Fast Track

5.14-5.21.08
Fast Track

In this week’s issue:

Things are moving pretty fast around here. And sometimes it’s hard to keep up. So Cool Cleveland does the leg work: interviewing Anna Gerrodette about her Velodrome concept, and giving you the 411 on Cleveland Bicycle Week. Or scoping out NASA’s 50th anniversary, or pointing you to Beck Center’s Spring Fling! events this weekend. Or offering a counter-intuitive take on the race issue and Barack Obama. Maybe our Soundbite Laureate’s economic manifesto Banks, Tanks & Angst will enlighten you and give you a chuckle. If you’re able to chuckle about such things. It’s coming at you fast now: a profile of overnight jazzman Dan Polletta, a preview of New World Performance Lab’s riveting Frankenstein, and reviews of a Cleveland sports book and nine inch nails newest online giveaway. Having a hard time keeping up? That’s where Cool Cleveland comes in. Read it with a mouse. Click whenever you feel it. You’ll be on the fast track soon enough. —Thomas Mulready

Anna Gerrodette
Fast Track Velodrome

Fast Track Cycling’s Anna Gerrodette answers a lot of questions from Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready: What is a Velodrome? How big is it? Is she really building one in Cleveland? What is the Civic Innovation Lab have to do with the Fast Track Velodrome and Cool Cleveland? Why an exhibition called, Bike Imitates Art? And how will that help raise money and awareness for a bike rack project that commissions artists to build bike racks that corporate sponsors support? And what the heck is the Northcoast Flatlands Battle on 5/24 in Cleveland, and can anyone participate? Of course, the answer to that last one is, “Yes!” For the answers to the rest, click on the video.

http://www.FastTrackCycling.org http://www.ClevelandBicycleWeek.org

Are you biking to work this week? It’s one of the many things you can do to celebrate Cleveland Bicycle Week, which runs now through Sun 5/18. Cleveland Bicycle Week is Northeast Ohio’s largest gathering of diverse cycling events and interests dovetailed into a super community-building experience. In the next few days, you can Bike Slavic Village; examine the Bike Imitates Art exhibit at Lake Erie Artists Gallery; take in conferences; celebrate at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Treadway Creek Greenway Restoration and Trail and take in a Social Bike Ride in the Flats and first-ever “Cleveland Bicycle Scavenger Hunt.” And of course, there’s “Tour de Cleveland” — a scenic ride with the Lake Erie Wheelers that logs 30 and 65 miles, respectively. If you’re a cycling fan and you’re not partaking in this great week, you’re definitely missing out. Grab your water bottle and bike shorts and head to http://www.clevelandbicycleweek.org and learn more. What are you waiting for?!? Get outside and pedal!

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

NASA Turns 50
Celebrating a half-century of Space Exploration Achievement

In a message to Congress in October, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) absorbing the previous National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). In recognition of this event, NASA Glenn Research Center, located next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, is hosting a special weekend open house (free but picture ID is required) on Sat 5/17 & Sun 5/18 inviting northeast Ohio to tour the facility and attend special presentation. This year marks NASA’s 50th anniversary and we salute them!

NASA Glenn Research Center is alive with excitement focusing on some pretty cool projects like the next generation of space flight and the wind tunnels. While several years ago the research center was threatened with layoffs and rumors of closing, now the campus is a beehive of activity.

Project managers, aeronautical engineers, and manufacturing personnel are collaborating on the next generation of space travel – the Constellation Program. The rockets in the program, Ares I and Ares V, are single stick, multi-stage rockets of totally new design and dimension, similar to the Apollo design. In 2010, NASA plans to retire the space shuttle fleet consisting of Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavor. Comparing the two different fleets, the space shuttle is approximately 180 feet tall when it stands on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, while the Ares I rocket is over 300 feet tall. The future manned missions for Ares I, estimated to begin in 2015, include transporting humans to the International Space Station, and later on, even returning to the moon…
Read more from Susan Schaul here

John McCutcheon The multiple Grammy nominee for folk and children’s music will appear in the Uncle Waldo’s concert series at West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River this Fri 5/16 at 7:30PM. A master of seven different instruments and an acknowledged world-master of the beautiful hammer dulcimer, McCutcheon has a catalog of over 25 albums that include recordings of traditional songs, topical material, instrumental works. He also has a huge slate of original songs that transcend all age barriers and appeals to folks of all ages. Tickets by calling 440-333-2255, ext. 100.

HOT Hessler Street Fair This is a family-friendly music/arts tradition in C-town, promoting the hometown spirit and great fun for an entire weekend. Enjoy two days of family-friendly entertainment Sat 5/17 and Sun 5/18 with festivities beginning at noon each day. With a great musical lineup and hands-on arts galore, this is a perfect way to usher in the summer — all to benefit the Hessler Neighborhood Association (HNA). Call 556-3716 or visit http://www.hessler.org fro complete details.

HOT NASA Glenn Open House The NASA Glenn Research Center is hosting an Open House at its Lewis Field campus Sat 5/17 and Sun 5/18 from 11AM – 7PM. Explore the frontiers of air and space, where scientific research becomes the foundation for everyday applications. NASA Glenn staff will guide you through their world-class facilities and offer a glimpse of the technologies behind some of our nation’s greatest innovations. Learn how NASA is working to return America to the moon and see parts of Ares I, NASA’s new rocket! Each event will feature activities for kids. And it’s all no-cost and open to the public. Visit http://glennevents.grc.nasa.gov for detailed info including parking & security requirements. Read more about NASA’s 50th Anniversary and the Glenn Research Center in Susan Schaul’s feature this week.

Toad-ily Frogs A new Cleveland Museum of Natural History exhibition takes a closer look at amphibians, the threat of extinction they face and the role of humans in both their decline and survival. The exhibition, Toad-ily Frogs, will be on display in the Museum’s Corning Gallery NOW through the end of September. Might be a cool thing to take the kids to Sat 5/17 or sometime during the summer when that rainy day comes due. All kids love slimy critters! http://www.cmnh.org.

eS Game of Sk8 in Slavic Village East meets West on Sat 5/17 from 4 – 8PM when skateboarders from both sides of the Cuyahoga meet on the streets of Historic Slavic Village for a tournament of flatground “SKATE.” Sponsored by eS Footwear, SKATE is similar to basketball’s “HORSE”; sk8ers go head-to-head to perform tricks. When one completes a trick, others must repeat it or take a letter from the word SKATE. Skaters who collect all 5 letters drop out, and the winner proceeds to the next round. Prize packages from sponsoring skateboard shops include decks, wheels, trucks, apparel, and eS Shoes. Prizes are awarded to the top 5 finalists. 5620 Broadway (E. 55th St. between Broadway and Dolloff). Parking is available in the parking lot off Broadway. Call 429-1182, ext. 111 for more info. http://www.slavicvillage.org. http://esgameofskate.com/schedule.

RiverDay The 18th Annual RiverDay festivities hit Sat 5/17 from 9AM – 1PM. Help clean up the Cuyahoga River watershed with the National Park Service at Howe Meadow in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This event is part of the Friends of the Crooked River’s festivities. For more information on the other sites in RiverDay 2008, visit http://www.cuyahogariver.net or call 651-3476.

Discs for Darfur Flying Frisbees, food, fundraising, and fun will collide on Sun 5/18 from 2 – 8PM when The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland presents this neat teen fundraising event to benefit Darfur relief efforts. Disc for Darfur is an “Ultimate Frisbee Tournament” followed by a barbeque and music provided by a local teen rock band. This is a teen-planned, teen-run event. http://www.clevejcc.org.

No Child Left Inside In conjunction with their Great Garden Adventure, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens hosts Dr. Cheryl Charles, President and CEO of the Children & Nature Network, who will speak about the “Leave No Child Inside” movement on Sun 5/18 at 2PM at the Happy Days Lodge (formerly Happy Days Visitors Center), 500 W. Streetsboro Road, Peninsula, in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). Dr. Charles will offer practical advice to get children outside to reconnect with nature, including ways to apply new-found knowledge at home, at school, in work environments, and in the community. Children are invited to participate in a nature walk through the CVNP led by a park ranger while Dr. Charles speaks. No-cost, open to the public with reservations required. Call 330-315-3287 or email: bventura@stanhywet.org. http://www.stanhywet.org.

