*-****** Cool Cleveland 12/11 – 12/18 Out With The Old ******-*
The new leaders of Cleveland are looking for a foothold, while the old guard continues to stumble. Guess who said this: “The Growth Association, Cleveland Tomorrow, Cleveland Today, Cleveland Next Tuesday. They have not been cutting it.†Which radical young turk was caught voicing this sentiment that everyone knows (but no one wants to speak)? None other than Sam Miller of Forest City. Check the Becky Gaylord piece here, and see the list of nine economic development groups with a combined budget of about $80 million (most of it tax money), and then tell me what all this cash buys us? Takeaway: Pittsburgh found itself in a similar situation 10 years ago with dozens of ineffectual, infighting eco dev groups (sounds familiar), and they came together under a common vision called the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. See the story “Regionalism: The Sequel†in the 11/02 Pittsburgh magazine (not online, but the mag is here). You’ve been nominating cool Clevelanders (see below), so watch this space as we profile them, many of whom are tomorrow’s community leaders.
Isn’t it nice that TRW gave their $60 million HQ to the needy Cleveland Clinic as a parting gift? And don’t expect any health services there, just overhead and administration(!) See Roger Mezger and Jesse Tinsley’s touching story here. God knows the CC needs it after losing over $340 million on risky, undiversified stock market investments over just the past two years alone. Read the story about that one by Diane Solov here. Even Al Lerner’s record-breaking $100 million cash gift earlier this year hardly makes a dent when you’re losing that much that fast. Not that the TRW gesture isn’t swell (they could have sold it off and pocketed the dough), but why isn’t it even conceivable that a gift like this would ever find it’s way to the Cleveland Public Schools, who could really use it?
Cleveland is exporting its culture to New York Cleveland Public Theatre’s most expensive production, Blue Sky Transmission: A Tibetan Book of the Dead, is premiering at New York’s LaMama, the legendary experimental theatre where exec director James Levin studied. The show is the brainstorm of Raymond Bobgan, who continues to tweak the show, one of the best things that CPT has ever produced. And Lost Highway, which was co-written by Cleveland PlayHouse associate artist Randal Mylar and had its guts restored in Cleveland this September, is showing at Manhattan Ensemble Theatre. Read Tony Brown’s story here. Congratulations to the artists, and to Cleveland for realizing its potential as a cultural center.
Nice move, Tri-C Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus has invested $13 million in their new Technology Learning Center, complete with 700 computers, almost half of which are available to the public. They should be congratulated and encouraged. Read about it here.
More tough love from Peter You thought his petulance at Cleveland’s elite (refusing to donate to their nonprofits until CWRU cleans up its act) was bold, this is how Peter Lewis (who is president of the Guggenheim Museum’s board) describes his coercive approach: “In the last four or five months, I stopped cajoling and started seriously threatening,” Mr. Lewis said, noting that just 10 days ago, he had rejected (Guggenheim Director) Mr. (Thomas) Krens’s proposed spending plan for 2003. “I said, `Tom, either you go back and come back with a real plan, or we will have to talk about your leaving.’ ” The New York Times has the whole story here.
Tried running an ad in Scene lately? They can’t wait to jack up their rates double now that they schemed to close down the Free Times in exchange for giving up their own sister paper in the LA market. Now they are being investigated by the US Department of Justice for antitrust violations. Read the whole ugly story by Crain’s Shannon Mortland here.
Pass on your gently used books (K-5) for use by the Newton D. Baker School of the Arts by dropping them at any of the four area Luchita’s restaurants 476-2660www.luchitas.com
Art as economic development How many times do we have to say it? The arts and artists stimulate the economy, salvage neighborhoods, renovate buildings, and can be the very thing that saves this great town. The Beachland Ballroom on Waterloo Road has been revitalizing their community for over two years, recently they ushered in the What Not Coffee Shop and now they are expanding with the Beachland Salvage, offering “loads of neat stuff from vintage clothes, vinyl records of all kinds, weird furniture, outsider art, art deco, 50s modern, 60s mod, 70s disco, lurid paperbacks, old toys and even funky kitchenwares!†Check out the grand opening on Fri 12/13 from 6-9PM 16001 Waterloo, 404-0751
Cool Cleveland is throwing a party and you’re invited Don’t miss Cleveland first Art/Tech/Dance party hosted by AIP and Cool Cleveland at the New Center for Arts and Technology, 5000 Prospect on Thu 12/19 4-9PM, sponsored by Calfee, Halter & Griswold. Open bar with beer & wine, DJ, performance by SAFMOD, a VJ, and an open projector showcasing the best of local digital art. With 16 partner organizations from the arts & tech sectors, and almost 100 registered already, there’ll be plenty of folks to dance with. Register here: http://www.corpmeetings.com/register/aip_cle/arttech/index.html
Cool Cleveland This Week 12/11 – 12/18
Art Interaction AIDS Art is not just about looking at pretty pictures. Sometimes the pictures are designed to get you to do something; sometimes even something good for you like encouraging you to use a condom. Of course, that can also be called propaganda or advertising. Discuss the controversial agit-prop campaign Art Action AIDS with local featured artists and community activists. Wed 12/11 7PM SPACES, 2220 Superior Viaduct, 621-2314 www.spacesgallery.org
Porn Yesterday: Stag Movies 1915-1950 With today’s ability to download excellent XXX flix from Kazaa and the like, its hard to remember that not too long ago you had to set up a projector and gather the bachelor party around the grainy image flickering over the mantle to see films like Free Ride (the world’s oldest stag film), directed by A. Wise Guy and shot by Will B. Hard. Nowadays the ladies are invited to the Cinematheque 11141 East Blvd 421-7450. If you’re over 18, go see for yourself how silly the “controversial†and “obscene†look a few years after the hoopla dies down. Thu 12/12 8:50PM, Fri 12/13 7:30PM.
