to it.

Most weeks I write about issues of general public concern, but on the issue at hand, I do have a dog in the race since I’m also formerly incarcerated. So, while I’m not encouraging people to vote for Boyd, I certainly am defending his rights to be in the race — championing his right to hold office should he win.

To me the issue is larger than John Boyd’s criminal record. My argument is with the State of Ohio, which states in the Revised Code that felons cannot hold political office; but the law contradicts itself in other sections, which is why Boyd’s candidacy offers the opportunity to change the paradigm. In Illinois a felon can hold office, and that should also be the case in Ohio. Let the electorate decide if they want to vote for a formerly incarcerated person. However, as it now stands in Ohio (and many other states), society demands that felons fully rehabilitate themselves, but, in return, only offers partial restoration of citizenship rights. What kind of unfair and unequal bargain is that? One that in too many cases fails — which is why we have such a high recidivism rate in America…
Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

“Senator John McCain the Republican presidential nominee, delivered an awaited speech on foreign policy. Vying for what some are calling Bush’s third term in office, many wondered what the speech would hold in terms of his alignment with the current Bush administration. Senator McCain has said on many occasions that he would maintain a presence in Iraq for as long as 100 years and in the speech given today reiterated that ‘a reckless and premature withdrawal would be a terrible defeat for our security interest and our values.’ Sen. McCain went on to describe his strategic military planning and that ‘we must sometimes pay those wages to avoid paying even higher ones later…”

from Why Should We Trust You? A response to Sen. John McCain’s speech on Foreign Policy, delivered on 03.26.08 in Los Angeles, CA, by Angela Shuckahosee

BFD readers respond to Angela’s comments:

Read, vote for and add your comment here

Edible Books @ Loganberry

I’ve long been intrigued by the monthly newsletters sent to my inbox by Loganberry Books on behalf of Harriett R. Logan. The events are imaginative and the new book additions are unusual. The place has an old-fashioned literary quirkiness that is a welcome respite for book lovers.

After all, on Saturday, April 5, Loganberry Books, at 1015 Larchmere Boulevard in Shaker Heights, is co-hosting, with Strong Bindery, the Edible Books Festival of Cleveland. Who would have thought of making edible art that has something to do with books? Apparently, it is an international event, but Harriett has adapted it locally.

Her newsletter says “How people choose to interpret that rule is wherein lies the fun.” Books are made from food, meals described in books are recreated, book passages are told with food. Anyone can show up to watch, but one must get there before 2PM when the voting starts and as Harriett says, “Don’t be late, the creations don’t last long after that!” For $3, one can vote and eat…
Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

On a scale of 1 to 10 of how well Cleveland’s doing in identifying and leveraging our existing assets Adam Wasserman of the Port Authority grades us a 4.
According to the Tech Czar Notacon is creativity, technology, music, participation, and more.
Is anyone buying real estate in Cleveland? Absolutely.
10 things to do in Lorain.
Lakewood faces a $4M shorfall and the frustration shows.
How often do you think about water?
Where do you go for tech support? BFD readers suggest their local favs.
Is diversity thwarting regionalism?

Super Powers
Dual Core

It’s Notacon time again, and that can mean only one thing: a new release by one-time Notacon Talent Show winners, the Nerdcore electro-rap outfit Dual Core. The group, which features mc, “int eighty,” and producer “c64” follow up their sublime effort Zero One with another funky fusion of hip hop influence, busting funny “geeksta rap” rhymes throughout. Being the niche that it is, Nerdcore’s DIY vibe and computerized sounds are an acquired taste, but if you’re into Frontalot, 2 Skinny J’s and MC 900 Ft. Jesus you’re gonna love these guys.

Last time out, they focused their name-dropping on Sci-Fi and G4 channel-watching 80s kids, picking up on Lord of the Rings and Star Wars lingo; they return with raps breakbeats and computerized thumps backing up the thrilling world of superheroes and supervillians. In other words, next verse same as the first… but it’s a heck of a lot of fun. The album features Nercore heavyweights Beefy, MC wreckshin, ZeaLouS1 and YTCracker — all of them dropping fly wordage on comic heroes from Superman on down. It’s fun stuff. We all need a little sanctuary now and then and Dual Core kicks out the jams in a fun, WABAC machine kind of way for us pop culture kids. Well worth a listen.

Listen to samples of Dual Core’s music by clicking the button.

Learn more about Dual Core at http://www.dualcoremusic.com. Learn more about this weekend’s Notacon. int eighty performs at Notacon Friday, April 4 at 9PM. http://notacon.org/events.html#int80.

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

1968 – The Year that Changed it All

1968. What a year it was. The whole world was watching.

Rioting, chaos, assassinations, ghetto and student uprisings caused a nation to doubt itself.

America, at war in Vietnam, was having a nervous breakdown at home.