Be a Builder! This children’s workshop hits the Cleveland Children’s Museum Sun 5/18 from 12:30 – 1:30PM. Kids 4 – 8 years old can construct their own model cars while learning “how balance, gravity, weight and shape affect their car design.” All participants get to take home their car creation This is a child drop-off program. Learn more at http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

Youth Achievement in the Arts As part of International House of Blues Foundation (IHOBF) “Action for the Arts 2008,” they present student accomplishments in the arts during the Third Annual IHOBF Student Recital & Art Exhibition at the House of Blues Cleveland on Tue 5/20 at 6PM. The event will feature musical performances and visual artworks created by 5th through 8th grade students participating in IHOBF’s Make An Impression Programs at Alexander Bell Academy, Clara Westropp and William Cullen Bryant Schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. No cost, open to the public. 308 Euclid Ave. http://www.ihobf.org.

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SPONSORED: Design Like You Give A Damn! MOCA Cleveland’s Talalay Lecture Series is demonstrating how good design can change the world. Cameron Sinclair of Architecture for Humanity (& 2006 TED Prize Winner) inspires the masses with his design and social mission—combating HIV/AIDS in Africa and planning disaster mitigation in New Orleans are all in his day’s work. Wed 5/21, 6PM. Program held off-site at Ideastream. Tickets: MOCA Member $8; Non-member $10; Student $5. Contact 216.421.8671 or www.MOCAcleveland.org/Talalay

Obama says: “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”

“If you don’t know where you’re going any road will get you there.” — One of the messages from The Wizard of Oz.

In light of recent victories and near victories in North Carolina and Indiana the level of angst and anger among Obama supporters over the use of Rev. Jeremiah Wright (which, to my mind was a non-controversy all along) is beginning to recede a bit. However, I’m actually hoping that the issue never entirely goes away… and it probably won’t.

My logic is simple: As long as this preacher brouhaha is the best thing Obama’s detractors can hit him with he’s going to be just fine heading into the general election this fall. Just keep the yahoos and hate mongers focused on silliness, trivia and non-issues, and they won’t be coming up with real dirt to try to hit the senator with (indeed, if there is any). Granted, the American electorate — as proven by the last two presidential elections — is pretty dumb, but it’s obviously not quite dumb enough to fall for this red herring. But we do have a history of being fooled in elections…
Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

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Do you know anyone who can volunteer to tutor this summer? If so, you (or they) should click here right away
Progressive Field Voted #1 ballpark in Sports Illustrated fan poll. Not Too Shabby!
UA’s Summit College offers credit for work experience. Click
Council on World Affairs puts spotlight on Korea with event happening today. Click
Spaces’ 30th Anniv. catalog is available now! Click
Are you hip to the Good Company vocal ensemble? They’re performing this weekend. Click
Plant sale on Saturday at Stan Hywet. Click
New Directions for Living NPO helps w/ transitional housing and do great work in Lake Cty. Get hip to them and learn about their benefit here
Artist Review Today has launched a blog and podcast to keep C-town aware of the happenings at the gallery and with its artists. Subscribe here and here
A new site celebrates life in Cle and it’s worth a look-see. A look-see
Check out the complete Tri-C West Calliope series here
Are you a cupcake? Someone thought that this might appeal to you. We liked it enough to reprint the link for your viewing enjoyment here
Looking for no-cost summer concerts and info on another kids’ summer camp option? We highly recommend a click over here
See how people are getting reconnected with food in this site showcasing the relationship with the NAC and LESS. Click Click Again
Signs of eLife is the mortgage industry? One bank books 10K of ’em. Click
The Ingenuity Festival is back again this summer, with everything from cutting-edge robotics and multimedia exhibits, to art, music and gads more! Passes are on sale now! Create. Celebrate. Innovate.
Heights Arts NPO community arts organization launches Heights.Arts.Radio on WJCU-FM 88.7 FM Fridays 6-6:30PM beginning this Fri 5/16
This is on our Managing Editor’s “bucket list.” For thrillseekers and daredevils alike. Click
We think PC might try this bit, too. Indoor Rock Climbing
Cle Arts Prize winners are announced for 2008, including Michael Symon and Michael Ruhlman! Click
Oh, my NOLA! Cle indies’ Nawlins Night is gonna be a Fais Do Do! Click
Burning River Fest is back as well, ready for another super summer round! Click
Broadway School of Music and the Arts has a colorful new website. Click
Slavic Village Development has also updated their website with new features and interactive calendar. Click
We all need a little Salsa Jam every now and then. Get Spicy!

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Beck Says Think Spring!
Igniting Creativity Through Art @ Beck Center

The Beck Center for the Arts is a theater and art gallery, and the center stage of Lakewood’s arts community. As one of the largest performing arts organizations in the Cleveland-area, it has the ability to offer a range of opportunities for exploring the arts, either as an artist or an art lover. Now in the midst of its Spring Fling! 2008, a series of unique arts experiences and parties featuring local artists and performers, Beck Center proudly supports local talent. That local talent has been a key component to their success and the cornerstone to bringing their mission in the community. Beck Center’s combined pro theatrical productions and curriculum-based arts education serve 100,000 people annually in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, and Summit Counties.

Beck Center’s Spring Fling! events are a series of arts-inspired parties and have included some pretty intriguing programming; this weekend, they offer a Spanish-inspired Viva la Beck! on Fri 5/16 and A Grand Night for Singing the following night, Sat 5/17. The gala events continue into June with Sunday in the Park with Beck on Sun 6/8. If you’re wondering what a spring fling is, an example is the Sunday in the Park event to be held in the lush gardens of the historic Emerald Necklace Inn for a “storybook” afternoon with sparkling champagne mimosas, a Beck Student Art Walk, and a gourmet luncheon served in the “whimsical” tea room accompanied by Beck Center musicians…
Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Dobama Theatre Women’s Night continues the yearly Dobama tradition Wed 5/14, providing an opportunity for women working in the home or outside the home to enjoy an evening of wine, conversation, dinner, and a performance of The Cleveland Project: Part I – Migration followed by dessert with the cast. The evening will begin at 6PM with wine and hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner and a 7:30PM performance. The Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Ave. Tickets can be reserved at 932-3396 or at http://www.dobama.org.

HOT Capitol Theatre Groundbreaking Ceremony The Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization and the Gordon Square Arts District launch the area’s latest development, Capitol Theater, corner of West 65th St. and Detroit Ave. on Wed 5/14 at 4PM with a groundbreaking ceremony. A reception follows at 5:30PM. Gordon Square Arts District info here and here.

From Rust Belt to Artist On Wed 5/14 from 8AM – 5PM, the Community Partnership for Arts & Culture, in partnership with the Forum, presents a national summit to explore opportunities and challenges for artist-oriented community development in cities in the industrial Midwest. The event will feature 19 prominent experts as speakers (including Ann Markusen of the Project on Regional and Industrial Economics and Jeremy Nowak of The Reinvestment Fund), and participants will have the opportunity to weigh in on a regional strategy for moving artist-oriented community development forward throughout the industrial Midwest. Call 575-0331 or visit http://www.cpacbiz.org.

Hands Off is an evening event highlighting the unfortunate juxtaposition between the positive healing power of touch and the real life, untouched experience of many women living with the stigma of HIV/AIDS. Come for the exhibit, stay for the panel discussion Wed 5/14 from 5:30 – 8PM at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, 3210 Euclid Ave. The exhibit features women living with HIV exhibiting self-representations (sculptured casts of their own hands) and sharing stories of personal experience with stigma and the healing power of touch. Massage therapists and manicurists will be on hand offering mini-massages. Hands Off artist/curator Samantha Schartman will speak; lLight appetizers will be served. No-cost, open to the public. Find out more at http://www.aidstaskforce.org.

Newspapering in the Internet Age Plain Dealer Editor Susan Goldberg will speak on the subject Wed 5/14 at 7PM at Rocky River Public Library. The program is no cost, open to the public and no registration is necessary. For additional info, call 440-333-7610 or visit http://www.rrpl.org. 1600 Hampton Rd., Rocky River.

HOT Bicycle Friendly Community Conference As a part of the Cleveland Bicycle Week (running through Sun 5/18), check out this comprehensive cycling event Thu 5/15. The conference has separate tracks for professionals and citizen advocates; nationally prominent speakers will present on various cycling topics including a keynote address by Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. If you have an interest in advancing the work of making Cleveland a “Bicycle Friendly City,” or would like to learn more about cycling in the community, this is the place to learn more. Cleveland Public Library Stokes Auditorium, 325 Superior Ave. Professional and public track packages are available; boxed lunches will be provided. Visit the Cleveland Bicycle Week website at http://www.clevelandbicycleweek.org.