Swamp Pop Watch as Cleveland’s own Cats On Holiday breaks in their new drummer, Thomas Anonymous, at Dempsey’s Oasis at 1109 Starkweather right on Lincoln Park in Tremont 621-5260. Besides a blistering version of Ring of Fire, a rockabilly take on The Clash’s Stand By Me, and the slew of tasty originals, Fri 12/13 (8PM-mid) may be a lucky day after all…
ecoCleveland “A green revolution has taken root in Cleveland†according to John Kuehner’s article in the PD. Read about recent projects like Cleveland ecoVillage on W. 58th, the Detroit-Superior bridge bikeway, and plans to install 500 bike racks at key public buildings. Start your own ecoRevolution this week: Wed 12/11 8-11:30AM Ohio Grantmakers Forum with the Federation for Community Planning and CSU presents “Straight talk about Ohio’s Budget—The impact on Northeast Ohio’s nonprofit community.” Held at CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs, 1717 Euclid Ave. 861-6223. Sat 12/14 2PM Scienteens: GeoCaching, Donald W. Meyer Center, Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon. Teens, ages 12 and older discover the fascinating new sport of geocaching, a high-tech hunt for hidden treasures. Participants compile contents for Geauga Park District’s first park-sponsored cache, then, using a GPS unit, pinpoint where the Park District’s first cache will be hidden. To register call 440-286-9516 or 800-536-4006
Glass Bead Holiday Bring the kids (5+) and work with them to create a beautiful glass bead holiday candle shelter with stained glass artist Deby Cowdin Sat 12/14 10-11:30AM Art House, 3119 Denison, 398-8556
The Amazing Dolores, with the Carpenter Ants We’re told to “expect nothing less than a yowling, howling bundle of madwoman rock n’ roll dolled up like a church-sanctioned bingo-playing queen.†Openers the Carpenter Ants mix it up with gospel soul, rhythm & blues and country funk. Sat 12/14 9PM Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo, 383-1124
Kill Your TV Join your fellow humans at a real cool live show this weekend: Allow yourself to enjoy the Santaland Diaries, it’s cheaper than therapy, at Beck Center thru 12/22; be there for The Mai at Dobama thru 12/21; Hedwig and the Angry Inch at CPT thru 1/4 is getting good press by Carolyn Jack here (the band anyway); Don’t missCharenton Theatre’s Lonestar, Fri 12/13 and Sat 12/14 8PM & 11PM in the Lincoln Park Pub, 2609 W. 14th, 621- 2240. I’m only gonna remind you so many times, and then it’s on you.
Ramones Night Nothing to do on a Tuesday night in Cleveland you say? DJ Larry Szyms spins a tribute to recently-departed Joey and the rest of the once and always brothers Ramone. Tues 12/17 Capsule, 13376 Madison, 216-CAP-SULE.
Instant Karma quik reviews of last week’s events
Trolley Hop @ downtown art galleries 12/6 Of course, it’s only the first year for trying to get Clevelanders to board a bus to visit all the downtown galleries in one jump. A great idea (let’s hope they give it a go next year), and at least we can say WinterFest tried. It seemed like the energy was elsewhere tonight.
Toy Show @ 1300 12/6 So this is where everyone was, listening to the DJ and checking out Art About Toys and Toys As Art which was fun, crowded and inspiring. Plus, Derek Hess was letting his drawings go at a discount, the bar was selling cheap beer, what’s not to like? Especially cool were Scott Radke’s brand new marionettes, just created since his show sold out so fast at Doubting Thomas, and he’s got 23 new posters available now on his site here.
One Week In the Life of University Circle @ University Circle 12/8 With 15,000 visitors (50% more than last year), the new Cleveland holiday tradition of CircleFest is a powerful look at an astounding array of cultural institutions that we sometimes take for granted. A nice twist this year was the scavenger hunt looking for OneWeek digital art projects scattered throughout the Museum of Art (Sreshta Premnath’s Circumscript looked beautiful and right at home projected in the contemporary gallery. The CIA Ohio Bell Auditorium was a great place to relax and spend time with each computer kiosk. And the stunning eyeball-filling Shafran Planetarium was almost too impactful. A brilliant ode to collaboration, cooperation and the power of art.
