On Wining

6.25-7.02.08
On Wining

In this week’s issue:
* Roadtrip Headin’ East to our bountiful wine country
* Biztech Profile Robert Conrad of WCLV-FM 95.5
* Ingenious Ken Warren of the Lakewood Public Library
* Edge F/X Seeding Food Deserts with ingenuity
* Straight Outta Mansfield Frazier asks “Will race will impact The Race?”
* Profile Andrea Anelli of Opera Per Tutti
* Reads King of the Holly Hop by Les Roberts
* Sounds Gettin’ Atomic with Denny Earnest & Co.

* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, Brewed Fresh Daily here

The theory goes that Clevelanders like to whine. In reality, this glass-half-empty mentality is perpetuated by local big media: sensationalist TV newsreaders, obnoxious talk-radio shills, and newspaper commentators who haven’t been Downtown since the 1950’s. Our only solution: stop listening to them. Instead, fill your wine glass with our report on Ashtabula County Wine Country, a video interlude with WCLV’s classical music savior Robert Conrad, our Edge F/X story on community gardens, and a Profile of Opera Per Tutti’s Andrea Anelli. Consider our reviews of Les Roberts’ new book and Denny Earnest and the Hot String Trio’s new CD. Spend a few moments on a video tour of the new Lakewood Public Library with director Ken Warren, and savor our Kids coverage, news and event hot picks for the week. Just so you don’t think we’re artificially sweetened, read Mansfield’s take on race in the presidential race, the inquisitive comments on BFD Weekly, and the blog postings of Emissions from the Blogsphere. So, this week, take your friends & family out for some wining and dining. Top off that glass and toast our good fortune. It sure beats whining. —Thomas Mulready

Another Perfect Day in Our Wine Country

When that perfect summer day arrives, grab some friends and head out to the Wines and Vines Trail in Ashtabula County. We did just that on a perfect day last fall, and as veteran wine country explorer, I mapped out a route of familiar wineries and covered bridges, and added some wineries I had never visited. We met the other couples at Geneva State Park Lodge. Then we headed straightaway back down 534 past brambled meadows, signs announcing Eddie’s burgers, and the Old Mill Winery. From the Route 2 Thompson/Madison exit we headed south past wooded countryside and vineyards on both sides of the road strung up by their long arms along wires.

St. Joseph Winery was built in 1999 and sits behind winemakers Art and Doreen Pietrzyk’s residence. The family’s grape growing dates to 1972. In 1982 they invested in the Grand River winery and consulted with Ohio State University, Arnie Esterer of Markko Vineyards, and Presque Isle Winery to come up with some great Pinot Noirs. They purchased farmland in 1986 and on the day we visited, Doreen Pietrzyk explained that she just visited their other vineyards and was disappointed to find some root rot while she situated herself behind the counter…
Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Robert Conrad
WCLV Radio

Robert Conrad has taken some profound steps to insure that Clevelanders will always be able to listen to classical music on the radio. Because of economics and a 1996 FCC ruling allowing for multiple broadcast ownership, classical music stations have all but disappeared. In 1990, there were 90 classical music radio stations, today there are only about 20. But thanks to a couple of savvy business deals, Conrad forewent selling out and retiring to Florida, and instead created the WCLV Foundation, which owns WCLV and will operate it with classical music… forever. As he relates to Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, his interest in radio started young, reading from the dictionary to practice his diction. During the war years, his second place contest finish identified him as having the country’s most beautiful (male) voice. Check out his mellifluous vocal cords in this video interview, which includes his signature WCLV air check. http://www.WCLV.org

SPONSORED: FITTech Alert – Do you need IT Technical Support? FIT Technologies offers technical support and Help Desk expertise for customers of all sizes. FIT’s Help Desk support is available 24-hours a day, every day of the year through a simple phone call. IT systems never take the day off — why should we? Learn more @ http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/video/helpdeskFIT.html.

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

Hopkins feels Continental’s pain and there’s little doubt that business here will suffer as a result. Click and then Click Again
See how the House and Senate are planning to tackle foreclosures by clicking on the weblinks here and here
Local SageQuest GPS folks are looking pretty hot in this article. Click
Potential for green jobs in Ohio is “high” according to this story
Into NPOs? Check out the Maldel Center open house and learn to advance your career! Click
Gov. Strickland signs economic stimulus package. Click
TeamNEO report on salary provides some very interesting stats. Read
Are your ideas crossing? Maybe you need the help of IdeaCrossing…? Click
NEO’s AtNetPlus supports BlackBerry with new mail concept. Click

Cle gets “green” nods by venerable indie-minded journo Jay Walljasper in a very cool online article. Walljasper’s work, which has often focused on social justice and the environment, has appeared in the pages of Utne Reader, Ode and the Green Guide — the latter of which features Cle in the same breath as Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Syracuse, NY. Walljasper also points to some source reference at Grist, which readers can find by clicking here.

SPONSORED: Get the Leading Edge Over 1,000 professionals have chosen to get their Executive MBA from Cleveland State University because this is where it all comes together: Contemporary curriculum, outstanding faculty, exceptional students, hands-on experience, invaluable connections, convenient format and unmatched tuition value. You’ll gain leadership skills and state-of-the-art knowledge from more than just textbooks. You’ll engage with your peers and the business community to apply that knowledge, making you more successful in your profession from the moment the program begins. Learn more at an EMBA open house on Mon 6/30 in Westlake, Tue 7/1 in Solon, or Sat 7/12 downtown. Visit www.csuohio.edu/business/mba or email Patricia Hite at p.hite@csuohio.edu for more information. Discover all the opportunities the Executive MBA program at CSU offers. This is where your future comes together.

First PD, now Journal Register Co.? A story in Bloomberg suggests that the publisher of the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal is in some financial straits. The words “default” and “bankruptcy” are among the descriptors. Read more here.

And this just in, also related to Cle print media… It looks like Scene and Free Times are going to merge. Read

Digital Cocktails 3.0 Sponsored by Wonder Bar is third installment of n’working Cle’s tech and creative services industries Thu 6/26 at 6PM. Want in? RSVP to 298-4050 or email: valerie@wonderbarcleveland.com
Check out the Cle Hispanic Biz Expo w/ over 20 exhibitors and 200 attendees registered to date Thu 6/26 from 5 – 8PM. Click
Effective eMarketing Strategies for Nonprofits on Wed 7/11 starting at 9AM. Learn how to supercharge your outreach, advocacy, events and impact! Register

Dawn Hanson
The Fairmount Group LLC
Cleveland Plus

Dawn Hanson has lived everywhere and seen it all: Shreveport, LA, Washington, D.C, Helsinki, Brussels, Copenhagen, and now, the best of them all, Cleveland, which she fell in love with on her first visit. What does she love about this place? She found the housing market favorable, with a generous supply of options. She’s also into the Lake and the big-city Downtown, with so many things to do. Not only is Dawn able to be involved in a number of community non-profits, she also participated in the Bridge Builders leadership program, which introduced her to many of the up-and-coming leaders in the region. From her home base in Cleveland Heights, she participates in major-league sports, and big-league culture, and also makes it over to the West Side Market on a regular basis. You see, she and her foodie husband are fans of chef Michael Symon and the restaurants in Tremont and around the region. Her husband is from Helsinki, Finland, and they were surprised with the number of different cultures and languages here, including a strong Finnish community, with whom they have been developing the Finnish Cultural Garden. She’s created her own business, and has found the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in the world-class Cleveland Plus region. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

What could a series of Sponsored Videos do for your business or organization? Talk with Cool Cleveland about online video, the new way to communicate with your audience. Info@CoolCleveland.com