Tangled Up in Bob hits Nighttown Cleveland on Thu 5/15 starting at 6:30PM. Tangled Up in Bob is a tribute to Bob Dylan concert that benefits Roots of American Music (ROAM) and features various artists performing the poetic, timeless music of Bob Dylan. We personally love Bob (even on those nights when it’s hard to understand what he’s singing) and hope to hear “Shelter From the Storm” and “Masters of War.” For tickets, call ROAM at 321-9353 or visit http://www.rootsofamericanmusic.org. 12383 Cedar Rd. http://www.nighttowncleveland.com.

Under the Influence! The May Improv Comedy Showcase at the Powerhouse Pub in the Flats features a group out of Mansfield called (you guessed it) Under The Influence. They perform a unique blend of fast, physical and hysterical shortform improv comedy complete with live music on Thu 5/15 at 8PM. Doors open at 7PM; no-cost and open to the public 18 & over (21 & over for alcohol). Reserve seats by calling 479-3353. The Powerhouse Pub, 2000 Sycamore. http://www.myspace.com/undertheinfluenceimprov. http://www.clevelandimprovinstitute.com.

HOT Ladies who Launch Live! Check out these “sexy, savvy forums” that are bringing together women from across the region. You’ll find networking, creativity, learning, inspirational speakers, and shopping all in one place Fri 5/16 starting at 9AM. Talk biz or creative projects, share insights, and meet like-minded women with creative and entrepreneurial dreams. Call 866-411-5234 or click on http://www.ladieswholaunch.com.

The 9th Annual Cleveland Fine Art Expo is an arts extravaganza weekend featuring contemporary artist Annie Lee, Celebrity Chef Nikki Shaw, Women Cookin’ for the Arts! and Flutist Bobbi Humphrey. It’s a jam-packed weekend beginning Fri 5/16 and running all weekend long. For tickets, venues and more event info visit http://www.clevelandfineartexpo.com.

HOT Design a Life: A Community of Ideas Cleveland State University presents this two-day conference that explores the positive impact that creativity has on health Fri 5/16 and Sat 5/17. The innovative, workshop brings artists, health care professionals and the community together to explore how creative activities can benefit health and quality of life will take place at CSU’s Main Classroom Building, 1899 East 22nd St. To register, visit http://sciences.csuohio.edu/workshop/index.htm or call 687-2144.

The Bank Guards Fourth Wall Productions latest production is a world premiere. Playwright Matthew Sprosty’s previous shows with 4WP have been comedies; this one’s a gripping drama. He set out to write a play where the audience felt like they were listening in on the planning of a bank robbery. Using his own experiences of robbing a bank in college (to help the Athens Police train the bank employees) The Bank Guards serves as his first post-college dramatic play; it begins a three-week run this Fri 5/16 at 7:30PM. The Enterprise Center off Bratenhal, Room 221, 540 East 105th St. http://www.fourthwallproductions.com.

William Schwartz: New Sculptures and Op Art The native’s anti-advertising and anti-consumerism exhibit launches at Arts Collinwood with an Artist Reception Fri 5/16 from 6 – 9PM. No-cost and open to the public, the body of work selected for this exhibition consists primarily of his “op art” pieces. Mesmerizing eye candy is the irresistible attraction; the materials used and possible interpretations should create a lasting effect within the mind of viewers. Closing party hits mid-June. http://www.artscollinwood.org.

The Matinee Cleveland gets Exit Stencil The Matinee is a new rock club in Tremont. They celebrate their emergence on the scene at 2527 W. 25th St. with a no-cost show featuring Exit Stencil recording artists Mystery of Two (http://www.myspace.com/mysteryoftwo) and Machine Go Boom (http://www.myspace.com/machinegoboom) this Fri 5/16 at 8PM. We hear they have beer there, too… which, of course, never hurts.

A Mostly Book Sale Expect some Big Bargains on paperbacks, children’s books, books on tape, audio and videotapes, and CDs at the Mostly Book Sale hosted by the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Friends of the Library Fri 5/16 from 10AM – 5:30PM and continuing throughout the weekend. The Friends have been sorting multimedia all winter to provide buyers with a wide range of choices for their spring and summer reading, viewing, and listening. Canvas totebags and a no-cost Taste of the Heights: A Friends Culinary Collection book will be available for sale. Main Library, 2345 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights. (Weekend hours are Sat 5/17 from 10AM – 5:30PM and Sun 5/18 from 1 – 5PM. Call 932-3600, ext, 234 or email: friends@heightslibrary.org for more.

My Favorite Year Beck Center for the Arts presents My Favorite Year, a good old-fashioned musical comedy written by Joseph Dougherty with music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, beginning Fri 5/16 and running through early June. Based on the 1982 hit film starring Peter O’Toole, this nostalgic look at the early days of television captures all of the comedy and drama of “live” TV. Good for the funny bone. Complete schedule of performances and tickets can be found at http://www.beckcenter.org.

Defending the Caveman Speaking of funny, couples are sure to be roaring with laughter with the return of this one-man show that gives “…couples therapy a run for its money.” With hilarious insight on contemporary feminism, masculine sensitivity and the erogenous zone, Defending the Caveman mines the common themes in relationships that go straight through the funny bone and into the heart. Laugh at all the ways that men and woman fight, laugh and love. You’ve got three shots at the longest running solo play in Broadway history — Fri 5/16 at 8PM and Sat 5/17 at 5 and 8:30PM. http://www.playhousesquare.com.

MESH: Textile Arts MESH weekend starts Fri 5/16 and combines thress textile art exhibitions at three venues in Northeast Ohio: Cleveland, Elyria, and Oberlin. These three venues offer a rare opportunity to view the work of sixty-nine textile artists all within easy driving distance in Northeast Ohio. Together these exhibitions present a snapshot of contemporary textile artwork. While the techniques may be familiar – quiltmaking, weaving, crochet, knitting, embroidery, and stitching – the artwork is innovative, contemplative, challenging, and engaging. http://favagallery.org. http://www.csuohio.edu/artgallery. http://www.lorainccc.edu/stocker.

Santa Montefiore Eight novels in eight years, and an international fan club have made this author a favorite with book clubs and readers of contemporary women’s fiction for almost a decade. Born in England in 1970 Santa Montefiore grew up on a farm in Hampshire and was educated at Sherborne School for Girls. She read Spanish and Italian at Exeter University and spent much of the 90s in Buenos Aires, where her mother grew up. She converted to Judaism in 1998 and married historian Simon Sebag Montefiore in the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London. They live with their two children, Lily and Sasha in London. Meet Montefiore at a wine & cheese reception and a rare American book signing for The Sea of Lost Love with Montefiore Fri 5/16 at 5:30PM. Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights. http://www.loganberrybooks.com.

Murray Saul’s 80th Birthday Getdown He’s as legendary on the Cleveland scene as venerable rock reporter Jane Scott; Murray was the wailing “Getdown” man on 100.7 WMMS-FM and ushered in the weekend on Friday nights at 6PM. The Beachland Ballroom is going to usher in Saul’s 80th Birthday with a party for Murray on Fri 5/16. He’ll be doing one of his famous “Getdowns” (hear an example of these classic rant-tirades here) and meeting and greeting the crowd. The Cleveland rockabilly band Balls of Fire will perform as well. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

HOT Bicycle Scavenger Hunt On Sat 5/17 at 10AM, as part of Cleveland Bicycle Week, the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op will be hosting Cle’s first Bicycle Scavenger Hunt — the first known presentation of this kind of event anywhere. It’s part alleycat, part critical mass, and part transportation-cycling demonstration, and friendly to all ages. You’ll be paired up, given a map of Cle landmarks (popular and obscure) and try to find all the clues without getting lost or breaking any traffic laws! But there’s much more! Details at http://www.ohiocitycycles.org. Details on all of the remaining Cleveland Bicycle Week events can be found at http://www.clevelandbicycleweek.org.

re:BIRTH Angel House offers a showcase of birth inspired art and performance by local women and artists and a screening of the award winning documentary The Business of Being Born Sat 5/17 from 6 – 10PM. Be transformed and inspired and learn about the current challenges facing women, families and babies in the US today. Cleveland State University’s Factory Theatre, E. 24th and Chester. No-cost parking is available. Advance tickets can be purchased here and more event information can be obtained by calling 687-2113 or visiting http://www.csuohio.edu/theater. http://www.angelhousestrongsville.com.