Cleveland, a troubled city, had an uprising in the black community, a four-day outbreak of violent hostilities.

Vietnam, raging in 1968, would take the lives of from 55,000 to 58,000 Americans with a total death count of 1.7 million during only the American phase of the Indochina war, 1965-1973.

President John F. Kennedy had already been assassinated in November, 1963, a lasting shock to the American psyche. Malcolm X had been assassinated by February, 1965. In 1965, Watts erupted in August in Los Angeles as did Hough in Cleveland in April.

We had seen the rise of the civil rights movement, black power and the Black Panther Party.

But 1968 brought two other significant assassinations of public figures allied with progressive traditions and hope of better lives for the deprived.

Historians someday will determine whether America survived the shocks of this time period.

I believe these shock waves continue to reverberate in the American culture and not to our benefit.

Here is some of what the events of 40 years ago brought to us…
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

Quick reviews of recent events
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Just Shy of Closure @ Fourth Wall Productions 3/21 There are ‘opening nights’ and then there are opening nights! with blinking lights on the marquee and searchlights lighting up the night sky, and… Friday night truly was one of the latter type events, (but without all the special effects) as it was opening night in their new home for one of the newest theatrical ventures in our town, Fourth Wall Productions, plus the opening night for a new play, Just Shy of Closure” – the world premiere performance, in fact.

The space utilized by Fourth Wall is marvelously versatile, allowing for varying configurations depending on the needs of the play being performed. In this case, David Allan’s Just Shy of Closure is an intimate romantic comedy, so the audience placement consists of 48 seats. No matter where one sits, one can easily hear and see the emotions that register on the faces of the young actors.

Fourth Wall’s target audience is the young adult 18-35, although they’ll happily entertain older adults as well. Anyone can appreciate good writing that utilizes snappy dialogue and interesting characters. And, almost anyone can relate to the ‘one that got away’ while in high school or college, or maybe even while younger than that. You can’t help but wonder ‘I wonder what she is doing now? Or, does he ever think of me?’

That was the genesis of Mr. Allan’s script: running into an old flame the night before her wedding, and discovering that she’d wondered about him, as well. Briskly directed by Rebecca Cole, the action never flags in this one act (75 minute) play. Dash Combs is perfect as the slightly nerdy (on the surface) Ethan, whose life is suddenly interrupted by a phone call from Elizabeth, about whom he has dreamed since grade school. He’s intelligent and perceptive, just shy, especially where she’s concerned. He’s hopeful, yet certain his hopes will be dashed once again.

In the meantime, he’s started a somewhat risky venture at college, and his pal Kenny is the brawn that backs up Ethan’s brains. Michael Fluellen never quite goes over the top in his portrayal. Although he does occasionally go right to the brink, he, too, has a soft underside that surprises even him when it appears.

Erin R. diLauro as Elizabeth is winsome and pretty, but not sure enough of herself as she tries to explain to Ethan just why she wants to meet him for a drink or something before she leaves again the next day for her new home – and soon to be new husband. She looks for encouragement from her best friend Becky, who is brought to vivid life by Carli Taylor Miluk. Her comic timing and quick change emotions are hilarious. Of course, the four of them are inextricably connected by–and to–their cell-phones!

In the end, we don’t always get what we want, unless we want the unexpected. A good life lesson for all of us.

Costumes by Kiera Mansell were entirely appropriate, as was the set and lighting of Justin Tatum as Technical Director. Matthew A. Sprosty kept things running smoothly as stage manager.

Ticket prices are low – about the cost of a first-run movie ticket – and the play continues through March 30th. Next up at Fourth Wall is The Bank Guards (written by Sprosty) which opens May 22nd. Should be fun. For tickets or other information, visit the web-site: http://www.fourthwallproductions.com

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 3/22 The first time Giancarlo Guerrero conducted here, I went to all four performances. It was, after all, music I adored (The Ring without Words) and it was a weekend that will live in my memory forever. I was most eager to see what he would do with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in the orchestration by Maurice Ravel. This has been one of my all-time favorites for more years than I care to recall. I was NOT disappointed.

The Saturday afternoon concert (most unusual) was standing in for the occasional Sunday matinee concert that doubles in the Musically Speaking series. A chamber music recital by members of the orchestra preceded the main presentation, and was sparkly and lively and played with such enthusiasm, it’s hardly to be wondered at the Reinberger Chamber Hall was full to over-flowing. There literally was not an empty seat to be found.

Actually, the main hall was quite full, as well, which could perhaps lead to more Saturday afternoon concerts. There were a goodly number of teen-age students in the balcony, and they were marvelously well-behaved. The main concert began then, with the Fandangos for orchestra by Roberto Sierra. This is a vibrant and colorful mélange of intriguing modulations and sinuous rhythms. An absolutely delightful piece of music! Even Mr. Guerrero got into it, by dancing around the podium!