Annie @ Beck Center 12/8 Not as bad as you remember it, even for the adults, and of course, the kids do love it. Check out young Heather Farr in the title role, who, according to James Damico, “displays a pair of brass lungs,†and even the live dog Sandy has an attitude. See review here. A refreshing holiday option.
Yr Turn feedback, quik surveys & attitude
Taking Issue On the changes at CSU under their new administration, with senior housing, Fenn Tower dorms, and New Urbanism initiatives, from the 11/27 issue: regarding fenn tower at csu becoming a dorm; history repeats itself. fenn tower dormitory was an eclectic community, at least in the mid-80’s, of jocks, out-of-state residents, fraternity & sorority members, international students and local students who wanted an “away-from-home” experience. what great foresight csu administration had when they closed fenn tower dorms when they opened viking hall dorms. this was the same administration that said that the physical plant at csu could not accommodate any fast food type restaurants and that fraternities and sororities were not conducive to on-campus student life (let’s not even talk about the successful basketball team “packing” in the 13,000 convocation center ). funny how some forward thinking can move csu into being a greater community asset. welcome dr. schwartz!
On “What is Cleveland’s biggest problem?†from the 12/8 issue: Cleveland’s biggest problem is that there aren’t enough people getting this newsletter! If I hear one more person say “there’s nothing to do” I might just explode! Seriously though…Cleveland’s biggest problem is that there isn’t a comprehensive source of information about what’s going on around town. Sure, there are some sites that attempt to do this but they are poorly organized, are not well informed or are just plain hard to find. When I say comprehensive, I mean from the standpoint of all social, business, community and recreational activities geared toward any and all age groups. To get a college bound 18 year old to move back here in 4 years, they need to have fun before they leave so they want to come back…to keep a 25 year old MBA student from moving to another city they need to know that this is an active, network-oriented business community and there are a plenty of fun places to hang out in your spare time…to keep a 50 year from moving to Florida for their retirement they need to know that there is a plethora of recreational and community activites around town…and to ensure that Cleveland’s kids stay healthy they need to know what hills there are to climb, mountains to sled down and forests to hike through!
Cleveland’s other Biggest Problems: everyone focuses on all the problems and no one is working toward a solution (sometimes just creating more problems) Cleveland’s biggest problem? It’s poverty, and all of the nasty problems that go with being poor. Cleveland’s biggest problem is fear, fear, fear. Fear of differences, fear of taking chances, fear of change. Why do I stay? Because deep down, I believe it can change. And I think it is, slowly, at a grass roots level. Thanks for getting the word out about cool goings-on. Gets me off my apathetic ass! You are truly inspiring. Cleveland’s biggest problem is America’s biggest problem. Freedom. We think that we’re free because this is the “land of the free,” complete with a kick-ass murderous military to “defend” our freedom. Wake up call: you’re not free because someone else defends your freedom. You’re free because of your own thoughts, choices and actions. You have to BE free. You can’t be lazy, and you definitely can’t wait to be compensated for your deeds. Freedom means you seize your chance to act, to live, even though nobody is asking you to and nobody is paying you to. Is there a fire in your belly, or what? Ask your fellow Clevelanders how many times they’ve gone exploring in their own city, trying to expand their horizons and try something new. Ask them if they feel free. Biggest Problem -Cleveland is too unforgiving. For a startup culture and community to survive, people need to make mistakes and learn from them. For example, in this week’s CrainTech Chris Thompson practically crusifies Grant Cleveland / Gooey fame with the tone in his article footnote about the guy running an online cactus site. Grant Cleveland is no different than any other entreprenuer who exercised bad judgement and made poor business decisions. He just so happened to do it in Cleveland so NO ONE let him live it down… Believe me, I worked for a Cleveland base start up as the Manager of Online Content Development when Gooey went under and found it a little nerve racking to find many of my good friends and peers were abruptly out of a job but they learned from their mistakes as well.. Yet, many business leaders and investors choose not to let Gooey’s memory go. Entreprenuers have been through hell trying to get funding around here ever since. It hard to cultivaate a tech culture when investors and city officials are leery of the viability of technology based companies. Biggest problem: There’s no buzz. We all need to drink the Kool Aid and proclaim in unison that Cleveland is Cool! If we don’t believe it then no one else will either. Worst problem: downtown parking
This Week’s Quik Survey Who’s cool and why? Hit reply and make someone famous. Or maybe you don’t know anyone who fits that description.
Give the gift of a free Cool Cleveland subscription to a friend by passing this along. Or send e-mail to thomas@mulready.com and watch what happens.
Are you leading, following, or just in the way?
—Thomas Mulready
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