All-City Arts Festival: Rock Your World Thousands of Cleveland Metropolitan School District students will display their talents at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for the 9th Annual All-City Arts Festival: Rock Your World. The festival will be held on Sat 5/17from 10AM – 4PM. Check it out! http://www.rockhall.org.

HOT Whiskey Island RiverDay & County Bicentennial Celebration This Sat 5/17 at 2PM, come down to celebrate Cuyahoga County’s Bicentennial on RiverDay. The County Commissioners have taken the first step to connect us with the lakefront and riverfront by acquiring the Whiskey Island parkland (Wendy Park) and the marina. At 3PM Commissioners Dimora and Jones will dedicate the “new” $2 million vehicle/pedestrian bridge to provide a safe connection from Edgewater Park. Immediately afterward, walk through the marina and Wendy Park to the historic Coast Guard Station to hear the city and county planning directors share their thoughts about the future of the coast guard station and Cleveland’s waterfront. Stay for entertainment, refreshments and the sunset at the Sunset Grille. For all RiverDay event info: http://www.cuyahogariver.net, email: ejhauser@ameritech.net or call 663-9468.

A Ruby Celebration Shine Your Ruby Slippers and dust off your red threads! The West Shore Chorale’s 40th Anniversary “Ruby” Celebration Benefit honoring founder Judge Robert Lawther is coming up on Sat 5/17 at Mr. Winton’s Den, 12700 Lake Avenue in Lakewood, from 6 – 8:30PM. Tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, a carving station, wine, beer, and soft drinks. A Silent Auction and Raffle for an original Broestl and Wallis Jewelers’ bracelet and entertainment by acclaimed Lakewood High School Men’s Quartet, Vive L’Four round out the fun. Attire is Red Tie/Dress Optional or Business Casual. Imaginative use of red is strongly encouraged! Call 556-4368 for reservations.

HOT An Evening with Roberta Flack Friends of Cleveland School of the Arts (FCSA) is proud to present “An Evening with Roberta Flack” on Sat 5/17 at 7PM at John Hay High School Auditorium to benefit the students of Cleveland School of the Arts (CSA). This magical evening will be hosted by co-chairs Margie Biggar and Ann Gillespie, while Peggy Zone Fisher, President and CEO of The Diversity Center for Northeast Ohio, and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher will be honored for their support of Cleveland’s families, children and the community. http://www.clevelandschoolofthearts.org.

Manoel de Oliveira The master Portuguese filmmaker turns 100 this December (and is still making movies!). He’ll be the subject of a major retrospective at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque and the Cleveland Museum of Art starting Sat 5/17 and running through late June. 23 films by Oliveira will be shown between the two institutions in a series entitled Manoel de Oliveira: The First 100 Years. It is the largest Oliveira retrospective ever presented in North America. de Oliveira’s movies have been fixtures at the world’s most prestigious film festivals for years. Learn more and see a complete schedule of films and events: http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque and http://www.clevelandart.org/film.

Recycle Your Reads Increase your green reading power and attend the Rent Party for the Bookstore on W. 25th St. on Sat 5/17 from 11AM – 8PM. This independent store has weathered 32 years within Ohio City, offering an esoteric collection of books. Live folk music and poetry readings will accompany the bargains and discounts available on many of these rare books. For more info, email: webb.deborah@sbcglobal.net.

Lakewood Art Walk hits the westside, led by events at the Pop Shop Sat 5/17. Complete map of events and details can be found here. http://www.popshopgallery.com.

Jump in the Sac with the Pussyfoot Girls It’s a “Rock n Roll Dance Party!” with special guests Miss Firecracker One-Woman Band (Cleveland), Mandie Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes, and Catspaw Sat 5/17 at 9PM. This “giggle-and-jiggle burlesque show also features DJ Erin of WCSB’s “Hot Trash.” Sachsenheim, 7001 Dennison Ave. http://www.myspace.com/sachsenheim.

The Deadward Goreys are a goth/punk band made up of long-time members of other high-profile bands in the area including Alison Garrigan (Queue Up), Christopher Foldi (State of Being), Rich Kline (Diamond Dogs), Tim Keo (The Bel-Airs), and brother Fitz Keo. The band’s namesake was inspired by the late macabre illustrator Edward Gorey, while poking some fun at The Dandy Warhols. The group brings “old-school” goth-rock favorites back to life, covering originals by acts such as Siouxsie and Banshees, Bauhaus, and Joy Division; and occasionally mixing in a song or two from their own past bands. Don’t miss them Sat 5/17 at 8:30PM, w/ Morticia’s Chair opening. http://www.deadwardgoreys.com.

HOT Connections: A Gala Benefit Concert presented by the Cleveland Institute of Music Alumni Association, will showcase the artistry of CIM’s alumni in The Cleveland Orchestra Sun 5/18 at 3PM at 3PM in CIM’s spectacular new Mixon Hall. Performances by 25 members of The Cleveland Orchestra will include music by Brahms, Mozart, Dohnányi, Piazzolla, Rathbun and more. Only 250 seats are available for this special opportunity to hear Cleveland Orchestra members performing chamber music in the intimate setting of CIM’s Mixon Hall. For tickets, call 791-5000 or purchase online at http://www.cim.edu.

Bread Run… Food, Not Bombs On Sun 5/18 from 11AM – 2PM, Cleveland Food Not Bombs will be holding the first-ever Daniel Thompson Memorial Bread Run to honor the spirit of the poet Daniel Thompson and that which he stood for. Daniel was a voice and advocate for the homeless in Cleveland and was active in helping impoverished people in the downtown and Public Square area. He was a mentor of CLEFNB; they still operates one of the Bread Runs that they inherited from him. They plan to honor the man to help those in need. Public Square on Daniel’s Way. Call 773-0080 for more or visit http://www.clevelandfoodnotbombs.org.

HOT 20th Ohio City Home Tour Mother’s Day is here. Show your appreciation for mom with tickets to the 20th Ohio City Home Tour on Sun 5/18 from 10AM – 4PM. This year’s event will feature a diverse collection of nine homes that reflect a wide range of architectural styles prevalent in the neighborhood. The first Lutheran Hospital Ohio City Art Show, which will feature nearly a dozen of NEO’s most prominent artists and galleries displaying their creations — all for sale, is a part of the fun. The show, to be held in the Lutheran Hospital Atrium Lobby, is a featured stop on the Home Tour. Tickets for the Ohio City Home Tour are on sale now at http://www.ohiocity.com and at 781-3222.

OCAMP’s Spring Tea Benefit Come have fun and a nosh with a roomful of Greater Cleveland environmentalists on Sun 5/18 from 2 – 6PM at OCAMP’s 6th Annual Spring Tea Benefit. This party and fundraiser for OCAMP (the Ohio Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) features nationally respected alt-energy activist and Senior Consultant to Greenpeace, Harvey Wasserman. David Beach (EcoCity Cleveland) and poet Maj Ragain (one of the region’s best) will also speak. Refreshments by Mustard Seed Market and Phoenix Coffee and Tea. 14215 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights. For information, email: OCAMP@neo.rr.com or call 291-3424.

Plant Conservation Day Join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in celebrating the importance of plants to people and the planet. Talk with experts, tour the Zoo and even get your hands dirty – all on Plant Conservation Day at the Zoo. The green scene takes place Sun 5/18 from 9AM – 4PM and begins with an invasive plant pull at Brookside Reservation. Participants will receive no-cost admission to the Zoo. A tour of specialized gardens and talks by local plant experts round out the festivities. Pre-register by calling 635-2526. http://www.clemetzoo.com.

The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra will give its final concert of the season on Sun 5/18 at 3PM in the Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus Theater, Parma. Music Director Victor Liva will conduct the program which includes the Violin Concerto of Aram Khachaturian and the Symphony in D minor of César Franck. 11000 W. Pleasant Valley Rd., Parma. http://www.clevephil.org.

SPONSORED: This Sunday, 5/18, at 1PM, WCLV 104.9 presents a City Music concert from St. Mary’s Church in Elyria. The conductor is James Gaffigan with renowned violinist Jennifer Koh. The program is called Revolutionary Works and features Vivaldi’s Sinfonia,Al Santo Sepolcro, Ligeti’s Violin Concerto, Charles Ives’s The Unanswered Question, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1. Complete details on all of WCLV’s classical music programming available at http://www.WCLV.com.