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CSU Prez (and urban catalyst) Michael Schwartz to step down with a return to instruct there following a sabbatical. Click
Wanna video and promote Cle to the rest of the world? Click here and find out how
GreenCityBlueLake staff members have a new real-world address in The Cle Museum of Natural History, University Circle. Click
Matt Fish’s Melt Bar & Grilled expansion is complete. Cheesy!
Are you ready for the downtown photo challenge? If you think you have what it takes, they ya oughta click here
Chico’s offers discounts to benefit The Gathering Place for local cancer patient support Sat 6/27. A great resource and cause
Historic Centrum theater in Coventry is revived officially during July Coventry Street Arts Fair! Hurray!
Renters caught in the foreclosure crisis A very striking (and lesser-known casualty) acknowledged here
Who is donating to which Presidential campaign? Seems Crain’s is keeping track. The results might surprise you. Click
News of Ohio joining Great Lakes Compact makes waves at Chicago Tribune. Click
Lake Erie International Model United Nations Corporation has a really unique approach to promoting understanding and tolerance for youth between cultures — by modeling the United Nations! Very Cool!
Are more transit buses and passenger trains in Ohio’s future? If you want to have something to say about that, click here and think about the events found here
Watch how Ohio’s “swing state” status plays out in an indie film just released to DVD
Downtown real estate is bypassing the housing crisis, according to this post
Some people call them “staycations.” In the Cleveland Plus Region, it’s called “Get Away Without Going Away.” Learn more about it here and here
Geauga Lake’s rides sold at auction including the local legend The Big Dipper. End of an Era
New DIY fine silver jewelry program launched locally and you can learn about it by clicking here
No-cost opera? We’re all ears! If you’re interested, take a look here
Bill Shakespeare finds a garden that he seems to like. Click
Contract to another new ballpark (this time in Avon) awarded. Click
Explore Peninsula and Art in the Valley by simply clicking here
The FutureHeights Matching Gift Summer Fund Drive kicks off today. Learn more about how you can help by clicking here
Wanna get CrossFit, Cleveland? Then get your workout clothes on and click here
Do you know about the Cle Indie {film} Club? If you’re not hip to it but want to be, you might consider a click here
Stressed? Check out this new local weblink and we suspect your stress might melt away… if only for a few moments. Click
Who is donating to which Presidential campaign? Seems Crain’s is keeping track. The results might surprise you. Click
News of Ohio joining Great Lakes Compact makes waves at Chicago Tribune. Click
Lake Erie International Model United Nations Corporation has a really unique approach to promoting understanding and tolerance for youth between cultures — by modeling the United Nations! Very Cool!
Are more transit buses and passenger trains in Ohio’s future? If you want to have something to say about that, click here and think about the events found here
Watch how Ohio’s “swing state” status plays out in an indie film just released to DVD
Downtown real estate is bypassing the housing crisis, according to this post
Some people call them “staycations.” In the Cleveland Plus Region, it’s called “Get Away Without Going Away.” Learn more about it here and here
Geauga Lake’s rides sold at auction including the local legend The Big Dipper. End of an Era
New DIY fine silver jewelry program launched locally and you can learn about it by clicking here
No-cost opera? We’re all ears! If you’re interested, take a look here
Bill Shakespeare finds a garden that he seems to like. Click
Contract to another new ballpark (this time in Avon) awarded. Click
Explore Peninsula and Art in the Valley by simply clicking here
The FutureHeights Matching Gift Summer Fund Drive kicks off today. Learn more about how you can help by clicking here
Wanna get CrossFit, Cleveland? Then get your workout clothes on and click here
Do you know about the Cle Indie {film} Club? If you’re not hip to it but want to be, you might consider a click here
Stressed? Check out this new local weblink and we suspect your stress might melt away… if only for a few moments. Click

Cleveland Public Art is seeking local artists and planners to be part of an upcoming storefront exhibit addressing the housing and foreclosure crisis. If you have done work on or have a specific interest in this social and economic issue and would be interested in participating, please send an email to contactus@clevelandpublicart.org. Include a statement explaining why you’d be interested and qualified, along with any appropriate supporting documentation, such as a weblink (if you have one), images or excerpts of your work, etc. Call CPA at 621-5330; deadline is Mon 7/30. http://www.clevelandpublicart.org.

Bookstore on W. 25th closes its doors We try to keep it upbeat around here, but the sad news is that after almost 30 years of doing business as an anchor indie bookstore, (the “Six Steps Down” bookstore, aka Bookstore on W. 25th) will be closing at the end of June FOREVER. All of their remaining stock will be sold off at deep discounts through Mon 6/30. Call 566-8897, email sixsteps@sbcglobal.net, or visit 1921 W. 25th St. This is the end of an era for W. 25th.

Are you interested in the water quality of your lake? Would you like to be trained to become a Qualified Data Collector (QDC) for Ohio in lake monitoring protocols? Are you looking for volunteer hours as an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist? If so, join the Earth Day Coalition Tue 7/1 from 10AM – 2:30PM at 3606 Bridge Ave., Ohio City. Directions and details at http://www.earthdaycoalition.org.

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.

SPONSORED: Sip, Savor, Support, Sample over 100 Zinfandels and speak with California’s premier Zinfandel winemakers, while supporting WVIZ/PBS ideastream at this year’s extraordinary Zinfandel tasting event – “It’s amaZIN” on Sat 7/19 at 7PM. Held at Idea Center, 1375 Euclid Avenue. Tickets: $50 advance, $60 at door (if available). Info: www.wviz.org or 216-916-0110.

Seeding Food Deserts

Just a few blocks away from the Huron Hospital in East Cleveland, there is an increasingly familiar site in many urban neighborhoods across greater Cleveland. The shell of a former Tops grocery store resides at the end of a large expanse of empty parking lot. While gathering some footage at the site with Tom Kondilas at LESS Productions, one of the neighbors happened to stroll by.

“They going to be putting a grocery store back in here any time soon?” he asked.

“Probably not any time soon, ” I responded.

Meanwhile, just a few blocks from the old Tops grocery store, a mix of doctors, neighbors, and children worked with Maurice Small and City Fresh to convert a piece of turf lawn at Huron Hospital into a community garden. (This video is an urban response to the no mow lawn installed just last month at the front lawn of the Jones Farm house in Oberlin and shows the grassroots invention that is leading to the transformation of our food system).

Volunteers and hospital staff spent a couple of hours laying down cardboard, shredding newspaper, mixing in food waste, and bringing in a thin layer of topsoil. A variety of vegetables were planted in the strawbale-lined growing beds that evening. The Huron Hospital food services even baked a cake that mimicked the garden with layers of graham crackers, shredded coconut, cherry jelly, and crushed Oreo cookies representing the materials layered into the garden…
Read more of Brad Masi’s Edge F/X here

SPONSORED: Looking for a Writer’s Boot Camp? Try the Cleveland Public Library’s “Urban Experience Summit: A Writer’s Boot Camp,” Sat 6/28, 10AM – 5PM at Memorial Nottingham Branch Lake Shore Facility, 17133 Lake Shore Boulevard. This no charge event will be directed by J.L. King, New York Times Best-Selling Author, and Allison Hobbs, Essence Magazine, Best-Selling Author. Information: (216) 623-2822 or www.cpl.org.

Cool Cleveland is growing and looking for experienced salespersons who are looking to put the passion back in their careers. If you’re a top performer ready to engage your community, send resume and comprehensive cover letter to: Info@CoolCleveland.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Liverpool Life Known professionally in some circles as “Mike McGear”, McCartney is a British musician and rock photographer and the younger brother of the Fab Four’s Paul. He attended the Liverpool Institute two years behind his brother, and has focused on photojournalism throughout his career. He makes a personal appearance Wed 6/25 in advance of his photo exhibition at the Rock Hall Liverpool Life will be on display until late September. Details on McCartney’s appearance at http://www.rockhall.com.

HOT Passport Project Fundraiser at Key Center Looking for a night of spectacular fun, frivolity and entertainment — and all for a good cause? Check out this no-cost shindig Thu 6/26 to benefit the neighborhood cultural arts org; all cash tips and donations go directly to Passport Project. Passport Project celebrates 10 years on their mission to build community through the arts. We’re big fans of PP and their founder Chloë Hopson! http://www.passportproject.org.

Meet author Adrienne Zurub on Thu 6/26 at 7PM at the Coventry Village Library. The Cleveland Heights author worked as a nurse in the Cleveland Clinic’s cardiac operating room for 26 years. Two weeks after she published, Notes from the Mothership, she was fired. Adrienne’s book covers all aspects of her life, including her experiences as a stand-up comic, poet, mother, wife, and daughter, as well her time at the Clinic. http://www.heightslibrary.org.

In the Garden is winding down at convergence-continuum. See the last run of performances this weekend, starting Thu 6/26 at 8PM at the Liminis, 2438 Scranton Rd., Tremont. The production is quintessential c-c and has received rave reviews. For details, info and reservations call 687-0074 or visit http://www.convergence-continuum.org.