Midori’s performance of the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op. 35 by Tchaikovsky was the most unusual I’ve ever heard. It did not begin to convince me to abandon the more usual rendition in favor of this hushed and extremely slow, very mannered performance. I thought it would surely come to a complete stop mid-music, simply because it had no energy whatever. I found myself wishing she’d walk out of a shoe, or a string would break – almost anything to liven things up a bit. The audience, however, loved it.

Modeste Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition was originally written as a suite for piano in tribute to a recently deceased friend, the artist-architect Victor Hartmann, whose work was featured in an exhibition at a local gallery. Prior to the orchestra’s performance of the work, Mr. Guerrero engaged us in a witty and discerning chat about the progress of the original for piano into a much-beloved and performed work for orchestra. In the 125 years since it was first composed, it has been re-arranged into myriad orchestral versions for almost any combination of instruments imaginable. He said that a web-search divulged some 115 (or so) different versions.

The champion, however, and all-time favorite is that of Maurice Ravel, and while some of the others are very interesting, to my ears they don’t begin to compare with this one. Saturday’s performance validated my belief with a truly spectacular exhibit. The saxophone solo that describes The Old Castle was sweet and gorgeous as played by James Umble, while Robert Stout contributed beautiful playing with his euphonium solo in The Oxcart. From unhatched chicks to the Great Gate of Kiev, the entire exhibit was splendid.

The orchestra returns after a trip to Florida on April 10 for a concert of choral favorites led by Chorus Director Robert Porco. For tickets or more information, call 231-1111 or visit the website at: http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

Pride and Prejudice @ Cleveland Play House 3/27 It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen was a brilliant writer and observer of the society of her time. Considering that her books are more than 200 years old just confirms her genius. Thankfully, James Maxwell (who adapted her book into a play) and Alan Stanford (who revised Maxwell’s work) lean heavily on Austen’s own very witty perceptions and wordplay in their version of Pride and Prejudice, now on stage at the Cleveland Play House. It is a delight not to be missed!

Austen was never better than in her spot-on composite characters: in this instance the Bennett parents—social-climbing mother and rather bored-with-it-all father, and their brood of five daughters representing all possible combinations of sensibility. The very wealthy land-owner and minor aristocracy also come in for some barbs from her sharp pen. All of them are brought to vivid life through the fabulous casting for this production, aided immensely by the sumptuous costumes and clever set.

The production zips merrily along from one scene to the next, courtesy of the alert direction of Peter Amster, who directed a similar production three years ago in Chicago. He might also be credited with the delightful choreography. One cannot have an Austen production without a bit of dancing, after all! Andrew R. Hopson composed authentic-sounding music to match. The set by Robert Koharchik was a marvel of dark wood frames of varying sizes, with one large one center stage. There were an assortment of scrims in this frame, portraying the out-of-doors or other rooms in the Bennet’s home or that of Mr. Darcy. Panels and chandeliers or drapes lowered occasionally for yet another difference. Along with the turntable on the stage, entire houses were on display at some point or other, and all these technological wonders worked exactly as they ought!

Sound was by James C. Swonger and the glorious lighting by Ann G. Wrightson. The costumes of Gail Brassard were themselves worth the price of admission, contributing mightily to the overall perfect ambiance of the production. Dialect was enhanced by the attentions of Don Wadsworth, and stage manager John Godbout kept everything working smoothly.

The casting was as nearly perfect as one would wish for a Jane Austen novel brought to life. The fair-haired Chaon Cross was properly spunky and intelligent as Elizabeth Bennet, and if Jason Bradley as Mr. Darcy was not exactly Colin Firth, well, who is? Even Colin Firth is not always Mr. Darcy! Mr. Bradley was however, tall and dark and handsome and stiff as a board when he needed to be, but also knew when to loosen up a bit when the time came.

Judith Day and Bill McGough as Mr. and Mrs Bennet were delightful. She excelled at being scatter-brained, and he was a most proper curmudgeon. The other Bennet daughters were Michele Graff as sweet Jane, Roni Geva was superb as the quintessential air-head Lydia and the not-boring Cassandra Bissell was a suitably boring Mary. Annie Paul was excellent as Kitty.

Nigel Patterson was deliciously smarmy as the dense Mr. Collins, while his patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh was snootily portrayed by Annabel Armour, emphasizing her words with thumps of her cane. Our own Mark Alan Gordon was a hoot as Sir William Lucas, and later as Lady Catherine’s knowing butler.

Special commendation is due the young actors of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House Graduate Ensemble, who came into their own (and their Equity cards as well) in this final performance before graduation. Having seen them in nearly all their on-stage ventures here, I found myself wishing for a combined bow for these eight players, whose names you should remember for future reference.