HOT The Playhouse Wore Prada The Women’s Committee of The Cleveland Play House presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see many rare, fragile and beautiful costumes selected from one of the most magnificent collections of stage apparel in North America. The program hits Mon 5/19 — with commentary by Jeffrey Van Curtis, Costume Shop Manager and Estelle Painter, veteran crafts and draper in the Costume Department — which will follow a reception and luncheon at Stages Restaurant in the Cleveland Play House. Call 440-247-1473; proceeds support the CPH. http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

Sing Out! This year’s Cleveland Rape Crisis Center event on Mon 5/19 at 7PM honors Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Judge K.J. Montgomery, chaired by David Goodman (Managing Partner, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey) and Lisa Oliver (President, KeyBank). Tickets include dinner, performances, and dessert, with all proceeds funding no-cost, confidential, and comprehensive services to sexual assault survivors. For more information, visit the CRCC at http://www.clevelandrapecrisis.org.

Tom Lellis/Toninho Horta Quartet featuring Jamey Haddad The New York City vocalist and Cleveland native team up with the world class Brazilian guitarist in support of their new CD on Adventure Music. The show Tue 5/20 at 7PM features Jamey Haddad on drums and percussion and Kip Reed on bass. http://www.tomlellis.com. http://www.toninhohorta.com.br. http://www.nighttowncleveland.com.

From Songwriters to Soundmen with Matt Pinfield The tables are turned, as the interviewer becomes the interviewee. Matt Pinfield, whose name is most well known for his time as an MTV VJ, will be interviewed in front of a live audience at the Rock Hall Wed 5/21 at 7PM. Pinfield started his career in the early 1980s in college radio in New Jersey, but came to prominence as host of MTV’s 120 Minutes alt-rock (at the time) show. He’s VP of A&R and Artist Development for Columbia Records and hosts Matt Pinfield Plays Whatever He Wants on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. No-cost, open to the public with a reservation. Rock Hall’s 4th Floor Theater serves as the venue. Please email edu@rockhall.org or call 515-8426 to RSVP. http://www.rockhall.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Douglas O’Bryon
Banks, Tanks & Angst: Intro

Soundbite Laureate Douglas O’Bryon has chosen Cool Cleveland to premiere his must-read landmark Economic Manifesto Banks, Tanks, & Angst – How Long Will America Idle? His cutting edge insights deftly explain how society got INTO this financial mess, while introducing us to an entirely new lexicon for the imminent era of “Lagflation” including Surgical Shopping, Retailing Retailored, and Cracking the Whip, as our culture deals with how to best “Mind the Gap” between our skyrocketing Costs and flat-lining Income. In this Intro section, Douglas sets the tone and opens the Manifesto with a wry, literate, eye-opening, fireside chat, delivered in the inimitable style of our one-and-only Soundbite Laureate. Watch two more short videos, and read the complete Banks, Tanks & Angst here: http://www.CoolCleveland.com

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

Ernst & Young headed to the Flats in the brand spanking new development going on down there. They’ll have a green building, too. Click
LeBron fans swat Papa John’s pizza chain after the Wizards “crybaby” promotion. Who’s Crying Now??
Investment potential in 50-block UA district. Read
5th Annual CAAO online silent exec auction is up and running. Check out all the details here
Cuyahoga County has awarded OneCommunity a 5yr contract designed to enhance, expand and maintain the County’s existing network, voice and video services. Cost savings to CC taxpayers estimated at $10M. http://www.onecommunity.org.
Is your company innovative? Do you work with any innovative companies? If so, join the prestigious rank of companies recognized for drive and success. Nominate
A Christmas Story House becomes “Inc.” as NEO-based company. Click
“Smart” Greenhouse Research Partnership between Kent State University and Cleveland Botanical Garden Unveiled
ERC Surveys NEO Service Industries with their latest foray. Click
Akron schools, hospitals push med project. Click
Akron biz incubator wins a prestigious nat’l award. Click

SPONSORED: Sit Down, Have a TV Dinner with thunder::tech :: we know every episode:: When you have a TV dinner with us, you’re in for a new experience. Straight out of the box, your food is compartmentalized–just like a traditional agency. Your Salisbury steak PR department never touches your mashed potato designers, while your corn-based vegetable web team medley won’t involve itself in any of the gooey marketing strategy dessert. Not here at thunder::tech. We dump everything from that plastic tray right into the blender and boil it on the stove to create a marketing bisque so delicious, you’ll dance. Hungry for a new marketing approach? Stop by the site-give us a call:: http://www.thundertech.com • 216.391.2255

HOT Grow It…Promote It! is sponsored by ESPN 850 WKNR-AM and will be held at 7:30AM Wed 5/14 May 14 at The Club at Key Center. See complete details and registration here
Web Standards Demystified NEOUPA’s latest mtg hits Wed 5/14; learn to make web function more accessible to your target audience. Register
Cle hosts 2008 Economic Development Administration Regional Conference and you are invited to attend! It runs through Wed 5/14 at the Crown Plaza and features 300 economic development professionals from 19 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All you need to do is Register
Financial Decision Making forum helps newbie and longtime biz owner-ops navigate $ waters, find magnetic north Wed 5/14 at 9AM. Register
Federal Grants for Start-Up Companies workshop starts series for start-ups with cool programming Thu 5/15. See the full schedule and register here
Master the matrix of today’s direct mktng @ Akron’s Interaction 2008 Thu 5/15 feat Jeffery W. Hayzlett of Eastman Kodak. Register
HOT Digital Cocktails V2.0 – Tyler Elevator is sponsored by APG Office Furnishings and hits Thu 5/15 from 6- 9PM. 3615 Superior Ave., 7th Fl., Bldg 44. RSVP To Sean Regan at 357-2032, or email: sregan@apgof.com
Waste is a biz op in this E4S meeting Wed 5/14 in Akron. Details
JumpStart Annual Public Mtg hits Corp College East Thu 5/15, celebrating entrepreneurship. Details and Registration
2008 Ohio Business Women’s Conference & Expo at Cle Marriott Downtown Key Center on Fri 5/16 pres. by Hispanic Business Association, promises to be the largest event of its kind in the region for women in business. Register
HOT Craig Newmark, fndr of Craigslist keynotes TechSync forum on Sat 5/17. Details
Exploring the Green Jobs Market is the subject of E4S meeting at Great Lakes Brewing Co on Tue 5/20. Details are here
Marketing to the Social Web is latest AAF-Cleveland Windows on the River meal Wed 5/21, focusing on digital community building. Details
Warrensville Hts. CoC says You’re Invited Daddy-O! to their 50th Anniversary Celebration Wed 5/21 from 6PM – ? Cool food, networking, live tunes. Register
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
The Association of Litigation Support Professionals (or ALSP) hosts the first mtg of the new Cle Chapter to be held from noon to 1:30 on Thu 5/29 in the Shatten Board Room, located in the Higbee Conference Facility of COSE at Tower City on Public Square. More
Velocity/2008 celebrates NEO companies accelerating our economy with innovative practices, strategies Thu 5/29 at 4:30PM at the Idea Center. RSVP? Call 375-7974 or email: danyoung@dxysolutions.com
Manfg for the Med Market Hear from area manufacturing leaders Thu 5/29 who have successfully diversified their biz to participate in the biomed industry. Register
E4S leader Holly Harlan and GCBL Institute’s David Beach headline June Corp Club at Landerhaven lunch Thu 6/12. Click

HOT COSE’s Arts Network will recognize the entrepreneurial risks taken by both artists and small businesses at the COSE Arts Business and Innovation Awards on Thu 5/15 from 6 – 9 PM at Park Lane Villa in University Circle. Details at http://www.cose.org.

HOT 20/30 Scavenger Hunt This YP group is having a great event this Sat 5/17 with all proceeds benefiting Easter Seals of NEO. Easter Seals is a community-based health org helping children and adults with disabilities gain greater independence. Register and Have a Blast!

HOT Med Mart/Conv Center Forum The Cuyahoga County Commissioners are having a public forum on Thu 5/22 from 5:30 – 7:30PM to allow the public to learn about the site selection process for the Medical Mart and Convention Center and also to provide the public an opportunity give their input. The event will be held at the Center for Families and Children, 4500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. More info can be found by clicking here.