The Bridge & Colin John Catch a cold brew, scarf some tasty soul food and get a load of The Bridge — a Baltimore-based quintet that weaves bluegrass, funk, jazz, rock and electronica “over a solid foundation of folk and blues.” They’ve got a great sound, and Akron bluesmaster Colin John opens the show. All this and the Giants/Indians game on the telly? If it sounds good to you, hit Wilbert’s on Thu 6/26 at 8PM. Wilbert’s Food and Music on Huron. http://www.wilbertsmusic.com. http://www.thebridgemusic.com. http://www.colinjohnband.com.

Johnathan Holifield The president & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland speaks at the City Club of Cleveland this Fri 6/27 at noon. A thought-leader on regional community and economic development, civil rights, and government reform, Holifield offers his inaugural address, with the topic 21st Century Urban League: Innovating – Collaborating – Contributing. http://www.cityclub.org.

Cleveland Wine Festival The third annual vino event pours Fri 6/27 and Sat 6/28 in Voinovich Park, adjacent to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Cleveland. The festival caters to novice and experienced wine buffs alike, with a huge variety of tastings, food and wine education, cooking demonstrations by some of the region’s top chefs and live music — all right on Lake Erie’s edge. More than 220 domestic and international wines will be showcased, as well as food from Cle Marriott Downtown, Sophie’s Choice Café, Stancato’s, Fahrenheit, La Dolce Vita and Original Greek Gyros. Details at http://www.clevelandwinefestival.com.

Mike McCartney Joseph-Beth Booksellers announces an afternoon with Mike McCartney — Paul’s younger brother (see “Liverpool Life” under Wednesday’s listing) Fri 6/27 from 2 – 4PM. The acclaimed photographer and author will discuss and sign copies of his new book that features images through Mike’s unique perspective. Copies of several other McCartney books, (adult and children’s titles) will also be available in limited quantity for the avid collector. For more info, call 691-7000 or visit http://www.josephbeth.com.

New Blood The body of work selected for this exhibition at Arts Collinwood consists of a variety of different art mediums. Celebrate with an Opening Reception Fri 6/27 from 6 – 9PM. Each artist was selected because of their own unique way of presenting their mediums during their final graduating projects. Installation, painting, collage, drawing and jewelry making will make up this first installment of Arts Collinwood’s new Emerging Artist Series, New Blood. 15605 Waterloo Rd. Call 692-9500 or visit http://www.artscollinwood.org.

Boston Mills Artfest On the weekends of Fri 6/27 and Fri 7/3, check out this excellent (and inexpensive) juried art show — complete with live music and great food. Artist and vendor tables and kiosks abound, all in the beautiful setting of the ski resort on Riverview Rd., Peninsula… and there are different artists featured at each of the two weekends. This family-friendly festival brings in folks from all across the country and has quite a reputation. Details, schedule and tickets by clicking here.

The Lorain International Festival Ethnic vendors and “costumed maidens” from representative countries of the multi-cultural city, brighten Black River Landing starting Fri 6/27 and running through the weekend. As contributor Claudia Taller mentioned in a previous issue of Cool Cleveland, this is a true tour of the world — filled with authentic food, dress, performance and wares “from Puerto Rican to Korean and all the countries of Europe in between.” Hours and details at http://www.loraininternational.com.

Aspiring Filmmakers Bootcamp Experience how to write, produce, cast, direct and sell your own feature step by step starting Fri 6/27 and running through the weekend. Get “practical, hard-nosed strategies for navigating the movie business.” Explore marketing and web distribution, and exciting alternative routes to breaking into the business… and stick around for the cool “pitch session” at the end — where you make your case to H’wood brass on why your film should be made. http://www.filmboot.com

Karamu Hall of Fame Induction This annual event spans two days, with a VIP reception Fri 6/27, an “Inside the Performer’s Dressing Room” taking place the following morning Sat 6/28 at 11AM. And that says nothing of the fabulous Class of 2008 and the dinner celebrating their induction — which features Kym Whitley (comedian and Shaker Heights native) and James Pickens (best known for his work on Grey’s Anatomy and as A.D. Kersh on the sci-fi series, The X-Files). Karamu House will posthumously induct the native son into its Hall of Fame on Sat 6/28 at 20/20 in the Flats. Details at http://www.karamu.com.

HOT Life on Mars… and Pittsburgh Are we alone in the universe? Do aliens exist? Or are we, ourselves, the strangers in our own worlds? Come find out with SPACES as they journey over to Pittsburgh for the 55th Carnegie International’s Life on Mars. Be a part of SPACES field trip on Sat 6/28 from 10AM – 7:30PM. The show includes works by 40 emerging and established artists from 17 countries. Check out the Carnegie curator’s update herer and purchase your tickets for this hot day trip here. Additional info at http://www.spacesgallery.org.

RENEGADEARTZ This “underground art show” hits Sat 6/28 from 11AM – 4PM at Lincoln Park, Tremont. RENEGADEARTZ is an eclectic collective of underground Cle artists who will be setting up impromptu art shows around the Cle metro area at least once a month, in a new location each time. Our first show will take place in Lincoln Park in Tremont. This is a new kind of art show. Work will be displayed in organic ways that use the venues surroundings. They’re bringing a new form to the scene with the idea that eventually artists and art lovers together will explore new areas. Email: renegadeartzATgmail.com for more info.

HOT Larchmere Flea Market & Festival It’s modeled after the old-time street festivals — replete with great food, fanfare, and the famed Euclid Beach Rocket Car, not to mention great sales by many of the Larchmere district merchants. Antiques, “vintage and useful things” and plenty of arts and crafts, all on Sat 6/28 from 11AM – 5PM. From junk to jewels and kitsch to collectible, they’ve got it all (and see the Loganberry Books listing below for the literary side of things!) Larchmere between N. Moreland and East 121st street. http://www.larchmere.com.

Loganberry Books’ Authors Book Fair One of the neat “main attractions of the Larchmere Festival (see above) is this literary event Sat 6/28 from 11AM – 5PM. Loganberry hosts this local authors’ book fair every year; this year some two dozen area writers will be on hand. Authors include Adrienne Zurub, whose recent Notes from the Mothership has stirred up some controversy. http://www.loganberrybooks.com.

Hot Sweet Lyrical This supercool summer concert to benefit the Cuyahoga Community Land Trust drops Sat 6/28 from 4 – 7PM at The Barking Spider, 11310 Juniper Rd., University Circle. Celebrate a summer afternoon with great music, grilled food and other tasty treats. Enjoy live performances by Gene’s Jazz Hot, the Waxwings Stringband and Uva Ursi and partake of a raffle full of summertime prizes! Learn how the Land Trust is working to make homeownership a reality for low- and moderate income families throughout the Cle. Kid-friendly, families welcome. Call 334-1620 or email info@cclandtrust.org. http://www.cclandtrust.org.

Langston Hughes Induction Part of Karamu’s festivities (see the Hall of Fame listing above) the, Hughes is one of the most influential writers of the 20th century and attended Cleveland’s Central High School from 1916 to 1920. Details and tickets for the Sat 6/28 at 11AM event can be found at http://www.karamu.com.

The Urban Experience Summit: A Writer’s Bootcamp Cleveland Public Library presents this no-cost, open to the public event Sat 6/28 from 10AM – 5PM at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch (1962 Stokes Blvd.) location. Essential skills for writing and publishing “Urban Fiction” will be offered; workshops will be directed by J.L. King, New York Times Best-Selling Author, and Allison Hobbs, Essence Magazine, Best-Selling Author. For more info/registration, call 623-2822. http://www.cpl.org.

Dixon, Jones & Jump Rabbits Marti Jones has been added to the Don Dixon & The Jump Rabbits show at the Winchester on Sat 6/28 at 9PM. Jones was at one time signed to A&M Records and has been compared to Dusty Springfield (favorably). She rarely takes the stage these days, but she does so with husband and singer/songwriter Don Dixon at the Winchester in Lakewood. Jones will do her own set as well as join the Jump Rabbits on Dixon’s set. And, as you probably know, they’re NEO residents. http://www.thewinchester.net.