Tom Degnan was Mr. Charles Bingley, the lively young companion of the staid Mr. Darcy, while Amanda Duffy was the pretentious Caroline Bingley, who looked down her pert nose at country society. Daniel Graham did very well in one of the larger roles as the odious Mr. Wickham, while his pals, Mr. Denny and Captain Carter were ably portrayed by Nathan Gurr and Deric McNish, respectively. Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy’s more amiable cousin, was handsomely depicted by Taylor Valentine. Annie Paul did double duty as Kitty Bennet and the invalidish Miss Anne de Bourgh, whose Mama imagines her a suitable bride for Mr. Darcy. Not.

Melynee Saunders Warren gave winsome life to Charlotte Lucas who knows her opportunities are slender, and takes advantage of the one chance she’s given.

Without the wonderful words of Jane Austen, however, none of this splendor would have been possible. Brava, Miss Jane! Come back and visit anytime.

Pride and Prejudice continues in the Bolton Theatre through April 13. For tickets or other information, call the ticket office at 795-7000 or visit the website at: http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

Brian Auger & Oblivion Express @ Nighttown 3/28 Brian Auger and his current Oblivion Express returned last week for their annual stand at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights, and once again gave old and new fans alike four outstanding shows of keyboard driven jazz/rock. One of the true legends of that wonderful time when commercial rock radio actually played artists from the jazz world (Auger, Tom Scott, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, and George Benson to name a few), Auger was once again backed by a trio that featured his daughter Savannah on vocals and son Karma on drums.

They played four shows over two nights, and each 80-minute set featured music from all stages of Auger’s career. The early show on the second night featured three songs from his landmark Closer to It album from 1973, a great version of “Season of the Witch” which showed off Savannah’s vocal range, and even went back to a jazz arrangement of a late 1800’s piece by classical French composer/keyboardist Gabriel Faure. And, of course, the band closed each set with a spirited version of “Compared to What.”

As always, Nighttown has a lot of great show coming up, including this Wednesday, April 2, with St. Louis vocalist Erin Bode returns. For more on shows at Nighttown visit http://www.clevelandnighttown.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

Shelby Lynne @ Beachland Ballroom 3/30 A pop album that has been getting a good buzz in the media recently has been country singer Shelby Lynne’s Dusty Springfield tribute Just a Little Lovin’. She came to Cleveland last Sunday in support of the album, and backed by a quartet of seasoned Nashville musicians put on a well received show at the Beachland Ballroom. Including encores, the nineteen songs set split almost evenly between the Springfield album and her own compositions. Lynne’s singing voice is almost similar enough to Dusty’s that she didn’t have to try to sound like her, and she hit the phrasing, for the most part, right on the nail.

She opened the show with the title track, and followed with a half dozen more songs off the album. Amongst the highlights were a beautiful version of “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” with Lynne opened up by singing the first verse acappella, the Randy Newman penned “I Don’t Want to Hear it Anymore,” and the pop standard “I Only Want to be with You.”

For her own songs she strapped on a guitar, alternating between an electric and an acoustic. She touched on songs form all four of her earlier releases, including “When Johnny Met June,” “Jesus on a Greyhound,” and “Alabama Frame of Mind.” All of it was good stuff, and blended in well with the Dusty Springfield material.

It was my third sit down in seats show in recent memory at the Beachland, and it was a perfect venue for the show. The audience was very attentive, and showed genuine appreciation for the show. The only negative was the “I Love You Shelby/Thanks for coming to Cleveland/Please come back” self-centered concert idiots who think they have a one-on-one personal relationship with whomever is on the stage. This also happened at Raul Malo and Marcia Ball at the Beachland recently. I remember it also happening at a Diana Krall show at the Palace a few years ago. What can we do to get rid of these ‘self-important no one else really cares’ fans?

As always there are a lot of good shows coming up at the Beachland, check out their website at http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

Golda’s Balcony @ Actors’ Summit 3/30
Indomitable: In William Gibson’s one-woman tour de force as Golda Meir, Dorothy Silver is so eagle-fierce you can practically see her talons. In 95 minutes, Silver embodies passion, smarts, and guts — as well as the scary view into the abyss, as she shows us a young idealist growing up to become the powerful leader ironically poised to start a nuclear war. It’s both a stunning performance of history and a meditation on power.
Caveats: At the Sunday matinee, there were technical bobbles – a failed performer mike and slides that sometimes needed rebooting – but Silver is such a consummate performer, she triumphed above all. She’s a force of nature.
Details: Thru 4/13 @ Actors Summit, Hudson. http://www.actorssummit.org
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com.

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Insomnia Holiday No napping here with the Hard Corps. There’s just so much happening! Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Steve Copley, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, Claudia J. Taller, Mansfield B. Frazier, Greg Cielec, Linda Eisenstein, Kelly Ferjutz, Roldo Bartimole and Greg Cielec. 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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