A Whole New World
Performance Laboratory Offers Compelling De-Monstration

I’ll never forget the first time I saw actor Jairo Cuesta die. He was playing Macbeth in a three-person version at CPT, and two feet from me, eyes wide open, he just… died. He was staring at the sky, mouth gaped open, and somehow the light went out and his eyes filmed over with death. My jaw literally dropped. Almost 20 years later, I still don’t know how the hell he did it.

This week, the riveting Cuesta stars in another classic: a kinky, surreal, yet darkly funny 6-person version of Frankenstein by the New World Performance Laboratory. “This time, I am born,” Cuesta laughs. Oh, is he ever: his Creature is a nightmare figure that springs from the Id of creator Mary Shelley with a ferocity that could blister paint from the wall.

The NWPL production opens this week at the University of Akron, where co-Artistic Director James Slowiak is a professor, right after its two performances at the Cleveland Play House’s FusionFest, and before its summer tour to festivals in Poland and workshops in Italy.

It’s ironic: the Lab is world-famous in experimental theatre circles, yet virtually unknown here except for a small group of almost cult-like devotees. Cuesta and Slowiak were assistants to Polish theatre genius Jerzy Grotowski, and just published a definitive textbook about him for Routledge. I talked to Slowiak about the Lab’s enormous and virtually unrecognized influence on NE Ohio’s performance scene, and what it means to be working here…
Read more from Linda Eisenstein here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

Congratulations to Melt Bar And Grilled in Lakewood for being featured in Esquire’s Best Sandwiches in America!

Share your experience on Brewed Fresh Daily.

Jazzed About Jazz
A Conversation with WCPN’s Dan Polletta

Dan Polletta does not like to talk about himself. Ask him about jazz and jazz musicians, however, and the words start flowing. In conversation, he immediately comes across as a thoughtful, friendly guy who has the good fortune to be doing, in his words, “exactly what I want.” A Columbus native, Polletta got his start at WBBY-FM in Westerville, which he notes was one of the country’s last commercial jazz radio stations, and then moved to overnights at WKSU-FM. He joined WCPN-FM in 1987 and has been the late night voice of Jazz from the Northcoast ever since.

In a world where many people dislike their jobs, Polletta clearly knows how fortunate he is. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and continue to enjoy what I do,” he says. “I think it’s great that we have this little niche. Many big cities don’t have this niche where you can go and listen to jazz on the radio. I can play Count Basie and then turn around and play something brand new.”

In his tenure at WCPN, Polletta has interviewed scores of musicians, some internationally famous, some local heroes. He says the interview that has always stood out for him personally was with the great double bassist Ray Brown. The jazz history Brown represented was awe-inspiring. As Polletta puts it, “You can have a thousand CDs and Ray Brown is on every third one of them.” He goes on to say, “I also had the opportunity to interview [pianist] McCoy Tyner, who has had a big influence on the way jazz has been played over the last few decades. The other standout interview was with [saxophonist] George Adams, who played with Charles Mingus and later played with Don Pullen. He was a great interview.”
Read more from Susan Petrone here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Five things every Cleveland expat should see.
Detroit Shoreway welcomes new restaurants.
Akron Incubator wins national award.
What drives your hyper-local economy?

the slip
nine inch nails

A few weeks back, Thomas Mulready reviewed Trent Reznor’s ambient magnum opus called Ghosts I-IV. In his review here, he referred as much to the nin business model as he did the delirious, floating opera/ post-mod artistry of the work. It’s a bit of a surprise that we’re talking about the erstwhile Clevelander again so soon, but Reznor’s new, ten-song, 44-minute alt-rock album has just dropped. Entitled the slip, this new release mines further in both artistic and business directions. In case you’re not in the know, the album is available AT NO COST as a download at the nine inch nails website (a no-cost sign-up is required).

You read right… no charge. As a thank you to the fans (many of whom purchased the Ghosts suite), Reznor chose to release the slip gratis; without a label, the pure-profit windfall he made on the 782,000 copies of Ghosts sold has allowed him to do so. The music is available in a number of different formats — from high-quality MP3 and FLAC, to M4A “lossless” and “24/96 WAVE” (which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial ShareAlike license). And yes, for those of you who are like this reviewer and like your liner notes, know that all of the downloads from nin.com include a PDF with full artwork and credits. For the record, I used Reznor’s “direct download” option and received what’s considered “the lower quality MP3” versions; the AAC “lossless” versions sound better. And in perhaps the most subversive move, the higher quality files are available in a Bit Torrent peer-to-peer file sharing system… which is the way most music is “stolen” today.

Ah, but the music? After all this tech and commerce preamble, let us not forget the art. the slip is a requisite set of nine inch nails — some of it reaching for the future (the heavy “1,000,000”), some of it very Ghosts-like in its mood and ambiance(“999,999,” “Lights in the Sky”) and some of it purely explosive (the singles “Discipline” and “Echoplex”). The latter two tracks were posted online over the last several weeks leading up to the release. Reznor and this version of NIN (Josh Freese, Robin Finck and Allesandro Cortini) do a bang-up job of melding the group’s signature style. Much better than Year Zero, at least to these ears. And hell, it’s free… like we all want to be.

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

Surviving the Drought
Gregory L. Deegan
Cleveland Landmarks Press

If you’ve read Cool Cleveland long enough, you know I’m good for a sports piece here and there. Usually, these missives come when we’re entrenched in a solid playoff battle… and, like many of you out there, I’m enveloped in the hope that “next year” is right now. How unique are Cleveland sports fans? Well, we’ve gotta be pretty special people for supporting our Indians, Browns and Cavaliers — all of whom have come dangerously close to winning it all — even as triumph continues to be fleeting. Our championship dry spell, as ESPN, NBC, Sports Illustrated and countless other outlets tell us, has lasted a whopping 44 years. And whether you’re in a sports bar in town, or an indie club sporting your PBR tall boy, or at any number of highbrow engagements about town, someone in the crowd is scanning their PDA or cell for a score, or looking for a radio or TV in the place to get an eyeful of the score. C’mon, don’t tell me you’re not curious to know how the Cavaliers are faring in the playoffs…? Not even a little bit?

The question becomes, “Why do we all keep coming back?” Surviving the Drought: Cleveland Sports Fans Since 1964 frames the stories of what it feels like to be a Cle sports fan. It revisits “The Drive,” “The Shot,” “The Fumble” and a whole host of other heartbreaks from the voices in the stands. Author Greg Deegan’s latest book is not particularly weighty (it’s a breezy read with some really cool photos) but where it may lack sports journalism meat and chutzpah, Surviving captures much of the “it factor” — that spirit and perseverance we all seem to hold for teams bearing our collective name. Everything from fan coping mechanisms, Sports Illustrated cover curses and Frank Robinson, to 10-cent Beer Night and Bottlegate is touched on here. But it’s the atmosphere and tradition that stokes the fire of fan loyalty and devotion… keystones to all the great stories and memories found here.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

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

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 5/1 Either the Cleveland Orchestra is having a very unfortunate run of bad luck or there’s a jinx similar to the one attached to theatre productions of “Macbeth” (where the superstitious refuse to say the play’s name)–at any rate the second visiting artist in a row (violinist Janine Jansen) canceled at the last minute. What makes the event surprising is the depth of talent ready and waiting to play a major work with a major orchestra. Stefan Jackiw stepped in to play (a different work) and impressed the audience with a cool (he played with eyes shut, connected to the orchestra only by sound most of the time) and polished performance of Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K.216. To open the program, guest conductor Sir Andrew Davis led his own very splendid transcription of J.S. Bach’s “Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582,” a work originally written for organ. From the opening bounce of the theme then repeated, amplified, and echoed as it shifted from section to section and back, the arrangement gave new and fine life to the original. The evening concluded with Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D minor, a fittingly springlike work that moved from a somber opening movement to a joyous conclusion.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

Peaches, Plums & Pontifications @ CPH 5/2 We heard about “Peaches, Plums and Pontifications,” a collaboration between choreographer Diane McIntyre and musician Olu Dara, only days before its brief run as part of the Cleveland Play House FusionFest. What we saw in a black box setting behind the Bolton Theater stage was a kind of singing, talking, and dancing review, a rambling oral history with singers and dancers. If there’s a unifying theme, it’s black folks and black folkways in Natchez, Mississippi, Olu Dara’s hometown and the subject and source of much of his music.

After each number came a spoken interval that would introduce the next number. The 3 dancers all do credible turns as speakers, singers, and percussionists, using their bodies as drums. We hear of “the peace that was in Mississippi between blacks and whites,” of gypsy camps and a mystical juke joint, and of the connections between African-Americans and American Indians.