Order UP! Melissa Barber (of Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding fame) is kicking off a new musical production Sat 6/28 at 8:30PM at Stages in the Cleveland Play House. The event will be filmed, so they’re looking for a lively audience. We’re not going to spoil Barber’s labor of love that she spent over a year fine-tuning; we’ll let you click for yourself to learn more. Looks like vintage fun to us! RSVP by calling Stages at 795-1111. http://www.melissabarber.net/flyer.html.

Evil Ways Tropical Cleveland busts out a Saturday night treat with this Santana tribute band at Sunset Lounge Sat 6/28 from 9 – 11PM with a Latin Dance Party featuring DJ Gozadera immediately following. Ladies receive free “Tequila Sunrise” drinks from 9:30 – 10:30PM. 21 & over. Sunset Lounge, 1382 W 9th St. (next to Mallorca restaurant). Call 440-263-5842 or visit http://www.tropicalcleveland.com for details.

HOT The CMA Galleries are Done! The Cleveland Museum of Art returns more than 900 works of art to 19 spectacularly renovated galleries on the second floor of its historic 1916 museum building on Sun 6/29 at 10:30AM with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Works from the museum’s permanent collection have been in storage since 2005 when CMA closed for their expansion/ renovation project. Access to world-renowned masterpieces from the museum’s collections of European and American art — as well as the beloved Armor Court — takes place immediately following. How divine! http://www.clevelandart.org.

Cooper’s Walk is a fundraising event sponsored by the South Euclid Humane Society (SEHS), and will take place Sun 6/29 from 2 – 6PM. Volunteers will walk throughout the city of South Euclid, knocking on doors to request donations from neighbors to benefit the organization. For more information, call 291-8773.

Can’t Help But Wonder… Part Two The all-acoustic group Long Road performs Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound — Part 2: A 1968 Coffeehouse Concert on Sun 6/29 at 2PM and 7:30PM in Cain Park’s Alma Theater. This sequel to last year’s sold-out concert of all-1960s singer-songwriter fare features a completely different program from last year’s concert; hear great songs by the artists who started the original singer-songwriter movement… Dylan, Ochs, Lightfoot, Mitchell, Buckley, Cohen and more. Fundraiser benefits the education org Roots of American Music. Call 371-3000 or visit http://www.cainpark.com for info/tix. http://www.rootsofamericanmusic.org.

SPONSORED: This Sunday, 6/29, is the Centennial of Leroy Anderson, perhaps the 20th Century’s foremost composer of light orchestral music including The Syncopated Clock, Bugler’s Holiday and his biggest hit, Sleigh Ride. On Sunday at 1PM, WCLV 104.9 will present a two hour ”Tribute to Leroy Anderson,” hosted by conductor Leonard Slatkin and the composer’s son Kurt Anderson, who at one time worked for The Cleveland Orchestra. The program features concert performances and world broadcast premiere recorded performances. Full details on all of WCLV’s unique programming can be found at http://www.WCLV.com.

The Gibson ES-335 Turns 50 @ Rock Hall Call it a birthday bash for a guitar. On Mon 6/30 at 7PM, “Mr. ES-335” himself, Larry Carlton and a collection of other greats will pay homage to this important guitar classic. Carlton leads an an all-star performance including John Pizzarelli, Joe Bonamassa, Dennis Coffey, Joel Hoffner and Matthew Shariff-Hobley. Hosted by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Director of Curatorial Affairs, Howard Kramer. Seating is limited; tickets available through http://www.ticketmaster.com Ticketmaster]] and at the Rock Hall’s box office. Rock Hall Members can attend the concert free of charge, but must RSVP. http://www.rockhall.com.

KaiserCartel kick off their US tour and make their Cleveland performance debut on Tue 7/1 at 8PM at Wilbert’s, 812 Huron Rd. They will also be performing live on Around Noon at 12:30PM on WCPN-FM 90.3. The group’s debut abum, March Forth was produced by Matt Hales (a.k.a. aqualung) and mixed with help from Ken Thomas (Sigur Rós). Not bad company for two elementary school teachers from Brooklyn, huh? http://www.wilbertsmusic.com.

HOT Heima Part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Midsummer Melodies film series, this captivating music film and road movie screens Wed 7/2 at 7PM. Directed by Dean DeBlois, it features the Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós traveling through its scenic homeland (read: “heima”) during the summer of 2006 — offering free concerts in unusual settings like a town square, an abandoned fish factory, a cave, etc. This is a stunning flick, not to mention the Cle theatrical premiere. With subtitles. http://www.clevelandart.org.

A Time to Dance A reception celebrating the publication of A Time to Dance — The Life of Heinz Poll will be Wed 7/2 from 4:30 – 6:30PM at the University of Akron’s Center for Dance and Theatre at Guzzetta Hall, 139 Buchtel Ave. A 5:30PM program will feature Barbara Schubert, who edited Poll’s compelling memoir of how a teenager forced to spend the last two years of World War II in the German navy eventually became the artistic director of the acclaimed Ohio Ballet. Books will be available for purchase. A Time to Dance is also available at http://www.uakron.edu/uapress. Call 330-972-7948 for details.

Music in the Meadow Grab a blanket and a picnic dinner, and bring your family to hear this no-cost, open to the public music performance in Cuyahoga Valley National Park Wed 7/2 starting at 5:30PM. Jessica Lea Mayfield is indie rock, she’s country, she’s folk, she’s soul. Mayfield’s sweet sound is at once haunting and soothing. She and her band present a blend of different styles that results in a very unique brand of music. BYOB is prohibited. Concerts begin at 6:30PM. Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Falls. (In case of rain, 500 W. Streetsboro Road (SR 303), Peninsula). Part of a series. http://www.cvnpa.org.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Kevin Moore
Cleveland Play House

Kevin Moore has been in Cleveland a little more than a year as Managing Director of the Cleveland Play House, and already he’s put into motion some fundamental changes at that venerable institution. One of the biggest challenges was what to do with their fine theatre facilities during the summer months. They noticed that 65% of people who came to their popular holiday show A Christmas Story had never been to CPH before, so they instituted a Summer Fun Series, featuring Girls Night: The Musical and Late Night Catechism 2, both running through 7/20.

Watch & listen as Moore talks with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready about his challenges, his successes, and recent significant changes such as the transformation of the onsite Play House Club into the popular and friendly Stages restaurant, open to the public.

For your own fun night out, get a Cool Cleveland discount to Girls Night: The Musical! $10 off a ticket to any performance thru Sun 6/29. Click the link below, and use the promotion code “COOL.” Click here. http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/showinfo.asp?eventID=29

Wondering about Sponsored Videos? They are a fast, easy and reasonably priced way to promote your message & public image. Contact Cool Cleveland for details: Info@CoolCleveland.com.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes Eco-Adventures Summer Camps! Join a trip to coastal southern Delaware or New River Gorge in West Virginia for a unique outdoor experience. Camps are for 11 to 15 year olds, and take place July 21-25 and August 11-15. Contact VolunteerAtNCSL@gmail.com or call 321-5935 x235 for more information. http://www.shakerlakes.org.

City Market The Hall & Gardens is the co-sponsor of the Countryside Farmers’ Market “City Market” in Akron for the second year running. Five additional weeks are added to the 2008 schedule, launching Thu 6/26 at 4PM. Markets runs on consecutive Thursdays until mid-October. About 30 vendors will sell locally grown and organic fruits and vegetables; locally raised and hormone/antibiotic-free and grass-fed beef, pork and bison; award-winning cheese and artisan baked goods; cut flowers and other specialty food items near the parking lot at Stan Hywet. Programming abounds during the season — including Countryside Farmers’ Market Jr. Chefs Program — so visit these websites for more info: http://www.cvcountryside.org. http://www.stanhywet.org.

Ohio Scottish Games The British Isles get the nod and wink with live demonstrations, food, art, music, and vendors at the Lorain County Fairgrounds Sat 6/28. This day-long, family friendly event is great fun and extends that travel experience without a trip across the pond. Slàinte mhath! http://www.ohioscottishgames.com.

Invent It! Rockets This Cleveland Children’s Museum Family Workshop launches (natch) Sat 6/28 at 12:30PM. Design and launch your very own family rocket and learn how shape, weight and design affect your construction and flight. Participants will build and take home their model rockets! When you’re through, take home some more experiments! Recommended for kids 3 – 8 years old. http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

Get Up, Get Out & Go! Presented by Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), and Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association (CVNPA), this no-cost outdoor activity program along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is for kids ages 11 to 14 and their families. The program focuses on promoting healthy, safe, and fun experiences for urban youth in Akron. It all kicks off Sat 6/28 from 2 – 5PM. Registration is required for every event except the kickoff and the grand finale. To register, call 330-657-2753 ext. 351. Mustill Store, 248 Ferndale St., Akron. Learn more about this and other programs at http://www.cvnpa.org.

Continental Cup Int’l Youth Soccer Tournament feat. AC Milan Two teams from the AC Milan Academies will participate in the 2008 tournament Wed 7/2Sun 7/6 at Lost Nation Sports Park in Willoughby and John Carroll Univ. in University Hts, along with nearly 30 other int’l teams. Over 100 teams (U10 – U19) from across the U.S. and around the world are expected. If you’ve got soccer buffs/ fans/ players as kids, this is where you need to be! Details and more at: http://www.clevelandsports.org/events/continental_cup.

Star-Spangled Spectacular Concert & Festival It’s a tradition for families from all across NEO. Check out the Cleveland Orchestra and their pomp, circumstance and fanfare at Public Square in downtown Cleveland Wed 7/2. Expect fireworks of all kinds — musical and otherwise! http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

An American Salute and a Cleveland Tradition The 2008 Blossom Festival opens with two performances of a program titled An American Salute by the Blossom Festival Band conducted by Loras John Schissel on Thu 7/3 and Fri 7/4 at 8PM. These traditional, old-fashioned holiday band concerts will feature Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture; both concerts will feature fireworks (weather permitting) and the Thu 7/3 performance will be simulcast on WCLV-FM 95.5. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

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.

Ken Warren
Lakewood Public Library

Ken Warren is one proud librarian. As Director of the country’s top-rated Lakewood Public Library, he has been overseeing the renovation of their main library branch in Downtown Lakewood, completed in phases to allow the library to remain open throughout construction. The new building is filled with light, functional rooms, a Grand Stairway, a truly civic entryway, and a large new public reading room. ”Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready snagged the busy Warren in his librarian’s smock for a quick tour through the first floor children’s area, public areas and multi-purpose rooms, and the fabulous light-filled children’s activity room. The new $17.8M renovation of their original 1916 Carnegie-styled building by modern traditionalist architect Robert A. M. Stern essentially doubles the size of the library and the number of parking spaces. The cool new children’s area, called the Libranium, has hands-on fixtures inspired by Lakewood designer Benjamin Coutant, intended to allow young library patrons to unpack meaning upon multiple visits. Be sure to check out Cleveland Institute of Art director and Lakewood resident and artist David Deming’s installation at the threshold of the children’s area. In fact, Lakewood Library has bee nominated as “Best Library for Little Kids” in Nickelodeon’s Parents’ Picks Awards (you can vote here). http://www.lkwdpl.org

Will Race Affect the Race?

No one who’s achieved puberty remains naïve enough to believe that race won’t be a factor in the upcoming presidential race. In spite of the fact Democrats have made a Black man their presumptive nominee, this still is America, where race has been a factor in every aspect of culture and politics for centuries. Quite simply, we don’t know how to instantly cease and desist from viewing matters through the lens of racial construct just because a Black man has risen so far so fast; no society would be able to instantly wash away its past.

So now — with Barack Obama vying for the White House — we are about to enter uncharted racial waters… this is quite new for all of us… and there will be gaffes. Will race become the centerpiece of the now-engaged contest, or just a convenient fallback story to be trotted out on slow news days?

Obama lobbed one of his first racial grenades of the battle in Jacksonville last week by stating at a fundraiser that he expects Republicans to make race as issue in the election. No shit, they would do that? He stated, “We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid. They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. ‘He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?’”
Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here


This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

The Milken Institute Report is interesting since it seems to tell a different story than what we’ve been told about our rankings, etc. BFD readers have this to say:

I’m finishing a Ph.D. right now in Cleveland in a tech-y sort of field, and I can tell you there’s no economy here built around tech, no matter what reports you read. Especially if those reports come from something like NEObio, just don’t believe them. In fact, I’m a little surprised anyone *ever* believed them– I always thought they were just propaganda for the media. Don’t ever believe “what you’ve been told:” go to Cambridge or Palo Alto sometime, and just gawk at the thousands of startups… it makes you realize why Cleveland’s tech workforce is leaving as soon as they can. comment by Andy Cornwell

I mention the report because I think transparency is extremely important in any efforts to create an ecosystem for tech or any kind of startup. There is nothing worse that trying to convince people of something and then having a report totally discount what you’ve been telling people. comment by Doug Craver

In my view, composite indexes like Milken’s (or the FFEF Dashboard) are not very useful. To gain simplicity, they sacrifice insight. (What does it mean that Ohio’s ranking on the “Risk Capital and Entrepreneurial Infrastructure Composite Index” dropped twenty places…?) comment by Ed Morrison

Jumpstart’s “The 2007 Venture Capital Report for the Cleveland Plus Region” may be relevant here. It discusses $318 million in VC investments. comment by Vincent Perricelli

Add your comment over on Brewed Fresh Daily

Andrea Anelli of Opera Per Tutti

When Achille Anelli immigrated from Sicily to the United States at the turn of the 20th century, he’d have been thrilled to think his granddaughter would be singing his beloved operas a century later. He composed and conducted operas in his native country, and brought some of his work with him, resulting in at least one performance of one of his operas at the Brooklyn (New York) Academy of Music. Unfortunately, the score has since been lost, but granddaughter Andrea Anelli has never given up the hope that someday she’ll find it. Somewhere. She has learned a bit about it.

“My Grandfather’s opera was La Contessa di Trigona, a true story of infidelity, bribery, and murder. It was a little too close to the time of the actual events when he was trying to get it performed,” she says. She pauses for a moment, then adds, “If you Google™ it you can see that someone (in Italy) is working to make a film version of this scandalous story.”

The musical gene was passed on to his son Armand, who played trumpet in the big bands of the Big Apple, including those of Eddie Duchin and Gene Krupa. One of the bands toured, and came to Cleveland for a few performances. On one of those trips, Armand met a local girl—Virginia Telich. “Dad asked Mom to marry him during one of their first meetings. She said yes, they both left with the band, and were married immediately!” They had three children; one son and two daughters…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

University Lofts is set to break ground in July of 2008 adjacent to the CSU.
Spangle Magazine, covering arts, culture and entertainment news for the LGBT community launches.
30% of local foreclosures are rental units.
Rust Belt urban chic is an acquired taste.
Support Cleveland artists and designers, visit Room Service.
MAGNET welcomes Halcyon Products.

King of the Holly Hop
Les Roberts
Gray & Company, Publishers

It’s such a great feeling to encounter a friend of long-standing whom you’ve not seen for a while. Milan Jacovich is a tad older, a tad tetchier, a tad more profane than the last time we encountered him, but he’s still welcome to share my space with me! Special thanks, then, are due to Les Roberts (Milan’s creator) and Gray & Company (Milan’s new publisher) for this early holiday gift. Picking up with a friend is one thing; attending one’s high school reunion is quite another. In this new book King of the Holly Hop — the private eye’s 14th adventure since Roberts moved here some 20 years or so ago — Milan attends his truncated 40th class reunion. Bless his heart! It ain’t fun, that’s for sure.

All the favorite hang-outs are here, and the local touches make it so much more personal. Chances are you’ll have been to at least one of the places Milan likes, or maybe all of them. And why not? His creator has great taste! Roberts hasn’t lost any of his dry wit or writing skills while he’s not been writing Milan stories, however. His pungent remarks, analysis of people and perceptions of society are still top-notch…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Atomic Bar & Grill
Denny Earnest and the Hot String Trio
Denny Earnest

It was like getting a letter from a long lost friend when the CD Atomic Bar & Grill by the Hot String Trio arrived in the mailbox last week. Two thirds of the trio is made up of Denny “Deadly” Earnest and Kenny “KD” Jones, who both were part of Deadly Earnest and the Honky Tonk Heroes, a popular Northern Ohio band from that time in the 70s and early 80s when country and rock music collided.