The show’s ensemble highpoint is perhaps a song:
“Don’t mind people grinning in your face/ But bear in mind/ True friends are hard to find.” (With the 3 dancers chanting a baseline, “grinnin’, grinnin’”).

As a musical highpoint, many in the audience expressed their preference for Dara’s song about sexual awakening, “Wild Cherry Tree.” Thunder from offstage occasioned reminiscences about the great storm of ’92 and some high energy dancing.

Like McIntyre’s recent commission for Dancing Wheels, Sweet Radio Radicals, vernacular dance in Peaches, Plums and Pontifications shades off into modern dance.

In a question and answer session after the performance we learned that what we’d seen was a work in progress, that after 3 more days of rehearsal the 3 dancers and 3 musicians would perform for 2 more nights in June at 651 Arts in Brooklyn, NY. “Some of these things we came up with this afternoon,” McIntyre revealed. “We rehearsed but Olu was sick for 5 of those days.” She expressed her hope that they would be able to further develop and refine the piece over time.

Peaches, Plums and Pontifications was performed on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at the Cleveland Play House.
From Cool Cleveland cotnributors Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas vicnelsaATearthlink.net

Hakan Rosengren & the Chiara String Quartet @ WSUUC 5/5 It was an enjoyable evening of chamber music as clarinetist Hakan Rosengren and the Chiara String Quartet played to a receptive audience at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River last Monday. As part of the Monday Evening Concert Series put on by the Rocky River Chamber Music Society, Rosengren and the quartet performed two pieces together, with the quartet tackling a challenging piece by Beethoven on its own.

The evening started with “Quintet for clarinet and strings in A major,” K 581, by Mozart, a piece that contains bits and pieces of melodies familiar to even the non classical listeners in the audience. The half hour long selection featured solos by each performer and several duels between the horn and the strings. Rosenberg stepped aside and let the quartet tackle a difficult piece by Beethoven, “Grosse Fuge in B flat major for strings,” op. 133. Different from the other two selections which had all instruments working together for the most part, this piece featured much dissonance and conflict amongst the four strings. An audience member behind me stated afterward, “It sounded like four people arguing.” Rosenberg rejoined the stage for the third piece, “Quintet for clarinet and strings in B minor,” op. 115, another selection filled with familiar melodies by Brahms. The strings and the horn complimented each other in a series of movements which included several sweet love song melodies.

The Monday Evening Concert Series at the church will pick up again in the fall with the String Trio of New York performing on October 6. For more information about the series contact the church at 440-333-2255. Hakan Rosenberg hails from Sweden, and the Chiara String Quartet are currently artists-in-residence at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. For more information, visit http://www.hakanrosenberg.com or http://www.chiaraquartet.net.

As one who usually goes to jazz and rock shows and does not have a big classic music background, I can honestly say that the evening was quite enjoyable. Hearing these great musicians play in person really brought life to the music, and when it was all said and done, it was another enjoyable night of live music in our great live music town.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee @ Palace Theater 5/6 For the sake of brevity, we’ll refer to the production as The Bee. It is one of those cute, fun pieces of theatre. Though there is a little attempt to make the whole thing present a message about kindness and understanding, it is, at least the first two-thirds of it, a delightful romp where we laugh both with and at the contestants. This one-act musical centers on six quirky teens competing for the title of “Spelling Champion.” They are overseen by grown-ups who have barely managed to escape childhood themselves. In the process we all supposedly learn that “winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.” Yeah, sure!

The script is based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original play created by Rebecca Feldman. It was originally an improv piece and it still retains some of that same energy and creativity, especially when members of the audience are placed on stage as spellers and they don’t necessarily follow the cues they’ve been given. On opening night, a tween named Jack Michaels threw a monkey wrench into the proceedings when he correctly spelled a very difficult word, causing the announcer to madly ad lib and find a word to get rid of the kid so the “scripted” show could continue.

After a successful off-Broadway run, The Bee opened on-Broadway to good reviews and box-office success. It was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning two, including Best Book. The touring production is true to the show I saw in New York. In fact, several of the cast are transfers from the recently closed Broadway production.

Each role in the production is well-performed. From the audience reactions the favorites included Cleveland native Eric Roediger, a former local theatre youth director, who plays the overweight, nut-allergic, allergy-prone William Barfee who spells words by use of a unique foot-sketching method. His song, “Magic Feet” was delightful.

Leaf Coneybear, who makes his own clothes, wears a helmet as he keeps falling down and bumping into things, and has been convinced by his family that he is not exactly a whiz kid, enchants the audience with “I’m Not That Smart.” Andrew Keenan-Bolger’s portrayal is so endearing that when he finally spelled out, his exit was met with a series of moans from the audience.

Dana Steingold as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (she has two dads and uses both of their last names connected by an “and), who is the President of her elementary school’s Gay, Lesbian Transgender and Questioning Organization, is a total delight.

As is the case with shows that I perceive as being kid-friendly, I took my 12 year-old grandson, Alex with me.. He gave the show an 8 out of 10. He stated, “I thought lots of it was funny, but some it was not exactly for youngsters.” (He was slouched down in his seat and giggled through the “My Unfortunate Erection,” which was well sung by Justin Keyes; but, I’m not sure sitting next to grandpa during that number was totally relaxing, even if he has had “the sex talk with Daddy.”) He thought the first part of the show was “really funny,” but thought the last half “dragged a little.” Being a talented pianist, he did question some of the vocal blendings. His favorite character was Barfee (the foot speller). His final comment? “I’d like to have gone up on stage and been a contestant, like that kid.”

Capsule judgment: This is a fun show. Since it is rather intimate, I’m not sure how well it played to the back of the front floor or in the balcony. I’d not recommend it for anyone less than in their mid-teens.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com
Roy Berko’s blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2008, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.

Musical Rebels: CityMusic Cleveland @ Fairmount Presbyterian 5/6 And it wasn’t just the composers who were the rebels! Oh, no. One also has to include the superb young violinist Jennifer Koh along with intrepid conductor James Gaffigan in that category, as well. It certainly isn’t every conductor who, during spoken program notes confides charmingly, “you’ll either like it or you’ll want to get up and leave.” I think it’s safe to say that no one actually left during the Ligeti Violin Concerto on Tuesday evening’s performance at Fairmount Presbyterian Church. It was too spell-binding, entirely. You simply had to wonder what kind of musical fireworks would come next!

At first, it sounded like the orchestra was doing some rather extensive tuning – but no! That was the beginning of the concerto! There was a good bit of percussion utilized, including chimes, slide whistles and wood blocks. Several of the wind players also were assigned to learn the ocarina, which made for an interesting sound not usually heard in this context. The second movement allowed the solo instrument’s lower register to shine, in a gorgeous lyrical solo. As the wind instruments run out of air, the music slows and the pitch lowers gently, reminding me greatly of that line from ‘MacArthur Park’ – ‘Someone left the cake out in the rain . . .’

It was the hair-raising third movement about which Mr. Gaffigan made the statement referred to earlier. And no wonder. The other four movements are why this one is called ‘challenging’. Many of the instruments were tuned differently, but played at the same time as the others, and some of this was played at extra-extra-extra loud (8 fs) according to the conductor! It’s rare indeed to find an orchestral piece played at more than 4 fs. Some of this volume continued into the fourth movement, but although shrill, it wasn’t unrelenting. The final movement sounded as though someone was crying in agony somewhere, before reverting to clangorous once again.

It was indeed a bravura performance, for which the immediate standing ovation and cheers resounding loudly through the sanctuary were richly deserved. One could easily exhaust the thesaurus looking for appropriate superlatives to apply to the soloist and the performance. Amazing certainly leads the list. If you missed hearing this week’s concerts, you missed an absolute sonic wonder. (Note: it will be broadcast on WCLV on Sunday May 18 at 1PM.)

From the beginning of the concert, it was obvious that this would be not the usual. Whoever heard of discordant Vivaldi? Well, here it was. His Sinfonia in B minor, subtitled At the Holy Grave was somber in nature, almost a lament. The strings played luminously throughout the short piece.

After intermission it was American composer Charles Ives, who is absolutely a rebel when it comes to music. The Unanswered Question has been an enigma since it was written, defying any easy answers. But still, this was a confident performance of strings and winds in dialogue with each other, while the trumpet comments from the balcony, it’s sweet sounds wafting throughout the high-ceilinged sanctuary.