But they were never a Lynyrd Skynyrd or Marshall Tucker cover band, but featured there own original material that was more on the Bob Wills side of country music. At the time, they were one of the only Cleveland-based bands that had, at least for a while, a real national record deal with Mike Nesmith’s Pacific Arts Records. But then MTV came along, country rock faded from the airwaves, local bands like Flatbush and Buckeye Biscuit drifted apart, and Deadly packed up and moved out west, to that wide open cowboy land that he had spent years writing and singing songs about…
Read more from Greg Cielec here

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

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

Honk! @ Mercury Summer Stock 6/13 This production, now being staged by Mercury Summer Stock, is one of those charming little shows which should enchant and regale audiences. It is a retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Ugly Duckling, complete with a theme of tolerance. It has a gentle and pleasant score by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe which does not come close to the wonderful music that Frank Loesser wrote for the film, Hans Christian Anderson, which starred Danny Kaye, and included a segment on the ugly duckling. It is, however, a quite serviceable score.

The stage version opened in 1993 in England and was originally called The Aesthetically Challenged Farmyard Fowl. In 1997, when the script was revised, the title changed to Honk! It went on to win the 2000 Olivier Award, the British equivalent of the U.S. Tony Award, beating The Lion King for the honor.

The story is set in the countryside and features an “ugly duckling,” who somehow is hatched by a hen, who discovers his inner beauty as he becomes a swan. In the process of his journey from odd to beautiful, he is taunted, runs away from home with a cat who wants him for his dinner, meets a wisecracking bullfrog and a lovely female swan. In the process he, and members of the ensemble, sing such songs as “A Poultry Tale,” “Warts and All,” “Look at Him,” “You Can Play With Your Food,” “Now I’ve Seen You,” and the charming “Different.”

This is a deceptive script. On the surface it appears to be an easy show to stage. It isn’t. There is a strong message, there are creative vaudeville-like actions which require that it become a comic strip in action. It is very British in its base which mandates an understanding of broad British humor. The Mercury production, under the direction of Pierre-Jacques Brault with production staging by Joanna May Hunkins, is pleasant, but could have been so much more.

Mercury prides itself on being able to stage a show in two weeks. In this case, with Brault also working on The Wiz at Cain Park, the short preparation time causes the staging to suffer. Brault’s usual creativity isn’t completely present. That’s not to say the show is bad. It isn’t. It just isn’t all that it could have been with a little more time, insight and focus.

Alex Wyse, one of my favorite local actors, plays The Ugly Duckling. (He was awarded a Times Theatre Tribute for his outstanding performance in Kalliope’s Summer of ’42 several years go.) Wyse has the correct happy, yet forlorn face, to portray the many moods of the gleeful yet questioning duck who transforms into a gracious swan. He has a nice singing voice and creates a clear character.

Danielle Renard as Ida, Ugly’s mother, also has a nice singing voice, but lacks the depth to create a complete character. Brian Marshall as Drake, Ugly’s dad, kind of walks through the role, losing his accent along the way. Shane O’Neil’s cat just isn’t cunning enough, and his French accent comes and goes, along with a consistent characterization.

Sara Hymes is charming as Penny, the lovely swan who gives Ugly insight into himself. Brian Marshall has some excellent moments as Bullfrog, but there was a lot more humor that could have been developed. The rest of the cast varies from good to okay. As is my custom when there is a child-friendly show, I took the “Kid Reviewers,” my grandsons Alex (12) and Noah (11) to see and comment on the show. The boys liked the show, giving it an 8.5 on a scale of 10.

They really liked Wyse, though Alex thought he could have projected more during his solos. Noah indicated that the sets could have been better. “Every place they went still had the barnyard behind them.” They both thought that there was some good humor, but “lots of the funny lines were not stressed” and wondered whether the “little” kids would get some of the adult jokes. They both thought the morals, “It’s more important what you are on the inside than on the outside and don’t pick on others because they are different” were clear.

Capsule judgment: This show has a clever script, appropriate for everyone from about 4 on up. The Mercury production was “pleasant,” but could have been so much more with a more concentrated effort to develop the multi-facets of the script.

Honk! which is being staged at Parma Little Theatre, adjacent to Parma High School, 6285 W. 54th Street, runs through June 28 at 7:30PM. For tickets, which are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, call 771-5862. Mercury’s next production is Blood Brothers starring Brian and Dan Marshall, real-life brothers, from July 11-26.
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.

The Carpetbagger’s Children @ Ensemble 6/15 Horton Foote, the author of this work now in production at Ensemble Theatre, is an American treasure. At age 92, he is still writing stories, plays and film scripts that are rich in imagery and examine the intertwining effect that individual family members have on each other. He is a two-time Academy Award winner who also has been recognized with a Pulitzer Prize, and an Emmy and Tony Award. This is not an easy script to develop. It is all talk, no action. With a lesser cast and a less clear image, it could be a bore. The Ensemble production is not a bore. Under the watchful eye of Lucia Colombi, the production is charming. It is well-paced and well-nuanced…

Foote, who authored such film scripts as To Kill a Mockingbird and The Trip to Bluntiful, has been called “the American Chekhov.” And, he well deserves the title as evidenced in this work. This is a well-written script, one in which Foote’s language and creation of illusion allows us to clearly understand the motivations of a southern family unit interwoven with hidden layers of paternalism, half-truths, and stubborn righteousness.

The memory play echoes with the aftermath of the Civil War, the “War of Northern Aggression,” in which southern families lost dignity and pride and tradition as well as much of the land that they loved. Interestingly, the family we observe is not a true southern family. It is one created when a Northerner, a carpetbagger, who came to Texas following the war, obtained a position through politician patronage, and became wealthy by buying up masses of land from the destitute plantation owners.

Set in mythical Harrison, Texas, the story is told by three sisters. In alternating monologues, Cornelia, Grace Ann and Sissy give us their history, a history filled with ambitions, estrangements, jealousies, resentments, loves, births, deaths, embezzlements, stabbings, shootings, bankruptcies, abandonment, legal actions, funerals, senility and happy optimism. All this is done with charm and southern civility.

Foote, asks, “in the end, what is truly important in our lives, what are those lingering questions and regrets that will haunt us, and what is it that remains when we are gone?”

Hester Lewellen, as Cornelia, the oldest sister, is wonderful. She gives a focused characterization and gives the clear illusion of a rock-like woman, who remains a pillar in spite of the strife and stresses going on around her.

Lissy Gulick is Grace Anne, the middle sister, who defies the family to strike out on her own and follow her heart into a questionable marriage, showing another side of quiet rebellion. This is also a fine performance.

Mary Jane Nottage, as Sissy, the youngest sister, displays the right level of air-headedness, the little voice, and the wide-eyed wonder to fully develop her role. Unfortunately, in Martin Cosentino’s set design, she is stuck in the lower corner of the thrust set, and is constantly forced to swivel her head in order to be exposed to the entire audience, causing some distracting movements.

Capsule judgment: Ensemble’s production is a go-see. It is a charming and well-developed presentation of a play by one of America’s best modern writers.
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.

The Wiz @ Cain Park 6/19 It is rumored that the Wiz will be the last fully-conceived musical on the large Evans Stage at Cain Park. If so, it could have been hoped that the facility would go out with a bang. The script of The Wiz is a bang; unfortunately, the production — in spite of a fine cast and production team — is a whimper of what it could have been. This contemporary take on The Wizard of Oz has an underbelly of African American slang, movements and musical sounds and if you’re over 30, you shouldn’t go expecting Judy Garland’s Oz. Think “Ease on Down the Road” instead of “Follow the Yellow Brick Road;” “Slide Some Oil to Me,” instead of “If I Only Had a Brain; and The Wiz himself wailing, “Y’all Got It!”

The show, which opened on Broadway in 1975, features music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. It ran in the Big Apple for 1,672 performances. Surprisingly, a movie version, which modified the story, added some songs, and starred Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Nipsey Russell, was a critical and box office flop.

The Cain Park production, under the direction of Pierre-Jacques Brault, lacks many of the dynamics that the play engenders. This is rock and gospel musical which contains a tornado, munchkins, good and bad witches and wonderful characters who are bigger than life. I needed to be bouncing in my seat and awed by the goings-on. As it is, I was lightly entertained.

Usually, when one sees community theatre, and that is what Cain Park is, a community, not an equity theatre, one expects something less than a professional staging. However, Brault has proven his directing worth and had an outstanding cast and a creative production team, so much was expected. Now, to be fair, I did see the preview performance, but the flaws aren’t such that can be fixed without some major restaging and an infusion of passion.

Even the usual dynamic choreography of Martin Cespedes was subdued and sometimes unfocused. Many of the dances were “nice.” Cespedes usually creates “great.” For instance, in the tornado scene, the stage didn’t explode with energy. A handful of dancers with ribbons attempted to create the storm. The set pieces didn’t “fly-off” stage, and even the band wasn’t frenetic enough.

On the positive side, Malika Petty has a wonderful voice and made a “cute-as-a-button” Dorothy. There was a joyousness in her performance. Unfortunately, at times her speaking voice went into a high-pitch screaming level which was like fingernails scratching on the blackboard. Several of the other actors also had this problem.

Christopher Weible (Scarecrow) has a good singing voice. His “I Was Born on the Day Before Yesterday,” was excellent.

My favorite characterization was put in by Gerald Clarke as Toto….that guy can dance and grabs and holds the stage.

Kyle Primus (the Wiz) did a wonderful rendition of “Believe in Yourself,” which carries the play’s moral. It’s a shame that Primus, who is a wonderful dancer, didn’t get to show more of that talent. Colleen Longshaw’s “A Rested Body is a Rested Mind” and “Believe in Yourself” were vocal highlights.

The man in drag playing a large woman has been done to death. Why Brault, who is extremely creative, decided to pull out that tired gimmick is questionable. However, if it was to be used it had to be done well. Unfortunately, Dan Call, who portrayed Addaperie, one of the good witches, didn’t do it well. His “He’s the Wiz,” instead of being a show stopper, fell flat. He needed to let loose and be over-the-top, not just look ridiculous in a bad fitting wig and ruffles.

Darryl Lewis is one of my favorite local performers, but he let me down as the Lion. He was basically one-dimensional. The role needed more texturing, More ‘big bad Lion” who is really a “scardy little cat.” The strongest dancing was performed by the crows (Lawrence Farmer, Michael Medcalf and Terrell Richardson, Jr.).

Russ Borski’s costumes were wonderful. Richard Gould’s set, though impressive, sometimes got in the way of the actors. Some of the pieces were awkward to move, dominated the stage, and were being schlepped on and off during scenes.

Musical Director Matthew Webb did the production a major disservice by not controlling the volume of his orchestra. They drowned out many of the musical numbers. There is no sense in singing words if the audience can’t hear them. Some of the blame must also go to Stan Kozak, for failing to work on the proper sound balances.

Capsule judgment: Most of those who attend this production, and I hope there will be lots of them, will probably like the show. They will see a very adequate production. With this cast, and the talent of the director and the choreographer, they should be seeing a superb production. Pity!

The Wiz runs through July 6 at the Evans Theatre in Cain Park. For tickets call 371-3000 or visit http://www.cainpark.com. 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.

Jersey Boys @ State Theater 6/20 There was a high-level buzz of excitement at the State Theatre before the opening curtain of Jersey Boys. The audience was expecting something special. And, did they get it!!! At the end of the evening they were on their feet screaming for more and the elation spilled out onto the streets following the show. In this instance, this was not an automatic Cleveland standing ovation given for anything from good to bad productions. This was a deserved “standing-O!” Yes, as one of the show’s songs cries out, “Oh, What a Night.”

Jersey Boys is a story about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. It supposedly is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They supposedly wrote their own songs. They invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were thirty. You’ll note in the last paragraph I said “it is supposedly the story” and they “supposedly wrote their own songs.”

There is some controversy over how much the script’s writers, Marshal Brickman and Rick Elice, deviated from the real story. There is also some question abut whether Bob Gaudio really did write all of the songs. Be that as it may, there is no question over the entertainment value of the production. And, in the end, the audience really doesn’t care if the story is totally authentic.

As one of the songs states, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” You won’t be able to take your eyes off the stage and keep your feet still as the beat goes on and on and on. The show opened in November of 2005 in New York. It won four 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical and continues to break box office records on Broadway. This national tour includes Erik Bates as Tommy DeVito, the founder and sleazy member of the group. His wild way of living, his spending and gambling, caused the quartet problems and eventually was the cause of its breaking up. Bates is appropriately ego-centered in the role. He sings and moves well.

Miles Aubrey is Nick, Tommy’s older brother, who was basically along for the ride. Aubrey, as is the rest of the cast, fits well his part and sings effectively. Andrew Rannells, who not only looks like the real Bob Gaudio, but has the same boyish charm, is excellent. Portraying the “intellect” of the group, Rannells wraps himself in the role and is completely believable. The star of the evening is Joseph Leon Bwarie as Frankie Valli. Though there is conjecture that he is getting support via backstage singers for hitting the necessary falsetto high notes, again, who cares. It works. Be aware that Zachary Prince performs the Valli role at some performances. Having not seen him in the role, I have no way of advising whether his performance will meet the high level of Bwarie’s. Everything about this production is professional. The sets, the orchestrations and the costumes all work.

A sign in the lobby of the State indicates, “Authentic, profane, Jersey vocabulary are special effects used in this production.” Yes, there is an “in-ya’-face Jersey attitude. On the night I saw the show it carried over into a shouting match in the audience which developed into a fist fight at the start of intermission. Supposedly some guy defied the theatre rules and the people around him by keeping his cell phone on, and, the rumor states, using it during the show. How Jersey! (BTW: because of the language used, the show is not recommended for anyone under 12.)

Capsule judgment: I saw Jersey Boys in Chicago. I loved it then, I loved it in this staging, which I think is a better production. Go, go, go see this production. You will have one hell of a time and be in a “Trance” as you “Walk Like a Man” [or Woman] out of the theatre, feeling like a “Big Man [or Woman] in Town.”

Jersey Boys runs through July 20. Performances at Tuesday through Thursday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM and 8PM and Sunday at 1PM and 6:30PM. There will be no July 4 performances. Tickets can be ordered by calling 241-6000 or going to www.playhousesquare.org.
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.

Oklahoma @ Ohio Light Opera (Wooster) 6/20 The Ohio Light Opera in Wooster makes a terrific summer destination for musical theatre fans who enjoy a drive through the summer countryside. Oklahoma kicked off the season last week (the only “modern” piece in the eight-show schedule). Set and lighting designers usually get mentioned last in reviews, but Tymberley Wittrig and Shannon Schweitzer deserve high praise. A simple, huge sky hovered behind the actors. Changing lights reflected the time of day and paid homage to Oklahoma’s outstanding scenic feature–“the big sky” [sorry, Montana, it’s bigger than yours]. The sprightly ensemble cast showed off fine voices and the best dancing seen in several years. Diana Becker’s tuneful Laurey moved with lithe grace and Nathan Brian sang winningly as her beau, Curly. Of course the best parts in the musical are the comic roles of Ado Annie (Amanda Opuszynski), Aunt Eller (Carissa Kett) and Ail Hakim (Jon Gerhard) and they were handled with delicious bounciness (Opuszynski), spunk (Kett) and slapstick (Gerhard). Quibbles: Since the folk in Oklahoma have emigrated from Missouri, why do some cast members sound like refugees from Gone with the Wind? And, will someone (please) fix the lyrics in the title song? How hard could it be to change the “wind comes right behind the rain” to the meteorologically accurate “rain comes right behind the wind?” Think updraft. OTOH, it’s nice to know that even Rodgers and Hammerstein aren’t always perfect. This former Texan gives the whole cast gold stars for getting “cain’t” right. And, yes, providing a summer evening’s entertainment to an enthusiastic full house.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

Houghton’s Big Bonanza @ CIM 6/20 About five years ago, I ran into a woman I’d known some ten years earlier, and hadn’t seen in the meantime. Our connection both times was our mutual love of classical music. During this conversation, I asked her what she was doing these days. To my total astonishment, she calmly replied, “Well, I’m composing an opera.”

And, did she ever! Friday night at Mixon Hall at CIM, before a small and very select audience, Cleveland composer Monica Houghton, along with the rest of us, experienced the world premiere performance of that opera The Big Bonanza. It was a concert version, with a remarkable pianist providing the accompaniment, an experienced opera conductor at the helm and seven professional singers creating the eighteen roles. It was called an “un-staged, first reading of the full work.” Almost all of the ten acts have had a performance somewhere during the last five years, but only one at a time, and not in sequence; some were by students. This was closer to the real thing.