Beethoven’s First Symphony in C Major, Opus 21 must have been as shocking to those early nineteenth-century ears as the Ligeti is to ours, some two centuries later. After the precision and elegance of Mozart and Haydn, Beethoven really pushed the envelope! Yet, today, it’s almost considered tame by comparison to his later works and those of the following century.

This was a brisk and vital reading that belied the word ‘old’ in every way. Except for some stylistic differences, it might have been written yesterday! Mr. Gaffigan conducted without baton, a technique more commonly used for choral music. Perhaps this contributed to the lyricism of the performance. He indulged in a bit of make-believe shadow-boxing with the cellos near the end of the first movement, the last notes of which reverberated beautifully through the open spaces.

The second movement was lyrical, and the concluding menuetto and finale were both light and vibrant, skittering merrily along towards the end. It was, overall, a most satisfying performance.

The traditional art exhibit that accompanies the CityMusic Cleveland concerts consisted of watercolors by the Plein Air Painters of Cleveland.

CityMusic Cleveland has announced their 2008-09 season, Details of this 5th Anniversary Season will shortly be available at their website, http://www.citymusiccleveland.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 5/8 Thursday’s program reminded me of why I got hooked on classical music in the first place. Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” (Symphonic Suite after The Thousand-and-One Nights) easily spins its web around the imagination, from the first eerily high-pitched and melodic notes from the violin (which set the theme) to the dashing all brass and percussion storm passages to the plaintive woodwinds and the lush and refreshing harp (notes falling like water in a fountain). The Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Hans Graf, made the much-played old recording I first heard the piece on sound like the pale imitation of reality it was. The orchestra’s expansive performance featured numerous compelling solos; it also made me hear the piece with fresh (and grateful) feeling. To begin the evening, the orchestra swept into an almost Disneyesque mood with the sweetness and vigor of Anatoli Liadov’s “Kikimora,” whose name means “creature of the night”–thus fitting into the fantasy mode. Orchestra member Desmond Hoebig’s thoughtful and lovely solo work in Dvorak’s “Cello Concerto in B minor” (a work with “bird calls” and echoes of Dvorak’s mentor, Brahms) reinforced the impression that the program was devoted to fantasy and pure pleasure. At one point, Hoebig turned to concertmaster William Preucil (who would later have an exhausting solo stint in “Scheherazade”) and the two played a striking duet that highlighted the concerto’s pathos and beauty. From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 5/8 It’s not uncommon to say of an instrumental soloist appearing with an orchestra that he has all the notes in his fingers. (Or hers, as the case may be.) In the case of last week’s concerts by the Cleveland Orchestra, however, that would not be accurate. No, Desmond Hoebig, principal cellist of the orchestra appeared as soloist in the Dvorák Cello Concerto, and every note was not only firmly in his fingers, but his very heart and soul, as well. He shared them with the audience and his fellows on stage in a performance that was nothing short of magnificent. Guest conductor Hans Graf was a most willing collaborator in this spectacular evening of music making.

Mr. Hoebig produces the most gorgeous, lush, and rich sound from his cello, whether he is playing loud or soft, and always it was just enough to carry over the orchestra, however many of them were playing at the time. Every note was clearly articulated, and pitch-perfect. The music was so smooth it made me think of warm maple syrup. Several of the orchestra musicians also made outstanding contributions to this joint venture: flute, clarinet, horns and solo violin.

Mr. Graf began the concert with the infrequently heard, but enjoyable Kikimora, Opus 63, by Anatoli Liadov. A limpid solo by English Horn principal Robert Walters set the atmosphere right at the beginning, followed by the low clarinets and piccolo. In a movie, you’d know ‘don’t go there’ almost immediately, yet the music is so lovely it draws you right in, anyway. The brief piece ended with piquant notes scattered here and there, high and low, which drew a chuckle from the audience.

Known as a both a tone-poem and symphonic suite, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Op. 35, based on the thousand-and-one nights, is every bit as much a concerto for orchestra as anything by that name. It certainly shows off the various sections to splendid advantage, especially when the orchestra is this one. Had the sultan heard this rendition, he’d not have needed 1001 nights to make up his mind. He’d have been toast by the third night. Well, maybe fourth. But still – Gorgeous solos by Richard Weiss, cello and Michael Mayhew, horn, accompanied us on our voyage through the ponderous seas on Sinbad’s ship. The Kalandar Prince was eloquently described by John Clouser, bassoon, Joshua Smith, flute, Jeffrey Rathbun, oboe. An insouciant dialogue between the trombones and trumpets followed, before yet another opinion was offered by the clarinet of Franklin Cohen and harpist Trina Struble.

Mr. Cohen again featured prominently in a dandy duet with the snare drum of Richard Weiner, depicting among other things, the young prince and young princess. Throughout, concertmaster William Preucil portrayed the willful Scheherazade, sometimes lyrical, sometimes a bit quarrelsome, with appropriate violin solos. The trumpets contributed an impressive bit of triple-tonguing near the peaceful conclusion. More than anything, this piece serves as a ‘how to’ lesson in assigning colors and textures (or orchestrating) for a full symphonic orchestra.

This week, Principal Clarinet Franklin Cohen steps to the front of the orchestra for the Copland Concerto. Guest conductor Osmo Vänskä returns for a program that also includes Sibelius and Swan Lake. For tickets or more information, call 231-1111 or visit their website at http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

DanceCleveland: Leine Roebana @ Ohio Theatre 5/10 L&R recently presented at the Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square by DanceCleveland, has a unique style that defies a traditional description. The Dutch company gets its creativity from not being bound by the traditional dance language of Loie Fuller and Isadora Duncan, the conceivers of contemporary/modern dance. Its dance style is not contemporary nor modern. It does not tell stories or have themes. It is purely a company which interprets music through bodily movement.

This Dutch dance form has no long history. It is a movement that developed following World War II. It is not bound by tradition. It repelled German dance concepts because of the strong hatred of all things German after the war and was little influenced by the long flourishing movement in the United States. It struck out on its own.

The results? It is totally kinesic, based on bodies forming connections with each other. It is organic in nature. Maybe it should be dubbed, Organic Dance. The choreographers, like composers, take the music, the sounds, the moods and create visual energy and synchrony. They “dissect the body into its constituent parts, put it back together and invite it to dance.”

The dancers sometimes move in unity, though almost never touching each other. There are no lifts, no carries, just melding of bodies together in space. The short pieces are blended together by the next set of dancers moving into the preceding piece and then being left on the stage as the original dancers leave. There is little time for audience applause between segments as the sections blend together. There are no mid-performance curtain calls as there are no “lead” dancers, no stars, no specialty numbers. The flow is organic, with music, light or sound transitions.

The dance is symbolic of the Dutch people. In contrast to the US, in which much of the arts is considered high brow and is attended by only the intellectual elite, “In the Netherlands, participation in the arts and culture is considered a basic right of citizens along with housing, education and health care. The Dutch government, through its culture funds and agencies, channels this support to ensure that everyone in the Netherlands, no matter their age, ethnicity or education can enjoy this right.” Quite a difference from this country, where federal funds are almost invisible and the only local government support is through taxing smokers and arts organizations are left to beg for corporate money.

Several program specifics stood out. The lighting was so incorporated into the dance that the spots became additional performers. The simple setting, with a large panel of woven cloth hung mid-center of the back wall, changed colors to enhance the musical moods. The music, specifically composed for the company, and its execution by two violists and a pianist, was encompassing. A counter tenor added a surreal atmosphere to the proceedings. The special sound effects added to the emotional level and tied to the modernism of the company by adding the dimension of the mediated world.

Capsule judgment: BRAVO! DanceCleveland plays a vital role in exposing Clevelanders to unique dance experiences. Thanks to Pamela Young, the Executive Director of DanceCleveland, for bringing Leine Roebana to the area. Also praise to her for insisting the live musicians accompany the group as most of this company’s performances use recorded music.

Dance Cleveland’s next season will feature Doug Varone and Dancers, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. For information go online to http://www.dancecleveland.org.

From Cool Cleveland cotnributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

Roy Berko’s blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2008, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.

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Faster Than A Speeding Bullet More powerful than a locomotive, the Hard Corps are able to leap tall e-blasts in a single bound. Birds and planes to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Steve Copley, Claudia J. Taller, Susan Petrone, Susan Schaul, Roy Berko, Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas, Linda Eisenstein, Kelly Ferjutz, Douglas O’Bryon and Greg Cielec. Go Cavs! 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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