Briefly, in 1997, Monica heard a performance of Mazeppa an opera by Tchaikovsky and was most impressed by it. As she told me at the time, “It was so Russian, and had such a sense of place. I wanted nothing more in the world than to write an opera with that ‘sense of place’ about my country- the American West.” Monica is from Nevada, so it was to that part of our country that she turned for inspiration, and with the help of a friend Jon Christensen, who lives there and is a writer and playwright, the idea of using the Comstock Lode (silver mines) began to take shape.

There were great dramatic episodes from the 1860s that provided the groundwork of the tale: William Wright, who was born in Ohio, moved to Iowa and married there, to a woman also born in Ohio, but hadn’t previously known. From there, he moved (by himself) to Virginia City, Nevada to work for a newspaper. He adopted the pen name of Dan DeQuille. Shortly after his arrival, another eastern writer would land thee, who also used a pen name for his greatest writing: Samuel Clemens, much better known as Mark Twain. In addition to this rivalry — sometimes friendly, sometimes not — there was a fire in the mine, a murder, and a hanging. Operatic fodder, all of it!

Once the opera was completed, came the even bigger hurdle of hearing it all together for the first time, and looking for a possible future production. With the help of a grant from the Bascom Little Fund, this reading brought the dream to reality.

Steven Byess, who is well known in the opera world as a conductor, earned his Masters degree from CIM, and then developed his repertoire at Ohio Light Opera in Wooster. He read the score and thought it should be heard. The marvelous pianist Eric Charnofsky teaches at CIM and CASE, and has an extensive and varied musical background. The singers were mostly from the Cleveland area, professionals all, with one small exception. The very brief role of “pickboy” was sung by 9-year-old Elijah Bell. Judging by his stage presence and musicality, he’ll no doubt become a professional, once his sweet treble voice changes.

Baritone Brian Keith Johnson was excellent as the Wright/DeQuille character. He was humorous and wistful, and occasionally pugnacious. As his wife Caroline and his lady-friend Julia (who is murdered) soprano Andrea Chenoweth readily switched back and forth, expressing longing for her husband, or complaining about being lonely, depending on the role. Bass Ray Liddle was in great voice as the mine owner John Mackey. He also doubled as a miner.

Kimberly Lauritsen, mezzo-soprano, displayed perhaps the most versatility, assaying the roles of Barmaid, Spiritualist and Curbstone Philosopher, but was easily understood in all of them. Although he’s just graduated from B-W, young tenor Michael Jankosky, has great promise as an acting singer, as evidenced by his impassioned pleas for his life as Jean Millean, the accused murderer. He also did a few smaller bits.

Baritone Lance Ashmore was outstanding as Zhang, the owner of the opium den. His song of longing for his homeland was a poignant interlude, reflecting again the love of one’s country that served as the inspiration for this opera. He was also a miner, as was tenor Herb Lentz, whose major role was that of Mark Twain.

This was an extraordinary collaboration on all levels. The libretto (story line as well as words to the songs) seemed to flow naturally from one scene to the next, and in every instance, the music flowed right with it. The music lies naturally in the singing range of the various voices required, making the words almost entirely understandable, not always the case with sung English. There is a wide variety of musical styles and rhythms to be heard here, especially in Zhang’s homesick aria. Monica actually went to China to find source material for this song, striving for authenticity. I’d say the trip was well worthwhile.

Someday soon, I hope, I’ll be able to write a review of the fully-staged and costumed production of The Big Bonanza. I’ve heard my share of new music in the last few years, and this is definitely more listenable than most of it. Furthermore, the story makes sense… something that not all opera librettos do. Bravos all around!
From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

NCMC: Tunes from Tales @ Waetjen Auditorium at CSU 6/20 For their 20th anniversary concert, the men of the North Coast Men’s Chorus pulled out all the stops and let ‘er rip! Big-time. This was perhaps, the most fully-realized of the presentations that I’ve seen during the last five years. From first note to last, it was (excuse the word) fabulous! Richard Cole has been music director for half of the chorus’s existence, and that continuity along with his devotion to excellence has obviously made a remarkable difference.

Guest narrator for this special concert was the noted and much praised Armistead Maupin, author of the Tales of the City novels. He read from his books in a low-key manner, with his wry sense of humor at the fore. The selections were touching and revealing while still being witty and sensitive. His alter-ego Michael Tolliver was performed by Eric Alan Unhold, a local actor, singer and dancer of great capability.

As always, Robert Day served as the remarkable principal accompanist, and Patrick Wickliffe accompanied The Coastliners. The excellent band was comprised of Adam Tully, bass; Andrew Pongracz, percussion; Ardis Hartley-Billey, harp and on reeds, Rich Shanklin and Tom Reed. Lora Workman did her usual magic as choreographer, while Michael Rich’s technical direction and lighting design provided highlights and spotlights, along with the fog, which I think was meant to portray San Francisco. Doug Braun was the eloquent ASL interpreter.

In a slight break from the traditional, there were fewer individual songs presented this time, in favor of medleys on a theme, which generally set up or followed the narrations. Not all songs were sung in their entirety, and some excerpts were repeated. A line in the program stated: “except where noted, all music was conceived by Dennis Coleman and David Maddux and arranged by David Maddux.”

Garbed in jeans with various colored polo shirts, and (mostly) plaid shirts tied loosely around their waists, the men began with a combo of San Francisco and Que Sera, Sera. After a brief greeting by Loralei (Jerry Zak in red sequins and feathers, who was also acknowledged later for having been in every concert during the chorus’s existence of 20 years!) the men parted to reveal “Michael” as a skimpily-dressed dancer. This was the signal for the entrance of Mr. Maupin, who received an exuberant welcome from the capacity audience.

Dancers and a few nuns on roller skates comprised the first big production number to the song Does Your Mother Know, by Andersson & Alveus. For a medley titled Cowpokes, the men put on their plaid shirts along with a bit of swagger. You Could Drive a Person Crazy by Stephen Sondheim led into a hilarious feud between room-mates who each favored a different singer — Streisand vs. Midler.

A Disney Fantasy (which followed a rather un-Disney-like narration), Someday My Prince Will Come, When you Wish Upon a Star, and Second Star to the Right, led to a full-out and enjoyable reprise of Que Sera, Sera.

Following intermission, there were the usual announcements and door prize drawings, plus the second year of a new tradition for the chorus. In 2006, the first Distinguished Service Award was inaugurated, and this year was presented to Denise Leslie (aka ‘Fluffy’) who serves as secretary to the Board of Directors, Volunteer Coordinator and Stage Manager.

The Let Me Entertain You medley featured twelve dancers in black tees and slacks, carrying huge shocking pink feather fans (ala Sally Rand!) and one lucky guy who got to carry the life-size photo cut-out of Rock Hudson, while the others danced around him. Needless to say, this also featured a reprise of Someday My Prince . . .

The Coastliners (a double barber-shop quartet style group) displayed their close harmony in two numbers: Home and Welcome Home.

Michael’s Letter to Mama was written by Mr. Maupin (his most-published piece of writing) and set to music by Mr. Maddux. It was poignantly rendered by the “Michael” of the concert. A reprise of the opening music served as closer: San Francisco, Que Sera, dancers and roller skaters brought the house down to shouts of Bravo! Well deserved.

Along with the release of their newest CD Think Pink, the 2008-09 season has just been announced, and details are available at the website, http://www.ncmchorus.org.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

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

1) Been to Any Community Festivals Lately? Summertime might as well be called festival time.
CoolCleveland.com

2) Big Fun this summer at Coventry Village film series, street fests & one wacky store.
Steve Presser video interview and CoventryVillage.org

3) RoldoLINK Predictable Downsizing at the Pee Dee
CoolCleveland.com

4) LEAF Lakewood Food & Earth Community.
Annie Stahlheber video interview and LEAFcommunity.org

5) Chris Ronayne on sk8s at Parade The Circle ’08.
Chris Ronayne video interview and UniversityCircle.org

We’ve got a Crush on Cleveland. You’ll get no whining from the Hard Corps, who love Cleveland and everything about it. Reds, whites and blushes to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Douglas O’Bryon, Brad Masi, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield B. Frazier, Claudia J. Taller, Roy Berko and Laura Kennelly. 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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